Protection system for electronic gear

• US 4,246,573 A
• Filed: 05/05/1978
• Issued: 01/20/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laszlo A. Kiss
• Original Assignee: Laszlo A. Kiss
• Inventors: Kiss, Laszlo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US05/903,245
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/63, 340/64, 340/65, 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 325/15, 325/22, 325/25, 325/57, 325/55, 325/64, 325/159, 325/312, 325/353, 325/132, 325/32, 325/31, 325/16, 325/152, 375/2, 375/4, 455/1, 455/26, 455/30, 455/54, 455/58, 455/67, 455/73, 455/89, 455/95, 455/99, 455/115
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation

Abstract

A system for use in combination with (for electrical attachment to) electronic gear having an audio amplifier and which includes alarm means for generating a theft signal which is broadcast through a transmitter or audio system thereof and internal coded disable means for disabling the alarm upon insertion into the system of a predetermined coincidence signal that is substantially unique for each individual unit protected.

Claims

1. A protection system for electronic gear having an output comprising:

an audio oscillator connected for energization with said gear to produce an audio theft signal and having an output thereof coupled to the output of said gear,

a memory unit adapted to store and produce a disable code reference signal,

input means connected to receive input signals applied to said electronic gear including a disable code input signal,

decoding means connected to said memory unit and said input means for producing an output signal upon coincidence of the disable code reference signal stored in said memory unit and said disable coded input signal received from said electronic gear, and

means connected with the output of said decoding means and with said audio oscillator for disabling said audio oscillator in response to said output signal.

2. The protection system of claim 1 further defined by said memory unit comprising a read-only memory.

3. The protection system of claim 1 further defined by said input means being connected from the output of said gear to said decoding means whereby the latter receives said input signals from the output of said gear.

4. The protection system of claim 1 further defined by said input means comprising a signal conditioner having an input thereof connected to said electronic gear, and a register connected between an output of said signal conditioner and an input of said decoding means.

5. A protection system for electronic gear operating between an energized and de-energized state and having electrical circuit means providing an electrically produced output, said system comprising:

signal means adapted for connection with said gear for automatically generating and applying a theft signal to said circuit means of said electronic gear in response to the energization of said gear from its de-energized state for distorting said output,

means for producing input signals including a predetermined input signal, and

control means connected with said input signal producing means for receiving said input signals, said control means being connected to said signal means for disabling the latter upon receipt of said predetermined input signal for preventing application of said theft signal to the circuit means of said electronic gear.

6. The protection system of claim 5 wherein said signal means includes an audio oscillator and said theft signal is an audio signal.

7. The protection system of claim 5 wherein said gear is a television, wherein said signal means includes a word generator and wherein said theft signal is produced at the output of said generator and adapted for providing a predetermined visual display on the screen of said television.

12. The protection of claim 5 wherein said signal means includes means for generating and applying said theft signal a predetermined period of time after energization of said gear unless said signal means is disabled prior thereto.

8. A protection system for electronic gear operating between an energized and de-energized state and having electrical circuit means for producing input signals including a predetermined input signal and providing an electrically produced output, said system comprising:

signal means adapted for connection with said gear for automatically generating a theft signal in response to the energization of said gear from it de-energized state, said signal means also being adapted for connection with said electrical circuit means for applying said theft signal to said circuit means for at least distorting its output, and

control means adapted for connection with said gear to receive said input signals from the latter and connected to said signal means upon receipt of said predetermined input signal for preventing application of said theft signal to said circuit means of said electronic gear.

9. The protection system of claim 8 wherein said theft signal is generated upon energization of said gear.

10. The protection system of claim 8 wherein said theft signal is applied to said gear for completely eliminating its normal output.

13. The protection system of claim 8 wherein said signal means includes means for generating and applying said theft signal a predetermined period of time after energization of said gear unless said signal means is disabled prior thereto.

11. A protection system for electronic gear including means for producing input signals including a predetermined input signal and having an output and power supply connections, said system comprising:

signal means including a normally operable signal generator connected with said gear for energization therewith from said power supply connections and connected to said output for automatically applying a theft signal to the output of said electronic gear in response to the energization of said gear, and

control means adapted for connection with said gear to receive said input signals and connected with said signal means to disable said generator upon receipt of said predetermined input signal from said gear for preventing application of said theft signal to the output of said electronic gear, and control means including a memory unit adapted to permanently store and produce a disable code signal, and means connected to said memory unit and said input signal producing means for disabling said normally operable signal generator upon a coincidence of said input and stored signals.