Pressure sensitive security system for tracking motion over a surface

• US 4,888,581 A
• Filed: 04/06/1988
• Issued: 12/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: State Street Bank and Trust Company 225 Franklin St Boston MA
• Original Assignee: Aritech BV
• Inventors: Guscott, John K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/178,190
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 340/666, 340/565, 200/61.93, 200/85 R, 200/86 R
• US Class Current: 340/666
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/10 by pressure on floors, floor coverings, stair treads, counters, or tills
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence

Abstract

An alarm system uses an area sensor having a piezoelectric film sensitive to changes in pressure. A piezoelectric film with electrodes deposited on opposite surfaces of the film converts changes in mechanical pressure to electrical signals. A signal processor detects the electrical signals and generates an output signal in response. The electrodes could comprise single metalized sheets deposited on each surface. Alternatively, an array or pattern of individually operative electrodes could be provided. An array or pattern of electrodes enables the signal processor to determine the location, motion, and direction of motion of a force generating pressure changes on the piezoelectric film. The alarm system may include a threshold detector sensitive to the magnitude of pressure changes so that an output signal will not be generated unless the pressure change is sufficiently great. This invention is suitable as a floor covering for detecting an intruder walking over its surface.

Claims

1. An alarm system comprising:

an area sensor comprising a piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces and electrode means on the first and second surfaces, the piezoelectric film being operative to convert a change in mechanical pressure on the piezoelectric film to an electrical signal on the electrode means, the electrode means on the first surface of the piezoelectric film comprising an array of independently operative electrodes, the array arranged in a pattern which repeats at least once, each electrode in the array being operatively connected to a corresponding electrode in the repeated array;

signal processing means including means for detecting the electrical signal generated by the area sensor and further including means for generating an output signal responsive to the electrical signal detected by the detecting means; and

alarm means responsive to the output signal to generate an alarm signal.

2. The alarm system of claim 1 wherein

the electrical signal detecting means includes a threshold selection means for preselecting a threshold value for the electrical signals corresponding to a preselected minimum pressure change;

and

the output signal generating means is responsive to the preselected threshold value to generate an output signal when the pressure changes reach the preselected minimum pressure change.

3. The alarm system of claim 1 including a plastic foam layer underlaying the area sensor.

4. The alarm system of claim 1 including a rubber layer overlaying the area sensor.

5. The alarm system of claim 1 wherein

the electrode means comprises conductive ink printed on the piezoelectric film.

6. An alarm system comprising:

an area sensor comprising a piezoelectric film having first and second surfaces, a first array of independently operative electrodes arranged in parallel strips on the first surface, and a second array of independently operative electrodes arranged in parallel strips normal to the electrode strips of the first array on the second surface, the piezoelectric film being operative to convert a change in mechanical pressure on the piezoelectric film to an electrical signal on the electrodes;

means for processing the signal generated by the area sensor including means for detecting the signal and means for generating an output signal responsive to the signal detected by the detecting means; and

means responsive to the output signal to generate an alarm signal.

7. The alarm system of claim 6, wherein

the signal detecting means includes a threshold selection means for preselecting a threshold value for the signals corresponding to a preselected minimum pressure change;

and

the output signal generating means is responsive to the preselected threshold value to generate an output signal when the pressure changes reach the preselected minimum pressure change.