Graffiti detection system and method of using the same

• US 6,600,417 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Traptec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Traptec Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Randy E., Roberts, Donald L., Devine, Arthur J., Lerg, George H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tong, Nina
• Application Number:
  US09/908,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/573.1, 340/539, 340/541, 340/565, 340/566, 340/621, 340/683, 340/691.1, 340/692, 340/691.2, 340/571, 340/545.4, 340/545.2, 340/446, 340/442, 340/546, 340/943, 340/902, 340/904
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/009 having wheels on a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/06 Signalling devices actuated by deformation of the tyre , e.g. tyre mounted deformation sensors or indirect determination of tyre deformation based on wheel speed, wheel-centre to ground distance or inclination of wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/063 Generating directly an audible signal by deformation of the tyre by touching the ground B60C23/085
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1672 using sonic detecting means, e.g. a microphone operating in the audio frequency range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons

Abstract

The present invention involves a system and method for detecting a graffiti-making act such as the spray of a spray paint can, the writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and the scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface. The system includes one or more sensors adapted to sense the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal representative of the graffiti-making act, and a base unit including electronics adapted to process the signal and determined whether the signal represents a graffiti-making act, and a communication device coupled to the electronics and adapted to communicate to one or more entities that a graffiti-making act has been detected. The method includes sonically detecting the graffiti-making act, and initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

Claims

1. A method of sonically detecting a graffiti-making act, comprising:

providing a graffiti-making act detection system to sonically detect a graffiti-making act;

locating the graffiti-making act detection system near a structure prone to receiving graffiti;

sonically detecting with raid graffiti-making act detection system a graffiti-making act;

initiating an alarm indicating that the graffiti-making act took place.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alarm is a member from the group consisting of a bell, a light, a horn, a speaker, a marking means, a camera to record the activity, a camera to monitor the activity, a photo process, a phone device, a wireless communication device, a cage, a trap, and a disabling means.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating an alarm includes dialing one or more predetermined pager numbers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating an alarm includes communicating that a graffiti-making act has been detected to one or more entities.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the graffiti-making act is a member of the group consisting of a spraying noise of a spray paint can, a rattling noise caused by shaking a spray paint, a sound made by writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and a sound made by scratching with an abrasive instrument on a surface.

6. A graffiti detection system for detecting a graffiti-making act, comprising:

means for sonically sensing sound of the graffiti-making act and transmitting a signal or signals in response to the sound of the graffiti-making act;

means for processing the signal or signals in response to the sound of the graffiti-making act; and

means for dialing one or pore predetermined pager numbers if at least one of the sonically sensing means and professing means determine a sound representative of a graffiti-making act took place.

7. The graffiti detection system of claim 6, wherein the graffiti-making act is a member of the group consisting of a spraying noise of a spray paint can, a rattling noise caused by shaking a spray paint, a sound made by writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and a sound made by scratching with abrasive instrument on a surface.

8. The graffiti detection system of claim 6, wherein said sonically sensing means, said processing means, and said dialing means are elements of an integrated unit.

9. A graffiti detection system for detecting a graffiti-making act, comprising:

one or more sonic sensors adapted to sonically sense sound of the graffiti-making act and transmit a signal or signals in response to the sound of the graffiti-making act;

electronics adapted to process the signal or signals in response to the sound of the graffiti-making act, at least one of the one or more sensors and the electronics adapted to determine whether a sound is representative of a graffiti-making act; and

a communication device coupled to the electronics to dial one or more predetermined pager numbers if a graffiti-making act has been detected.

10. The graffiti detection system of claim 9, wherein the graffiti-making act is a member of the group consisting of a spraying noise of a spray paint can, a rattling noise caused by shaking a spray paint, a sound made by writing with a felt-marker pen on a surface, and a sound made by scratching with abrasive instrument on a surface.

11. The graffiti detection system of claim 9, wherein said one or more sonic sensors, said electronics, and communication device are elements of an integrated unit.