Selective exit control system

• US 5,341,126 A
• Filed: 12/26/1991
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger O. Boykin
• Original Assignee: Roger O. Boykin
• Inventors: Boykin, Roger O.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US07/814,920
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/551, 324/234-235, 200/86.5
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0247 System arrangements wherein the alarm criteria uses signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A control system for determining when one or more persons exit a designated environment or location. The control system includes a magnetic cuff or anklet attached to the ankle of a person in the location or environment and an electronic detection system located in a threshold detector unit mounted in the floor of the location or environment. The electronic detector system is characterized by an amplified "Hall Effect" integrated circuit (IC) which is designed to detect movement of the magnetic cuff or anklet through a detection zone up to about 10 inches above the threshold plate. Various alarm apparatus may be connected to the "Hall Effect" IC circuit to announce movement of the person upon which the magnetic cuff or anklet is attached through the entrance way.

Claims

1. A selective exit control system for determining when a selected person exits a controlled area, comprising

an anklet adapted for attachment to the ankle of the selected person and at least one magnet having a selected flux provided in said anklet;

a magnetic detection integrated circuit having at least one "Hall Effect" integrated circuit sensor for generating a detection field having first predetermined magnetic wave-shape characteristics, said detection field taking on second predetermined magnetic wave-shape characteristics when said anklet is present in the detection field, said at least one sensor further receiving the detection field and providing a sensor signal having first predetermined signal characteristics when said anklet is present in the detection field and second predetermined signal characteristics when said anklet is not present in the detection field;

buffer/amplifier circuit means connected to said at least one "Hall Effect" integrated circuit sensor for amplifying the signal characteristics of the sensor signal; and

alarm means connected to said magnetic detection integrated circuit and responsive to said buffer/amplifier circuit means amplifying said first predetermined signal characteristics of the sensor signal to provide an alarm signal;

whereby movement of the selected person through said detection field while wearing said anklet actuates said alarm means.

2. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said detection field is generated in a doorway leading to the controlled area.

3. The selective exit control system of claim 1 further comprising cover means located in a doorway and wherein said magnetic detection integrated circuit is covered by said cover means.

4. The selective exit control system of claim 1 further comprising a cover located in a doorway threshold leading to the controlled area and wherein said detection field is generated in said doorway threshold leading to the controlled area by said magnetic detection integrated circuit contained in said cover.

5. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one magnet further comprises a pair of magnets disposed in said anklet in spaced relationship and said detection field is generated in said controlled area by said magnetic detection integrated circuit.

6. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said anklet is secured to the ankle of the selected person in non-removable relationship and said at least one magnet comprises a pair of magnets oriented side by side and adjacent to each other and to the ankle of the selected person.

7. The selective exit control system of claim 6 further comprising a cover located in a doorway and wherein said detection field is generated in the doorway by said magnetic detection integrated circuit contained in said cover.

8. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises an audible alarm.

9. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises a visual alarm.

10. The selective exit control system of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises an audible alarm and a visual alarm.

11. The selective exit control system of claim 10 wherein said detection field is generated in a doorway leading to the controlled area.

12. The selective exit control system of claim 11 further comprising a cover located in said doorway and wherein said magnetic detection integrated circuit is contained in said cover.

13. The selective exit control system of claim 12 wherein said anklet is secured to the ankle of the selected person in non-removable relationship and said at least one magnet comprises a pair of magnets oriented side by side and adjacent to each other and to the ankle of the selected person.

14. A selective exit control system for determining when a selected person exits a controlled area, comprising:

magnetic assembly means attached to the ankle of the selected person;

a plurality of "Hall Effect" integrated circuits disposed in a selected configuration, each of said "Hall Effect" sensors integrated circuits characterized by a pair of "Hall Effect" arranged in face-to-face relationship for generating a detection field having first predetermined magnetic wave-shape characteristics, each said detection field taking on second predetermined magnetic wave-shape characteristics when said magnetic assembly means is present in the detection field, each said pair of "Hall Effect" sensors further receiving a corresponding detection field and providing a sensor signal having first predetermined signal characteristics when said magnetic assembly means is present in the detection field and second predetermined signal characteristics when said magnetic assembly means is not present in the detection field;

a buffer/amplifier circuit having a differential amplifier connected to each of said "Hall Effect" integrated circuits for amplifying, by a magnitude of at least eight, the signal characteristics of each sensor signal; and

alarm means connected to said "Hall Effect" integrated circuits and responsive to said buffer/amplifier circuit amplifying said first predetermined signal characteristics of any of said sensor signals to provide an alarm signal;

whereby movement of the selected person through said detection field while wearing said magnetic assembly means actuates said alarm means.

15. The selective exit control system of claim 14 wherein said magnetic assembly means further comprises a magnetic carrier and a pair of rare earth magnets disposed in said magnetic carrier in side by side and adjacent relationship.

16. The selective exit control system of claim 15 wherein said alarm means comprises both an audible alarm and a visual alarm.