KIDNAP ALARM WITH ACCELERATION SENSOR

• US 20020118110A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: United States of America As Represented By The Department
• Inventors: Ekkel, Frederik
• Granted Patent: US 6,448,895 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/40 using smoke, fire or coloured gases

Abstract

A personal security device includes a motion sensor, such as a MEMS chip. In response to a characteristic motion pattern, especially acceleration of a car, the security device will trigger a consequence. The consequence might be an audible or visible alarm. Optionally the device may communicate with the engine to direct it to take some action, such as stopping or exploding air bags.

Claims

1. An anti-kidnapping device comprising:

a carrier adapted to attach to a person to be protected;

a motion detector; and

a processor adapted to perform the following operations

determining whether a current motion detected by the motion detector matches a known motion pattern; and

triggering consequences if a match is found.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the carrier is expected to be attractive to a child.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the known pattern of acceleration is characteristic of a motor vehicle.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the consequences comprise triggering some kind of alarm.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the alarm makes a sound.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the alarm releases smoke.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the consequences comprise communicating with a vehicle engine to direct it to take some action.

9. A method for enhancing personal security comprising:

transporting a security device on a person whose protection is sought;

within the security device, determining whether a current motion of the person matches a known motion pattern; and

in response to detection of the motion pattern, within the security device, triggering a consequence.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the known pattern of acceleration is characteristic of a motor vehicle.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the consequence comprises communicating with an engine to direct the engine to take some action.

14. The medium of claim 13, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration.

15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the known pattern of acceleration is characteristic of a motor vehicle.

16. The medium of claim 13, wherein the consequence comprises communicating with an engine to direct the engine to take some action.

13. A medium, readable by a processing device, embodying code for performing the following operations:

determining whether a current motion of an attached person matches a known motion pattern; and

in response to detection of the motion pattern, triggering a consequence.