Integrated security system and method

• US 20050046571A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc. (Murata Manufacturing Co Limited)
• Original Assignee: RF Monolithics, Inc. (Murata Manufacturing Co Limited)
• Inventors: Stigall, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/025 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses absence of reply signal after an elapsed time
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range

Abstract

An asset subsystem is provided for use in a security system. The security system includes a security system controller operable to trigger an alarm. The asset subsystem includes a transceiver operable to communicate a first signal to a tag associated with an asset and to receive a second signal communicated by the tag in response to the first signal. The asset subsystem also includes a controller operable to determine whether the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver and trigger the alarm in response to determining that the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver.

Claims

1. An asset subsystem for use in a security system, the security system including a security system controller operable to trigger an alarm, the asset subsystem comprising:

a transceiver operable to communicate a first signal to a tag associated with an asset and to receive a second signal communicated by the tag in response to the first signal; and

a controller operable to;

determine whether the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver; and

trigger the alarm in response to determining that the tag failed to communicate the second signal to the transceiver.

2. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to trigger the alarm by communicating with the security system controller.

3. The asset subsystem of claim 2, wherein the controller is operable to communicate with the security system controller through an interface unit.

4. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein:

the alarm comprises a first alarm; and

the tag is operable to trigger a second alarm when the tag fails to receive the first signal from the transceiver.

5. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein:

the tag is operable to receive input from a sensor; and

the controller is further operable to trigger the alarm based on the input received by the tag.

6. The asset subsystem of claim 5, wherein:

the sensor comprises a motion sensor; and

the controller is operable to trigger the first alarm when the motion sensor detects movement and the asset is not allowed to be moved.

7. The asset subsystem of claim 5, wherein the controller is operable to trigger the alarm based on the input received by the tag even when the tag successfully communicates the second signal to the transceiver.

8. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein:

the transceiver comprises a radio frequency transceiver; and

the first signal comprises one of a plurality of polling signals.

9. The asset subsystem of claim 8, wherein the controller is operable to trigger the alarm when the tag fails to communicate the second signal in response to more than one of the polling signals.

10. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein the transceiver and controller comprise at least a portion of a portable unit.

11. The asset subsystem of claim 10, wherein the portable unit is adapted to be placed in a cradle, the cradle operable to recharge an internal power supply in the portable unit and to provide an interface between the portable unit and the security system controller.

12. The asset subsystem of claim 1, wherein the tag comprises one of a plurality of tags, each tag operable to receive the first signal from the transceiver and to communicate a unique second signal in response to the first signal.

13. A security system, comprising:

an alarm;

a security system controller operable to trigger the alarm; and

an asset subsystem operable to monitor one or more assets, the asset subsystem comprising;

a control unit operable to communicate with the security system controller; and

an intermediate unit operable to communicate with the control unit, to communicate a first signal to a tag associated with the one or more assets, and to receive a second signal communicated by the tag in response to the first signal;

wherein at least one of the control unit and the intermediate unit is operable to determine whether the tag failed to communicate the second signal, the control unit operable to trigger the alarm in response to a determination that the tag failed to communicate the second signal.

14. The security system of claim 13, wherein the control unit is operable to trigger the alarm by communicating with the security system controller.

15. The security system of claim 14, further comprising an interface unit operable to facilitate communication between the control unit and the security system controller.

16. The security system of claim 13, wherein the tag is operable to trigger an external circuit when the tag fails to receive the first signal.

17. The security system of claim 16, wherein:

the tag is attached to a vehicle; and

the external circuit comprises a vehicle security system.

18. The security system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle security system comprises a circuit operable to disable the vehicle.

19. The security system of claim 13, wherein:

the tag is operable to receive input from a sensor; and

the asset subsystem is further operable to trigger the alarm based on the input received by the tag.

20. The security system of claim 19, wherein:

the sensor comprises a motion sensor; and

the asset subsystem is operable to trigger the alarm when the motion sensor detects movement and the asset is not allowed to be moved.

21. The security system of claim 19, wherein the asset subsystem is operable to trigger the alarm based on the input received by the tag even when the tag successfully communicates the second signal.

22. A method, comprising:

communicating a first signal to a tag associated with an asset;

determining whether a second signal is received from the tag during a specified period of time; and

triggering an alarm in response to determining that the tag failed to communicate the second signal during the specified time period, wherein triggering the alarm comprises communicating with a security system controller operable to trigger the alarm, the security system controller and the alarm comprising a portion of a security system.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein communicating with the security system controller comprises communicating with the security system controller through an interface unit.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the alarm comprises a first alarm;

and

further comprising triggering a second alarm by the tag when the tag fails to receive the first signal.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the tag is operable to receive input from a sensor;

and

further comprising triggering the alarm based on the input received by the tag.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

the sensor comprises a motion sensor; and

triggering the alarm based on the input comprises triggering the alarm when the motion sensor detects movement and the asset is not allowed to be moved.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein triggering the alarm based on the input comprises triggering the alarm based on the input even when the tag successfully communicates the second signal to the transceiver.

28. A tag, comprising:

a transceiver operable to receive a first signal and to communicate a second signal; and

a controller operable to;

detect the first signal received by the transceiver;

initiate communication of the second signal by the transceiver; and

trigger an external circuit in response to determining that the first signal was not received within a specified period of time.

29. The tag of claim 28, wherein:

the tag is attached to a vehicle; and

the external circuit comprises a vehicle security system.

30. The tag of claim 29, wherein the vehicle security system comprises a circuit operable to disable the vehicle.

31. The tag of claim 28, wherein:

the controller is further operable to receive input from a sensor; and

at least a portion of contents of the second signal is based on the input from the sensor.

32. The tag of claim 31, wherein:

the sensor comprises a motion sensor; and

the second signal indicates whether the motion sensor has detected movement.

33. The tag of claim 28, wherein the first signal is transmitted by at least one of a control unit and an intermediate unit in an asset subsystem of a security system.