Abstract:
Motion sensor apparatus includes opposing motion detector assemblies that include rolling ball electrical connectors oriented to operate when the device is inverted.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/760,698, filed Jan. 20, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     N/A  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is frequently necessary and/or desirable to detect movement of an object for purposes such as deterring theft or tampering. This may be achieved by integrating an apparatus for detecting movement with an object to be monitored. Typically, the apparatus includes one or more motion sensors and an alerting means and may be attached to and/or co-located with the object to be monitored. The alerting means is activated to provide an indication of detected movement of the object.  
         [0004]     Motion sensors generally incorporate mercury switches or similar mechanisms that provide an electrical connection when mercury is displaced to one end of the mercury switch. However, such switches require selective positioning to change state (i.e., from an activated to a de-activated state, or vice versa) in response to certain movements. It is generally necessary that mercury switches be carefully positioned to obtain a desired level of sensitivity for a particular orientation.  
         [0005]     A further disadvantage associated with mercury switches is that a stable state may be reached after activation of the switch due to an external stimulus such as movement or an impact. In certain cases, it is desirable to deactivate the alerting means after a defined duration (e.g., for purposes of avoiding a continuously sounding alarm). If the mercury switch is in a stable state (e.g., the mercury disposed at the lower end of a cavity), further movement or impact may not result in re-activation of the alerting means and the monitored object may thus be vulnerable to theft or tampering.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, a need exists for an improved motion sensor that overcomes, or at least ameliorates, one or more disadvantages associated with existing arrangements. A need also exists for an apparatus that is capable of detecting movement of an object with which the apparatus is co-located and of providing an alert when such movement is detected.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     An aspect of the present invention provides a device for sensing motion that includes a race in which a plurality of electrically conductive elements disposed on a surface within the race, and a connecting member sized to move freely within the race in response to gravitational forces and to disturbances in the position or movement of the device. The connecting member is sized such that when at rest on the surface of the race that includes electrically conductive elements, the connected member forms an electrical connection between at least two of the electrically conductive elements.  
         [0008]     The race provides an unobstructed path for the connecting member and can be of various configurations, including a continuous loop or oval. The connecting member can be of any shape to roll or move freely through the race such as a sphere or a shape in which at least one sectional plane of the member is a circle, such as a wheel, and can include one or more steel balls. The conductive element can also be made of other conductive materials known in the art including various precious metals such as gold or may be plated with a conductive material such as gold plating. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive elements include electrically conductive etched portions on a printed circuit board (PCB).  
         [0009]     Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a motion sensor including a central planar member that can be a printed circuit board, for example, with a race containing the conductive elements on each side of the board. In this embodiment, one conductive member or ball is contained in each race so at least one ball contacts the conductive members when the device is in either up or down position. The races in this case are enclosed at the top and when a particular ball is in the “up side down” position, that ball does not contact the electrical conductors, but the opposing ball does. When the device is flipped over, the opposite applies so the device is operative in either orientation.  
         [0010]     Certain devices further include a pair of covers each mounted on a side of the central planar member, providing the races. The central planar member is, therefore, in certain embodiments, a double-sided printed circuit board (PCB) with etched conductors.  
         [0011]     In certain embodiments that include two balls or conductive members as described above, the device includes two parallel printed circuit boards spaced apart and the races and conductors as described are between the circuit boards in a side by side arrangement. The boards are spaced so there is a gap above the ball when the ball is contained in the race. In this way, when one ball is in the active orientation and is in contact with the conductors, the opposing ball is resting on the top of the race and is not in contact with the conductors. Flipping the device over, reverses this orientation. This embodiment can also include devices in which the board includes depressions formed in the board to form the bottom of the races in order to provide a thinner device. The devices as described can further include at least one spacer disposed between the PCBs to define at least a part of one or more races  
         [0012]     The devices as described include an electronic controller electrically coupled to the electrically conductive elements. Each set of conductive elements in a particular race define the two sides of a circuit such that adjacent elements are on opposite sides of the circuit. In that way, when the ball contacts two adjacent elements the circuit is completed and can be detected by the controller. As the ball moves across the elements, breaking and completing individual circuits, this movement is detected by the controller. The controller is configured to activate an alarm in response to a predetermined set of electrical signals that indicate certain types of motion of the device. The controller can be programmed for example, to accommodate slight jarring motions and to sound the alarm only upon sustained or continuous motion such as would occur should the device be picked up and carried.  
