Remote guard-presence system with adjustable effect and process of using

• US 6,204,762 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scientific Applications and Research Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Scientific Applications and Research Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Cleckler, Jay B., Dering, John P., Donne, Genyvieve A., Wes, James A., Spadaro, John F., Hutchinson, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/436,875
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/540, 340/692, 340/564, 340/384.3, 340/573.1, 340/566, 340/565, 348/152, 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 348/565, 342/27
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0043 Directed energy weapons, i.e. devices that direct a beam of high energy content toward a target for incapacitating or destroying the target
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives

Abstract

An apparatus for achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effect on unauthorized entrants, comprising an operator station including a signal receiver with television display, radiant energy selection control, and energy level controller, a first sensor means placed about the area for detecting the presence and movements of entrants to the area, the visual effects of later radiation directed toward them, and generating signals in response thereto, a source of radiant energy including at least one transmitter of the energy for broadcasting the energy into the area, upon selection of the type of radiant energy from the selection control, and of a level controlled by the energy level controller, the radiant energy of a nature and intensity capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause different observable effects on intruders present in the area who do not leave the area upon command, second sensor means placed about the area for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into the area and generating signals in response thereto, first transfer means for transferring the generated signals from the first sensor means and separately transferring the generated signals from the second sensor means to the signal receiver in the operator station to allow the operator real-time observation of the area. and second transfer means for transferring control signals from the operator station to the radiant energy source and transmitter to vary the type and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into the area to prevent further intrusion into the area.

Claims

1. Apparatus for achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effect on unauthorized entrants, comprising:

a) an operator station including a signal receiver with television display, radiant energy selection control and energy level controller;

b) first sensor means placed about the area for detecting the presence and movements of entrants to the area, the visual effects of later radiation directed toward them, and generating signals in response thereto;

c) a source of radiant energy including at least one transmitter of the energy for broadcasting said energy into the area, upon selection of the type of radiant energy from said selection control, and of a level controlled by said energy level controller, said radiant energy of a nature and intensity capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause different observable effects on intruders present in the area who do not leave the area upon command;

d) second sensor means placed about the area for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into the area and generating signals in response thereto;

e) first transfer means for transferring said generated signals from said first sensor means and separately transferring said generated signals from said second sensor means to said signal receiver in said operator station to allow the operator real-time observation of the area; and

,

f) second transfer means for transferring control signals from said operator station to said radiant energy source and transmitter to vary the type and intensity of said radiant energy broadcast into the area to prevent further intrusion into the area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said operator station is located so remotely from the area to be guarded as to not be visible to entrants in the area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said operator station is located remotely but within visual range of the area to be guarded so as to be visible to entrants in the area.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor means placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the presence and movements of entrants in the area and generating signals in response thereto include microphones to pick up noise from the movements of entrants in the area.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor means placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the presence and movements of entrants in the area and generating signals in response thereto include television cameras to pick up the presence and movements of entrants in the area.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor means placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the presence and movements of entrants in the area and generating signals in response thereto include heat sensors to pick up the presence of entrants in the area.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor means placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the presence and movements of entrants in the area and generating signals in response thereto include pressure transducers to pick up the presence of entrants in the area.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor means placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the presence and movements of entrants in the area and generating signals in response thereto include motion sensors to pick up the presence of entrants in the area.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one transmitter of radiant energy, for emitting into the area upon command from said operator station, includes a loud speaker.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one transmitter of radiant energy, for emitting into the area upon command from said operator station, includes a whistle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one transmitter of radiant energy, for emitting into the area upon command from said operator station, includes a siren.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one transmitter of radiant energy, for emitting into the area upon command from said operator station, includes an antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second sensor means, placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into the area and generating signals in response thereto, include an audio receiver.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second sensor means, placed about the area to be guarded for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into the area and generating signals in response thereto, include a non-audio radiant energy receiver.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first transfer means for transferring said generated signals from said first and second sensor means to said operator station include audio transfer lines.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first transfer means for transferring said generated signals from said first and second sensor means to said operator station include video transfer lines.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first transfer means for transferring said generated signals from said first and second sensor means to said operator station include fiber optics.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second transfer means for transferring said generated signals from said first and second sensor means to said operator station includes shielded cable.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy, capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause observable effects on entrants in the area, is acoustic energy.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy, capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause observable effects on entrants in the area, is radio frequency (RF) energy.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy, capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause observable effects on entrants in the area, is microwave energy.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy, capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause observable effects on entrants in the area, is laser energy.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiant energy, capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause observable effects on entrants in the area, is X-Ray radiation.

