Patent Publication Number: US-2004041708-A1

Title: Monitoring and security systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
       [0001] None.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates to security systems, and more specifically to portable monitoring and security systems for use on movable articles.  
       [0003] In today&#39;s society, theft and burglary are unfortunate and frequent occurrences. In response to this growing concern, various security and monitoring systems have been developed to thwart would-be criminals. Typically, such systems provide sensors which communicate with a controller. The sensors are typically infrared sensors triggered by body heat, sound sensors triggered by noise, or pressure and magnetic sensors triggered by the opening of doors and windows for sensing the presence of intruders. An alarm condition is declared by the controller when one of the sensors sends the controller a signal indicative of the alarm condition. In response to receiving such signal, the controller typically activates a local alarm to scare off the intruder.  
       [0004] Although these security systems are useful for the protection of large articles and places (such as houses, office buildings, construction sites, etc.), these systems do not prevent the theft of smaller articles that are also commonly subject to theft. Examples of such articles include bicycles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, truck bed toppers, and sporting equipment. Furthermore, these security systems are not useful for monitoring an area or an individual in a noncriminal setting, such as preventing an elderly patient from wandering from a nursing care facility or preventing an infant from entering a medicine cabinet or cupboard. This is because prior art systems are designed to secure larger areas.  
       [0005] Thus, there is a need for security and monitoring systems that can be used to secure movable articles and that can be used to monitor an area in a noncriminal setting.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention is a portable security system for use with a movable article. The system includes a microcontroller, detection means (such as a vibration sensor), and alarm means. The detection means is connected to the microcontroller, and sends a signal to the microcontroller when the article is moved. The alarm means for alerts a user when the protected item is moved. Typically, the alarm means includes an audio alarm and a visual alarm.  
       [0007] In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes a rigid housing which contains the microcontroller, the vibration sensor, and the alarm. The system also preferably includes a switch connected to the microcontroller, which engages the security system when toggled into the appropriate position. Finally, the system preferably includes an attaching means, located on an exterior of the housing, for attaching the security system to the article to be protected. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a security system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the security system of FIG. 1 viewed from a reverse angle.  
     [0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the security system according to the first embodiment of the present invention attached to a bicycle.  
     [0011]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a security system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0012]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the security system of FIG. 4 viewed from a reverse angle.  
     [0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the security system according to the second embodiment of the present invention attached to a motorcycle.  
     [0014]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a monitoring system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the monitoring system of FIG. 7 viewed from a reverse angle.  
     [0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment of the present invention attached to a door. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 2 is a reverse exploded perspective view of security system  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Security system  10  includes alarm circuit  12 , upper housing  14 , and lower housing  16 . Alarm circuit  12  includes light-emitting diode (LED)  18 , piezoelectric alarm  20 , motion sensor  22 , switch  24 , battery electrode  26 , and microcontroller  30 . LED  18 , piezoelectric alarm  20 , motion sensor  22 , switch  24 , and battery electrode  26  are connected to microcontroller  30 . During use, a battery (not shown) is connected to battery electrode  26 . Upper housing  14  includes piezoelectric alarm aperture  32  and switch aperture  34 . Lower housing  16  includes LED aperture  36 , battery opening  38 , battery compartment cover  40 , and brace  42 . Brace  42  includes securing holes  44 .  
     [0018] When assembled, alarm circuit  12  is contained securely within upper housing  14  and lower housing  16 . LED  18  is viewable through LED aperture  36 , piezoelectric alarm  20  is audible through piezoelectric alarm aperture  32 , switch  24  is accessible through switch aperture  34 , and battery electrode  26  is accessible through battery opening  38  when alarm circuit  12  is contained within upper housing  14  and lower housing  16 . Furthermore, battery  28  is insertable through battery opening  38  such that battery compartment cover  40  secures the battery between upper housing  14  and lower housing  16 .  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of security system  10  according to the first embodiment of the present invention attached to bicycle  50 . Security system  10  can also be attached to other movable articles, including sporting equipment (such as skis, athletic bags, or golf clubs), truck toppers, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles. For illustrative purposes, bicycle  50  is shown. Security system  10  is preferably attached to bicycle  50  by wrapping brace  42  around seat post  52 . Brace  42  is preferably secured to seat post  52  by wrapping brace  42  around seat post  52 , inserting a bolt (not shown) through holes  44 , and threading a nut (not shown) onto the bolt. Security system  10  can also be attached to bicycle  50  using other attaching means, including metal screws, adhesives such as glue or tape, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, security system  10  can be attached to other parts of the frame of bicycle  50 , including seat stay  54 , seat tube  56 , cross bar  58 , down tube  60 , and head tube  62 .  
