System and method for sensing a gate tampering

• US 20120326867A1
• Filed: 06/24/2011
• Published: 12/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maximum Controls, LLC
• Original Assignee: Maximum Controls, LLC
• Inventors: Parsadayan, Alex, Hom, Wayne C.
• Application Number:
  US13/135,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20120326867A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1654 using passive vibration detection systems

Abstract

A system and method for detecting a tampering of a moveable gate barrier. A singular or a plurality of vibration sensors are strategically positioned on the gate and a gate operator to detect tampering while the gate is closed. If the sensor outputs exceed preset thresholds of duration and/or magnitude, an alarm is activated to alert personnel to an attempted breach of the gate barrier.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a breach or tampering of an automatic moveable barrier comprising a controller and at least one vibration sensor including the steps of:

reading the output of the at least one vibration sensor;

analyzing the magnitude and duration of the sensor output;

determining if the sensor output indicates a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier by whether it exceeds present thresholds; and

sending a signal indicating a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier if it does exceed such preset thresholds.

2. The method of claim 1 where the determination of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier is based on the duration of the sensor output.

3. The method of claim 1 where the determination of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier is based on the magnitude of the sensor output.

4. The method of claim 1 where the determination of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier is based on both the duration and the magnitude of the sensor output.

5. A system for detecting a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier comprising a controller, at least one vibration sensor, and an alarm for signaling the occurrence of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier;

said vibration sensor being mechanically coupled to said moveable barrier for responding to a mechanical force applied to said barrier in an attempt to overcome said barrier.

6. The system of claim 5 where the controller is integral to the moveable barrier operator.

7. The system of claim 5 where the controller is independent to the moveable barrier operator.

8. The system of claim 5 where the sensor is an accelerometer.

9. The system of claim 5 where the sensor is a piezo-electric transducer.

10. The system of claim 5 where the sensor is a load cell.

11. The system of claim 5 where the alarm for signaling the occurrence of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier is sent through connecting wires.

12. The system of claim 5 where the alarm for signaling the occurrence of a breach or tampering of the moveable barrier is sent wirelessly through a wireless transceiver.