         [0013]     Throughout this disclosure, unless the context dictates otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising,” is understood to mean “includes, but is not limited to” such that other elements that are not explicitly mentioned may also be included. Further, unless the context dictates otherwise, use of the term “a” may mean a singular object or element, or it may mean a plurality, or one or more of such objects or elements. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a printed circuit board for a motion sensor. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the printed circuit board of  FIG. 1A .          
         [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of a cover for a motion sensor.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a sectional front view of the cover of  FIG. 2A , taken across the section ‘A-A’ as shown in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded sectional front elevation of a motion sensor assembly including two conductive balls.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a sectional front view of a motion sensor assembly taken across the section ‘C-C’ as shown in  FIG. 4B .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional top view of the motion sensor assembly taken across the section ‘B-B’ in  FIG. 4A .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a motion sensor.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a motion sensor assembly.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a secure portable container that incorporates a motion sensor.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the underside of a lid of the portable secure container of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of a PCB used to construct the motion sensor assembly of  FIG. 9C .  
         [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of a PCB, complementary to the PCB of  FIG. 9A , used to construct the motion sensor assembly of  FIG. 9C .  
         [0028]      FIG. 9C  is a sectional view of an another motion sensor assembly.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is another embodiment of a motion sensor assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     Motion sensors as described herein include at least one race and at least one connecting member contained in the race and able to freely move through the race in response to an impact to or variations in orientation of the motion sensor. The races include a plurality of electrically conductive elements electrically coupled to an electronic controller that detects changes in the electrical connections as the connector moves in the race, and signals an alarm or other indication of motion.  
         [0031]     Embodiments described hereinafter include one or more races in a circular or linear shape or pattern. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited in this manner as numerous simple and complex race patterns can be practiced. For example, the shape or pattern of the race may be oval, ellipse, or may include a complex configuration of curves and/or other shapes.  
         [0032]     Certain embodiments include one or more electrically conductive balls (e.g., from a ball bearing) as connecting members for connecting electrically conductive elements during traversal of the race. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited in this manner as numerous other forms of connecting member can be utilized. For example, the connecting member/s may be in the form of a roller, a bogie or a carriage for traversing the race.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a top view and a perspective view, respectively, of a printed circuit board (PCB)  110  for a motion sensor. The PCB  110  includes two concentric circular patterns  120  and  130  of etched metal (e.g. copper) portions disposed on a planar surface of the PCB  110  and produced by a conventional PCB etching process. The inner circular pattern  120  includes a number of electrically conductive elements or fingers  122 ,  124 ,  126  . . . that are electrically connected to each other and extend radially outwards towards the outer circular pattern  130 . The outer circular pattern  130  includes a number of electrically conductive fingers  132 ,  134 ,  136  . . . that are electrically connected to each other and extend radially inwards towards the inner circular pattern  120 . The electrically conductive fingers  122 ,  124 ,  126  . . . of the inner circular pattern  120  are alternately interleaved or interdigitated with the electrically conductive fingers  132 ,  134 ,  136  . . . of the outer circular pattern  130 . The inner and outer circular patterns  120  and  130  including their respective fingers are not in electrical contact with each other. Connection points  121  and  131  are provided for electrically connecting to the inner and outer circular patterns  120  and  130 , respectively.  
         [0034]     As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous alternatives to the etched metal portions may be practiced using any suitable electrically conducting elements, such as metal pins, rails or wires mounted on the PCB  110  or supported by a plastic molding or other support structure. The individual electrically conductive elements may be interconnected by wire or another suitable conductive medium.  
