Utility Outlets as a Security System

• US 20090044964A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Schoettle, Roland
• Application Number:
  US12/171,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20090044964A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/55
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1409 for removal detection of electrical appliances by detecting their physical disconnection from an electrical system, e.g. using a switch incorporated in the plug connector
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/06 using power transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/168 making use of an electromagnetic wave communication

Abstract

Utility outlets that function as a security system in a premises is disclosed. Utility outlets that function as a security system reduces the number of devices that need to be installed in a premises, thereby by reducing overall costs in installing a security system. Additionally, using utility outlets as a security system allows the security system to encompass the movement of electrical devices or the operation of electrical devices as security breach conditions.

Claims

1. A utility outlet for use in connecting to a premises electrical power, said utility outlet comprising:

means for connecting electrical devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power; and

means for detecting a potential security breach condition in said premises.

2. The utility outlet of claim 1 wherein said utility outlet is one of the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanently mounted light socket.

3. The utility outlet of claim 1 further comprising:

means for sending a signal, wherein said means for sending is communicably connected to said means for detecting.

4. The utility outlet of claim 3 further comprising:

a central processing unit communicably connected to said means for sending a signal, said central processing unit capable of determining whether said detected condition is a security breach and sending a signal in response to said security breach.

5. The utility outlet of claim 4 further comprising:

means for creating an alarm, wherein said means for creating an alarm is communicably connected to said central processing unit.

6. The utility outlet of claim 3 configured to be communicably connected to a central processing unit remote from said utility outlet, wherein said central processing unit is capable of determining whether said detected condition is a security breach and further capable of sending a signal in response to said security breach.

7. The utility outlet of claim 6 further comprising:

means for creating an alarm, wherein said means for creating an alarm is communicably connected to said central processing unit.

8. The utility outlet of claim 1 wherein said means for detecting is a motion sensor.

9. The utility outlet of claim 1 wherein said means for detecting includes means for detecting a change in connectivity of at least one of said electrical devices with at least one of the group consisting of:

said utility outlet, said premises'"'"' electrical power.

10. A method of securing a premises using utility outlets, said method comprising:

connecting electrical devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power through said utility outlets; and

detecting a potential security breach condition in said premises by at least one of said utility outlets located within said premises.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said utility outlets are selected from the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanently mounted light socket.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

sending a signal to a central processing unit in response to said detection of said potential security breach condition.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said central processing unit is located in one of said utility outlets.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining whether said detected potential security breach condition is a security breach and sending a security breach signal in response to said determined security breach.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

creating an alarm in response to said security breach signal.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein said detecting is done by a motion sensor.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said detecting includes identifying a change in connectivity of at least one of said devices with at least one of the group consisting of:

said utility outlet, said premises'"'"' electrical power.

18. A utility outlet for use in connecting to a premises'"'"' electrical power, said utility outlet comprising:

a terminal for connecting electrical devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power; and

a sensor for detecting a potential security breach condition.

19. The utility outlet of claim 18 wherein said utility outlet is one of the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanently mounted light socket.

20. The utility outlet of claim 18 further comprising:

a transmitter.

21. The utility outlet of claim 20 wherein said transmitter is capable of transmitting wirelessly.

22. The utility outlet of claim 20 further comprising:

a central processing unit communicably connected to said transmitter, wherein said central processing unit is capable of determining whether said detected potential security breach condition is a security breach and sending a signal in response to said determined security breach.

23. The utility outlet of claim 22 further comprising:

an alarm device communicably connected to said central processing unit.

24. The utility outlet of claim 20 wherein said transmitter is configured to be communicably connected to a central processing unit remote from said utility outlet, wherein said central processing unit is capable of determining whether said potential security breach condition is a security breach and further capable of sending a signal in response to said security breach.

25. The utility outlet of claim 24 further comprising:

an alarm device communicably connected to said central processing unit.

26. The utility outlet of claim 25 wherein said alarm is selected from the group consisting of:

an illuminating device and an audio device.

27. The utility outlet of claim 18 wherein said sensor is a motion sensor.

28. The utility outlet of claim 18 wherein said sensor is a contact sensor for detecting a change in connectivity of at least one of said electrical devices with said utility outlet.

29. The utility outlet of claim 18 wherein said sensor detects the flow of current to at least one of said electrical devices.