Entrance security system

• US 8,514,076 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woven Electronics LLC (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Woven Electronics LLC (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Piper, Douglas E. Sr., Browning, Thomas E. Jr., Owens, Mary Hester, DeYoung, Clifford Leroy
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/448,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/555, 340/540, 340/541, 340/542, 340/545.1, 340/564, 340/556, 250/216, 250/227.14, 250/227.23, 250/227.26, 356/73
• US Class Current: 340/555
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/124 with the breaking or disturbance being optically detected, e.g. optical fibers in the perimeter fence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

An entrance denial security system comprises an entrance barrier closing an entrance into a secured area having a plurality of structural tubular elements with hollow cores forming a rigid integral barrier. At least one optical fiber sensor line is laced through the hollow cores of the structural elements for detecting a fault condition signifying an unauthorized intrusion attempt. A processor in communication with the fiber sensor line generates a fault signal in response to the occurrence of a fault condition and identifying the entrance where the fault condition occurred. A communication device operatively associated with the processor communicates the fault signal and an alarm so that a proper security response can be made to the fault condition. The system further comprises a plurality of intrusion sensors disposed at certain locations. Preferably primary and secondary optical fiber sensor lines are routed through the structural elements and intrusion sensors, and primary and secondary scanning units pulse signals along the sensor lines and receive reflected signals back from the sensor lines. In the event of a cut through in the sensor lines, the primary sensor line monitors the barrier and sensors downstream of the break, and the secondary sensor line is activated to monitor the barriers and sensors downstream of the break.

Claims

1. A security system for detecting an unauthorized activity and attempt to enter through an entrance of a secured area comprising:

an entrance barrier for controlling entry through the entrance including a plurality of intersecting structural tubular elements;

a first fiber optic intrusion sensor including at least one fiber optic sensor line for sensing a first predetermined fault condition signifying an unauthorized attempt to open the barrier;

a second fiber optic intrusion sensor including at least one fiber optic sensor line for sensing a second predetermined fault condition signifying one of a bend or a severance of a tubular element;

at least one fiber optic scanning unit for scanning the optical sensor line and receiving reflected scan signals from the optical sensor line;

a system computer for receiving and processing the scan signals from said scanning unit in real-time representing the state of the optical sensor lines and generating a real-time fault signal in response to detecting one of said first and second predetermined fault conditions; and

a communication device communicating notice of the fault signal to security personnel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first intrusion sensor includes a mechanical actuator which impacts said sensor line causing a predetermined deviation in the scan signal received by said scanning unit signifying said first fault condition.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said second intrusion sensor includes said sensor line being physically impacted by damage to said tubular elements causing a predetermined deviation in the reflected scan signal signifying said first fault condition.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of intersecting tubular elements includes first tubular elements intersecting with second tubular elements wherein said first and second tubular elements lie in different planes.

5. The system of claim 1 including a security mount for mounting said barrier in one of a position over an entrance to a culvert and within an interior of a culvert wherein said first intrusion sensor is associated with said security mount to sense a removal or attempted removal of said barrier.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first intrusion sensor includes at least one security bolt securing said security mount to said culvert having a bolt head through which said at least one sensor line is laced.

7. The system of claim 5 including a service box located adjacent said mounted barrier containing a service loop of said at least one sensor line that must be extended to remove said barrier, said service loop being enclosed behind a door of said service box, and said first intrusion sensor includes a door opening sensor disposed inside said service box whereby one of opening said door and severing said sensor line between said barrier and service box causes a fault signal to be detected in said sensor line and generated by said system computer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said barrier includes a cage barrier mounted within said Interior of the culvert space longitudinally from the entrance, said cage barrier includes a face grate of intersecting tubular elements laced with said at least one sensor line transverse to said culvert interior, and a plurality of longitudinally-extending, laced perimeter tubular elements, spaced around a perimeter of said cage grate so intrusion from a side dig-in into the culvert is prevented.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the first intrusion sensor unit is fixed relative to said barrier and the second intrusion sensor is carried for movement with said barrier.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein one of the first intrusion sensor includes a reciprocating sensor actuator having a deactivated position and an activated position, the sensor actuator engaging the sensor fiber upon the unauthorized movement of the barrier causing the sensor actuation to move to the activated position and the reflected fault signal to be generated.

11. The system of claim 10 including a signal control device associated with said sensor actuator for producing an intrusion signal of a predetermined minimum duration regardless of how quickly said moveable barrier is returned to said secured position, said minimum duration being sufficient so that said intrusion signal is reliably recognized by said processor.

