Abstract:
A cover and method for protecting objects is provided. The cover includes a flexible sheet, wherein the sheet comprises a lower layer of a carbon fiber weave material; and an alarm module attached to the lower layer, wherein the alarm module comprises at least one sensor electrically connected to carbon fibers in the lower layer of the sheet for detecting a change in at least one attribute of the sheet and generating a signal triggering a notification system when the change in the at least one attribute exceeds predetermined maximum threshold levels.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     NONE 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to protecting objects, and more particularly, to a security cover that may be placed over objects so that the objects may not be accessed without authorization. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Many companies and Government agencies attempt to protect certain types of information, for example, classified or competitive information. These organizations have certain guidelines/procedures for handling such information to prevent loss or compromise, unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, or duplication of such information. Sometimes, unauthorized disclosure of classified material may be punishable under the Federal Criminal Statutes or organizational policies. 
     Custodians or users who work with such information are expected to take reasonable precautions with such information. For example, a worker working with classified documents has to secure the documents if they leave their workstations. Additionally, individuals need to leave a location for a short period of time need to secure items such as a purse, keys, medical information, or any other items that the individual does not want anyone to see. This becomes inefficient, if a worker has to frequently leave their work station in between tasks because the worker has to secure the information before they leave and then access the information again when they come back. 
     In view of the above, what is needed is a method and system that can protect objects (which may include work stations where documents, engineering samples, prototypes, or any other object) without having to move the objects to secure storage or otherwise. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a cover for protecting objects is provided. The cover includes a flexible sheet, wherein the sheet comprises a lower layer of a carbon fiber weave material; and an alarm module attached to the lower layer, wherein the alarm module comprises at least one sensor electrically connected to carbon fibers in the lower layer of the sheet for detecting a change in at least one attribute of the sheet and generating a signal triggering a notification system when the change in the at least one attribute exceeds predetermined maximum threshold levels. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a cover for protecting objects is provided. The cover includes a flexible sheet, wherein the sheet comprises a lower layer of a carbon fiber weave material and an upper layer of a woven nylon material, and, wherein the lower layer and the upper layer are separated by the intermediate layer of a non-conductive wire mesh; and an alarm module attached to the lower layer, wherein the alarm module comprises at least one sensor electrically connected to carbon fibers in the lower layer of the sheet for detecting a change in at least one attribute of the sheet and generating a signal triggering an alarm when the change in the at least one attribute exceeds predetermined maximum threshold levels. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for protecting objects is provided. The system includes a cover having a flexible sheet wherein the sheet comprises a lower layer of a carbon fiber weave material; an alarm module attached to the lower layer, wherein the alarm module comprises a cover interface having at least one sensor electrically connected to carbon fibers in the lower layer of the sheet for detecting a change in at least one attribute of the sheet, and a communication interface for generating a signal when the change in the at least one attribute exceeds predetermined maximum threshold levels; and a notification system for alerting a user to a disturbance in the cover. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for protecting objects is provided. The method includes configuring an alarm module attached to a cover with threshold levels placing and securing the cover over an area; detecting a change in the at least one attribute of the cover; comparing the at least one attribute with the threshold levels; and triggering an alarm if the at least one attribute exceeds the threshold levels indicating a disturbance in the cover. 
