Perimeter security system

• US 6,720,881 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2002
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas W. Halliday
• Original Assignee: Thomas W. Halliday
• Inventors: Halliday, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAI, ANNE VIET NGA
• Application Number:
  US10/103,941
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/573.6, 340/572.9, 119/721
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/088 by monitoring a device worn by the person, e.g. a bracelet attached to the swimmer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/012 using recorded signals, e.g. speech G08B25/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A perimeter security system for providing a security alarm for people leaving or entering a predetermined area. The perimeter security system includes a main sensor unit, wearable by a user, which provides an alarm if the wearer breaks a boundary of the predefined area; a perimeter defining assembly for providing an indication of the boundary of the predefined area; and a remote unit for receiving a signal from the main sensor unit that the boundary of the predefined area has been broken, which provides an alarm for a caretaker.

Claims

1. A perimeter security system for excluding a person from or maintaining a person within a predefined area comprising:

a main sensor unit being wearable by a user, said main sensor unit providing an alarm if the wearer breaks a boundary of the predefined area;

a perimeter defining assembly for providing an indication of the boundary of the predefined area;

a remote unit receiving a signal from said main sensor unit that the boundary of the predefined area has been broken, said remote unit providing an alarm for a caretaker;

said remote unit further comprises;

a remote housing, said housing being mountable to an exterior portion of a structure;

a receiver assembly for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit when said main sensor unit breaks a boundary of a predetermined area;

an audible alarm assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly being activated when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit, said audible alarm assembly being for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a strobe assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said strobe assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said housing;

said strobe assembly providing a visible alarm when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a battery assembly positioned substantially within said housing, said battery assembly being operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly, and said strobe assembly, said battery assembly providing electrical energy for said remote unit;

wherein said audible alarm assembly provides an audible alarm of approximately 103 decibels; and

wherein said perimeter defining assembly further comprises a coil of wire positioned around the perimeter of the predetermined area, said coil of wire being operationally coupled to an electrical source, said coil of wire generating a magnetic field detectable by said main sensor unit such that when main sensor unit passes said coil of wire said main sensor unit issues an alarm signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises:

a housing, said housing being wearable by the user;

a sensor assembly being positioned substantially within said housing, said sensor detecting said main sensor unit passing said perimeter defining assembly; and

a transmitter assembly for sending a signal to said remote unit indicating said main sensor unit has broken the boundary of the predefined area.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises:

a water activated switch for facilitating activating an alarm when said main sensor unit contacts water;

said housing having at least one aperture for facilitating water flow to said water activated switch when said main sensor unit contacts water.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises a vibration assembly for providing a tactile alarm to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken such that the user is aware of the violation of the boundary and may return to an appropriate area.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises at least one strobe light positioned on an exterior surface of said housing such that said strobe light is visible when activated, said strobe light being activated when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken facilitating visual location of the user.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises an audible alarm assembly for providing an aural alarm to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken such that the user is aware of the violation of the boundary and may return to an appropriate area.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said audible alarm assembly further comprises a voice assembly for presenting a prerecorded warning message to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area has been broken.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises:

a rechargeable battery member for providing electrical energy to said main sensor unit, said rechargeable battery member being positioned substantially within said housing;

a solar cell assembly positioned on an exterior portion of said housing, said solar cell assembly providing supplemental electrical energy to said main sensor unit, said solar cell assembly being operationally coupled to said rechargeable battery member such that said solar cell assembly provides a recharging current to said rechargeable battery member;

a power failure assembly for detecting said rechargeable battery member failing, said power failure assembly being operationally coupled to said rechargeable battery member, said power failure assembly being positioned substantially within said housing; and

an arming switch for activating said main sensor unit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises a code entry assembly for selectively disarming said main sensor unit, said code entry assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said main sensor unit, said code entry assembly being for deactivating an alarm signal from said main sensor unit, said code entry system using a predetermined series of alphanumeric characters to deactivate said alarm signal.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said code entry system being for disabling said main sensor unit for a predetermined time, said main sensor unit automatically reactivating after said predetermined time.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises an alternating current recharging assembly for recharging said rechargeable battery member from a standard household 110 volt outlet.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said perimeter security system further comprises:

a second remote unit for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit that the boundary of the predefined area has been broken;

said second remote unit further comprising;

a remote housing, said housing being adapted to place anywhere within a structure;

a receiver assembly for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit when said main sensor unit breaks a boundary of a predetermined area;

an audible alarm assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly being activated when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit, said audible alarm assembly being for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a strobe assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said strobe assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said housing;

said strobe assembly providing a visible alarm when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a battery assembly positioned substantially within said housing, said battery assembly being operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly, and said strobe assembly, said battery assembly providing electrical energy for said remote unit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said audible alarm assembly provides an audible alarm of approximately 103 decibels.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a caretaker pager assembly for providing an alarm to a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary of the predetermined area, said caretaker pager being wearable by a caretaker for facilitating mobility of the caretaker.

