Optical Security Sensors, Systems, and Methods
First Claim
1. A sensor attachable to a fence for use with at least one optical fiber for a fence security system, said sensor comprising:
- a plate for attaching said sensor to the fence;
a striker movably attached to said plate and said striker comprising a weight, said sensor configured for receiving the at least one optical fiber between said striker and said plate; and
wherein said striker is movable in response to vibration of the fence towards and away from said plate to compress the at least one optical fiber between said striker and said plate to bend the at least one optical fiber and attenuate transmission of an optical signal through the at least one optical fiber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system includes an optical fiber, a plurality of sensors, and a light source, detector, and a controller. The optical fiber and sensors are attached and positioned along a fence. The optical fiber passes through the sensors. The sensors include a hinged striker having a weight that swings under the influence of gravity and is movable in response to vibration of the fence to compress and bend the optical fiber and attenuate transmission of an optical signal through the optical fiber. In another embodiment, an optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fibers may be employed to define zones and allow determination of intrusion of a particular portion of the fence. In a further embodiment, a ground sensor is disclosed.
19 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A sensor attachable to a fence for use with at least one optical fiber for a fence security system, said sensor comprising:
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a plate for attaching said sensor to the fence; a striker movably attached to said plate and said striker comprising a weight, said sensor configured for receiving the at least one optical fiber between said striker and said plate; and wherein said striker is movable in response to vibration of the fence towards and away from said plate to compress the at least one optical fiber between said striker and said plate to bend the at least one optical fiber and attenuate transmission of an optical signal through the at least one optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A security system for a fence, the security system comprising:
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an optical fiber cable positioned along a portion of the fence, said optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers; at least one sensor attached to a different portion of the fence for receiving a portion of a different one of said plurality of optical fibers to define a plurality of zones, said sensor operable to attenuate transmission of an optical signal through said optical fiber in response vibration of the fence; and a monitoring unit positioned remotely from said plurality of sensors and said fence so that said plurality of optical fibers is positioned in a loop connected to said monitoring unit, said monitoring unit comprising; a light source for transmitting an optical signal into a plurality of ends of said plurality of optical fibers; a detector for detecting the optical signal from the other end of said plurality of optical fibers; and a controller operably connected to said light source for controlling transmission of the optical signal and operably connected to said detector for detecting attenuation of the optical signal and generating a warning based on the detected attenuated optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring a fence, the method comprising:
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transmitting an optical signal through a first end of an optical fiber positioned on the fence; compressing the optical fiber between a plate attached to the fence and a striker having a weight which is movable under the influence of gravity towards and away from the optical fiber in response to vibrations of the fence to bend the optical fiber and attenuate transmission of the optical signal through the optical fiber; detecting the attenuated optical signal at the other end of the optical fiber; and generating a warning based on the detected attenuated optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for monitoring a fence, the method comprising:
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transmitting a plurality of optical signals through a first end of an optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fibers positioned along the fence and in which at least one sensor is attached to a different portion of the fence for receiving a portion of a different one of the plurality of optical fibers to define a plurality of zones, said sensors operable to compress the optical fibers to bend the optical fiber and attenuate transmission of an optical signal through said optical fiber in response vibration of the fence; detecting at least one attenuated optical signal at the other ends of the plurality of optical fibers; and generating a warning based on the at least one detected attenuated optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A security system for detecting intrusion, the security system comprising:
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a support positionable on the ground having a length and width and comprising a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; at least one optical fiber extending along said length and width of the support; a monitoring unit positioned remotely from said support, said monitoring unit comprising; a light source for transmitting an optical signal into an end of the at least one optical fiber; a detector for detecting the optical signal from the other end of said plurality of optical fibers; and a controller operably connected to said light source for controlling transmission of the optical signal and operably connected to said detector for detecting attenuation of the optical and generating a warning based on the detected attenuated optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method for monitoring an area for intrusion, the method comprising:
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providing an optical fiber extending along a width and a length of a horizontally disposed planar support having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; positioning the optical fiber and the support on the ground; transmitting an optical signal through a first end of the optical fiber; compressing the optical fiber between a force and a portion of the support adjacent to the apertures to bend the optical fiber and attenuate transmission of the optical signal through the optical fiber; detecting the attenuated optical signal at the other end of the optical fiber; and generating a warning of intrusion of the area based on the detected attenuated optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification