Optic fiber security fence system

• US 20060083458A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Iffergan
• Original Assignee: David Iffergan
• Inventors: Iffergan, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,123,785 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/13
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4415 Cables for special applications G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4469 Security aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/124 with the breaking or disturbance being optically detected, e.g. optical fibers in the perimeter fence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

A security system is described that includes an optical fiber net woven from an optical fiber wire. A light generator introduces an incident light signal into the optical fiber wire. A light receiver receives an exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire. An optical sensor wire is connected to the optical fiber net and is displaced when a force is applied to the optical fiber net. The optical sensor wire receives a patterned incident light signal that is altered upon application of the force applied to the optical fiber net, thereby producing an altered patterned exigent light signal. The light receiver initiates an alarm either (1) if the exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire terminates, or (2) after comparing the exigent patterned light signal with the incident patterned light signal in the optical sensor wire and establishing a deviation, if the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A security system, comprising:

an optical fiber net woven from at least one optical fiber wire;

a light generator connected at a first end of the optical fiber net to introduce an incident light signal into the optical fiber wire;

a light receiver connected at a second end of the optical fiber net to receive an exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire; and

at least one optical sensor wire connected to the optical fiber net such that the at least one optical sensor wire is displaced when a force is applied to the optical fiber net, the at least one optical sensor wire being connected between the light generator and the light receiver, the at least one optical sensor wire receiving a patterned incident light signal that is altered upon application of the force applied to the optical fiber net, thereby producing a patterned exigent light signal,

wherein the light receiver initiates an alarm either (1) if the exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire terminates, or (2) after comparing the patterned exigent light signal with the patterned incident light signal in the at least one optical sensor wire and establishing a deviation, if the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the light generator comprises two light sources, one producing an incident light signal for the optical fiber net, the other producing a patterned incident light signal for the optical sensor wire.

3. The security system of claim 1, wherein the light receiver comprises two light sensors, one receiving the exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire, the other receiving the patterned exigent light signal from the optical sensor wire.

4. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a physical security barrier to which at least the optical fiber net is attached.

5. The security system of claim 4, wherein the physical security barrier comprises at least one selected from a group comprising:

a chain link fence, a barbed wire fence, a weld mesh fence, a concrete wall palisade, a stone wall palisade, a hedge, or a brick wall palisade.

6. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a physical barrier in which a least the optical fiber net is embedded.

7. The security system of claim 6, wherein the physical security barrier comprises at least one selected from a group comprising:

a chain link fence, a barbed wire fence, a weld mesh fence, a concrete wall palisade, a stone wall palisade, a hedge, or a brick wall palisade.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the light receiver comprises a computer.

9. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a computer; and

a communications link, permitting the computer to communicate at least with the light generator and the light receiver, wherein the computer processes signals generated by the light receiver before initiating an alarm.

10. The security system of claim 9, wherein the communications link comprises a wired connection.

11. The security system of claim 9, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless connection.

12. A security system, comprising:

a physical security barrier;

an optical fiber net woven from at least one optical fiber wire disposed adjacent to the physical security barrier;

a first light generator connected at a first end of the optical fiber net to introduce an incident light signal into the optical fiber wire;

a first light receiver connected at a second end of the optical fiber net to receive an exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire;

at least one optical sensor wire connected to the optical fiber net such that the at least one optical sensor wire is displaced when a force is applied to the optical fiber net;

a second light generator connected at a first end of the optical sensor wire to introduce a patterned incident light signal into the optical sensor wire;

a second light receiver connected at a second end of the optical sensor wire to receive a patterned exigent light signal from the optical sensor wire,

wherein the patterned incident light signal is altered upon application of the force applied to the optical fiber net, thereby producing a patterned exigent light signal,

wherein the light receiver initiates an alarm either (1) if the exigent light signal from the optical fiber wire terminates, or (2) after comparing the patterned exigent light signal with the patterned incident light signal in the at least one optical sensor wire and establishing a deviation, if the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

13. The security system of claim 12, further comprising:

a physical security barrier to which at least the optical fiber net is attached.

14. The security system of claim 13, wherein the physical security barrier comprises at least one selected from a group comprising:

a chain link fence, a barbed wire fence, a weld mesh fence, a concrete wall palisade, a stone wall palisade, or a brick wall palisade.

15. The security system of claim 12, further comprising:

a physical barrier in which a least the optical fiber net is embedded.

16. The security system of claim 15, wherein the physical security barrier comprises at least one selected from a group comprising:

a chain link fence, a barbed wire fence, a weld mesh fence, a concrete wall palisade, a stone wall palisade, or a brick wall palisade.

17. The security system of claim 12, wherein the light receiver comprises a computer.

18. The security system of claim 12, further comprising:

a computer; and

a communications link, permitting the computer to communicate at least with the light generator and the light receiver, wherein the computer processes signals generated by the light receiver before initiating an alarm.

19. The security system of claim 18, wherein the communications link comprises a wired connection. 20. The security system of claim 18, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless connection.