         [0035]     In operation, at least one electrically conductive connecting member (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), typically a ball is adapted to traverse the two concentric circular patterns  120  and  130  by way of a race, such as a circular groove or sidewalk. During traversal, the connecting member may be in contact with: an electrically conductive finger of the inner circular pattern  120 , an electrically conductive finger of the outer circular pattern  130 , an electrically conductive finger of both the inner and outer circular patterns  120  and  130  or not be in contact with an electrically conductive finger of either the inner or outer circular patterns  120  and  130 . When the connecting member is in contact with an electrically conductive finger of both the inner and outer circular patterns  120  and  130 , the connection points  121  and  131  are electrically connected. Otherwise, the connection points  121  and  131  are not electrically connected.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are a cover  210  for a motion sensor, which includes a circular groove  220  that provides a race for traversal by a connecting member. The cover may be produced as an injection-molded plastic component or may be made of another non-conductive material such as an acrylic polymer made by any methods known in the art, for example.  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is an exploded sectional front elevation of a motion sensor assembly  300 . The motion sensor assembly  300  includes a PCB  310  sandwiched between upper and lower covers  320  and  340 , respectively. The PCB  310  may be identical or substantially similar to the PCB  110  described with reference to  FIG. 1A . The upper and lower covers  320  and  340  may be identical or substantially similar to the cover  210  described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B .  
         [0038]     The motion sensor assembly  300  further includes 2 connecting members  330  and  350  produced from an electrically conductive material (e.g., balls from a ball bearing) that are free to traverse the circular grooves  325  and  345 , respectively, in response to external stimuli such as an impact or a change in orientation of the motion sensor assembly  300 . The connecting members  330  and  350  are constrained from leaving the circular grooves  325  and  345  by the upper and lower covers  320  and  340 . The PCB  310  and the upper and lower covers  320  and  340  are spaced apart to accommodate the connecting members  330  and  350  such that when the connecting members  330  and  350  rest on a lower surface (i.e., the PCB  310  and the lower cover  340 ), a small gap exists between the connecting members  330  and  350  and a respective upper surface (i.e., the upper cover  320  and the PCB  310 ).  
         [0039]     With the specific orientation of the motion sensor assembly  300  shown in  FIG. 3 , the connecting member  330  constrained to traverse the circular groove  325  is operational to provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the topside  312  of the PCB  310 . As the orientation of the motion sensor assembly  300  is varied, the connecting member  330  traverses the circular groove  325  and, in doing so, causes different ones of the electrically conducting elements on the topside  312  of the PCB  310  to become electrically connected. Meanwhile, the connecting member  350  is inactive in that it is not in contact with the underside  314  of the PCB  310  and thus does not provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the underside  314  of the PCB  310 .  
         [0040]     When the motion sensor assembly  300  as shown in  FIG. 3  is inverted, the connecting member  350  becomes operational to provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the underside of the PCB  310  and the connecting member  330  becomes inactive. Thus, only one of the connecting members  330  and  350  are operational at any one time and the motion sensor assembly  300  is capable of operation in any orientation.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 9A, 9B  and  9 C together illustrate a motion sensor assembly  900 . The assembly  900  is similar in operation to motion sensor assembly  300  shown in  FIG. 3 , but with the added advantage that the arrangement shown in  FIG. 9  has considerably reduced thickness.  
         [0042]     The PCB  910  includes two circular patterns  920  and  930  of etched metal (e.g. copper) portions disposed on a planar surface of the PCB  910  and produced by a conventional PCB etching process as well as a circular groove  940  that provides a race for another conductive ball. PCB  915  complements PCB  910 , so that the two can be placed in a face to face arrangement, in combination with connecting members  950  and  955 , to construct motion sensor assembly  900 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 9C  is a sectional view of the assembled motion sensor assembly  900  comprising PCB  910 , PCB  915  and conductive balls  950  and  955  that are free to traverse the circular grooves  940  and  945 . The connecting members  950  and  955  are constrained from leaving the circular grooves  945  and  945  by the PCBs  910  and  915 , respectively. The PCBs  910  and  915  are spaced apart to accommodate the connecting members  950  and  955  such that when the connecting members  950  and  955  rest on the inward-facing surface of the lower PCB, a small gap exists between the connecting members  950  and  955  and the inward-facing surface of the upper PCB. The electrical elements are shown as  970 .  
