Patent Publication Number: US-7215241-B2

Title: Tamper detection sensor antenna

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Present invention relates generally for securing an antenna operation to be used for RF communication, and more in particularly to an improved antenna system for detecting the presence of a communication interfering object (Mass) covering or blocking an antenna at a set distance from the antenna, where as such object interferes or blocks the functional operation (transmit or receive signals) of an antenna. 
   Over the recent past, there have been many antenna designs available to be used with RF communication devises, such as Radios, Wireless Alarm devises, GPS units, Satellite communication systems, cellular phones, wireless video, wireless modems Etc. Virtually all of this antenna systems operation could not be secured due to tampering. One such example, if and when a person intention is to bypass the communication between a GPS based tracking system for tracking vehicles, for steeling a vehicle, or bypass a wireless Commercial or residential alarm communication with a monitoring station, for burglarizing a building without being noticed. One such technique is achieved by covering the antenna in use with a wireless security system, by the use of an aluminum foil. If a vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracking system, and it&#39;s being target for theft. The thieve covers the vehicle GPS antenna with an object (windshield shade) to blocks the vehicle GPS unit from receiving GPS satellite signals, and easily steel the vehicle, without being noticed by a monitoring station. 
   It is primary objective of the present invention using a tamper detection sensor antenna to secure the operation of an antenna used primarily in wireless security, wireless video monitoring, GPS tracking and other related applications, where an antenna is in use to communicate or receive signals from monitoring station or other means. The present invention antenna uses an object (mass) presence detection sensor, for the detection of the presence of communication interfering objects covering or blocking an antenna from a set distance. 
   It is the objective of present invention that uses an antenna with diffused reflection optical sensor to detect the presence of antenna communication interfering objects presence covering or blocking an antenna from a set distance. 
   It is the objective of the present invention that utilizes an ultrasonic sensor to detect a communication interfering object presence covering or blocking an antenna from a set distance, which interferes with the operation of the antenna. 
   It is the objective of the present invention that uses an RF or a microwave sensor, which generates signals surrounding an antenna to detect the presence of a communication interfering object covering or blocking an antenna from a set distance of an antenna. It is an objective of the present invention that utilizes a tamper detection antenna using a magnetic field sensor, to detect the presence of a communication interfering object covering or blocking an antenna located at a set distance from the antenna. 
   It is primary objective of the present invention that utilizes a communication interfering object presence detection sensor antenna, which will transmit an alarm signal when a communication interfering object covers or blocks an antenna at a preset distance. It is another objective of the present invention wherein communication interfering object presence detection antenna system signals a monitoring station by means of a hardwire signal or wirelessly by use of a secondary antenna to a monitoring station. It is further objective of the present invention to immobilize a vehicle upon detection to the presence of an antenna communication interference object(s) entering within proximity of a set distance from a vehicle GPS tracking antenna system. 
   Finally, it is further objective of the present invention, which uses a tamper detection sensor antenna is used with a communication apparatus, wherein if the sensor antenna wire is being cut, or disconnected from said apparatus, the apparatus will generate a tamper alarm signal. 
   The components used in the present art, utilizes parts which are commercially available, easily fund of self, it is inexpensive and easily installed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to provide a secure reception and a transmission from an RF antenna, in particularly from an antenna used in a wireless security applications, such as a GPS antenna, for the tracking of valuable assets, by the use of tamper detection Sensor antenna for securely tracking of moving assets. The present invention tamper detection sensor antenna is designed to detected the presence of communication interfering object around or over the antenna, and for such object presence detection, it utilizes sensors such as; a diffused reflection optical sensor(s), ultrasonic sensor(s), RF microwave or magnetic field sensors, the sensors are mounted within or near by the antenna, generating object detection signals surrounding the antenna typically in a vertical direction (facing upwards). The object presence detecting defused reflection optical sensor, the magnetic field generating sensor, and RF or microwave signal generating sensor antenna, preferably is installed on a vehicle/asset or inside vehicle facing up the vehicle windshield (or on the rear view mirror) mounted on the inner side of the windshield, vehicle rear deck or rear window. Tamper detection sensor antenna utilizing Ultrasonic sensor preferably is installed on top of a vehicle, an asset, or a security alarm panel, Etc. 
   Tamper detection sensor antenna unit of the present invention transmits Optical diffused reflection, Ultrasonic, magnetic or RF and or microwave signals within a pre-set distance from the antenna, approximately 2 to 10 feet from the base of the antenna upwards-vertical direction. When an attempt is being made by an intruder to cover the antenna by use of an object (Mass), such as metal, aluminum foil etc. to interfere with the antenna transmission or reception signals. At a predetermined time, the antenna sensor sends an alarm signal to a communication devise. Which upon receipt of the signal will transmit a unique coded signal to a monitoring station by means of a hardwire or wirelessly through the use of a secondary antenna. In an automobile application the tamper sensor antenna system upon detecting the presence of communication interfering objects for a predetermined time around the proximity of the antenna, the sensor antenna sends a signal to immobilize the vehicle. 
   In preferred embodiment of the invention, tamper detection sensor antenna is connected to an RF communication devise through a hardwire connection, The first connection wire provides power to operate the antenna sensor, and used for transmitting communication signals to the RF communication devise. A second connection wire provides ground to the sensor antenna and loops with the third wire connection, creating a normally close loop circuitry. If and when the sensor detects the presence of a communication interfering object around the proximity of said antenna, the sensor circuitry opens the second and third connection loop, which causes the RF communication device to produce an alarm signal. If the antenna sensor connection wire is cut or disconnected, again the loop opens and the RF communication device produces a tamper alarm signal. Tamper detection antenna of the present invention additionally communicates with the wireless communication devise with an encryption coded data through the antenna hard wire connection, to secure the operation of tamper sensor antenna, thus avoiding intruders from tampering with the antenna. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which; 
       FIG. 1A . Is a drawing of a vehicle equipped with a tamper detection sensor antenna generating diffused reflection optical signal, In which illustrates the detection of presence of a mass. The mass blocking GPS satellite signal from reaching vehicle mount GPS antenna. 
       FIG. 1B . Is a drawing of a GPS antenna equipped with sensors, using tamper detection connection cable. 
       FIG. 2A . Is a drawing of a vehicle equipped with a tamper detection sensor antenna, wherein the sensor generated signal is not interrupted by the presence of an object, and the GPS antenna successfully receiving signal from the satellites above. 
       FIG. 2B . Is a drawing of an antenna equipped with sensors, and used with a wireless communication apparatus. 
       FIG. 3 . Is a drawing of a container or a trailer equipped with a GPS sensor antenna using optical or ultrasonic sensors. 
       FIG. 4 . Is a drawing of Block Diagram. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Tamper detection antenna system of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 1A  wherein a vehicle  20  is equipped with a GPS sensor antenna  10 . The antenna comprises of, a GPS antenna  FIG. 1B. 19  and a diffused reflection optical sensor  12 , utilizing a wire harness  11 . For receiving power and for data communication with GPS unit  FIG. 1A   30  using harness terminal  13 , and for receive ground signal using harness terminal  14 , which is looped within the antenna sensor circuitry with harness terminal  15 . Terminal  15  loop will open upon sensor  12  detection signal. The antenna sensor of present invention generates a diffused reflection optical signal  FIG. 1  A.  23  towards a direction pattern set for a preset distance from said sensor antenna  10 . When an intruder  21  with the intention to steel a vehicle, by blocking the vehicle GPS antenna  10  receiving signals from Global position satellites  50 . When the intruder  21  puts an object (Mass)  22  within said sensor generated signal field proximity  23 , said signal  23  becomes interrupted. The sensor antenna  10  upon detecting the presence of said signal  23  interruption for a predetermine time, sends a signal to said vehicle  20  GPS receiver CPU  30 , which upon receipt of said signal will transmit a signal containing information both to said vehicle  20  location, and to said vehicle GPS “antenna tamper” 10  condition, to a monitoring station  36  through said vehicle mount wireless modem  34 , and additionally sends a signal to said vehicle engine immobilizer circuitry  32  to safely immobilize said vehicle engine. To ascertain monitoring station  36  vehicles  20  last known location. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said GPS sensor antenna  19  harness terminal  14  and  15 , wherein said terminal  14  and  15  are loop together. When the Antenna sensor  12  detects the presence of an object for a predetermined time within a set proximity of said sensor signal  23 , the sensor opens the normally close contact terminal  14  and  15 , which will cause the vehicle GPS unit  30  to initiate an antenna tamper signal. Additionally if an attempt is made by an intruder to bypass the GPS sensor antenna, by cutting GPS antenna wire harness terminal  13 , 14 , and  15 , again an open loop, which causes vehicle GPS receiver unit to transmit an “Antenna tamper” signal. 
   The present invention tamper detection sensor antenna as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . wherein the Vehicle  20  is equipped with GPS sensor antenna  10 , which is generating optical sensor signals  23 , and as shown in the drawing there is no presence of an object within proximity of said sensor generated signal  23 , to be detected by the sensor antenna  10 , and the GPS satellite  50  signals is being received by the vehicle  20  mount GPS antenna  10  without any interference. 
   The present art tamper detection sensor antenna is useful in plurality of RF communication application, one such system shown in  FIG. 2B . wherein a wireless communication apparatus  18  such as a commercial or residential alarm installed in a location, used for reporting security violations wirelessly to a monitoring station. the apparatus is equipped with an RF communication antenna  16  and optical sensor  12  generating diffused reflection protective shield signal  17  around the RF antenna  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2B  the apparatus antenna  16  is not covered by an object, such as an aluminum foil, which blocks the apparatus  18  RF communications. As indicated in  FIG. 2B . The apparatus  18 , successfully transmitting and receiving wireless communications through the antenna  16 . 
   The present invention of tamper detection sensor antenna sensor generated optical signal for the detection to the presence of a communication interfering object within proximity of a communication antenna, additionally could utilize an ultrasonic, microwave, or electromagnetic field signal generating sensors. One such example shown in  FIG. 3 . wherein a container/Trailer 30 mount GPS sensor antenna  10  is generating an ultrasonic signals  23  for the detection of a mass within the proximity of said ultrasonic generated signal  23 . 
   Tamper detection sensor antenna used for generating Optical signal for detection to the presence of a communication interfering object within proximity of an antenna, is primarily usefully when a sensor antenna is installed behind a see through object, such as inside of a vehicle on the dash or rear view mirror facing the vehicle windshield, for GPS and other RF vehicle communication means. Or installed on, or used with an RF communication apparatus, such as a security Alarm panel etc. 
   The Ultrasonic sensor is useful, when sensor antenna is installed outside of a vehicle, trailer for GPS and other communication means, or installed on or used with an RF communication apparatus. 
   The microwave and Electromagnetic sensor antenna is useful when the sensor antenna it&#39;s mounted under vehicle dashboard, on a vehicle, or container/trailer for GPS and other vehicle RF communication means, or could be utilized in a location with an RF communication apparatus. 
   Tamper detection sensor antenna of the present invention is of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which requires little or no maintenance to be provided by the user through its operation lifetime. The tamper detection sensor antenna of the present invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the tamper detection antenna system of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.