Abstract:
This invention relates to an apparatus and retrofit method for integrating a safe into a security system, said apparatus comprising a wireless transmitter that transmits the condition of the safe to the receiver of a security system. The apparatus comprises at least one battery-operated transmitter in wireless communication with at least one receiver through an antenna concealed on the exterior surface of the safe and sensors connected to the transmitter. The design of the safe body and the integration with a wireless interface allows for flexibility and portability of the safe while maintaining strong security.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Conventional safes are generally of a stand-alone type that can perform only the functions set by the hardware and software originally equipped through the manufacturing process. This makes it impossible to expand the functions of the safe unless the safe itself is replaced as a whole, even if the user wishes to enjoy additional functions such as integration into a home or small business security system. While a number of different types of safe security systems have been designed or proposed which include a central system and a remote sensor installed on the safe and designed to respond to an intruder, the great majority of such systems are designed to be permanently installed with the central system permanently wired to the safe sensor. 
         [0002]    Although some devices are available to integrate safes with security systems, they have generally met with limited success and share numerous weaknesses. For example, a problem that often arises with hard-wired after-market solutions is the prohibitive modification costs associated with embedding a sensor and related infrastructure for use in connection with an existing safe. Even if the owner is willing to pay these costs, modification such as this is sometimes not allowed in rental situations or may be prevented by the configuration or location of the safe within the home, business, or bank. 
         [0003]    Additionally, it is desirable to hide the location of any sensors, as well as their connection to the central security system, to prevent a thief from discerning their location and defeating their operation. Unfortunately, installation of the prior art devices generally require installers to run new wiring. Extra wiring is a telltale sign to thieves that a security system is being employed to protect a safe. The extra wiring also provides a weak link in the alarm system by giving away the location of the sensor which is easily disabled by cutting the wires that connect to the central security system. 
         [0004]    In order for a safe integration device to avoid these deficiencies it must be wireless with an antenna capable of communicating wirelessly with a central security system. If a smaller antenna is used with the existing lock assembly and cavity, the efficiency of the antenna&#39;s electromagnetic (EM) radiation will not be optimal. It is possible to create, such as with a router or other means, a larger cavity within the body of the safe so that a much larger antenna can be placed within the door in conjunction with the lock assembly, but commercial safes are almost universally made of strong metal, so retrofitting them can be costly. In addition, an antenna contained within a safe door&#39;s cavity, regardless of whether the cavity has been enlarged or not, has to penetrate the door&#39;s material which is acting as a barrier to efficient EM radiation. In light of this, on a standard metal safe, an external antenna is required for optimal performance. 
         [0005]    Therefore, what is needed is a safe that integrates an unobtrusive antenna, made of a signal-conducive material and enclosed in a protective covering, into the external door construction such that the antenna sends a strong wireless signal and is hidden from obvious sight thus enabling an owner to easily integrate a safe into a central security system when desired and therefore add security functionality without any significant invasive, time consuming, and/or expensive modification to the safe or the building. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of an apparatus for, as described and shown herein, a security device that integrates with a home security system, thus making it possible to change or expand the functions of an existing storage container, such as a safe. The basic apparatus is an easy-to-retrofit kit allowing for installing of the security device on a standard home safe with minimal modification to the safe body. In an alternate embodiment, the security device of the present invention may be incorporated into a safe during the original construction of the safe. The portability of the resulting safe, achieved through a wireless connection and, if desired, a smaller size of safe, allows for flexibility of safe placement within the home or business. 
         [0007]    Generally described, without restriction on the scope of the invention as contained in the appended claims, one preferred embodiment of the wireless alarm interface comprises a safe with at least one battery-operated transmitter in wireless communication with at least one receiver and at least one sensor connected to the transmitter. The battery is optimally selected to be long lasting, preferably functioning for at least five (5) years before requiring replacement. The security system is configured to alert the owner of a low battery status. The wireless communication is achieved through wireless signals. The receiver is connected to or otherwise integrated with a security system. 
         [0008]    The apparatus of the present invention is suited for incorporation into a safe during the original manufacturing process as well as through an after-market, retrofit installation. For example, according to one aspect, the safe can be manufactured with an embedded antenna. Alternatively, the retrofit method comprises incorporating one or more external channels into a base plate installed under the safe&#39;s lock face on a door of the safe, where each channel is sized to retain at least a portion of the antenna, and inserting at least a portion of the antenna within the one or more channels; connecting the antenna to the secure device and connecting one or more sensors to the security device. This method inserts the antenna wire into the safe through a pre-existing entry created for the lock wire during the safe&#39;s original manufacture or, if necessary, an entry formed as part of the after-market modification. 