12. The system of claim 1 including a longitudinal reinforcing member encased within said tubular elements, said at least one optic fiber sensor line laced through said tubular elements alongside said reinforcing members whereby a complete cutting of said reinforcing member delays complete severance of said tubular element required for entry after severance of the sensor line and generation of a fault signal whereby guard personnel is provided sufficient time to arrive at the scene before intrusion.

13. The system of claim 1 including a system computer interface having computer executable instructions embodied in computer readable code, and a fault level data set embodied in computer readable code containing a plurality of predetermined fault conditions signifying intrusion events at a level desired to be detected for security including at least said first and second fault conditions.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the processing of the scan signals includes comparing the real-time scan signals to a pre-established baseline scan signal embodied in computer readable code which is characteristic of the state of the sensor line in an undisturbed secure state, and analyzing the compared results in comparison to said level fault data set.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said executable instructions include:

receiving instructions for receiving scan signals from the scanning unit;

baseline initialization instructions for establishing a baseline signal based on initial information from the scan signals and storing the baseline signal in accessible computer readable code;

monitoring instructions for monitoring the optical sensor line by automatically receiving the scan signals in real-time representing the state of the optical sensor line;

comparison instructions for determining if unauthorized activity has taken place based on a real-time comparison of the baseline signal and the scan signals along with said predetermined fault conditions in said data set;

fault instructions for generating a real-time fault signal in response to a predetermined change in one or more of the scan signals which matches one of said predetermined fault conditions; and

alarm instructions outputting an alarm in response to the fault signal to notify an attendant that the unauthorized activity has taken place.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one optical fiber sensor line includes a first, primary sensor line and a second, secondary sensor line, and wherein said system comprises:

said primary and secondary sensor lines being routed through said first and second intrusion sensors;

said at least one scanning unit includes a primary scanning unit and a secondary scanning unit;

said primary scanning unit being in communication with said primary sensor line for generating and transmitting light pulse signals along said primary sensor line, and receiving reflected pulse signals reflected back from an end of said primary sensor line;

said secondary scanning unit in communication with said secondary sensor line for generating and transmitting light scan signals along said secondary sensor line and receiving reflected scan signals from said secondary sensor line; and

said system computer being in communication with said primary and secondary scanning units for processing said reflected scan signals to determine if a change has occurred in a scan signal signifying a predetermined fault condition.

17. The system of claim 16 including computer executable instructions accessible by said system computer for activating said secondary scanning unit in the event a break occurs in said primary and secondary sensor lines so that said secondary scanning unit monitors intrusion sensors downstream from the break and the primary scanning unit monitors intrusion sensors upstream from the break.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said secondary scanning unit remains deactivated until said break occurs in said sensor lines.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor controls the scanning units to pulse the first sensor line for a predetermined period of time with the second sensor deactivated, and then pulse the second sensor line for a predetermined period of time with the first sensor line deactivated wherein the activation/deactivation cycles of the sensor lines are continually repeated in the absence of a break in the lines.

20. An entrance denial security system for detecting a fault condition at one or more entrances into a secured area representing unauthorized activity and an attempt to gain entry through the entrance, the system comprising:

an entrance barrier closing an entrance into a secured area;

said barrier including a plurality of structural tubular elements having hollow cores forming a rigid integral barrier preventing entrance into the secured area;

a primary optical fiber sensor line routed through said tubular elements;

a secondary optical fiber sensor line routed through said tubular elements;

a primary scanning unit in communication with said primary sensor line for generating and transmitting light Signals along said primary sensor line, and receiving reflected signals from an end of said primary sensor line;

a secondary scanning unit in communication with said secondary sensor line for generating and transmitting light signals along said secondary sensor line, and receiving reflected signals from said secondary sensor line;

computer executable instructions embodied in computer readable code and a fault level data set embodied in computer readable code containing a plurality of predetermined fault conditions signifying intrusion events at a level desired to be detected for security;

a system computer for receiving said reflected scan signals from said scanning unit in real-time representing the state of the optical sensor lines and accessing said executable instructions and said data set for generating a real-time fault signal in response to detecting one of said predetermined fault conditions; and

an alarm device for notifying security personnel of the fault signal.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said plurality of intersecting tubular elements includes first tubular elements intersecting with second tubular elements wherein said first and second tubular elements lie in different planes.

