Security system

• US 6,310,550 B1
• Filed: 06/07/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred N. Gratzon
• Original Assignee: Fred N. Gratzon
• Inventors: Wagener, Carl S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/589,250
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/686.1, 340/649, 340/573, 340/691, 340/546
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings

Abstract

The present invention is a method for monitoring equipment. A computer having an enclosure defining an enclosure space is initially provided. Disposed within the enclosure space is a central processing unit including a memory and an arithmetic logic unit. The computer is provided with communication means operably connected to the central processing unit for permitting communication between the central processing unit and a peripheral device. An alarm sensor is disposed within the enclosure space of the computer. When the alarm sensor senses an alarm condition, the security system outputs a data signal indicative of the alarm condition for sounding an alarm, for example.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring equipment comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure defining an enclosure space;

a central processing unit disposed within the enclosure space, the central processing unit including a memory and an arithmetic logic unit;

communication means operably connected to the central processing unit for permitting communication between the central processing unit and a peripheral device;

disposing an alarm sensor within the enclosure space of the electronic device;

sensing an alarm condition by the alarm sensor;

outputting a data signal indicative of the alarm condition in response to the alarm sensor sensing the alarm condition.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing the data signal.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing a data signal indicative of the time and date coincident of when the alarm sensor sensed the alarm condition.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of outputting the data signal is defined further as:

outputting the data signal via the communication means; and

receiving the data signal by a peripheral device located externally of the enclosure.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of disposing the alarm sensor, the alarm sensor is defined further as being capable of sensing the intensity of light.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein in the step of providing the electronic device, the electronic device is defined further as being a personal computer.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein in the step of providing the electronic device, the communication means is defined further as being connected to the enclosure to provide communication access to peripheral devices disposed externally of the enclosure.

8. A method for monitoring equipment comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure defining an enclosure space, a portion of the enclosure being selectively movable between an open condition and a closed condition;

a central processing unit disposed within the enclosure space, the central processing unit including a memory and an arithmetic logic unit;

communication means operably connected to the central processing unit for permitting communication between the central processing unit and a peripheral device;

disposing an alarm sensor within the enclosure space of the electronic device;

moving the portion of the enclosure to the open position;

sensing the opening of the enclosure by the alarm sensor;

outputting a data signal indicative of an alarm condition in response to the alarm sensor sensing the opening of the enclosure.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing the data signal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing a data signal indicative of the time and date coincident of when the portion of the enclosure was moved to the open position.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of outputting the data signal is defined further as:

outputting the data signal via the communication means; and

receiving the data signal by a peripheral device located externally of the enclosure.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein in the step of disposing the alarm sensor, the alarm sensor is defined further as being capable of sensing the intensity of light.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein in the step of providing the electronic device, the electronic device is defined further as being a personal computer.

14. A method for monitoring equipment comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure defining an enclosure space;

a central processing unit disposed within the enclosure space, the central processing unit including a memory and an arithmetic logic unit;

communication means operably connected to the central processing unit for permitting communication between the central processing unit and a peripheral device;

disconnecting the peripheral device from the communication means; and

outputting a data signal indicative of an alarm condition.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing the data signal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises the step of:

storing a data signal indicative of the time and date coincident of when the alarm sensor sensed the alarm condition.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of outputting the data signal is defined further as:

outputting the data signal via the communication means; and

receiving the data signal by a peripheral device located externally of the enclosure.

18. A method for monitoring equipment comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic device comprising;

an enclosure defining an enclosure space;

a central processing unit disposed within the enclosure space, the central processing unit including a memory and an arithmetic logic unit;

connecting the electronic device to an immovable object;

disconnecting the electronic device from the immovable object; and

outputting a data signal indicative of an alarm condition.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of connecting the electronic device to the immovable object further comprises the step of:

providing a cable having a first end connected to the electronic device and a second end substantially connected to the immovable object.

20. A method for monitoring equipment, comprising the steps of:

providing a transceiver;

providing an electronic device;

connecting an alarm sensor to the electronic device, the alarm sensor having a radio frequency modem;

establishing electronic communication between the radio frequency modem and the transceiver;

interrupting the electronic communication between the radio frequency modem and the transceiver; and

outputting a signal indicative of an alarm condition.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the radio frequency modem has a predetermined range of between 50 feet to 150 meters.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of interrupting the electronic communication further comprises:

moving the electronic device a predetermined distance away from the transceiver greater than the predetermined range of the radio frequency modem such that the electronic communication between the radio frequency modem and the transceiver is interrupted.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of establishing communication between the radio frequency modem and the transceiver further comprises the step of:

disposing the electronic device near the transceiver such that electronic communication is established between the radio frequency modem and the transceiver.