         [0009]    Different users have different applications and requirements for how the safe will integrate and function. Therefore, this apparatus is customizable through the inclusion of various additional sensors depending on each owners individual needs. One or more sensors can then communicate to the central security system through the universal safe interface device. Examples of such sensors include switches, passive infrared detectors, ultrasonic detectors, microwave detectors, photo-electric beams, vibration or inertia sensors, passive magnetic field detection, and microphonic systems. One implementation of the invention provides for a security system response when merely unlocking than safe, rather than requiring a special security code or hidden bypass to trigger the alarm system. This is advantageous when accessing the safe under duress and not wishing to alert an intruder that an alarm has been trigged. Another implementation of the invention provides an apparatus for causing a security system to respond to the horizontal or vertical movement of the safe through an embedded sensor or through movement of the safe out of the wireless range of the security system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the security device for integration into a security system according to the present invention in an unlocked state with the safe door open. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the security device for integration into a security system according to the present invention in a locked state with the door closed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a bezel with part of the bezel broken away to illustrate the antenna within the channel formed by the bezel, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a detailed cross sectional side view of the lock and antenna, without a bezel, of the security device for integration into a security, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a detailed cross sectional side view of the switch mechanism of a preferred embodiment of the security device for integration into a security system of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a system block diagram of a security device with alarm interface system showing the functional elements and their connections. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 2 , one form of the invention is there shown. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a storage container, such as a standard floor safe  1 , comprises an enclosure having interconnected two sides, top, end, and bottom walls  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 , and  26  respectively. Safe  1  may also comprise a front wall  28 , which further comprises one or more doors  57  movable between an open position and a closed position. However, no particular shape of storage container or safe is required for the present invention, any shape of storage container being suitable. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a side perspective view of safe  1  resting on the floor  6  with the safe lock  4  shown in an unlocked state. The safe lock  4  comprises a mechanism  5  of any type typically used in security safes, such as the illustrated type with a moveable locking bar  8 , to selectively lock or unlock the door. The moveable locking bar  8  could be located along the edge of the safe door  57 , as shown at locking bar  8 , or at the corners of the safe door  57 , as shown at locking bar  7 . The user of the safe  1  generally locks and unlocks the door  57  using the lock face  65 , which may comprise any suitable lock actuation means, shape, or design, such as a commonly available dial lock or electronic keypad lock, and handle  32 . The internal linkage means of the lock face  65  to the safe lock mechanism  5  may be of varied configurations as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Since the details of construction and operation of such varied configurations of conventional safe lock mechanisms are not relevant to an understanding of the principles of this invention, they will not be detailed herein except to provide a general overview thereof and to the extent that an understanding of the mechanical locking portions thereof may be necessary. Such lock mechanism hardware structures are commonly found in numerous patents, the marketplace, and on most safes and can be directly examined if more detailed information thereon is desired. 
         [0019]    Lock face  65  further comprises a base plate  27  behind the lock face  65 , said base plate  27  further comprising one or more channels  36  abutting an exterior region of the safe  1 . Channels  36  are sized to retain an antenna  38 . The base plate  27  can be made of PVC, carbon fiber, or any other appropriate material. In one view, depicted in  FIG. 3  without showing lock face  65  for illustrative purposes only, a bezel  39  is fixed adjacent to the base plate  27  such that the channels  36  and the antenna  38  housed within the channels  36  are hidden from sight, or at least partially obscured, behind the lock face  65 . A retrofit kit of the present invention may comprise a device for adding one or more channels  36  or a selection of differently shaped bezels  39  to accommodate differently shaped lock faces or keypads. The antenna  38  is substantially, and preferably entirely, concealed within the channel  36  of the lock face  65  as opposed to mounting the antenna on the outer face  51  of the safe door  57  in plain view. Preferably, lock face  65 , when viewed from any angle, does not readily reveal the embedded antenna  38 , or, in another, less-preferred embodiment, substantially obscures a portion of the antenna  38 . 
         [0020]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show only one antenna  38  for illustrative purposes only. The present invention may be practiced using a plurality of antennae (not shown). The embedded antenna  38  need not be situated in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  as multiple alternate configurations fall within the intended scope of the present invention. Antenna  38  can be positioned in straight or curved lines or any other configuration suitably accommodated by the shape of the lock face  65 . Other antenna  38  orientations are within the scope of the invention. The invention is also not limited to the number or location of the antenna. Antenna  38  can be a radio frequency antenna for a home wireless system or any other type of antenna that can transmit communication signals wireles sly to a receiver, where the receiver can detect the incoming signals. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there may be a separate transmitting and receiving wires (not shown) within the antenna. 
         [0021]    A safe manufactured with the security device already in place utilizes a wire entry or passage into the body of the safe, such as entry  40  through the outer face  51  of the safe door  57 , which is typically already formed in many safes available commercially to allow for insertion of the lock wire  41  or another part of the lock mechanism (not shown) into the safe body. During the original installation of the lock  4 , the lock wire  41  enters the interior region of the safe  1  for connection (not shown) with the lock mechanism  5 . During installation as a retrofit, the illustrated embodiment of the invention is designed to make use of such an entry already in existence, so that the antenna  38  can be easily and conveniently mounted to the safe without the need for any aftermarket modification to the safe. If a particular safe did not have such an entry, such an entry could be drilled to allow installation. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the antenna  38  is operatively connected through portal or entry  40 , whether pre-existing or created through a retrofit process, to a transmitter  44  installed within the safe  1  and electrically connected to at least one antenna  38 , preferably within a preexisting cavity  45  within the safe door  57  and accessible through a removable access panel  49  on the inner face  52  of the safe door  57 , said access panel  49  attached to the safe door  57  by bolts  50  or other well-known securing means. Alternatively, if a safe was not made with a cavity into which the transmitter may be installed during retrofitting, the transmitter may be mounted within the interior region of the safe. 