         [0044]     With the specific orientation of the motion sensor assembly  900  shown in  FIG. 9C , the connecting member  950  constrained to traverse the circular groove  945  is operational to provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the inward-facing side  960  of the PCB  910 . As the orientation of the motion sensor assembly  900  is varied, the connecting member  950  traverses the circular groove  945  and, in doing so, causes different ones of the electrically conducting elements on the inward-facing side  960  of the PCB  910  to become electrically connected. Meanwhile, the connecting member  955  is inactive in that it is not in contact with the inward-facing side  965  of the PCB  915  and thus does not provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the inward-facing side  965  of the PCB  915 .  
         [0045]     When the motion sensor assembly  900  as shown in  FIG. 9C  is inverted, the connecting member  955  becomes operational to provide an electrical connection between electrically conducting elements on the inward-facing side of the PCB  915  and the connecting member  950  becomes inactive. Thus, only one of the connecting members  950  and  955  are operational at any one time and the motion sensor assembly  900  is capable of operation in any orientation.  
         [0046]     Another view of an embodiment with two motion sensors in side by side arrangement and sandwiched between opposing printed circuit boards is demonstrated in  FIG. 10 . A guide  1002  between the upper PCB  1004  and the lower PCB  1006  forms races  1008  and  1010 . As can be seen, in the motion sensor on the left, in which the race is formed in the lower PCB, the ball  1012  rests on the electrical connectors on the face of the board, but there is a gap between the ball  1014  and the connectors in the sensor on the right side.  
         [0047]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a sectional front view and a sectional top view taken across sections ‘C-C’ and ‘B-B’, respectively, of a motion sensor  400 . The motion sensor  400  includes two PCBs  410  and  420 , which may be identical or substantially similar to the PCB  110  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The PCBs  410  and  420  are spaced apart by circular spacers  431 ,  432 ,  433  and  434  to form a circular channel for the connecting member  440  to move within in response to external stimuli such as an impact or a variation in the orientation of the motion sensor  400 . The PCBs are spaced apart sufficiently such that the connecting member  440  makes contact with only one of the PCBs  410  and  420  at any one time. Operation of the motion sensor  400  is substantially similar to that of the motion sensor assembly  300  described hereinbefore in that, as the connecting member  440  moves in response to external stimuli applied to the motion sensor  400 , the connecting member  440  causes different ones of the electrically conducting elements on one of the PCBs  410  and  420  to become electrically connected. An advantage of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  is that inverted operation of the motion sensor  400  using only one connecting member is possible.  
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a motion sensor  500 . The motion sensor  500  includes a tube  510 , for example, produced from glass or plastic. Electrically conductive elements  511 ,  512 ,  513 , . . . , such as pins, contact surfaces or switches are disposed at intervals along the tube  510  and may be interconnected as required (e.g., alternately, as per the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A and 4B ) using wires or an alternative electrically conductive medium. The electrically conductive elements  511 ,  512 ,  513 , . . . may be positioned during a glass or plastic molding process. A portion of an electrically conductive material  520 , such as mercury, is disposed within the tube  510  and moves around the tube  510  in response to external stimuli applied to the tube  510 , for example, an impact or a variation in the orientation of the tube  510 . In doing so, the portion of electrically conductive material  520  provides an electrical connection between at least two of the electrically conductive elements  511 ,  512 ,  513 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded perspective view of a motion sensor assembly  600 . The motion sensor assembly  600  includes a PCB  610  sandwiched between upper and lower covers  620  and  640 , respectively. The PCB  610  is similar to the PCB  110  described with reference to  FIG. 1A , but is linear rather than circular in shape. The upper and lower covers  620  and  640  are similar to the cover  210  described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , but are also linear rather than circular in shape. The motion sensor assembly  600  further includes two connecting members  630  and  650   5  that are identical or substantially similar to the connecting members  330  and  350  described with reference to  FIG. 3 . Operation of the motion sensor assembly  600  is substantially similar to the of the motion sensor assembly  300  described hereinbefore.  
