Optical fiber security system

• US 4,591,709 A
• Filed: 12/19/1983
• Issued: 05/27/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Buser, Rudolf G., Walter Koechner
• Original Assignee: Buser, Rudolf G., Walter Koechner
• Inventors: Koechner, Walter, Buser, Rudolf G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Application Number:
  US06/562,734
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/227, 250/231 R, 250/231 P, 340/552, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/565, 340/567, 350/96.15, 350/96.20, 350/96.29, 356/32, 356/35.5, 356/365
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/10 by pressure on floors, floor coverings, stair treads, counters, or tills
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

An optical fiber security system having two optical fiber strands each with a light transmission and detection capability such that a deformation as is caused by unwanted intrusion of one of the strands with respect to the other is detected.

Claims

1. A security system comprising:

a first independently cladded optical fiber strand having a first light source connected to one end thereof and a first light intensity detection means connected to the other end thereof;

a second independently cladded optical fiber strand having second light source connected to one end thereof and a second light intensity detection means connected to the other end thereof;

said first fiber strand being spaced apart and completely unconnected to said second fiber strand,

means responsive to a predetermined light intensity loss caused by deformation of either of said first or second fiber strand at any point along the length of said first or second fiber strand when there is no change in the light intensity of the other of said first or second fiber strand to actuate intrusion detection means wherein the light intensity reaching said first light intensity detection means is substantially equal to the light intensity reaching the said second light intensity detection means before a deformation is caused in either the first or second fiber strand and wherein the light intensity detection means are unequal when a deformation occurs in one of said first or second fiber strand.

2. The security system of claim 1 wherein the light intensity in either of said first or second fiber strand is automatically adjusted upon predetermined conditions being sensed by signal processing means.

3. The security system of claim 1 wherein said first light source is a light emitting diode activated by a current stabilized pulse generator.

4. The security system of claim 2 wherein said first light source is a light emitting diode activated by a current stabilized pulse generator.

5. The security system of claim 1 wherein the outputs of said first and second light intensity detection means are compared by differential measuring means, said differential measuring means having an output differential signal for detecting predetermined changes in light intensity loss.

6. The security system of claim 2 wherein the outputs of said first and second light intensity detection means are compared by differential measuring means, said differential measuring means having an output differential signal for detecting predetermined changes in light intensity loss.

7. The security system of claim 3 wherein the outputs of said first and second light intensity detection means are compared by differential measuring means, said differential measuring means having an output differential signal for detecting predetermined changes in light intensity loss.

8. The security system of claim 4 wherein the outputs of said first and second light intensity detection means are compared by differential measuring means, said differential measuring means having an output differential signal for detecting predetermined changes in light intensity loss.