Alarm system backup

• US 5,768,343 A
• Filed: 09/17/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth A. Immeke, Richard J. Dame
• Original Assignee: Kenneth A. Immeke, Richard J. Dame
• Inventors: Immeke, Kenneth A., Dame, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PALAN, STEPHEN C
• Application Number:
  US08/710,409
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 379/32, 379/33, 340/540, 340/541, 340/652, 340/426, 340/501, 340/573, 340/825.3
• US Class Current: 379/33
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/08 Signalling of tampering with the line circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A security system add-on device is disclosed that provides a false phone line apparatus for tricking an intruder into believing that they have cut the building phone line. The apparatus includes a close loop wire pair that acts as a false phone line and is coupled to a false line cut detector. When the false line is cut, the cut detector signals the security system that a breach of security has occurred.

Claims

1. An alarm apparatus comprising:

an alarm control system locatable within a building;

a telephone wire operationally connecting said alarm control system to a phone company service line located distally away from said building, said telephone wire including a portion that runs through a first entry point of said building;

a false phone line for entry into said building through a second entry point of said building, wherein said false phone line includes a portion that is visible outside of said building, and wherein said second entry point is distally located away from said first entry point; and

a false line cut detector having means for recognizing a cut in the false phone line and means for reporting said cut to said alarm control system.

2. The alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said false phone line comprises a pair of wires that have a first end electrically connected together and a second end that terminates at the false line cut detector.

3. The alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first end of said false phone line is located near said first entry point outside of said building in order to give the impression that said false phone line is part of said telephone wire.

4. The alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said false line cut detector includes means for generating a first signal type when said false phone line is uninterrupted and a second signal type when said false phone line is interrupted.

5. The alarm apparatus of claim 4 wherein said false line cut detector further includes means for generating a pulse in response to a change in an input signal from a first signal type to a second signal type.

6. The alarm apparatus of claim 5 wherein said false line cut detector further includes relay means for receiving said pulse and for signaling said alarm control system in response thereto.

7. The alarm apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alarm control system includes means for notifying an alarm service company via the telephone wire.

8. An add-on apparatus for an existing alarm system, wherein said existing alarm system is operationally connected to a phone company service line via a telephone wire that enters a building at a first entry point said apparatus comprising:

a false phone line attachable to an outside wall of said building, wherein said false phone line includes a first end for entry into said building through a second entry point of said building, wherein said second entry point is located distally away from said first entry point; and

a false line cut detector, said false line cut detector having an input that is electrically coupled to said first end of said false phone line and having an output that is operationally compatible with said existing alarm system.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said false phone line includes a pair of wires electrically connected at a second end.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said false line cut detector includes means for generating a signal on said false phone line.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said false line cut detector includes means for determining if said generated signal has been terminated.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said false line cut detector includes means for notifying said existing alarm system that said generating generated signal has been terminated.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said false line cut detector includes an LED.

14. A method of installing a false phone line add-on device to an existing building alarm system, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting a first end of a false phone wire to a first point on an exterior of a building near a point where a telephone company service line enters said building;

running said false phone line along an exterior portion of said building;

running said false phone line in through a second point on said exterior of said building distally away from said point where said telephone company service line enters said building;

electrically connecting a second end of said false phone line to a false line cut detector; and

electrically coupling said false line cut detector with said existing building alarm system.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of connecting said first end of said false phone wire on said exterior of said building near said point where said telephone company service line enters said building includes the step of disguising the connection to give the false appearance that the connection is operationally coupled to said telephone company service in.

16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of rerouting the telephone company service line into said building at said connection point.