Alarm system for computers and the like

• US 4,686,514 A
• Filed: 05/22/1986
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integrated Technology Work Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Integrated Technology Work Incorporated
• Inventors: North, Arthur J., Liptak, Frank J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/865,626
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/572, 340/568, 340/653, 340/652, 340/586, 340/546, 340/687, 340/689, 340/693, 340/310 CP, 116/77
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• 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

Abstract

Several modular circuits are releasably connected to one another and with the plug which supplies AC power to a computer or the like. A first circuit rectifies the AC voltage and applies a DC voltage to one side of a motion sensing circuit, the opposite side of which is connected to a third circuit containing a portable, DC power supply. The third circuit include an electrically operated alarm, and an electronic valve, which normally maintains the alarm deenergized. The motion sensing circuit contains a capacitor in parallel with a mercury switch which, when subjected to sudden movement, closes and switches the electronic valve to a conducting mode, thereby energizing the alarm, provided the equipment has been unplugged so that the AC power has been removed from the first circuit. The capacitor delays the deenergization of the alarm after the mercury switch recloses; and the DC voltage provided by the AC power supply prolongs the life of the portable DC power supply (battery).

Claims

1. A motion sensitive warning device, comprising

a first modular circuit including a portable, DC power supply,

an electrically operated alarm connected in said first circuit across said power supply,

electronic valve means interposed between said power supply and said alarm and operative to be switched selectively between conducting and non-conducting modes, respectively, said valve means being operative when in one of its modes to maintain said alarm deenergized, and being operative when in the other of its modes to cause said power supply to energize said alarm,

a second modular circuit having therein motion-sensitive switch means, and

means releasably connecting said second circuit at one side to said first circuit with said switch means being operative to maintain said valve means in said one mode when said second circuit is stationary, thereby to maintain said alarm deenergized, and being operative to switch said valve means to its other mode, thereby to energize said alarm when said second circuit is subjected to physical movement, and

said switch means including means connected across said DC power supply and operative to switch said valve means automatically back to said one mode, when after having been subjected to physical movement said second circuit once again becomes stationary.

2. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 1, wherein the last-named means includes time delay means for delaying for a predetermined interval of time the switching of said valve means back to said one mode after said second circuit has once again become stationary.

3. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 2, wherein

said time delay means includes at least one capacitor operatively connected across said power supply, and

a control element is connected in circuit with said capacitor across said power supply normally to be nonconducting when said capacitor is charged, and

said first circuit includes means responsive to current flow through said element to switch said valve means from said one to said other mode.

4. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 3, wherein said motion sensitive switch means comprises a first switch connected in parallel with said capacitor across said power supply normally to block current flow through said element when said second circuit is stationary, and operative to cause current flow through said element when said second circuit is subjected to physical movement.

5. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 4, wherein said control element is a diode connected in series with said first switch across said power supply.

6. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 1, including

a third modular circuit disposed to be releasably connected at one side thereof to an AC power supply,

means releasably connecting the opposite side of said third circuit to said second circuit at the side thereof opposite said first circuit, and

means in said third circuit for rectifying AC voltage from said AC power supply to produce a DC voltage across said opposite side of said third circuit, and operative independently of said motion sensitive switch means to maintain said valve means in said first mode as long as said one side of said third circuit is connected to said AC power supply.

7. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 6, including

a fourth modular circuit,

means releasably connecting said fourth circuit at one side to said second circuit, and at its opposite side to one of said first and third circuits, respectively, and

a further switch in said fourth circuit operatively connected in parallel with said motion sensitive switch means, and movable between open and closed positions, respectively, by forces external to said circuits,

said further switch being operative, when closed, to switch said valve means to said other mode regardless of whether or not said one side of said third circuit is connected to said AC power supply.

8. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 1, including

means for applying a second DC power supply to said second circuit in parallel with the first-named power supply, and

means interposed between said motion responsive switch means and said valve means and operative independently of said switch means to prevent said valve means from being switched to said other mode as long as said second DC power supply is applied to said second circuit.

9. A motion sensitive warning device as defined in claim 8, wherein said means interposed between said switch means and said valve means comprises a diode disposed when not conducting to maintain said valve means in said first mode, and operative when conducting to switch said valve means to said other mode, and

said second DC power supply is operative to maintain said diode in its nonconducting mode even when said second circuit is subjected to physical movement.

10. A motion sensitive alarm device for electrically operated equipment such as computers and the like, comprising

a plurality of modular circuits,

means for releasably connecting one side of a first one of said circuits to an AC power supply through the same plug that is used to supply power to a piece of electrically operated equipment,

means in said first circuit for rectifying an AC voltage received from said power supply, and for producing a first DC power supply at an output of said first circuit,

means for releasably connecting the output of said first circuit to one side of a second one of said modular circuits,

means for connecting the opposite side of said second circuit with a third one of said circuits,

said third circuit having therein a portable DC power supply the output of which is applied to said second circuit at the side thereof opposite said one side thereof,

an electrical alarm in said third circuit,

electronic valve means in said third circuit between said alarm and said DC power supplies and operative, when nonconducting, to maintain said alarm deenergized, and operative when conducting to energize said alarm,

a normally-open motion sensitive switch in said second circuit operative when open, to maintain said valve means in its nonconducting mode, and

means for switching said valve means to a conducting mode when said switch is closed and said one side of said first circuit is not connected to an AC power supply.

11. A motion sensitive alarm device as defined in claim 10, including a capacitor connected in parallel with said switch to be charged by both of said DC power supplies.

12. A motion sensitive alarm device as defined in claim 10, wherein

said alarm is connected across said portable DC power supply and has thereon a trigger terminal operative, when energized, to actuate said alarm, and

said valve means has the output thereof connected to said terminal to energize the latter when said valve means is switched to its conducting mode.

13. A motion sensitive alarm device as defined in claim 12, wherein said means for switching said valve means comprises a diode connected in series with said switch and in opposition to the DC voltage produced at the output of said first circuit, and operative to conduct and switch said valve means to its conducting mode only when said switch is closed and said first circuit is not connected to said AC power supply.

14. A motion sensitive alarm device as defined in claim 11, including a resistor connected in series with said switch and in parallel with said capacitor and operative to delay the return of said valve means to its nonconducting mode when said motion sensitive switch moves from a closed to its open position.