     This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features and other features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings include the following: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a security cover, according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of an alarm module for detecting changes in attributes of a security cover according to one aspect of the present invention 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a notification system for notifying users of a disturbance in a security cover, according to one aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of protecting objects using a security cover, according to one aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Although the present invention is described with reference to protecting classified documents, those skilled in the art will recognize that the principles and teachings described herein may be applied to any object or material to cost effectively protect development, sensitive or proprietary information. Furthermore, the present invention could be used in homes, airports or anywhere where someone may be working with objects or materials that need to be dismantled or put away for sensitivity reasons. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a top view of a flexible security cover  10 , according to one aspect of the present invention, is illustrated. Cover  10  comprises an outer periphery  14  and an inner periphery  12  creating a cavity in cover  10 , where the cavity extends along the entire perimeter of cover  10 . A cable or elongated tie strap  17  is inserted into the cavity for securing cover  10  to a specific area. Tie strap  17  comprises a first end  20  and a second end  22  extending outwardly from a first opening  16  and a second opening  18  in cover  10 , respectively, where first opening  16  is adjacent to second opening  18  and both openings  16 ,  18  are located between inner periphery  12  and outer periphery  14  of cover  10 . In a preferred embodiment, tie strap  17  is tied around a fixture, such as a pillar or piece of furniture, and a lock (not shown) secures the first and second ends  20 ,  22  together preventing removal of cover  10 . 
     Cover  10  is placed over objects to conceal and protect the objects from being viewed or removed from an area without authorization. Any disturbance in cover  10  causes a notification signal to be generated and sent to a notification system (discussed below) alerting the user or security personnel to a potential disturbance or security violation. A disturbance occurs when cover  10  is moved, touched by an individual or an individual comes too close to cover  1 I. The disturbance may cause an attribute to exceed a pre-set threshold level(s). Examples of such an attribute include static electricity, tension in cable, resistance, conductance and/or capacitance. 
     Pre-set (or pre-determined) threshold levels are values that may be set for plural attributes and a violation of such threshold values may trigger an alarm. Different levels may be set to trigger different alarm levels based on the seriousness of a security breach. 
     As discussed above, much time is wasted securing objects when the task requiring the use of the objects has not been completed. However, cover  10  of the present invention saves valuable time by allowing the user to secure the object by just covering it up. Although cover  10  is shown as rectangular, cover  10  can be of any shape. The shape and size of cover  10  is determined by the objects or area to be secured. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of cover  10  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . In a preferred embodiment, cover  10  comprises a lower layer  24  made from a carbon fiber weave material, an intermediate layer  26  made from a non-conductive wire mesh attached to the top of lower layer  24 , and an upper layer  28  made from a woven nylon material attached to the top of intermediate layer  26 . 
     Lower layer  24 , intermediate layer  26  and upper layer  28  are attached to one another at the edges using known methods in the art. An alarm module  30  is attached to lower layer  24  for monitoring the attributes of cover  10  (such as resistance, capacitance, conductance, static electricity, motion, and tension in cable  17 ). 
     Although  FIG. 2  illustrates cover  10  comprised of three layers, cover  10  is not limited to three layers. The number of layers in cover  10  is determined by the level of security, or priority level, desired by the user. For example, if a low level of security is required, only lower layer  24  of weaved nylon is needed. Static electricity sensors in alarm module  30  detect motion of cover  10  indicating unauthorized access. 
     For a medium level of security, a wire mesh, intermediate layer  26 , is embedded into lower layer  24 . An integrated circuit with associated sensors in alarm module  30  detects a disturbance by monitoring voltages sent through the wire mesh for changes. 
     For a high level of security, upper layer  28  made from a woven nylon material, is attached to the top of intermediate layer  26  creating a carbon fiber based cover. Sensors and associated integrated circuits in alarm module  30  detect a disturbance by changes in electrical resistance (through the conductive carbon fiber). Other electro conductive materials could be used and the integrated circuit tuned to react to changes in electrical properties related to those materials (conductance resistance, capacitance etc). Additional layers can be added to cover  10  to increase the priority of security level. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of alarm module  30  for monitoring the attributes of cover  10 , according to one aspect of the present invention. Alarm module  30  comprises a processor  56  that can execute program instructions out of non-volatile memory  58 . Cover interface  52  is used to communicate with cover  10  and communication interface  60  is used to interface with notification system (for example,  36 ,  FIG. 4 ). The structure and layout of these interfaces will depend on the type of protocol/standard that is being used to communicate with the notification system and cover  10 , respectively. 