22. The system of claim 21 including a longitudinal reinforcing member encased within said tubular elements, said optic fiber sensor lines being laced through said tubular elements alongside said reinforcing members whereby a complete severance of said tubular element required for entry is delayed after severance of the sensor line and generation of the fault Signal until said reinforcing member is cut through whereby guard personnel is provided sufficient time to arrive at the location of the intrusion.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein said system computer activates said secondary scanning unit in the event a break occurs in said primary and secondary sensor lines so that said secondary scanning unit monitors fault conditions downstream from the break and the primary scanning unit monitors fault conditions upstream from the break.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein said secondary scanning unit remains deactivated until said break occurs in said sensor lines.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the predetermined fault conditions include one or more of a sensor line being severed and said tubular elements being materially damaged to an extent affecting the condition of the sensor lines above a certain level.

26. The system of claim 20 wherein said executable instructions include instructions for continuously receiving scan signals from the fiber optic sensor line, comparing a base line signal to the scan signal, generating a fault signal in the event the comparison indicates a fault condition, and activating the communication device in response to the fault signal being generated so that personnel are alerted to the fault condition and the location thereof.

27. The system of claim 20 including a first intrusion sensor disposed relative to the barrier to detect movement of the barrier from a closed position toward an open position;

said intrusion sensor being associated with said sensor lines for detecting a prescribed movement of the banter from the closed position toward the open position signifying a fault condition and generating a-fault signal if the fault condition is detected.

28. The system of claim 27 including a signal control device associated with said intrusion sensor for producing an intrusion signal of a predetermined minimum duration regardless of how quickly said moveable closure member is returned to said secured position, said minimum duration being sufficient so that said intrusion signal is reliably recognized by said processor.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein said intrusion sensor includes first and second sensor elements and wherein the first sensor element includes one of a cam follower and a cam;

and the second sensor element including the other one of the cam follower and cam.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said barrier includes a swing gate barrier that pivots about a support structure, and the first sensor element carried by the support structure and the second sensor element carried by the swing gate.

31. The system of claim 20 including at least one security bolt securing said barrier to a culvert entrance having a bolt head through which said at least one sensor line is laced.

32. The system of claim 20 including a service box located adjacent said barrier containing a service loop of said at least one sensor line that must be extended to move said barrier, said service loop being enclosed behind a door of said service box, and said first intrusion sensor includes a door opening sensor disposed inside said service box whereby one of opening said door and severing said sensor line between said barrier and service box causes a fault signal to be detected in said sensor line and generated by said system computer.

33. A method of delaying and preventing an unauthorized entry through an entrance into a secured area closed off by a barrier having a plurality of first and second intersecting tubular structural elements comprising:

providing at least one optical fiber sensor line laced through said plurality of structural elements;

encasing structural reinforcing members extending longitudinally inside said hollow tubular elements alongside said at least one sensor line laced through said tubular elements which must be completely cut in order to sever a tubular element;

transmitting and receiving real-time scan signals in the fiber sensor line representing the condition of the fiber sensor line;

processing the scan signals to establish a baseline signal from the sensor line representing an undisturbed state of the optical fiber sensor line;

comparing the scan signals to the baseline signal, and generating a fault signal in response to receiving a scan Signal having a predetermined deviation from the baseline signal;

processing the deviation signal to establish a type and nature of a fault condition occurring in the barrier at the entrance; and

alerting personnel of the fault condition;

whereby a complete cutting of said reinforcing member delays severance of said tubular elements after generation of a fault signal whereby guard personnel is provided sufficient time to arrive at the location of the intrusion before intrusion.

34. The method of claim 33 including

routing first and second fiber optic sensor lines through said tubular elements;

pulsing said sensor lines with a periodic pulse signal and receiving a reflected pulse signal back from said sensor lines; and

processing said reflected pulse signals to determine if a predetermined reflection and/or attenuation change in said pulse signals has occurred signifying a predetermined level of unauthorized activity and an instruction signal, and to identify the location of the instruction.

35. The method of claim 34 including, in the event of a sensor line break scanning said primary sensor line upstream from the break and scanning said secondary sensor line downstream from the break.

36. The method of claim 35 including scanning the first sensor line for a predetermined period of time with the second sensor deactivated, and then scanning the second sensor line for a predetermined period of time with the first sensor line deactivated, and repeating the scanning/deactivated cycles of the sensor lines until a break in the lines is detected.

37. The method of claim 34 including sensing whether opening or removal of the barrier has been attempted with a first intrusion sensor laces with at least one sensor line, and sensing whether the structural tubular elements have been severed or materially damaged with a second sensor.

38. The method of claim 37 including sensing opening or removal of said barrier using bolts securing the barrier to an associated structure with said at least one sensor line laced through a head of the bolt.

39. The method of claim 37 including sensing the movement of said barrier by detecting one of severance and extension of a loop of said sensor line stored in a service box by detecting opening of a door closing said box.