Apparatus, a system and a method for detecting a security of a device with an optical sensor

• US 20060174812A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sennco Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Marszalek, Christopher, Horvath, Daniel, Petrusan, Sorin, Chmela, Jim
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1481 with optical detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/917 Alarm circuit, e.g. window affixed foil

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method secure a device and/or a removable attachment of the device with an optical sensor. Additionally, the apparatus, the system and the method attach and/or secure the device and/or the removable attachment to a structural element. A base, a spring and/or a screw connect the device to an alarm box, a power source and/or the structural element. The alarm box and/or the power source communicate with the optical sensor and/or the device via a cable to secure the device and/or the attachment of the device. A programmable logical device controls a voltage from the power source and transmits the voltage to the device. A first LED and/or a second LED indicate that the voltage is provided to the device and that the removable attachment is secured. The optical sensor has a photo emitter and/or a photo receiver to secure the device and/or the removable attachment of the device to a structural element.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a device wherein the device has a removable attachment thereon, the apparatus comprising:

a base having walls defining an interior top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side wherein the top side of the base attaches to the device wherein the base has an opening extending through the base from the interior to the top side and further wherein the bottom side has an orifice which extends from the interior of the base to a point exterior of the base;

an optical sensor positioned on the interior of the base wherein the optical sensor is adjacent to the orifice on the bottom side of the base and further wherein the optical sensor detects a signal wherein the signal is transmitted across the orifice on the bottom side of the base;

a screw having a base and a tip opposite to the base wherein the base of the screw is positioned inside the opening within the interior of the base wherein the tip of the screw extends outward with respect to the top side of the base and further wherein the tip of the screw attaches the device to the base; and

an alarm in communication with the optical sensor wherein a condition interrupts the signal received by the optical sensor and the alarm is activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal is electromagnetic energy.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a resistor within the interior of the base connected to the device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a cable connecting the alarm to the optical sensor and the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a plug insertable into the base to connect the removable attachment and the device to the alarm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source connected to the device and the optical sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a micro-controller within the interior of the base communicating with the optical sensor and the alarm.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a light emitting diode within the base connected to the optical sensor.

9. A system for securing a device to a structural element, the system comprising:

a base having an interior wherein the base has a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side wherein a first opening extends through the base from the interior to the top side of the base wherein a second opening extends through the base from the interior to the bottom side of the base;

an attaching means within the interior of the base wherein the attaching means extends outward with respect to the first opening of the base connecting the base to the device wherein the top side of the base abuts the device;

an optical sensor within the interior of the base wherein the optical sensor is connected to an alarm box and a power source wherein the optical sensor communicates with the alarm box and further wherein the optical sensor is adjacent the second opening of the base; and

a light emitting source within the interior of the base wherein the light emitting source is connected to the power source wherein the optical sensor receives a signal transmitted across the second opening from the light emitting source wherein the optical sensor detects a first condition indicating the device is secured to the base wherein the signal in the first condition is continuously received by the optical sensor wherein the optical sensor detects a second condition wherein the second condition interrupts the signal received by the optical sensor and further wherein the optical sensor activates the alarm box.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the light emitting source is a light emitting diode.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a removable attachment of the device connectable to the alarm box.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the signal is electromagnetic radiation.

13. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a micro-controller in communication with the alarm box and the optical sensor.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a plug insertable into the base to connect the device to the alarm box.

15. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a plug insertable into the base to connect the device to the power source.

16. A method for securing a device and a removable attachment of the device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a base having an interior, a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side wherein a passage extends through the base from the bottom side to the top side of the base;

attaching the base to the device with a fastener wherein the fastener is defined by a length between a tip and a base of the fastener wherein the tip of the fastener extends outward with respect to the passage at the top side of the base and attaches to the device wherein the base of the fastener is within the interior of the base;

emitting a signal from a light emitting source within the interior of the base wherein the light emitting source is attached to a power source;

receiving the signal with a detector within the interior of the base wherein the signal is continuously received by the detector wherein the device is secured to the base and further wherein the signal is transmitted across the passage at the bottom side of the base; and

activating an alarm indicating a condition has occurred wherein the condition is detected by the detector and further wherein the condition is an interruption of the signal received by the detector.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

providing a micro-controller in communication with the alarm and the detector.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

providing a voltage to the device.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

connecting the removable attachment of the device to the alarm.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

indicating the device or the removable attachment of the device connected to the alarm.