     [0020] After security system  10  is secured onto bicycle  50 , security system  10  is activated by toggling switch  24  from the “off” position. Preferably, switch  24  is togglable to two “on” positions, a visual alarm mode or an audio alarm mode. Thus, switch  24  preferably has three positions. When switch  24  is switched to either visual alarm mode or audio alarm mode, any movement of bicycle  50  will cause motion sensor  22  to send a signal to microcontroller  30 . Motion sensor  22  is preferably a vibration detector. Other detection devices can also be used for motion sensor  22 , including an infrared motion detector or an ultrasonic motion detector. After receiving a signal from motion sensor  22 , microcontroller  30  will send a signal to LED  18  (if switch  24  is toggled to visual alarm mode) or to piezoelectric alarm  20  (if switch  24  is toggled to audio alarm mode), thus triggering the alarm state of security system  10 .  
     [0021] When security system  10  is activated, it is preferably deactivated by toggling switch  24  among its three positions in a predetermined order. The order of toggling is predetermined by the manufacturer and differs for each security system. As an example, security system  10  may require the following toggling order for switch  24  in order for security system  10  to be deactivated: OFF-VISUAL MODE-OFF. Thus, until switch  24  is toggled in this order, security system  10  will remain activated. Similarly, if security system  10  has been triggered (by moving bicycle  50 , for example), switch  24  must be toggled in the predetermined order in order to terminate the alarm state LED  18  or piezoelectric alarm  20 . The complexity of the required toggling order of switch  24  is variable from simple (requiring only one or two toggles) to complex (requiring several toggles).  
     [0022]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 5 is a reverse exploded perspective view of security system  80  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Security system  80  includes alarm circuit  82 , upper housing  84 , and lower housing  86 . Alarm circuit  82  includes light-emitting diode (LED)  88 , piezoelectric alarm  90 , motion sensor  92 , ignition wires  93 , switch  94 , battery electrode  96 , and microcontroller  100 . LED  88 , piezoelectric alarm  90 , motion sensor  92 , ignition wires  93 , switch  94 , and battery electrode  96  are connected to microcontroller  100 . During use, a battery (not shown) is connected to battery electrode  96 . Upper housing  84  includes piezoelectric alarm aperture  102 , and switch aperture  104 . Lower housing  86  includes LED aperture  106 , battery opening  108 , battery compartment cover  110 , and brace  112 . Brace  112  includes securing holes  114 .  
     [0023] When assembled, alarm circuit  82  is contained securely within upper housing  84  and lower housing  86 . LED  88  is viewable through LED aperture  106 , piezoelectric alarm  90  is audible through piezoelectric alarm aperture  102 , switch  94  is accessible through switch aperture  104 , and battery electrode  96  is accessible through battery opening  108  when alarm circuit  82  is contained within upper housing  84  and lower housing  86 . Furthermore, the battery is insertable through battery opening  108  such that battery compartment cover  110  secures battery  98  between upper housing  84  and lower housing  86 .  
     [0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of security system  80  according to the second embodiment of the present invention attached to motorcycle  120 . Security system  80  can also be attached to other motorized vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and mopeds. For illustrative purposes, motorcycle  120  is shown. Security system  80  is preferably attached to motorcycle  120  by wrapping brace  112  around head tube  122 . Brace  112  is preferably secured to head tube  122  by wrapping brace  112  around head tube  122 , inserting a bolt (not shown) through holes  114 , and threading a nut (not shown) onto the bolt. Security system  80  can also be attached to motorcycle  120  using other attaching means, including metal screws, adhesives such as glue or tape, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, security system  80  can be attached to other parts of the frame of motorcycle  120 , including wheel tube  124  and mirror brace  126 . Installation is completed by connecting ignition wires  93  to ignition  128 .  
     [0025] After security system  80  is secured onto motorcycle  120 , security system  80  is activated by toggling switch  94  from the “off” position. Preferably, switch  94  is togglable to two “on” positions, a visual alarm mode or an audio alarm mode. Thus, switch  94  preferably has three positions. When switch  94  is switched to either visual alarm mode or audio alarm mode, any movement of motorcycle  120  will cause motion sensor  92  to send a signal to microcontroller  100 . Motion sensor  92  is preferably a vibration detector. Other detection devices can also be used for motion sensor  92 , including an infrared motion detector or an ultrasonic motion detector. After receiving a signal from motion sensor  92 , microcontroller  100  will send a signal to LED  88  (if switch  94  is toggled to visual alarm mode) or to piezoelectric alarm  90  (if switch  94  is toggled to audio alarm mode), thus triggering the alarm state of security system  80 .  
     [0026] When security system  80  is activated, it is preferably deactivated by starting ignition  128  or by toggling switch  94  among its three positions in a predetermined order. The former mode of deactivation allows the user to start and ride motorcycle  120  without requiring the latter mode of deactivation. Thus, when ignition  128  is started, security system  80  is deactivated. After ignition  128  is turned off, security system  80  returns to active mode. Furthermore, security system  80  cannot be deactivated by cutting ignition wires  93  because security system  80  is deactivated only when ignition  128  relays a signal through ignition wires  93  to security system  80 . A signal is not relayed to security system  80  when ignition wires  93  are cut. Thus, security system  80  will remain activated until switch  94  is toggled in the predetermined order.  
