Alarm interface system

• US 7,002,467 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vanguard Products Group, Inc., DBA Vanguard Protex Global
• Original Assignee: Protex International Corporation (Vanguard Protex Global)
• Inventors: Deconinck, Joseph, Dimonda, Dominick
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US10/137,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.16, 340/539.22, 340/539.25, 340/539.31, 340/568.1, 340/568.2, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An alarm interface for a merchandise security system is coupled to an alarm system of the merchandise security system. The alarm interface includes one or more wireless interface transmitters and receivers. One or more output devices are connected to at least one of the one or more wireless receivers. In one aspect, the alarm system includes a controller for sensing alarm events, one or more hubs connected to the controllers, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured. A set of sensors within the plurality of sensors is attached to a corresponding hub, and each sensor or hub generates an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured. The wireless interface transmitters wirelessly transmit one or more alarm signals from the alarm system. The wireless interface receivers are adapted to receive at least one of these alarm signals transmitted from one or more of the wireless interface transmitters. One or more of the output devices are activated by at least one of the wireless interface receivers in response to at least one alarm signal-received by the receiver.

Claims

1. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, one or more hubs connected to the controller, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured, a set of sensors within the plurality of sensors being attached to a corresponding hub, each sensor or hub generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor or hub;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one wireless interface transmitter comprises an addressable flash microprocessor selectively communicating with at least one selected wireless interface receiver of said at least one wireless interface receiver.

2. The merchandise security system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one alarm signal contains information corresponding to a location of the sensor or hub generating an alarm event.

3. The merchandise security system according to claim 1 wherein:

said at least one wireless interface transmitter is connected to said controller by at least one cable communicating said at least one alarm signal;

at least one of said at least one output device is connected to said at least one wireless interface receiver by at least one cable and is activated when power tampering occurs at the wireless interface transmitter, the wireless interface transmitter is separated from the controller, or the wireless interface receiver is separated from the output device.

4. The merchandise security system according to claim 1 wherein an alarm signal is generated by the controller when power tampering occurs at the controller.

5. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be scouted against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensor generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one wireless interface transmitter comprises an addressable flash microprocessor selectively communicating with at least one selected wireless interface receiver of said at least one wireless interface receiver.

6. The merchandise security system according to claim 5 wherein said at least one alarm signal contains information corresponding to a location of the sensor generating an alarm event.

7. The merchandise security system according to claim 5 wherein:

said at least one wireless interface transmitters are connected to said controller by at least one cable communicating said at least one alarm signal;

at least one of said at least one output device is connected to said at least one wireless interface receiver by at least one cable and is activated when power tampering occurs at the wireless interface transmitter, the wireless interface transmitter is separated from the controller, or the wireless interface receiver is separated from the output device.

8. The merchandise security system according to claim 5 wherein an alarm signal is generated by the controller when power tampering occurs at the controller.

9. An alarm interface system for actuating at least one output device in response to an alarm system coupled to said alarm interface system, which comprises:

(a) at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

(b) at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information;

wherein;

each of said at least one wireless interface transmitter comprises an addressable flash microprocessor selectively communicating with at least one selected wireless interface receiver of said at least one wireless interface receiver.

10. The alarm interface system according to claim 9 further comprising at least one cable connected to said at least one wireless interface transmitter for receiving said at least one alarm signal from the alarm system.

11. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, one or more hubs connected to the controller, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured, a set of sensors within the plurality of sensors being attached to a corresponding hub, each sensor or hub generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor or hub;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitters for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one wireless interface transmitter comprises an addressable microprocessor selectively communicating with at least one selected wireless interface receiver of said at least one wireless interface receiver; and

at least one of said at least one output device comprising a video recorder connected to said at least one of said at least one interface receiver and activated by said at least one of said at least one interface receiver.

12. A merchandise security system tot monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, one or more hubs connected to the controller, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured, a set of sensors within the plurality of sensors being attached to a corresponding hub, each sensor or hub generally an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor or hub;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one alarm signal is communicated by a radio frequency transmission be wean at least one of said at least one wireless interface transmitter and at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver;

said alarm interface automatically adjusts the frequency of the radio frequency transmission to adapt to environmental noise conditions; and

said at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver activates a relay to activate said at least one of said at least one output device.

13. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, one or more hubs connected to the controller, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured, a set of sensors within the plurality of sensors being attached to a corresponding hub, each sensor or hub generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor or hub;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitters for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receivers adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein said at least one wireless interface receiver has a plurality of relays respectively connected to a corresponding one of said at least one output device for activation thereof in an alarm condition, each of said relays being able to be selectively placed in a latched state or a nonlatched state each relay in the latched state remaining in an alarm condition until the controller is reset and each relay in the nonlatched state remaining in an alarm condition for a selected period of time before returning to a nonalarm condition.

14. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, one or more hubs connected to the controller, and a plurality of sensors capable of attachment to a plurality of objects to be secured, a set of sensors within the plurality of sensors being attached to a corresponding hub, each sensor or hub generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor or hub;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at boot one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein said at least one output device comprises a plurality of cameras, each camera directed to monitor a respective area containing objects, within the plurality of objects to be secured and activated by a relay for the camera activated by said at least one wireless interface receiver.

15. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensor generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitters for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one wireless interface transmitter comprises an addressable microprocessor selectively communicating with at least one selected wireless interface receiver of said at least one wireless interface receiver; and

at least one of said at least one output device comprising a video recorder connected to said at least one of said at least one interface receiver and activated by said at least one of said at least one interface receiver.

16. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller, and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensor generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein;

each of said at least one alarm signal is communicated by a radio frequency transmission be wean at least one of said at least one wireless interface transmitter and at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver;

said alarm interface automatically adjusts the frequency of the radio frequency transmission to adapt to environmental noise conditions; and

said at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver activates a relay to activate said at least one of said at least one output device.

17. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensors generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitters for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receivers adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein said at least one wireless interface receiver has a plurality of relays respectively connected to a corresponding one of said at least one output device for activation thereof in an alarm condition, each of said relays being able to be selectively placed in a latched state or a nonlatched state, each relay in the latched state remaining in an alarm condition until the controller is reset and each relay in the nonlatched state remaining in an alarm condition for a selected period of time before returning to a nonalarm condition.

18. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system, and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller, and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensor generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secure, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein said at least one output device comprises a plurality of cameras, each camera directed to monitor a respective area containing objects, within the plurality of objects to be secured and activated by a relay for the camera activated by said at least one wireless interface receiver.

19. An alarm interface system for actuating at least one output device in response to an alarm system coupled to said alarm interface system, which comprises:

(a) at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

(b) at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information;

wherein;

each of said at least one alarm signal is communicated by a radio frequency transmission between at least one of said at least one wireless interface transmitter and at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver;

said alarm interface automatically adjusts the frequency of the radio frequency transmission to adapt to environmental noise conditions; and

said at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver activates a relay to activate an output device.

20. An alarm interface system for actuating at least one output device in response to an alarm system coupled to said alarm interface system, which comprises:

(a) at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

(b) at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information;

wherein said at least one wireless interface receiver has a plurality of relays respectively connected to a corresponding one of said at least one output device for activation thereof in an alarm condition, each of said relays being able to be selectively placed in a latched state and or a nonlatched state, each relay in the latched state remaining in an alarm condition until reset and each relay in the nonlatched state remaining in an alarm condition for a selected period of time before returning to a nonalarm condition.

21. A merchandise security system for monitoring objects to be secured against theft, which comprises:

(a) an alarm system comprising a controller for sensing alarm events generated by the alarm system and at least one sensor capable of attachment to the controller and a plurality of objects to be secured, each sensor generating an alarm event when separated from the controller or object to be secured, the controller generating an alarm signal in response to an alarm event generated by said sensor;

(b) an alarm interface coupled to said alarm system, said alarm interface comprising;

at least one wireless interface transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least one alarm signal; and

at least one wireless interface receiver adapted to receive at least one of said at least one alarm signal transmitted from said at least one wireless interface transmitter when said at least one alarm signal contains selected information; and

(c) at least one output device connected to at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver, at least one of said at least one output device being activated by at least one of said at least one wireless interface receiver in response to said at least one alarm signal received by said at least one wireless interface receiver;

wherein said at least one wireless interface receiver has a plurality of relays respectively connected to a corresponding one of said at least one output device for activation thereof in an alarm condition, each of said relays being able to be selectively placed in a latched state and or a non-latched state, each relay in the latched state remaining in an alarm condition until the controller is reset and each relay in the non-latched state remaining in an alarm condition for a selected period of time before returning to a non-alarm condition; and

wherein the alarm interface system is coupled to an alarm system selected from the group consisting of a fire alarm and a motion detector and actuates at least one output device in response to a signal from said alarm system.