Abstract:
An integrated system is disclosed that provides robust and uninterrupted security over a broad range of applications that features a security assembly having multiple sensory functionality for detection, identification, and analysis of a potential intruder seeking to gain unauthorized access to a secure facility. In one embodiment, the security system integrates multiple sensor systems for the detection and identification subterranean as well as terrestrial breach.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is being filed concurrently with co-pending U.S. patent applications, each of which claims the benefit for priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/886,905 filed Jan. 26, 2007, and each describing aspects of the invention described herein, including GIMBALED MOUNT SYSTEM FOR SATELLITES (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/020,269), NETWORKED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND SEGMENT ADDRESSABLE COMMUNICATIONS ASSEMBLY BOX, CABLE AND CONTROLLER, and NETWORKED COMMUNICATIONS AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS, and are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional security systems focus on generally a singular point of entry or method to which they address or block. Such systems are prone to a multitude of other methods that exploit the limited barriers or lack any ability to detect entry. Perimeter fences alone, for instance, serve as barriers that an intruder can overcome by scaling it to gain unauthorized entry. Improved barriers are typically expensive, particularly over large scales, and protect against only to few general methods of breach. 
         [0003]    Barrier-type systems do not identify or locate the advancing intruder. Moreover, conventional security systems are typically reactive to a breach rather than proactively monitoring protected areas in efforts to mitigate the opportunity of a successful breach and subsequent loss. Once an intruder has breached the barrier and entered physical location, even fewer systems can identify the intruder or where the breach occurred, thereby if it is a cut fence line, the breach point will remain unsecured. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention as described and claimed. An integrated system is disclosed that provides robust and uninterrupted security over a broad range of applications, that can be integrated with multiple sensor systems for the detection and identification of terrestrial, and optionally, subterranean intrusions, and that can transfer data to a remote location for analysis distant from any risk in the event of a security breach. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the security assembly disclosed herein; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment disclosed herein; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment disclosed herein; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a graphical representation in plan view showing the embodiments of the activated security assemblies of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]    The following detailed description refers the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary embodiments and features and are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0011]    To overcome the difficulties associated with conventional security systems that focus on singular points of entry or methods to which they address or block and that are prone to exploitation, various embodiments are illustrated herein of a security assembly and integrated system that provides methods of detection, identification and onsite or remote analysis in order to thwart, mitigate, or render unsuccessful any breach. 
         [0012]    Referring  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of security assembly  10  is shown. Security assembly  10  may be located along a perimeter of a secured facility, home, building, airport, or any other location desired to be protected. Assembly  10  has an extended body  12  having an elevated end  14  and a second end or embedded end  16  that is anchored into the ground, and positioned upright along a length sufficient to enable adequate coverage and view from the elevated end  14 . Assembly  10  is generally formed of a structurally resilient tube, such as that made from heavy steel or any like material or mixture of materials or compositions. One The extended body or tube  12  has a cavity  18  extending therethrough within which camera systems, radar systems, and communications system to create an integrated security system. In addition, the system may include ground sensing components to further provide a integrated security system. 
         [0013]    The elevated end includes a low-distortion, optically transparent housing  20 , preferably dome-shaped and having an elliptical cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for various components such as a camera system  22 . The housing  20  is desirably made from a ballistically-resilient impact-resistant material, such as bullet-resistant fiberglass, to prevent attempts to render the device nonfunctional. The camera system  22  may include visual and extended visual systems having various functionalities, and those such as pan, tilt and/or zoom features with sufficient resolution across extensive distances, are particularly preferred. Also contemplated is a camera system including or in communication via communication means  24  or antenna  28  with a component having image and motion analysis functionality. 
         [0014]    A consideration in the selection of a camera system is one of having broad spectrum sensitivity range, or of multiple systems that are useable in combination, for instance, a camera system for visible light and an auxiliary system for other spectra. A preferred device is closed circuit camera with sensitivity to infrared and/or ultraviolet spectra. 
         [0015]    The camera system of each security system provides a visual detection zone. Assemblies  10  are contemplated to be placed so that their detection zones overlap adjacent systems to form a secure perimeter, as shown graphically in  FIG. 5 . Adjacent systems are contemplated to be functionally integrated so an imbedded software function can collect and process imagery, preferably at a remote location on-site or off-site, acquired among adjacent systems. Means of transferring and processing data are contemplated as described in copending U.S. patent application No. ______. Data may be relayed by satellite (not shown) directly or via onsite or remote location them independent of any local support, supply or communications infrastructure that maybe attacked or otherwise compromised. 
