Tamper detect monitoring device

• US 5,627,520 A
• Filed: 07/10/1995
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Protell Systems International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Protell Systems International Incorporated
• Inventors: Grubbs, Christopher A., Ip, Matthew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/500,270
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573, 340/572, 340/539, 340/687, 340/693, 455/100, 200/61.41, 379/38, 379/40
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

An improved device for monitoring the presence of a person, animal or piece of property within a predefined space. The invention consists of a means for attaching to a monitoree, a transmitter assembly containing electronic circuitry which periodically sends a coded signal a limited distance to a remote detection unit. If the expected signal is not received, indicating that the person or object has been removed from the predefined space, an alarm condition is indicated. The transmitter is securely attached to the item being monitored by means of a non-stretchable, flexible, circuit strap which indicates an alarm condition when the strap is tampered with. The strap is locked into the transmitter assembly by a latch key which also triggers the transmitter to begin sending signals. The device is easily reattached or transferred to another item to be monitored by monitoring personnel by removing the latch key and inserting a new latch key after the device has been reinstalled.

Claims

1. An electronic tagging device for attachment to an object or person to be monitored, for use in conjunction with a remote detection unit in a position monitoring system, said electronic tagging device comprising:

a transmitter assembly comprising;

electronic circuitry capable of transmitting signals to said remote detection unit;

a transmitter housing enclosing said circuitry, said transmitter housing defining first and second passages and a latch guide channel;

a circuitry activating switch extending into said latch guide channel; and

a flexible strap locking arm having a strap locking plunger and positioned between said latch guide channel and said second passage;

a strap for attachment to said object to be monitored, said strap having at a first end a set of connecting pins terminating a circuitous conductive circuit within said strap, and having at a second end multiple apertures formed in longitudinal spaced relation with the length of said strap, said first end of said strap configured for mechanical and electronic connection to said transmitter assembly via placement in said first passage, said set of connecting pins extending through pin connection guides positioned in said transmitter assembly to said electronic circuitry, said second end of said strap slidably insertable into said second passage; and

a latch key slidably insertable into said latch guide channel such that insertion of said latch key activates said electronic circuitry by contact with said circuitry activating switch, and displaces said strap locking arm into said second passage through one of said apertures in said second end of said strap positioned therein, said strap locking plunger holding said second end of said strap within said transmitter assembly.

2. The tamper detection monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said latch key securely locks into said latch guide channel once completely inserted therein.

3. The tamper detection monitoring device of claim 2, wherein said latch key has two latch locking tabs on opposite sides of said latch key which fit into dual latch locking retainers in said transmitter assembly.

4. The tamper detection monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said transmitter assembly is waterproof.

5. An electronic tagging device for attachment to an object or person to be monitored, for use in conjunction with a remote detection unit in a position monitoring system, said electronic tagging device comprising:

a transmitter assembly comprising;

electronic circuitry capable of transmitting signals to said remote detection unit;

a transmitter housing enclosing said circuitry, said transmitter housing defining first and second passages and a latch guide channel;

a circuitry activating switch extending into said latch guide channel; and

a flexible strap locking arm having a strap locking plunger and positioned between said latch guide channel and said second passage;

a strap for attachment to said object to be monitored, said strap having a first end configured for mechanical connection to said transmitter via placement in said first passage, and having at a second end a plurality of apertures formed in longitudinal spaced relation with the length of said strap, said second end of said strap slidably insertable into said second passage; and

a latch key slidably insertable into said latch guide channel such that insertion of said latch key activates said electronic circuitry by contact with said circuitry activating switch, and displaces said strap locking arm into said second passage through one of said apertures in said second end of said strap positioned therein, said strap locking plunger holding said second end of said strap within said transmitter assembly.

6. An electronic tagging device for attachment to an object or person to be monitored, for use in conjunction with a remote detection unit in a position monitoring system, said electronic tagging device comprising:

a flex circuit strap having first and second ends, capable of being securely placed around said person or object, containing an electrically conductive circuit forming a circuitous path within said strap, said path terminating in a pair of electrical contact pins at said first end, and defining at said second end a plurality of size-adjustment apertures in longitudinal spaced relation along a central axis of said strap;

a transmitter assembly comprising;

electronic circuitry capable of detecting when said conductive circuit in said strap has been severed and emitting a signal detectable by said remote detection unit;

a power supply;

a transmitter housing comprising;

a top cover;

a PC board housing connected to said top cover, having an upper and lower surface, said PC board housing defining a strap mounting base guide adjacent said lower surface, having a plurality of strap mounting pegs for attachment of said first strap end and a strap tamper circuit pin connection guide designed to receive said pair of electrical contact pins, and housing a switch diaphragm having a mechanical flex switch protruding below said lower surface for activation and deactivation of said electronic circuitry;

a strap locking system comprising;

a locking plate connected to said PC board housing, defining with said PC board housing a first passage into which extend said plurality of strap mounting pegs, also defining a latch guide channel having a plurality of latch locking retainers and defining a plurality of latch removal cut-outs, and containing a flexible strap locking arm secured at a fixed end to said locking plate and having at its free end a latch contact deflector and a strap locking plunger;

a base plate connected to said locking plate having a strap guide channel which defines a second passage between said locking plate and said base plate for insertion of said second strap end, and further defining a strap locking plunger retainer for receipt of said strap locking plunger;

a latch key insertable into said latch guide channel having a main body for activation of said electronic circuitry through contact with said mechanical flex switch and for locking said second strap end securely within said strap locking system through contact with said strap locking arm so as to displace said strap locking plunger through one of said size-adjustment apertures and into said strap locking plunger retainer, said latch key having a plurality of locking tabs for engaging said latch locking retainers upon insertion of said latch key into said latch guide channel.

7. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said signal is electromagnetic energy.

8. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said signal is emitted over a limited distance around said device.

9. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said signal contains low battery, device tamper, out-of-range and back-in-range data.

10. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said signal further comprises a diagnostic signal used for detecting discrepancies in previous data sent.

11. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said signal is transmitted at regular intervals when containing diagnostic data and immediately when containing an alarm condition.

12. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said transmitter assembly further comprises a plurality of base plate screw mounting access holes located in said base plate, a plurality of locking plate screw mounting access holes in said locking plate, a plurality of PC board housing screw connector points located in said PC board housing, a plurality of gasketed mounting screws for insertion through one each of said base plate screw mounting access holes, one of said locking plate screws mounting access holes, and into one of said PC board housing screw connector points to hold said base plate, said locking plate and said PC board housing together.

13. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said latch guide channel lies opposite said first passage.

14. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said latch guide channel has two latch locking retainers and wherein said latch key has two locking tabs.

15. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said second passage extends through the entire strap locking system.

16. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said second passage lies in parallel spaced relation with said latch guide channel.

17. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said device has an effective transmission range from 250 to 2,000 feet.

18. The electronic tagging device of claim 6, wherein said strap contains additional false circuitry.