Alarm system for sensing and vocally warning a person approaching a protected object

• US 5,315,285 A
• Filed: 04/28/1992
• Issued: 05/24/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Directed, LLC (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Electronic Security Products Of California
• Inventors: Nykerk, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/875,061
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/429, 340/460, 340/692, 340/693, 340/539, 340/531, 340/541, 340/309.15, 340/561, 340/565, 340/567, 340/551, 340/425.5, 307/91, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 381/51, 381/53, 381/86, 381/110, 379/40
• US Class Current: 340/426.23
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1016 Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/00 Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2491 Intrusion detection systems, i.e. where the body of an intruder causes the interference with the electromagnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

An alarm system senses the presence of a person sufficiently near a protected object, such as an automobile, to inflict damage thereto, and provides verbal warnings to the person. The alarm system includes a proximity detector that senses the proximity of a person to the protected object and means for generating vocal signals using electronic speech generation circuits. Such vocal signals typically instruct the person to back away from the protected object, thereby preventing the person from inflicting any damage to the object. The user may select various operating modes and performance options in how the system is used.

Claims

1. A vocal alarm system for use with a vehicle comprising:

a first sensor that senses a person within a protected region around said vehicle;

a second sensor that senses a violation event made against said vehicle while said person remains within said protected region; and

an electronic voice generation circuit that generates a first vocal alarm message in response to sensing a person with said first sensor, and a second vocal alarm message in response to sensing a violation event with said second sensor.

2. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first vocal message warns the person using electronically generated speech that a protected region has been entered.

3. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second vocal message comprises an alarming speech message aimed at drawing attention to said vehicle.

4. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 3 further including arming means for selectively arming the operation of said first and second sensors.

5. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said arming means includes means for selectively enabling said first and second sensors.

6. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said arming means includes means for selectively enabling said electronic voice generation circuit to be responsive to said first and second sensors.

7. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the violation event sensed by said second sensor includes at least one of the violation events comprising motion of the vehicle, opening of at least one door of the vehicle, or strikes or blows made against a window of the vehicle.

8. The vocal alarm system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the violation event sensed by said second sensor includes touching said vehicle.

9. Apparatus for warning persons away from a vehicle who move within a protected region around said vehicle so as to be sufficiently near said vehicle to inflict damage thereto, sad apparatus comprising:

a sensor that senses the presence of a person within a protected region around said vehicle; and

electronic speech generation circuitry that generates a speech message in response to sensing a person with said sensor, said speech message informing said person that the protected region has been intruded and informing said person if said person thereafter moves out of said protected region.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 further including an audible alarm that is triggered in the event the person sensed by the sensor commits a violation event against said vehicle that involves touching said vehicle.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said electronic speech generation circuitry generates a second speech message in the event the person sensed by the sensor commits a violation event against said vehicle, said second speed message being one that draws attention to said vehicle.

12. A method of protecting an automobile from unauthorized tamper or entry comprising:

sensing the approach of a person towards said automobile before said person touches said automobile;

warning said person using electronically generated speech that the automobile is protected; and

sounding an alarm in the event that a violation event occurs against said automobile.

13. The method of protecting an automobile as set forth in claim 12 further including instructing the person using electronic generated speech to move away from the automobile.

14. The method of protecting an automobile as set forth in claim 13 further including thanking the person using electronically generated speech in the event the person does move away from the automobile.

15. The method of protecting an automobile as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of sounding an alarm upon the occurrence of a violation event includes generating electronically generated speech that draws attention to said automobile.