Tamper-proof security device and system

• US 6,028,519 A
• Filed: 09/05/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: R.F. Tracking, LLC
• Original Assignee: R F Tracking LLC
• Inventors: Cole, Samuel Matthew, Kaiser, Gregory Scott, Dessureau, Anne C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US08/924,356
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/539, 340/568, 340/569, 340/572, 340/573, 340/514, 340/825.49, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/573.1, 340/573.4 , 340/568.1, 340/568.2
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A tamper-proof security device for preventing the unauthorized removal of an individual or asset from a secured area and a system for use with the same is disclosed. The device is attached to an individual or asset and comprises a transmitter having a transmitter circuit therein for generating a digitally encoded signal on a predetermined frequency. At least one wire is disposed within the device for creating continuity in the transmitter circuit when the device is attached to the individual or asset. A power source is disposed within the transmitter which is electrically connected to the transmitter circuit when a switching mechanism is operated, thereby activating the transmitter circuit. Once the transmitter circuit is activated, the transmitter circuit generates the digitally encoded signal in response to a discontinuity in the wire.

Claims

1. A tamper-proof security band for preventing an unauthorized removal of a subject from a secured area comprising:

a band for encircling a part of said subject;

a transmitter carried on said hand;

a transmitter circuit within said transmitter for generating a digitally encoded signal on a predetermined frequency;

at least one wire disposed within said band for creating continuity in said transmitter circuit when said band is attached around said subject;

a power source disposed within said transmitter; and

a switching mechanism rotatably mounted to said transmitter for activating said transmitter circuit by electrically connecting said power source to said transmitter circuit when said switching mechanism is rotated from a disengaged position to an engaged position, said switching mechanism including a first visual indicator that visually indicates that the switching mechanism is in the disengaged position and a second visual indicator that visually indicates that the switching mechanism is in the engaged position when the switching mechanism is rotated from the disengaged position to the engaged position, whereby said transmitter circuit generates said digitally encoded signal in response to a discontinuity in said wire.

2. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmitter sends an initiation signal when said switching mechanism is engaged.

3. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said first visual indicator further includes a first color to indicate said transmitter circuit is not activated and said second visual indicator further includes a second color to indicate said transmitter circuit is activated.

4. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one wire further includes a plurality of wires in parallel each carrying a current.

5. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one wire further includes a plurality of wires and wherein said plurality of wires includes at least one wire not carrying a current.

6. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said subject is an individual.

7. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said subject is an asset.

8. The tamper-proof security band as recited in claim 1 wherein said switching mechanism is a rotatable locking mechanism.

9. A system for preventing an unauthorized removal of a subject from a secured area comprising:

at least one tamper-proof transmitting device comprising;

a band for encircling a part of said subject;

a transmitter carried on said band;

a transmitter circuit within said transmitter for generating a digitally encoded signal on a predetermined frequency;

at least one wire disposed within said band for creating continuity in said transmitter circuit when said band is attached around said subject;

a power source disposed within said transmitter; and

a switching mechanism rotatably mounted to said transmitter for activating said transmitter circuit by electrically connecting said power source to said transmitter circuit when said switching mechanism is rotated from a disengaged position to an engaged position, said switching mechanism including a first visual indicator that visually indicates that the switching mechanism is in the disengaged position and a second visual indicator that visually indicates that the switching mechanism is in the engaged position when the switching mechanism is rotated from the disengaged position to the engaged position, whereby said transmitter circuit generates said digitally encoded signal response to a discontinuity in said wire; and

at least one receiving device for receiving said digitally encoded signal on said predetermined frequency from said transmitter, said receiving device comparing said digitally encoded signal with a predetermined value to selectively active an alarming mechanism.

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said at least one transmitting device further comprises a plurality of transmitting devices and wherein said at least one receiving unit further comprises a plurality of receiving devices.

11. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein said receiving units determine which of said transmitting devices is transmitting said digitally encoded signal.

12. The system as recited in claim 10 further comprising a monitoring unit connected to each of said receiving units to provide a user interface to said system.

13. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein said transmitting device sends a initiation signal when said switching mechanism is engaged.

14. The system as recited in claim 10 wherein said visual indicator further including a first color to indicate said transmitter circuit is not activated and a second color to indicate said transmitter circuit is activated.