Stairwell security system

• US 4,590,460 A
• Filed: 10/03/1984
• Issued: 05/20/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Ralph E
• Original Assignee: Dynatrend Incorporated
• Inventors: Massa, Ronald J., Abbott, Ralph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/657,161
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/545, 340/547, 340/567, 340/522, 340/309.15
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence

Abstract

A security system includes an entry monitoring sensor for detecting movement into a first space, a first area monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in the first space, at least one area monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in at least one space adjacent the first space. The system further includes a timing device for measuring a first time period in response to actuation of the entry sensor and for measuring a second time period in response to the actuation of the first area sensor during the first time period. An alarm device indicates any suspicious occupancy at the expiration of the second time period in the absence of detection of occupancy by at least one of the area sensors for detecting occupancy in at least one space adjacent the first space.

Claims

1. A stairwell security system comprising:

a door monitoring sensor for detecting movement through a stairwell door;

a first stairway monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in the stairwell proximate the door;

a second stairway monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in the stairwell proximate the next higher door;

a third stairway monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in the stairwell proximate the next lower door;

timing means for measuring a first time period in response to activation of said door sensor and for measuring a second time period in response to activation of said first stairway sensor during said first time period; and

alarm means for indicating a suspicious occupancy at the expiration of said second time period in the absence of detection of occupancy by one of said second and third stairway monitoring sensors.

2. The security system of claim 1 in which said door monitoring sensor is an infrared sensor.

3. The security system of claim 2 in which said door monitoring sensor produces a vertical zone of infrared sensitivity.

4. The security system of claim 1 in which said first stairway monitoring sensor is an infrared sensor.

5. The security system of claim 4 in which said first stairway monitor sensor produces a horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity.

6. The security system of claim 5 in which said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity includes a plurality of spaced fingers of infrared sensitivity separated by areas of infrared insensitivity.

7. The security system of claim 1 in which said door monitoring sensor is a magnetic switch.

8. The security system of claim 1, further including means for indicating a non-suspicious occupancy during said second time period.

9. The security system of claim 1 in which said first time period is approximately five seconds.

10. The security system of claim 1 in which said second time period is approximately twenty seconds.

11. The security system of claim 1 in which said alarm means is inhibited from indicating an alarm condition in response to a second actuation of said door monitoring sensor within said second time period.

12. The security system of claim 6 in which said first stairway monitoring sensor includes means for detecting an intrusion into a first finger of said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity and means for detecting a further intrusion into a second finger of said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity.

13. The security system of claim 12 in which said timing means responds to the second activation of said first stairway sensor.

14. A security system comprising:

an entry monitoring sensor for detecting movement into a first space;

a first area monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in said first space;

at least one adjacent area monitoring sensor for detecting occupancy in at least one space adjacent said first space;

timing means for measuring a first time period in response to actuation of said entry sensor and for measuring a second time period in response to actuation of said first area sensor during said first time period; and

alarm means for indicating a suspicious occupancy at the expiration of said second time period in the absence of detection of occupancy by said adjacent area sensor for detecting occupancy in at least one space adjacent said first space.

15. The security system of claim 14 in which said entry monitoring sensor is an infrared sensor.

16. The security system of claim 15 in which said entry monitoring sensor produces a vertical zone of infrared sensitivity.

17. The security system of claim 14 in which said first area monitoring sensor is an infrared sensor.

18. The security system of claim 17 in which said first area monitor sensor produces a horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity.

19. The security system of claim 18 in which said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity includes a plurality of spaced fingers of infrared sensitivity separated by areas of infrared insensitivity.

20. The security system of claim 14 in which said entry monitoring sensor is a magnetic switch.

21. The security system of claim 14, further including means for indicating a non-suspicious occupancy during said second time period.

22. The security system of claim 14 in which said first time period is approximately five seconds.

23. The security system of claim 14 in which said second time period is approximately twenty seconds.

24. The security system of claim 14 in which said alarm means is inhibited from indicating an alarm condition in response to a second actuation of said entry monitoring sensor within said second time period.

25. The security system of claim 19 in which said first area monitoring sensor includes means for detecting an intrusion into a first finger of said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity and means for detecting a further intrusion into a second finger of said horizontal zone of infrared sensitivity.

26. The security system of claim 25 in which said timing means responds to the second actuation of said first area sensor.