Redundant security system

• US 8,456,305 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gates, Tell A.
• Original Assignee: Gates, Tell A.
• Inventors: Gates, Tell A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Knox, Kaleria
• Application Number:
  US11/701,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186173A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,314 Days
• Field of Search: 340541-5459, 340/572.1, 340/686.1, 340/539.1, 340/10.1, 340/5.73, 109/1.R, 109/1.V
• US Class Current: 340/542
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/009 Signalling of the alarm condition to a substation whose identity is signalled to a central station, e.g. relaying alarm signals in order to extend communication range
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/16 Security signalling or alarm systems, e.g. redundant systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 due to failing power supply

Abstract

A redundant security system relies on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag to convey security sensor data. If the RFID tag is unable to convey security sensor data, a backup photoelectric cell powered transmitter is activated to transmit security sensor data to a monitoring station. Alternately, a security safe is outfitted with a RFID tag based security sensor. The RFID tag allows remote monitoring of at least one of an opened/closed condition and a locked/unlocked condition of a door of the security safe.

Claims

1. A redundant security sensor, comprising:

a photoelectric cell;

a security switch;

a passive identification tag to transmit a binary value modified according to a condition of said security switch; and

a processor to monitor for a passive identification tag radio frequency field from a remote passive identification tag reader, and if said passive identification tag radio frequency field is not detected, to trigger a backup wireless transmitter, distinct from said passive identification tag, to wirelessly transmit said stored binary value with power generated from said photoelectric cell.

2. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said photoelectric cell is manually adjustable toward a light source.

3. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, further comprising:

an energy storage device to store energy produced by said photoelectric cell.

4. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitter is a piconet transceiver.

5. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said wireless transmitter transmits to a wireless interface extender.

6. The redundant security sensor according to claim 5, wherein:

said wireless interface extender is integrated into at least one of a wall power outlet, a telephone line outlet, a smoke detector, a motion detector, a glass break detector and wall switch.

7. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said passive identification tag is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.

8. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said redundant security sensor is integrated into a window lock.

9. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said redundant security sensor is integrated into a door lock.

10. The redundant security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said redundant security sensor is integrated into a security safe.

11. The redundant security sensor according to claim 5, wherein:

said wireless interface extender comprises a motion detector.

12. The security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said sensor data is an open/close condition.

13. The security sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

said sensor data is a lock/unlocked condition.