Portable intrusion detection warning system

• US 4,742,336 A
• Filed: 12/04/1986
• Issued: 05/03/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hall Security Services Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hall Security Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Bailey, Harry W., Hall, W. Lawrence, Nash, George A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/937,970
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/546, 340/531, 340/506, 340/691, 340/693, 379/40, 379/51, 379/39, 379/41, 379/42, 379/44
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A portable intrusion detection, monitoring and alarm system is housed in a portable carrying case in the configuration of a briefcase with handle for convenient portability and inconspicuous placement at a desired location near a space to be monitored. Intrusion detectors are removed from the carrying case and placed in the space to be monitored. The intrusion detectors may include infrared motion sensors and radio transmitters for transmitting detection signals to a radio receiver in the carrying case. An electronic controller receives the detection signals from the radio receiver and delivers actuating data signals to a digital communicator and digital dialer with a telephone line output. The digital communicator captures a telephone line with dialing signals and sends further coded signals corresponding to different monitored spaces and intrusion detectors from which detection signals are received. The electronic controller includes an arming circuit and key switch for arming and disarming the monitoring and warning system. The external power supply plug, telephone jack and key switch are mounted on the carrying case so that the components are operable from outside the carrying case with the intrusion detectors in place and the briefcase configuration carrying case closed and locked. Internal battery standby power supply is also provided.

Claims

1. A portable intrusion detection warning system for silent surveillance of a space to be monitored comprising:

a portable briefcase carrying case comprising carrying case enclosure elements hinged on the side and fitted with complementary latch elements and lock on the other side for latching and locking the carrying case enclosure elements in closed position, said portable briefcase carrying case being in the configuration of a briefcase with handle means for convenient portability and inconspicuous placement at a desired location;

intrustion detection means removably and replaceably housed in the briefcase carrying case for removal and placement at remote positions in a space to be monitored, said intrusion detection means comprising intrusion sensing means and radio transmitter means for transmitting detection signals to the portable carrying case upon sensing an intrusion in the monitored space;

radio receiver means housed in the briefcase carrying case for receiving detection signals transmitted from the intrusion detection means;

electronic controller means housed in the briefcase carrying case and operatively coupled to receive detection signals from the radio receiver and deliver actuating signals, said controller means comprising a programmable delay circuit for establishing a selected delay interval between receiving a detection signal and delivering an actuating signal, said controller means comprising an arming circuit and key switch in the arming circuit for switching the electronic controller means between a non-operating or disarmed condition and an armed condition in which the controller means receives the detection signals and delivers actuating signals after the programmed delayed interval, said key switch being fitted on the briefcase carrying case for access to the key switch from outside the carrying case when the carrying case is closed and locked;

digital communicator means housed in the briefcase carrying case operatively coupled to the controller means for receiving actuating signals and delivering telephone dialing signals, said communicator means comprising a telephone output line and telephone receptacle mounted on the briefcase carrying case for receiving a telephone jack from outside the carrying case when the carrying case is closed and locked for transmitting telephone dialing signals which select a telephone line and for transmitting digital signals over the selected telephone line;

external power supply means comprising a power supply receptacle fitted on the briefcase carrying case for receiving a complementary power supply plug from an external power supply source outside the carrying case, and external power supply lines housed within the briefcase carrying case and coupled between the receptacle and the controller means, said controller means comprising distribution circuit means for delivering power to the radio receiver means and digital communicator means;

and internal power supply means housed within the briefcase carrying case comprising a standby battery and standby power supply lines operatively coupled between the standby battery and the controller means, said controller means comprising standby power supply circuit means for delivering standby power from the standby battery when the external power supply is interrupted;

said portable alarm system being operable by means of the key switch, power supply receptacle, and telephone receptacle all accessible from outside the briefcase carrying case with the carrying case locked in closed position with the radio receiver means, electronic controller means, digital communicator means, external power supply means, and internal power supply means contained within the briefcase carrying case and with the intrusion detection means placed at remote positions for silent surveillance and warning of detection of intrusion in the space to be monitored.

2. A portable alarm system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radio receiver means comprises at least two channels for receiving detection signals on at least two frequencies corresponding to different intrusion detection means at different monitored space zones, and wherein the controller means and digital communicator means each comprise at least two circuit channels for distinguishing between monitored spaced zones, said digital communicator being programmable to transmit different coded digital signals corresponding to the respective channels over selected telephone lines.

3. The portable alarm system of claim 2 wherein the intrusion detection means comprises at least two intrusion detectors for placement at remote positions for monitoring different space zones.

4. The portable alarm system of claim 1 wherein the intrusion detection means comprises at least-one infrared sensor and radio transmitter for sensing infrared radiation changes and transmitting detection signals, and at least one panic button means and second radio transmitter for manual actuation to initiate transmission of detection signals.

