Intrusion alarm and detection system

• US 5,808,547 A
• Filed: 01/16/1997
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William P. Carney
• Original Assignee: William P. Carney
• Inventors: Carney, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US08/786,371
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/573, 340/528, 340/527, 340/539, 340/692, 340/693, 340/426, 341/176, 364/709.15, 364/709.16
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

An intrusion detection system used to surveil a predetermined space includes a monitor disposed within the space and a remote controller. The monitor comprises an intrusion detector for sensing an intruder in the space and a memory circuit having an armed and a disarmed state recording any sensed intrusion. The remote controller includes an RF transmitter activated by a button switch the pulsed closure of which either arms or tests or disarms the monitor. When arming the monitor, a first audible or visual output is produced by the monitor in response to the RF pulse which switches it from the disarmed to the armed state. In the armed state, the monitor produces a second audible or visual output in response to the RF pulse which is used to test the state of the monitor. The second response is easily distinguished from the first response by a user. If an intrusion occurs, the monitor produces an alarm signal. While the monitor is sounding the alarm signal, a pulsed closure of the button switch disarms the monitor. Should the monitor detect an intrusion and/or be disabled by the intruder, the lack of the monitor output in response to the RF pulse transmitted by the remote controller warns the user, before entering his or her premises, there exists the possibility of confronting an intruder.

Claims

1. An improved intrusion detection system of the type in which an intrusion is detected by a monitor having an RF receiver, a power supply, an intrusion detector, a logic circuit, a memory circuit, and a responder, and in which said monitor is disposed to surveil a predetermined space, and in which said monitor has an armed state and a disarmed state and a user employs a hand held RF remote controller to arm and disarm said monitor, wherein the improvement comprises:

said remote controller having a button switch for generating a pulse signal under the control of said user;

said monitor being armed by said pulse signal from said remote controller;

said monitor indicating it has been switched from said disarmed state to said armed state by responding to said pulse signal with a first response;

said state of said monitor also being tested by said pulse signal from said remote controller;

said monitor indicating it is in said armed state by responding to said pulse signal with a second response;

said second response being distinguishable from said first response thereby indicating said armed state of said monitor; and

said monitor being selectively disarmed by said pulse signal from said remote controller when said responder is responding and the sensing of a power interruption by said logic circuit.

2. The improved intrusion detection system according to claim 1 wherein said pulse signal is transmitted by a momentary closure of said button switch.

3. The improved intrusion detection system according to claim 2 wherein said momentary closure is less than two seconds.

4. The improved intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first response is a five to seven second buzzing sound.

5. The improved intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first response is a five to seven second beeping sound.

6. The improved intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second response is a one to two second buzzing sound.

7. The improved intrusion detection system according to claim 1 wherein said power interruption is caused by said intrusion detector detecting said intrusion.

8. A method for operating an intrusion detection system, in which said detection system comprises a remote controller and a monitor, said remote controller having a button switch, said monitor including a memory circuit having an armed and a disarmed state, said controller remotely arming, disarming and testing said memory circuit, said monitor having means for detecting and reporting an intrusion in a predetermined space, said method comprising the steps of:

a. arming said self-contained monitor by a momentary closure of said button switch thereby producing a first response from said monitor indicating said monitor has been armed;

b. testing said state of said monitor by a momentary closure of said button switch thereby producing a second response from said monitor indicating said monitor is armed;

c. monitoring said predetermined space to detect an unauthorized entry;

d. triggering said monitor from said armed state to said disarmed state in response to said unauthorized entry;

e. testing for an intrusion by a momentary closure of said switch to obtain said second response from said self-contained monitor when said intrusion has not occurred; and

f. disarming said self-contained monitor by a momentary closure of said button switch while said responder is responding.