24. Apparatus for achieving remote guarding of a plurality of areas each with adjustable effect on unauthorized entrants, comprising:

a) a plurality of first level operator stations, one for each area and arranged for manning by at least one operator, and a second level operator station, arranged for manning by at least one supervisor operator, in communication with said first level operator stations, said stations including a signal receiver with television display, radiant energy selection control, and energy level controller;

b) first sensor means placed about each area for detecting the presence and movements of entrants to the area, the visual effects of later radiation directed toward them, and generating signals in response thereto;

c) sources of radiant energy including at least one transmitter for each area of the energy for broadcasting said energy into each area, upon selection of the type of radiant energy from said selection control, and of a level controlled by said energy level controller, said radiant energy of a nature and intensity capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause different observable effects on intruders present in the area who do not leave the areas upon command;

d) second sensor means placed about each area for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy broadcast into that particular area and generating signals in response thereto;

e) first transfer means for transferring said generated signals from each said first sensor means and separately transferring said generated signals from said second sensor means to said signal receivers in their respective said first level operator stations and to said second level operator station to allow each operator real-time observation of their particular area; and

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f) second transfer means for transferring control signals from said operator stations to said radiant energy sources and transmitters to vary the type and intensity of said radiant energy broadcast into the respective areas to prevent further intrusion into the areas.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first sensor means are selected from the group consisting of microphones, television cameras, heat sensors, pressure transducers, motion sensors and mixtures thereof.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said transmitters are selected from the group consisting of loud speakers, whistles, sirens, antennas and mixtures thereof.

27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said second sensor means are selected from the group consisting of audio receivers, non-audio radiant energy receivers and mixtures thereof.

28. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said first transfer means are selected from the group consisting of audio transfer lines, video transfer lines, optical fibers and mixtures thereof.

29. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said energy sources are selected from the group consisting of acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, microwave energy, laser energy, X-Ray energy and mixtures thereof.

30. The process of achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effects on intruders, comprising the steps of:

a) remotely monitoring the area to be protected, through sensor means, to detect the presence of entrants into the area;

b) determining if said entrants are authorized to be in the area;

c) in the case where said entrants are not authorized to be in the area and are thus intruders, remotely activating a first, low level of radiant energy through transmitters into the area informing them that they have passed into a restricted area and directing them to leave the area immediately;

d) monitoring the area to detect if the intruders remain present in the area or have left the area;

e) in the case where the intruders have not left the area, remotely activating a second, higher level of radiant energy through transmitters located in the area in an effort to cause physical discomfort to the intruders and to urge them to vacate the area;

f) measuring and monitoring the area for the intensity of energy radiated therein to insure that excessive energy is not brought to bear on the intruders during their movement to leave the area;

g) monitoring the area to detect if the intruders are leaving or have left the area and, if they have not left the area, remotely checking to see if they have indicated movement toward any exit from the area; and

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h) if the intruders have not left the area and are otherwise indicating by implication or otherwise their determination to remain in the area, then remotely activating a third, still higher level of radiant energy through transmitters located in the area of an intensity sufficient to disable the intruders and stop them from intruding further into the area.

31. The process of achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effects on intruders of claim 30 including the additional step of directing human guards into the area, following disablement of the intruders, to remove the intruders from the area and interrogate them.

32. The process of achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effects on intruders of claim 30 wherein the step of remotely activating a second, higher level of radiant energy through transmitters located in the area in an effort to cause physical discomfort to the intruders and to urge them to vacate the area is followed by the additional step of contacting a supervisor who has monitored all of the activity up to that point and requesting further instructions for dealing with the intruders.