15. A perimeter security system for excluding a person from or maintaining a person within a predefined area comprising:

a main sensor unit being wearable by a user, said main sensor unit providing an alarm if the wearer breaks a boundary of the predefined area;

a perimeter defining assembly for providing an indication of the boundary of the predefined area; and

a remote unit receiving a signal from said main sensor unit that the boundary of the predefined area has been broken, said remote unit providing an alarm for a caretaker.

wherein said main sensor unit further comprises;

a housing, said housing being wearable by the user;

a sensor assembly being positioned substantially within said housing, said sensor detecting said main sensor unit passing said perimeter defining assembly; and

a transmitter assembly for sending a signal to said remote unit indicating said main sensor unit has broken the boundary of the predefined area;

a water activated switch for facilitating activating an alarm when said main sensor unit contacts water;

said housing having at least one aperture for facilitating water flow to said water activated switch when said main sensor unit contacts water;

a vibration assembly for providing a tactile alarm to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken such that the user is aware of the violation of the boundary and may return to an appropriate area;

at least one strobe light positioned on an exterior surface of said housing such that said strobe light is visible when activated, said strobe light being activated when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken facilitating visual location of the user;

an audible alarm assembly for providing an aural alarm to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area is broken such that the user is aware of the violation of the boundary and may return to an appropriate area;

wherein said audible alarm assembly further comprises a voice assembly for presenting a prerecorded warning message to the user when the boundary of the predetermined area has been broken;

a rechargeable battery member for providing electrical energy to said main sensor unit, said rechargeable battery member being positioned substantially within said housing;

a solar cell assembly positioned on an exterior portion of said housing, said solar cell assembly providing supplemental electrical energy to said main sensor unit, said solar cell assembly being operationally coupled to said rechargeable battery member such that said solar cell assembly provides a recharging current to said rechargeable battery member;

a power failure assembly for detecting said rechargeable battery member failing, said power failure assembly being operationally coupled to said rechargeable battery member, said power failure assembly being positioned substantially within said housing; and

an arming switch for activating said main sensor unit.

a code entry assembly for selectively disarming said main sensor unit, said code entry assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said main sensor unit, said code entry assembly being for deactivating an alarm signal from said main sensor unit, said code entry system using a predetermined series of alphanumeric characters to deactivate said alarm signal;

wherein said code entry system being for disabling said main sensor unit for a predetermined time, said main sensor unit automatically reactivating after said predetermined time;

wherein said main sensor unit further comprises an alternating current recharging assembly for recharging said rechargeable battery member from a standard household 110 volt outlet;

wherein said remote unit further comprises;

a remote housing, said housing being mountable to an exterior portion of a structure;

a receiver assembly for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit when said main sensor unit breaks a boundary of a predetermined area;

an audible alarm assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly being activated when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit, said audible alarm assembly being for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a strobe assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said strobe assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said housing;

said strobe assembly providing a visible alarm when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a battery assembly positioned substantially within said housing, said battery assembly being operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly, and said strobe assembly, said battery assembly providing electrical energy for said remote unit;

wherein, said audible alarm assembly provides an audible alarm of approximately 103 decibels;

a second remote unit for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit that the boundary of the predefined area has been broken;

said second remote unit further comprising;

a remote housing, said housing being adapted to place anywhere within a structure;

a receiver assembly for receiving a signal from said main sensor unit when said main sensor unit breaks a boundary of a predetermined area;

an audible alarm assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly being activated when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit, said audible alarm assembly being for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a strobe assembly operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said strobe assembly being positioned on an exterior surface of said housing;

said strobe assembly providing a visible alarm when said receiver assembly receives a signal from said main sensor unit for alerting a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary;

a battery assembly positioned substantially within said housing, said battery assembly being operationally coupled to said receiver assembly, said audible alarm assembly, and said strobe assembly, said battery assembly providing electrical energy for said remote unit;

wherein said audible alarm assembly provides an audible alarm of approximately 103 decibels;

a caretaker pager assembly for providing an alarm to a caretaker that the user has violated the boundary of the predetermined area, said caretaker pager being wearable by a caretaker for facilitating mobility of the caretaker.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said main sensor unit further comprises:

a first led member for providing a visual indication of an adequately charged rechargeable battery, said first led member being positioned substantially on an exterior surface of said main sensor unit such that said first led member being visible by the user;

a second led member for providing a visual indication of an inadequately charged rechargeable battery, said second led member being positioned substantially on an exterior surface of said main sensor unit such that said second led member being visible by the user, said second led member being positioned substantially adjacent to said first led member;

wherein said first and second led members having differently colored lenses such that said first and second led members being easily distinguishable by color.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said main sensor unit being securable to the user such that the user cannot remove said main sensor unit without assistance from the caretaker.