     Cover interface  52  interfaces alarm module  30  to lower layer  24  of cover  10 . Cover interface  52  comprises one or more sensors  32 ,  34  depending on the alarm type (for example, disturbance, Electrostatic, etc), connected to one or more layers of cover  10  for monitoring/detecting any changes in the attributes of cover  10 . 
     Predetermined/pre-programmed threshold levels  58 A for plural attributes of cover  10  may be defined by a user and stored in alarm module  30  in non-volatile memory  58 , such as random access memory (“RAM”), flash memory or read only memory (“ROM”). Microprocessor  56  can access non-volatile memory  58  via bus (or any other interface)  62 . 
     When sensors  32 ,  34  detect a change in one or more attributes, microprocessor  56  compares the detected levels with pre-programmed threshold levels  58 A. If the detected levels violate the threshold levels, then a disturbance in cover  10  may be assumed to have occurred. The more parameters violate their threshold levels, the greater the disturbance or violation in cover  10 . 
     When a disturbance is detected, alarm module  30  generates notification signal  61  which is transmitted to a notification system  36  (described below) through communication interface  60 , such as a transmitter, alerting security personnel or the user to the disturbance or violation. The notification system can include, but is not limited to, a plurality of lights (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ), a noise/siren and an e-mail sent to the user or security personnel. Notification system  36  can be at a remote location being monitored by security personnel or located on site. 
     The present invention is not limited to using a microprocessors a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor or a hardware state machine may be used to monitor change in attributes to detect a disturbance. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, alarms module  30  may be implemented by using an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that interfaces with a computing system of conventional design, operation, and architecture. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the sensor can be built into cover  10 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates notification system  36 , according to one aspect of the present invention. Notification system  36  is used as a remote controller for cover  10 . Notification system  10  may include a biometric verification module (not shown) that authenticates a user, before a user can activate cover  130  to protect objects and detect any disturbance based on pre-programmed threshold level violations. 
     Notification system  36  is powered on by pressing a power button  38  or alternatively, activated remotely. A reset button  46  allows a user to reset system  36  and cover  10 . 
     Notification system  36  includes a plurality of lights  40 ,  42 ,  44  for indicating priority levels of a detected disturbance. A low level  40  may indicate a momentary disturbance in cover  10 ; a medium level  42  may indicate a reoccurring disturbance in cover  10 ; and a high level  44  may indicate a constant disturbance in cover  10 . Plurality of lights  40 ,  42 ,  44  can be of different color and/or intensity. 
     When one or more attributes exceed the pre-programmed threshold levels, notification system  36  detects the disturbance based on signal  61 . The priority level is higher when more attributes exceed/violate the pre-programmed threshold levels  58 A. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating the process steps of protecting objects using a security cover. The method begins in step S 500  by configuring alarm module  30  with pre-programmed threshold levels  58 A and storing the predetermined maximum threshold levels in non-volatile memory  58 . In step S 501 , cover  10  is paced over a work area and is secured with tie strap  17 . Cover  10  can be activated by notification system  36 . In one aspect, only authorized users may be allowed to activate cover  10 . A bio-metric module may be used to authenticate a user. 
     In step S 502 , sensors in cover interface  52  of alarm module  30  continually monitor the attributes of cover  10 . 
     Next, in step S 503  alarm module  30  compares monitored/detected attribute levels with the pre-programmed threshold levels. Steps S 502  and S 503  are repeated until one or more attributes exceed one or more threshold levels. 
     In step S 504 , notification signal  61  is generated when one or more attributes exceed one or more threshold levels and notification system  36  is notified. Signal  61  may be sent using infra-red, wireless or as a wired packet. Corrective measures, if any, are taken after notification system  36  is notified. Thereafter, in step S 505 , notification system  36  is reset. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a worker simply has to secure cover  10  on work areas and activate the secure cover by using a remote control (notification system  36 ). The worker does not have to put away all the contents and does not have to waste any time, 
     While the present invention is described above with respect to what is currently considered its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that described above. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.