Kidnap alarm with acceleration sensor

• US 6,448,895 B1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ekkel, Frederik
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van
• Application Number:
  US09/796,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20020118110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/573.7, 340/575, 340/576, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/439, 340/571, 340/384.71, 340/566, 340/568.1, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/40 using smoke, fire or coloured gases

Abstract

A personal security device includes a motion sensor, such as a MEMS chip. In response to a characteristic motion pattern, especially acceleration of a car, the security device will trigger a consequence. The consequence might be an audible or visible alarm. Optionally the device may communicate with the engine to direct it to take some action, such as stopping or exploding air bags.

Claims

1. An anti-kidnapping device comprising:

a carrier adapted to attach to a person to be protected;

a motion detector; and

a processor adapted to perform the following operations

determining whether a current motion detected by the motion detector matches a known motion patter representative of an acceleration of a motor vehicle; and

triggering consequence if a match is found.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the carrier is expected to be attractive to a child.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration. motor vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the consequences comprise triggering some kind of alarm.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the alarm makes a sound.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the alarm releases smoke.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the consequences comprise communicating with a vehicle engine to direct it to take some action.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the known motion pattern is not representative of an acceleration of a known motor vehicle.

9. A method for enhancing personal security comprising:

transporting a security device on a person whose protection is sought;

within the security deice, determining whether a current motion of the person matches a known motion pattern representative of an acceleration of a motor vehicle; and

in response to detection of the motion pattern, within the security device, triggering a consequence.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the consequence comprises communicating with an engine to direct the engine to take some action.

12. A medium, readable by a processing device, embodying code for performing the following operations:

determining where a current motion of an attached person matches a known motion pattern representative of an acceleration of a motor vehicle; and

in response to detection of the motion pattern, triggering a consequence.

13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the known pattern is a known pattern of acceleration.

14. The medium of claim 12, wherein the consequence comprises communicating with an engine to direct the engine to take some action.