         [0016]    Referring further to  FIG. 1 , optionally included within housing  20  is contemplated antenna  28  to communicate information between the security system and a remote location. In one embodiment, antenna  28  is an omni-directional fractal antenna cable of carrying ultra wide band (UWB) frequencies under various standards such as IEEE 802.15.3. The antenna  28  and transceiver  32  are configured for connection routed through communication means  24  to the bottom of the assembly  10  via a suitable cable system  30  to a junction box  31 , such as that disclosed in the priority application or in co-filed copending U.S. patent application ______. 
         [0017]    It is contemplated that transceiver module  32 , disclosed in co-filed copending unassigned U.S. patent application ______, is active and within range of other adjacent transceivers for wireless communication to convey data to one or more remote locations that is preferably secure, such as another assembly  10 , or to an onsite location, or to remote location, to warn of possible breach and/or for data processing, for example, image and/or video analysis and the like. It is particularly desirable if three assemblies are used in order to triangulate an intruder&#39;s position. It is further contemplated that the junction box  31  and the transceiver  32  are protected against vandalism and natural deterioration to avoid compromised security, reduce maintenance costs, and the like. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , each assembly  10  optionally includes at least one, and preferably an array of, photovoltaic device  34  for the collection and conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. In one embodiment, the devices include a dual array of solar panels preferably placed near the elevated end of the assembly to avoid tampering, and preferably 14 watt and have a protective crack resistant top plastic covering. The device  34  is connected via power regulation circuitry located within the assembly and connected to at least one battery  36  within the assembly. The device  34  along with internal storage batteries within the assembly supply adequate power to the attached electronics that, should the entire system components including the communications system be either not used, or be damaged, each assembly with its attached electronics can remain operational for more than 24 hours. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment is for alerting a potential intruder and may be referred to as a beacon  50 , wherein housing  22  includes a visible-light emitting source  38  capable of alerting an approaching intruder that it is being monitored, which optionally also includes a camera system as described previously. Light emission by the source, preferably low-power consuming LED, may be configured in manner to suggest to the intruder a response will or will not be generated. A configuration that no reaction will be made may be sufficient to attract the intruder along a particular path where action may be desirable. This embodiment is preferably used in conjunction with other embodiments to form a secure zone  52  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0020]    Ground movement may also be monitored by the security system. In one embodiment, seismic waves, and particularly P-waves and S-waves generated by surface or subterranean movement is detected by detector  40  to expand the security around or near a protected zone. A preferred method of P-wave and S-wave detection is using a detector  40  referred to herein as the Q-Box manufactured by Qtronics Manufacturing Ltd (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada). This function is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The Q-Box is self contained and primarily only requires a transport layer to communicate its discoveries back to an end analysis system. The seismic wave detector may be used in conjunction with the other components of the security assembly  10 , such as the radar and camera features, and connected to a junction box at the base of each security system, with its sensors (not shown) planted in the ground area outside the base to detect any ground disturbance, for instance, by an approaching vehicle or intruder, or an attempt to tunnel under the secure fenced area. 
         [0021]    The security system assembly is secured within the ground, preferably in a stabilizing and/or relatively structurally secure environment  42  such as concrete and the like, and preferably at least 18 inches below the surface. The anchor depth is contemplated to be sufficient hold the system in the ground and also for adequate function of the desired components associated with the system. It is contemplated that the junction box  31  may be contained with environment  42  with securable access door  43  provided to guard against vandalism and natural deterioration to avoid compromised security, reduce maintenance costs, and the like. 
         [0022]    A conduit-type access  30  tube routes necessary cables through the concrete from the base of the security system assembly to the adjacent buried junction box and underground cable system provided in addition to a wireless system. The conduit is preferably waterproof and/or preferably enclosed within a waterproof enclosure capable of holding the junction box and may include appropriate entry and exit points (not shown) for communication with associated components or other security systems for use with the security system assembly disclosed herein. It is contemplated that the assembly capable of alerting an intruder may be used in combination with the security assembly with camera system and spaced thereinbetween and conduits are for connection of the assemblies. 
         [0023]    Prior to stabilizing the security system assembly in position it necessary to implant in the ground the necessary sensors for the ground sensing system. The act of having the weight of the concrete and security system assembly on top of the implanted sensors further increases their sensitivity to unnatural triggering sounds or waves detected in the ground being detected. 
         [0024]    Security personnel may be differentiated from intruders by the use of locator badges worn by the personnel. Such badges may be augmented for biometric personal identification by use of an imbedded finger print reader as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Should the integrated security system temporally loose track of a specific tab or want to confirm the holder&#39;s identity, then a specific command sequence sent via the security system from the onsite or remote information management and processing location. 
         [0025]    While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. Further, the steps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps, without departing from the principles of the invention. 
         [0026]    It is intended therefore, that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.