Intrusion alarm and detection system

• US 6,369,708 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William P. Carney
• Original Assignee: William P. Carney
• Inventors: Carney, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/804,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/539, 340/825.69, 340/542, 340/543, 340/544, 340/545, 340/835
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1012 Zone surveillance means, e.g. parking lots, truck depots
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

An intrusion detection system includes a remote controller activated by a user transmitting a particular RF carrier signal to a self-contained monitor. The self-contained monitor is energized by a primary power source and comprises an RF receiver circuit for receiving the particular RF carrier signal, a tuning code circuit for inputting a tuning code, a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing the tuning code which makes the RF receiver circuit responsive to the particular RF carrier signal, a volatile memory circuit having an armed state and a disarmed state, a motion detector for detecting an intruder in the predetermined space, a timing circuit for measuring a preset period of time and a responder. The user switches the volatile memory circuit from the disarmed state to the armed state by activating the remote controller. The volatile memory circuit is switched from the armed state to the disarmed state by either the volatile memory circuit sensing an interruption in primary power lasting longer than the preset period of time or by the motion detector detecting an intruder. The user tests the state of the volatile memory circuit by manipulating the remote controller to prompt a response from the responder indicating whether the volatile memory circuit is in the armed state or the disarmed state. A response indicating that an intrusion event has occurred warns the user not to enter the predetermined space to avoid the possibility of inadvertently confronting a remaining intruder.

Claims

1. An intrusion detection system comprising:

a self-contained monitor energized by a primary power source responsive to a remote controller transmitting a particular RF carrier signal under the control of a user;

said self contained monitor including a nonvolatile memory circuit storing a tuning code therein, a tuning code circuit for inputting said tuning code communicating with said nonvolatile memory circuit, a transfer switch communicating with said nonvolatile memory circuit and with said tuning code circuit, an RF receiver circuit communicating with a motion detector, a volatile memory circuit, a responder, and with said nonvolatile memory circuit;

said motion detector surveiling a predetermined space for an intruder;

said transfer switch being manually activated by said user transferring said tuning code from said tuning code circuit to said nonvolatile memory circuit;

said RF receiver circuit being made responsive to said particular RF carrier signal by said tuning code stored in said nonvolatile memory circuit;

said volatile memory circuit selectively defining an armed state and a disarmed state;

said volatile memory circuit being selectively disarmed by sensing at least one of an interruption of primary power and said motion detector detecting an intruder; and

said responder being prompted by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal to generate a response indicating one of said states of said volatile memory circuit.

2. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said remote controller further comprises a DIP switch, said user manually inputting a code setting thereon representing a binary code defining said tuning code being transmitted as part of said particular RF carrier signal.

3. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tuning code circuit further comprises a plurality of switches, said user manually inputting said code setting thereon and activating said transfer switch thereby storing said tuning code in said nonvolatile memory circuit for subsequently qualifying said particular RF carrier signal transmitted by said remote controller.

4. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said user may change said binary code after activating said transfer switch so that said binary code cannot be determined by an intruder observing said switches.

5. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said self-contained monitor further comprises a code transfer circuit including a normally open pushbutton switch.

6. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said self-contained monitor further comprises a timing circuit communicating with said primary power source and with said volatile memory circuit, said timing circuit providing a preset period of time during which said volatile memory circuit does not sense an interruption of primary power.

7. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said timing circuit further comprises a capacitive component.

8. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said volatile memory circuit is switched from said disarmed state to said armed state by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal.

9. An improved intrusion detection system of the type wherein a self-contained monitor is energized by a primary power source and is responsive to a remote controller transmitting a particular RF carrier signal under the control of a user, said self-contained monitor including an RF receiver circuit communicating with a motion detector surveiling a predetermined space for an intruder and with a responder for reporting the occurrence of an intrusion, the improvement comprising:

a nonvolatile memory circuit storing a tuning code therein communicating with said RF receiver circuit;

a volatile memory circuit selectively defining an armed state and a disarmed state communicating with said motion detector;

a tuning code circuit for inputting said tuning code communicating with said nonvolatile memory circuit;

a transfer switch communicating with said tuning code circuit and said nonvolatile memory circuit being manually activated by said user transferring said tuning code from said tuning code circuit to said nonvolatile memory circuit;

said RF receiver circuit being made responsive to said particular RF carrier signal by said tuning code stored in said nonvolatile memory circuit;

said volatile memory circuit being selectively disarmed by sensing at least one of an interruption of primary power and said motion detector detecting an intruder; and

said responder being prompted by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal to generate a response indicating one of said states of said volatile memory circuit.

10. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said remote controller further comprises an encoder chip encoding said particular RF carrier signal with an identification code defining said tuning code being transmitted as part of said particular RF carrier signal.

11. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said tuning code circuit further comprises a decoder chip for decoding said particular RF carrier signal.

12. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said decoder chip is prompted to extract said identification code from said particular RF carrier signal during a time period wherein said particular RF carrier signal is being transmitted and simultaneously said transfer switch is being activated to transfer said identification code into said nonvolatile memory circuit for subsequently qualifying said particular RF carrier signal transmitted by said remote controller.

13. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said self-contained monitor further comprises a code transfer circuit including a normally open pushbutton switch.

14. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said self-contained monitor further comprises a timing circuit communicating with said primary power source and with said volatile memory circuit, said timing circuit providing a preset period of time during which said volatile memory circuit does not sense said interruption of primary power.

15. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said timing circuit further comprises a capacitive component.

16. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said volatile memory circuit is switched from said disarmed state to said armed state by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal.

17. An intrusion detection system comprising:

a self-contained monitor energized by a primary power source responsive to a remote controller transmitting a particular RF carrier signal under the control of a user;

said self-contained monitor including a microcontroller, a motion detector, a tuning code circuit for inputting a tuning code communicating with said microcontroller;

a transfer switch communicating with said microcontroller and said tuning code circuit, an RF receiver circuit communicating with said motion detector and said microcontroller;

said motion detector surveiling a predetermined space for an intruder;

said transfer switch being manually activated by said user transferring said tuning code from said tuning code circuit to said microcontroller;

said microcontroller being programmed to define an emulated volatile memory circuit having an armed state and a disarmed state and being programmed to define an emulated nonvolatile memory circuit for storing said tuning code therein;

said RF receiver circuit being made responsive to said particular RF carrier signal by said tuning code stored in said emulated nonvolatile memory circuit;

said tuning code including at least one of a binary code and an identification code; and

said emulated volatile memory circuit being disarmed by selectively sensing at least one of an interruption of primary power and said motion detector detecting an intruder.

18. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said microcontroller further comprises a clock circuit communicating with said emulated volatile memory circuit such that said emulated volatile memory circuit is not switched to said disarmed state by an interruption in primary power lasting less than a preset period of time as measured by said clock circuit.

19. An intrusion detection system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said emulated volatile memory circuit is switched from said disarmed state to said armed state by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal.

20. In combination, an intrusion detection system energized by a primary power source surveiling a predetermined space comprising:

a nonvolatile memory circuit storing a tuning code therein;

a volatile memory circuit defining an armed state and a disarmed state;

a timing circuit measuring a preset period of time coupled to said volatile memory circuit;

an RF transmitter circuit transmitting an RF carrier signal;

an RF receiver circuit communicating with said volatile memory circuit and with said nonvolatile memory circuit, said RF receiver circuit being made responsive to said RF carrier signal by said tuning code; and

said volatile memory circuit being switched from said armed state to said disarmed state by sensing an interruption in said primary power source lasting longer than said preset period of time.

21. The combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein said intrusion detection system further comprises a tuning code circuit communicating with said nonvolatile memory circuit for inputting said tuning code therein.

22. The combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein said timing circuit further comprises a short term energy storage circuit supplying secondary power to said volatile memory circuit for said preset period of time so that said volatile memory circuit does not sense said interruption in primary power during said preset period of time.

23. The combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein said timing circuit further comprises a clock circuit which prompts said volatile memory circuit to switch to said disarmed state after said preset period of time has elapsed as measured by said clock circuit.

24. The combination as claimed in claim 20 wherein said volatile memory circuit is switched from said disarmed state to said armed state by said RF receiver circuit responding to said particular RF carrier signal.

25. A method for operating an alarm system including a remote controller controlling a self-contained monitor surveiling a predetermined space, said self-contained monitor having a primary power source energizing a volatile memory circuit selectively defining an armed state and a disarmed state, a tuning code circuit, a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing a tuning code, an intrusion detector and a responder, including the steps of:

a) setting a tuning code in said tuning code circuit;

b) transferring said tuning code to said nonvolatile memory circuit;

c) disposing said self-contained monitor to surveil a predetermined space;

d) switching said self-contained monitor to said armed state;

e) surveiling said predetermined space to detect an intruder;

f) monitoring said primary power source for an interruption of primary power having a duration longer than a predetermined period of time; and

g) switching said self-contained monitor from said armed state to said disarmed state as a result of said self-contained monitor alternatively sensing said interruption of primary power and detecting said intruder.

26. The method set forth in claim 25 including the additional step of testing said state of said volatile memory circuit generating a response from said responder indicating one of said states of said volatile memory circuit.