         [0050]     In another 3-dimensional embodiment, the motion sensor includes concentric spheres with electrically conductive elements on the inner surface of the outer sphere that are electrically connected by the inner sphere acting as a connecting member.  
         [0051]     The motion sensors described herein are integrated with an electronic controller to provide an apparatus for detecting movement. The electronic controller typically includes a microprocessor or microcontroller, an alerting means such as an audible or visual alarm and a battery or other power source. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the electronic controller may alternatively include an electronic circuit comprising discrete electronic components.  
         [0052]     The electronic controller is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive elements that form part of the race/s of the motion sensor and activates the alerting means in response to external stimuli detected by the motion detector.  
         [0053]     In certain embodiments, alternate ones of the electrically conductive elements are electrically connected together to form two sets of electrical contacts, which are each coupled to an input port of the microprocessor or microcontroller. Traversal of the connecting member connects and disconnects the two sets of electrically conductive elements, which is detected by the microprocessor or microcontroller.  
         [0054]     In other embodiments, groups of the electrically connected conductive elements or each of the electrically conductive elements are electrically coupled to input ports of the microprocessor or microcontroller. This enables the microprocessor or microcontroller to determine the direction of traversal of the connecting member and/or the position of the connecting member on the race. Reference positions of the connecting member on the race may also be stored for detection of relative movement.  
         [0055]     A range of sensitivity settings enables the alerting means to be activated in response to detection of external stimuli of magnitude greater than a predefined level. Arming and disarming of the alerting means may, for example, be performed by entry of a PIN-code via a keypad into the electronic controller.  
         [0056]      FIG. 7  shows a secure portable container  700  that incorporates a motion sensor as described herein in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The secure portable container further includes a numeric keypad  710  for entry of a PIN-code to lock and unlock the secure portable container  700  and/or to arm and disarm an audible alarm  720 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows the underside of the lid  800  of the secure portable container  700  of  FIG. 7 , which includes a motion sensor  810  as described hereinbefore in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an audible alarm  830 , a battery pack  820  and a locking mechanism  840 .  
         [0058]     One application of the secure portable storage container of  FIGS. 7 and 8  is for storing personal items such as car keys, mobile telephones, wallets and purses outdoors and at the beach. Detection of movement of the container while an alarm integrated with the container is armed results in activation of the alarm, thus alerting the owner of the container of a possible theft.  
         [0059]     Embodiments of the motion sensors described herein can be integrated with a wide variety of objects to provide an indication of movement of such objects. This advantageously prevents or at least reduces the likelihood of theft or tampering with the object. Examples of objects with which the apparatus for detecting movement may be integrated include, but are not limited to: general containers, tool boxes, lockers, cupboard doors, cooler boxes (eskys), box trailers, boat trailers, boats, motor bikes, push bikes, utility vehicle lids and toolboxes, caravans, display cabinets, portable computers, briefcases, suitcases, designer clothes and handbags, backpacks, and sports bags.  
         [0060]     Alternatively, a linear motion sensor such as that described with reference to  FIG. 6  may be employed to produce a digital spirit level, a square and/or a “T” square.  
         [0061]     The preceding description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configurations of the invention. Rather, the description of the exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art with enabling descriptions for implementing an embodiment of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Where specific features and/or elements referred to herein have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Furthermore, features and/or elements referred to in respect of particular embodiments may optionally form part of any of the other embodiments unless stated to the contrary.