Portable alarm system

• US 5,850,180 A
• Filed: 07/02/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tattletale Portable Alarm Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hess, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/887,212
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/545, 340/546, 340/539, 340/636, 340/693, 340/691, 340/326, 340/331, 340/506, 340/825.06, 340/825.17, 455/90, 320/48, 379/40, 379/44, 379/51, 379/56, 379/57, 379/106
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/00 Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3431 Telephones, Earphones
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2494 by interference with electro-magnetic field distribution combined with other electrical sensor means, e.g. microwave detectors combined with other sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/001 Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A portable alarm system in which the alarm functions are contained within a portable enclosure, communication is maintained between the alarm system and wireless security devices, and the alarm is capable of initiating a telephone call to a S security monitoring station either by conventional hard-wired telephone lines within a building, by cellular transmission, or by 1900 megahertz PCS. The alarm is capable of initiating a call over the control channel of a cellular phone system. The latch key function allows a child to make his/her parents aware that he/she has arrived home safely.

Claims

1. A portable alarm system, wherein said portable alarm system is adapted to send signals over a control channel of a cellular telephone system to a remote switching office, comprising:

a portable enclosure;

a microprocessor installed within said enclosure;

a wireless receiver for receiving alarm signals from at least one zone within a structure being monitored, said wireless receiver installed within said enclosure and electrically connected to said microprocessor; and

a transmitter for transmitting said signals which may be transmitted over said control channel to said remote switching office.

2. The portable alarm system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alarm in electrical communication with said microprocessor which is actuated by said microprocessor when said alarm signals are received by said wireless receiver.

3. The portable alarm system of claim 1, further comprising:

an LED for indicating a call has been transmitted over said control channel.

4. The portable alarm system of claim 1, further comprising:

a service light in electrical communication with said microprocessor for indicating when cellular service is/is not available.

5. The portable alarm system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communications device secured within said enclosure and independent of any hard-wired telephone lines connected to said structure, said communication device adapted to initiate a primary function phone call to a location apart from said structure; and

a data interface electrically connected to said communication device and said microprocessor for communicating a signal to said communication device from said microprocessor to cause said communication device to initiate a primary function phone call.

6. The portable alarm system of claim 5, wherein said communications device makes a primary function phone call when said control channel is busy.

7. A portable alarm system, wherein said portable alarm system is adapted to send signals over a control channel of a cellular telephone system to a remote switching office, comprising:

a portable enclosure;

a microprocessor installed within said enclosure;

a receiver for receiving alarm signals from at least one zone within a structure being monitored, said receiver installed within said enclosure and electrically connected to said microprocessor;

an interface for converting signals which indicate a zone has been violated to a radio signal for transmission;

a transmitter for transmitting said radio signal over a control channel of a cellular phone system to a central station for further processing.

8. A portable alarm system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a cellular telephone adapted to be carried within said portable enclosure and further adapted to enable the initiation, and completion of a cellular telephone call to a remote location and which enables two way audio communication through said call.

9. The portable alarm system of claim 8, wherein said alarm system makes a primary function phone call when said control channel is busy.

10. A portable alarm system, wherein said portable alarm system is adapted to send signals over a control channel of a cellular telephone system to a remote switching office, comprising:

an enclosure;

a microprocessor installed within said enclosure;

a receiver for receiving alarm signals from at least one zone within a structure being monitored, said receiver installed within said enclosure and electrically connected to said microprocessor; and

a modem in electrical communication with said microprocessor for transmitting a radio signal over said control channel of said cellular phone system to a central station for further processing.

11. A portable alarm system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a communications device secured within said enclosure and independent of any hard-wired telephone lines connected to said structure, said communication device adapted to initiate a primary function phone call for voice communication to a location apart from said structure; and

a data interface electrically connected to said communication device and said microprocessor for communicating a signal to said communication device from said microprocessor to cause said communication device to initiate a primary function phone call for voice communication.

12. The portable alarm system of claim 11, wherein said communications device makes a primary function phone call for voice communication when said control channel is busy.

13. The portable alarm system of claim 11, wherein said enclosure is comprised of:

a bottom, a lid, and a body portion, made from injection molded polycarbonate/ABS plastic, thereby providing shock resistance.

14. The portable alarm system of claim 11, wherein said communication device is a wireless cellular phone communication system.

15. The portable alarm system of claim 14, wherein said cellular phone communication system is adapted to be used as a conventional cellular phone independent of the alarm system functions.

16. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a motion sensor for detecting intrusion into a protected area, said motion sensor electrically connected to said microprocessor and within said enclosure.

17. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

an LED board electrically connected to said microprocessor and within said enclosure for indicating the current status of said alarm system.

18. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

an audio siren electrically connected to said microprocessor and within said enclosure; and

a strobe light electrically connected to said microprocessor and within said enclosure.

19. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a back-up battery, electrically connected to said microprocessor, for providing back-up power to said microprocessor.

20. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising a surveillance camera electrically connected to said microprocessor and secured within said enclosure.

21. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a cellular handset adapted to reside at said portable enclosure so that cellular phone calls may be made through said alarm system.

22. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

an LED in electrical communication with said processor for indicating when a call is being transmitted to a remote monitoring center.

23. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a service light in electrical communication with said microprocessor for indicating when cellular service is/is not available.

24. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a low battery light indicator in electrical communication with said processor.

25. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising:

a transmitter for sending alarm signals to said receiver; and

an LED in electrical communication with said processor that provides information on the status of said transmitter.

26. The portable alarm system of claim 10, further comprising

an LED in electrical communication with said processor that emits light when said alarm system is in the instant arming mode.