         [0023]    The security device  1  is wirelessly or communicatively connected via the transmitter and antenna (as represented in  FIG. 6 ) to a security system  11  of a type similar to those commonly installed in residential and business establishments. The security system  11  includes or must be retrofit to include a standard transceiver  12  to communicate with the transmitter  44  of the safe  1 . The transmitter  44  is of standard construction and is readily commercially available. The internal transmitter battery is optimally selected to last approximately five (5) years before requiring replacement and the security system can alert the owner of a low battery status. A suitable transmitter is distributed by Honeywell under the name and style 5800Micro Recessed Transmitter. The transmitter will optimally be selected to integrate with an existing security system. The manner of interconnection or integration of the security system transceiver  12  and the safe transmitter  44  within the system of the invention will presently be described. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a sensor, such as switch  18 , is positioned in conjunction with an edge of the safe door  57 , preferably in the lower edge  53  of the safe door  57  or inserted in a channel (not shown) in the locking bar  8  of the safe lock mechanism  5 , so as to come into contact with the safe door frame  21 . The switch  18  may be embodied by Short Roller Ball, Model No. DS-01 manufactured by George Risk Industries, Inc. or Recessed Switch Set with Magnasphere Technology, Model No. MS-2020-12 manufactured by George Risk Industries, Inc. Other suitable means for detecting the open/closed status of a door and generating a signal (not shown), including other forms of mechanical and magnetic switches, may be suitably employed in the present invention. 
         [0025]    A detailed view of a preferred switch  18  is shown in  FIG. 5  fixed to the lower edge  53  of the safe door  57  is the switch  18  having plunger  19 . 
         [0026]    The switch  18  abuts the safe door  57  such that when the safe door  57  is closed, the plunger  19  contacts safe frame  21  as shown in  FIG. 5 , actuating plunger  19 . The switch  18  is held in a closed circuit position allowing current to flow to the transmitter  44  through a connection, such as a wire  35  within a channel  37 , which triggers a signal  59  through a wire  60  embedded in a channel  61  or other connection from the transmitter  44  to the antenna  38  wherein a signal  59  is transferred to the security system  11 . In one embodiment, when plunger  19  is actuated, a signal is sent from a switch relay  17 . Receipt of the signal by the security system transceiver  12  will place the security system  11  in normal operating condition so that no alarm is activated. The security system  11  may be equipped with indicator lights or a screen showing the operative condition of the safe  1  and its various components. 
         [0027]    In operation, as the safe door  57  begins to open and plunger  19  is taken out of contact with safe frame  21 , plunger  19  is no longer actuated. When the plunger  19  is not actuated, the switch  18  is biased into the open circuit position allowing deactivation of transmitter  44 . This will place the security system  11  in alarm mode so that an alarm is activated. It is anticipated that the circuit will normally be reset by closure of the door. 
         [0028]    It can be appreciated that the specific components and electrical circuitry are meant to be exemplary of the manner in which the invention can be implemented. Other equivalent switching mechanisms can readily be employed. For example, the circuitry may be configured such that actuation of a sensor or switch completes an electrical circuit and generates an alarm rather than breaking a circuit. 
         [0029]    The security system  11  may be configured so that, if the alarm system zone associated with the safe  1  has been manually deactivated through the security system  11  prior to opening the safe  1 , the cessation of a signal  59  from the antenna  38  will not cause an alarm response from the security system  11 . Thus, the safe  1  may function as a traditional safe or lockbox for authorized users. The features and controls of the safe  1  may be varied from embodiment to embodiment. 
         [0030]    The functionality of the security device of the present invention discussed above with respect to the safe  1  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be provided in combination with any type of sensor (such as, but not limited to, a motion sensor, altitude or level sensors, or recessed alarm contacts) installed, or removably connected to provide additional modes of detection, to any type of storage container including lockboxes, drawers, cabinets, safes, gun safes, bank safes, hinge-top boxes, compartments, containers, and the like, and any reference herein to any of these terms, including in the claims should be read expansively to include any such terms, unless specifically limited either explicitly or by a specific context. Thus, where actuation of the plunger  19  of the switch  18  and opening of the door  57  has been discussed previously, it should be understood to apply equally to any type of actuation and/or opening that provides access to contents of an otherwise locked compartment or container of any kind, as with the sliding of a drawer, opening of a hinged element or door, and the like. 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the invention are intended for use with all types of security systems. Examples of security systems include whole-house security systems  11  such as that illustrated with respect to the discussion of  FIG. 6 , with or without a monitoring contract with a security company. Other examples include security systems wholly or partially incorporated into the safe  1 , again with or without a monitoring contract with a security company. The security system, of whatever type it may be, may utilize wired, wireless, and/or mesh communication, may include or be a part of a home automation system. 
         [0032]    Although this invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.