     [0027] For deactivation by toggling switch  94 , the order of toggling is predetermined by the manufacturer and differs for each security system. As an example, security system  80  may require the following toggling order for switch  94  in order for security system  80  to be deactivated: OFF-VISUAL MODE-OFF. Thus, until switch  94  is toggled in this order, security system  80  will remain activated. Similarly, if security system  80  has been triggered (by moving motorcycle  120 , for example), switch  94  must be toggled in the predetermined order in order to terminate the alarm state LED  88  or piezoelectric alarm  90 . The complexity of the required toggling order of switch  94  is variable from simple (requiring only one or two toggles) to complex (requiring several toggles).  
     [0028]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view and FIG. 8 is a reverse exploded perspective view of monitoring system  150  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Monitoring system  150  includes alarm circuit  152 , upper housing  154 , and lower housing  156 . Alarm circuit  152  includes light-emitting diode (LED)  158 , piezoelectric alarm  160 , trip cord  162 , button  164 , battery electrode  166 , and microcontroller  170 . LED  158 , piezoelectric alarm  160 , trip cord  162 , outlet  163 , button  164 , and battery electrode  166  are connected to microcontroller  170 . During use, a battery (not shown) is connected to battery electrode  166 . Upper housing  154  includes piezoelectric alarm aperture  172 , and button aperture  174 . Lower housing  156  includes LED aperture  176 , battery opening  178 , battery compartment cover  180 , and securing tape  182 .  
     [0029] When assembled, alarm circuit  152  is contained securely within upper housing  154  and lower housing  156 . LED  158  is viewable through LED aperture  176 , piezoelectric alarm  160  is audible through piezoelectric alarm aperture  172 , button  164  is accessible through switch aperture  174 , and battery electrode  166  is accessible through battery opening  178  when alarm circuit  152  is contained within upper housing  154  and lower housing  156 . Furthermore, the battery is insertable through battery opening  178  such that battery compartment cover  180  secures battery  168  between upper housing  154  and lower housing  156 .  
     [0030]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of monitoring system  150  according to the third embodiment of the present invention attached to door  190 . Monitoring system  150  can also be attached to other areas to be protected, including cupboards and medicine cabinets. For illustrative purposes, door  190  is shown. Monitoring system  150  is preferably attached to door  190  by using securing tape  182 . Monitoring system  150  can also be attached to door  190  using other attaching means, including wood screws, a brace, or nails. Installation is completed by connecting trip cord  162  to doorjamb  192  using tape  194  or other adhesive.  
     [0031] After monitoring system  150  is secured onto door  190 , monitoring system  150  is activated by pressing button  164 . Preferably, button  164  is pressed once for a delayed activation and twice for a quick activation. When monitoring system  150  is activated, a signal is sent to microcontroller  170  when door  190  is opened and trip cord  162  is pulled from outlet  163 . Other detection devices can also be used for monitoring system  150 , including an infrared motion detector or a vibration detector. After receiving a signal when trip cord  162  is pulled from outlet  163 , microcontroller  170  will send a signal to LED  158  and to piezoelectric alarm  160 , thus triggering the alarm state of monitoring system  150 .  
     [0032] When monitoring system  150  is activated or when the alarm is sounding, monitoring system  150  is preferably deactivated by pressing button  164  three times. This sends a signal to microcontroller  170 , which allows the user to freely open the monitored article without monitoring system  150  entering the alarm state. Furthermore, after monitoring system  150  has been deactivated, it can be moved and attached to a new location to be monitored.  
     [0033] Monitoring system  150  is particularly useful in areas for monitoring small children, such as in a nursery and in a daycare, or in areas for monitoring the care of elderly patients, such as in nursing homes and in hospice care.  
     [0034] The present invention involves portable systems for securing movable articles and monitoring areas. The first embodiment of the present invention is a security system for attaching to a movable article such as a bicycle or sporting equipment. The system is sensitive to movement, and thus the alarm is activated when the article is moved. The second embodiment of the present invention is a security system for attaching to a movable motorized article, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle. This embodiment incorporates a set of wires to be attached to the ignition of the motorized article. When the ignition wires are attached, the system is deactivated when the ignition is started on the motorized article. When the ignition is turned off, the system is reactivated. The system cannot be deactivated by cutting the ignition wires. The third embodiment of the present invention is a monitoring system for attaching to a door, medicine cabinet, cupboard, or other area to be monitored. This embodiment utilizes a cord to be attached to a doorjamb. When the cord is attached to the doorjamb and the system is turned on, the alarm is activated when the door, medicine cabinet, or cupboard is opened and the cord is pulled from the monitoring system.  
     [0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.