Physical security device

• US 8,310,360 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guardian 8 Corp. (Guardian 8 Holdings)
• Original Assignee: Guardian 8 Corp. (Guardian 8 Holdings)
• Inventors: Phillips, Steve L., Pierce, Keith E., Ross, Charles A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US12/490,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20090315703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/10 Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/02 with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A security device paired with a user'"'"'s cell phone is operable by either a trigger or an accelerometer. The device includes visual and audio alarms, a prerecorded message and an audio recording of the ambient noise. Depression of the trigger will spray mace onto an attacker, activate the alarms and alternately send the message and recording to 9-1-1 or other security monitor. Alternatively, the accelerometer will so activate the device. The alarms and transmissions are synchronized so as to not interfere one with the other. Direct communication with 9-1-1 via the Bluetooth®/cell phone interface is immediately established either by a push-to-talk button or at the termination of a predetermined alarm and message transmission period.

Claims

1. A method, performed by a hand-held apparatus that is operated by a user having a voice, the method comprising:

providing a pistol grip so that the user can support and orient the apparatus while the apparatus performs the method;

recording the user'"'"'s voice via a microphone of the apparatus so that a first message is stored in a memory of the apparatus;

playing the first message for user approval;

activating a countermeasure to defend the user against attack;

before activating, recording ambient sound via the microphone so that a second message is stored in the memory;

after activating, transmitting by wireless communication from the apparatus the first message and the second message to inform others about the user'"'"'s need for assistance.

2. An apparatus for operation by a user having a voice, the apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising a pistol grip for the user to support and orient the apparatus;

a microphone in the housing;

a memory in the housing;

a recorder in the housing that records the user'"'"'s voice so that a first message is stored in the memory and records ambient sound so that a second message is stored in the memory;

a countermeasure deployed from within the housing to defend the user against attack; and

circuitry in the housing;

wherein

the circuitry plays the first message for user approval; and

the circuitry, in response to activation by the user of the countermeasure, transmits by wireless communication the first message and the second message to inform others about the user'"'"'s need for assistance.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a lock switch assembly that blocks deployment of the countermeasure, and that enables the circuitry to transmit.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the countermeasure comprises mace for spraying onto an attacker.