Wireless Detection System

• US 20080143524A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comfortex Corporation (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Comfortex Corporation (Hunter Douglas N.V.)
• Inventors: Corey, John A., Marusak, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,800,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/545.8
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind

Abstract

A system is disclosed including a transponder and a shield. The transponder may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder and sends a signal to a reader. The shield selectively prevents the transponder from sending the signal. The transponder and the shield are selectively movable relative to each other to permit transmission of the signal from the transponder. A movement of the transponder and the shield relative to each other is indicated by the presence of the signal. Thus, when a signal is present, due to a change or increase of the movement of the shield relative to the transponder, the reader receives an indication of a disturbance or an intrusion.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a transponder capable of sending a signal; and

a shield capable of preventing said transponder from sending said signal, wherein said transponder and said shield are movable relative to each other to permit a transmission of said signal from said transponder, whereby movement of said transponder and said shield relative to each other is indicated by the presence of said signal.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a portal feature, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is movable with said portal feature, and wherein the presence of said signal indicates a disturbance of said portal feature,

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a receiver for said signal, said receiver interpreting an absence of said signal as a normal condition and the presence of said signal as an indication of said disturbance.

4. The system of claim 1, said shield further comprising:

a first element and a second element, said first and second elements substantially surrounding said transponder in a first position, and being selectively movable from each other to expose said transponder and allow said signal to be sent.

5. The system of claim 1, said shield further comprising:

a bottom rail as part of a window treatment, whereby the position of said window treatment determines whether said transponder is shielded or exposed.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said transponder includes a radio frequency (RF) component.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to provide power to said transponder via a radio-frequency transmission, said transceiver further configured to receive a response from said transponder when said transponder and said shield are moved relative to each other.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver configured to send a signal to elicit a response from said transponder.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a window treatment, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is attached to said window treatment.

10. A system, comprising:

a transponder;

a shield configured to substantially prevent said transponder from sending a signal; and

a reader, whereby a physical movement of at least one of said transponder and said shield allows said transponder to send said signal to said reader.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a portal feature, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is movable with said portal feature, and wherein the sending of said signal indicates a disturbance of said portal feature.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the presence of said signal indicates an insecure state and the absence of said signal indicates a secure state.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said transponder includes a radio frequency (RF) component.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a window treatment, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is attached to said window treatment.

15. A system comprising:

a portal feature;

a transponder configured to provide a signal; and

a shield configured to selectively substantially complete a Faraday cage about said transponder and substantially inhibit a transmission of said signal when said transponder is caged.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a transceiver configured to detect the presence and absence of said signal, wherein the absence of said signal indicates a secure state, and wherein the presence of said signal indicates an insecure state.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is movable with said portal feature, and wherein the presence of said signal further indicates a disturbance of said portal feature.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said shield is selected from the group comprising a metal, a conductive plastic, a conductive ceramic, a conductive composite, a wood, and a foil.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said transponder includes a radio frequency (RF) component.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of said transponder and said shield is attached to a window treatment.