5. The portable alarm system of claim 1 wherein the power supply receptacle comprises a four pin receiver, wherein the external power supply lines are coupled between the electronic controller means and the first and second pin receivers for delivering external power to the controller means, and wherein the standby power supply lines are coupled in a circuit between the battery, controller means and the third and fourth pin receivers, said portable alarm system comprising a four pin power supply plug for insertion in the power supply receptacle and electrical jumper or strap means coupled between the third and fourth pins so that the circuit is completed across the third and fourth pins through the standby power supply lines between the standby battery and controller means when the four pin power supply plug is inserted in the power supply receptacle.

6. The portable alarm system of claim 5 wherein the controller means comprises rectifier means coupled to the standby power supply circuit for trickle charging the standby battery when a power supply plug is inserted into the external power supply receptacle.

7. The portable alarm system of claim 1 wherein the key switch comprises a momentary spring return key switch.

8. The portable alarm system of claim 6 further comprising portable transformer means operatively coupled to the four prong power supply plug, said portable transformer means and power supply plug being removably carried in the carrying case for plugging the transformer into an external AC line power source, for stepping down the voltage of the external power, and for plugging the power supply jack into the power supply receptacle of the carrying case when the carrying case is closed and locked.

9. The portable alarm system of claim 1 wherein the carrying case comprises a deep foam liner lining the enclosure elements, said liners being formed with cut out or depression receptacles for receiving and shock absorbing mounting the respective operative elements of the portable alarm system in the carrying case.

10. A portable intrusion detection warning system for silent surveillance of a space to be monitored comprising:

a portable briefcase carrying case comprising carrying case enclosure elements hinged on one side and fitted with complementary latch elements and lock on the other side for latching and locking the carrying case enclosure elements in closed position, said portable briefcase carrying case being in the configuration of a briefcase with handle means for convenient portability and inconspicuous placement at a desired location;

intrusion detection means removably and replaceably housed in the briefcase carrying case for removal and placement at remote positions in a space to be monitored, said intrusion detection means comprising intrusion sensing means and radio transmitter means for transmitting detection signals to the portable briefcase carrying case upon sensing an intrusion in the monitored space;

radio receiver means housed in the briefcase carrying case for receiving detection signals transmitted from the intrusion detection means;

electronic controller means housed in the portable briefcase carrying case and operatively coupled to receive detection signals from the radio receiver means and deliver actuating signals, said controller means comprising an arming circuit and key switch in the arming circuit for switching the electronic controller means between a non-operating or disarmed condition and an armed condition in which the controller means receives the detection signals and delivers the actuating signals, said key switch being fitted on the briefcase carrying case for access to the key switch with a key from outside the carrying case when the carrying case is closed and locked;

digital communicator means housed in the portable briefcase carrying case and operatively coupled to the controller means for receiving actuating signals and delivering telephone dialing signals, said communicator means comprising a telephone output line and telephone receptacle fitted on the briefcase carrying case for receiving a telephone jack from outside the carrying case when the carrying case is closed and locked for transmitting telephone dialing signals which select a telephone line and for transmitting digital signals over the selected telephone line;

power supply means comprising a power supply receptacle fitted on the briefcase carrying case for receiving a complementary power supply plug from an external power supply source outside the carrying case and power supply lines housed within the briefcase carrying case and coupled between the receptacle and the controller means;

said portable alarm system being operable with the intrusion detection means placed at remote positions by means of the key switch, power supply receptacle and telephone jack accessible from outside the carrying case with the briefcase configuration carrying case locked in closed position with the radio receiver means, electronic controller means, digital communicator means, and power supply means contained within the housing and with the intrusion detection means placed at remote positions for silent surveillance and warning of detection of intrusion in the space to be monitored.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the intrusion detection means comprises at least one infrared sensor and first radio transmitter for sensing infrared radiation changes and transmitting detection signals, and at least one panic button means and second radio transmitter for manual actuation to initiate transmision of detection signals.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising internal power supply means housed within the briefcase carrying case comprising a standby battery and internal power supply lines operatively coupled between the standby battery and the controller means, said controller means comprising standby circuit means for delivering standby power when the external power supply is interrupted and wherein said power supply receptacle comprises a four pin receiver, wherein the external power supply lines are coupled to the first and second pin receivers for delivering external power to the controller means, and wherein the internal power supply lines are coupled to the third and fourth pin receivers, said portable alarm system comprising a four pin power supply plug for insertion in the power supply receptacle and electrical jumper or strap means coupled between third and fourth pins of the plug corresponding to the third and fourth pin receivers so that a circuit is completed across the third and fourth pins through the internal power supply lines when the four pin power supply plug is inserted in the power supply receptacle.