Security device and alarm system

• US 6,980,100 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2004
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dorothy L. Hammond
• Original Assignee: Dorothy L. Hammond
• Inventors: Hammond, Dorothy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/915,863
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 340/505, 340/568.1, 340/568.8, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/572.4, 340/10.32
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/007 Wireless interrogation

Abstract

A security device and alarm system includes a reader preferably concealed in a fabric article, at least one tag, and an alarm unit. The reader includes a reader transmitter, reader receiver, CPU, power source, and power switch. The tag includes a tag transmitter and a tag receiver. If using active RFID tags, each tag includes a power source. The alarm unit includes an alarm receiver, alarm, and power source. If the reader receiver does not receive an appropriate reply from the tag transmitter after the reader transmitter sends a query to the tag receiver, or if the reader was deactivated, the reader transmitter sends an alarm signal to the alarm unit. Upon the alarm receiver'"'"'s receipt of the alarm signal, the alarm is energized. If using multiple active RFID tags, the CPU checks for each through tag transmission identifiers, and the alarm identifies the missing tag through unique alarm signals.

Claims

1. An alarm system, comprising:

an RFID reader having means for transmitting and receiving query and reply signals, respectively, said RFID reader including means for transmitting a plurality of unique alarm signals;

a plurality of RFID tags remote from said RFID reader, each said RFID tag including a respective tag receiver for receiving said query signals from said RIFD reader and a respective tag transmitter for transmitting said reply signals, each said tag transmitter having a predetermined tag transmission identifier different from a predetermined tag transmission identifier of any other said tag transmitter, each said RFID tag including means for including a respective tag transmission identifier in a respective reply signal, each said RFID tag being associated with a respective unique alarm signal;

wherein said RFID reader includes means for recognizing a respective tag transmission identifier included in a received reply signal and for associating said recognized tag transmission identifier with a corresponding RFID tag and a corresponding unique alarm signal; and

an alarm unit remote from said RFID reader and said plurality of RIFD tags having an alarm receiver for receiving said unique alarm signals transmitted by said RFID reader, said alarm unit including means for energizing said alarm according to said corresponding unique alarm signal received by said alarm receiver, whereby to indicate said corresponding RFID tag.

2. The alarm system as in claim 1 wherein:

said means in said RFID reader for transmitting said query signals and said means in said RFID reader for transmitting said unique alarm signals is a reader transmitter;

said means in said RFID reader for receiving said reply signals is a reader receiver; and

said RFID reader further includes a CPU having means for determining whether an appropriate reply signal is received by said reader receiver after said reader transmitter transmits a corresponding query signal, said CPU further including means for actuating transmission of said alarm signal if said appropriate reply signal is not received by said reader receiver after said reader transmitter transmits a said corresponding query signal.

3. The alarm system as in claim 2 wherein said CPU includes means for actuating transmission of a said unique alarm signal when said RFID reader has been deactivated.

4. The alarm system as in claim 1 further comprising means in said RFID reader for actuating transmission of a said unique alarm signal when said RFID reader has been deactivated.

5. The alarm system as in claim 1 wherein each said RFID tag is an active RFID tag having a power source for powering said respective tag transmitter.

6. The alarm system as in claim 1 wherein said RFID reader is positioned in a fabric article for concealing the presence of said RFID reader.