Theft deterrent device for appliances

• US 20050177769A1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securit Electronic Systems Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Paul Stephen-Daly
• Inventors: Van Dongen, Charles Corneles, Champion, Lindsay Alfred, Wambier, Marek Robert, Stephen-Daly, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection

Abstract

A device for deterring theft of an electrical or like appliance having an operation controlling microprocessor, including signal receiving means (2) connected to the microprocessor and adapted for connection to a power supply, first programmed means enabling the appliance microprocessor to disable the appliance, second programmable means separate from the appliance and including a microprocessor controlled signal generating means (1) for generating setting and resetting signals for transmission to the receiving means and operating to enable the first programmed means to render the appliance inoperable when power to the appliance is disconnected, said second programmable means being programmed to include an automatic reset routine which is activated by the restoration of power to the appliance to send a resetting signal to the appliance microprocessor to reset the microprocessor to an operative state whereby automatic resetting occurs in the event of power failure event.

Claims

1. A device for deterring theft of an electrical or like appliance having an operation controlling microprocessor, including signal receiving means connected to the microprocessor and adapted for connection to a power supply, first programmed means enabling the appliance microprocessor to disable the appliance, second programmable means including a microprocessor controlled signal generating means for generating setting and resetting signals for transmission to the receiving means, said setting signals operating to enable the first programmed means to render the appliance inoperable when power to the appliance is disconnected, said resetting signal operating to reset the microprocessor to an appliance operative state, said second programmable means being programmed to include an automatic reset routine which is activated by the restoration of power to the appliance following a power failure event to send a said resetting signal to the appliance microprocessor to reset the microprocessor to an appliance operative state whereby automatic resetting occurs in the event of a power failure event.

2. The device of claim 1 further including motion sensing means associated with the signal receiving means for detecting movement of the appliance.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the motion sensing means is associated with an alarm circuit controlled by the appliance microprocessor to activate the alarm circuit in the event that power to the appliance is disconnected and the appliance is moved, as in the case of theft of the appliance.

4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second programmable means includes a motion sensing means operable to disable the signal generating means in the event that the second programmable means is moved while power supply to the appliance is disconnected, or if movement occurs for a predetermined time while power supply is connected.

5. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the second programmable means is adapted for connection to a power outlet of a mains power supply to which one or more appliances having said signal receiving means are connected whereby signals generated by said signal generating means can be transmitted via the power supply to set and reset the appliance microprocessors of said one or more appliances.

6. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the programmed and/or programmable means is protected by suitable encryption devices or means.

7. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the programmable means is programmed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5G and FIGS. 6A to 6F of the drawings.

8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the setting/resetting signal is sent via the power supply plug to the appliance.

9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein said second programmable means further including security code inputting means to enable user resetting of the appliance microprocessor when required.

10. The device of any preceding claim, wherein said second programmable means is separate from the appliance.

11. A device for deterring theft of an appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.