Patent Publication Number: US-7898412-B2

Title: Security system including genetic sampling device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to security systems, and, more particularly, to security systems for protecting a residence, commercial property or equivalent. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The traditional method used by authorities to obtain a genetic sample is by searching the crime scene. The area to be searched is typically on the order of thousands of square feet. Because genetic samples may be as small as a human skin cell or a single strand of hair, it is difficult and may be impossible to locate a sample over such a large area. 
     Known security systems may sense the presence of an intruder within protected premises, but do so passively. That is, even after detecting an invasion, known security systems do not take advantage of the opportunity to gather physical evidence of the identity of the intruder. 
     What is neither disclosed nor suggested by the art is a security system that samples genetic material from an intruder in the event that the system senses a breach in security of a building or premises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a security system used to protect a residence, commercial property or equivalent. With respect to crime scene analysis, the invention provides authorities with genetic samples of intruders such that the DNA can be used to identify the perpetrators. The security system may be outfitted with a mechanism used to obtain a genetic sample. This mechanism is placed at all standard points of entry and exit, such as at front and back doors. The genetic sample-gathering mechanism may be in the form of a vacuum pump, turnstile, or static charge, for example. The genetic sample-gathering mechanism may be activated as a result of the security system being compromised. When the security system is active or armed, the genetic sample-gathering mechanism may capture, store and timestamp a genetic sample when the intruder passes through the mechanism. 
     The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a security system including a sensor for sensing a presence of an intruder within a protected space. A genetic sample-gathering mechanism takes a genetic sample from the intruder in response to a signal from the sensor. 
     The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a method of operating a security system, including providing a sensor in the security system. The sensor is used to sense a presence of an intruder within a protected space. A genetic sample-gathering mechanism is provided in the security system. A signal is transmitted from the sensor to the genetic sample-gathering mechanism in response to the sensing of the intruder. The genetic sample-gathering mechanism is used to take a genetic sample from the intruder in response to the signal from the sensor. 
     The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method of operating a security system, including providing a sensor in the security system. The sensor is used to sense a presence of an intruder within a protected space. A genetic sample-gathering mechanism is provided in the security system. A signal is transmitted from the sensor to the genetic sample-gathering mechanism in response to the sensing of the intruder. The genetic sample-gathering mechanism is used to take a genetic sample from the intruder in response to the signal from the sensor. The genetic sample is stored in a container. A date and time of day associated with the taking of the genetic sample is recorded. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that a genetic sample may be taken from an intruder at the moment when he is detected and his whereabouts are known. 
     Another advantage is that a genetic sample may be taken from the intruder without him being aware that the sample was taken. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a security system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method of the present invention for operating a security system. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, the embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown one embodiment of a security system  10  of the present invention. Security system  10  includes protected premises  12 , such as a residence, building, or other defined space. Premises  12  include one or more points of ingress  14  through which it is possible that an intruder  16  may enter premises  12 , as indicated by arrow  18 . Each of points of ingress  14  may be in the form of a doorway or window, for example. 
     Security system  10  also includes an electronic monitoring arrangement  20  including a security sensor  22  which may sense the presence of intruder  16  within premises  12  and/or the passing of intruder  16  through point of ingress  14 . For example, security sensor  22  may be in the form of a motion detector, heat detector, door switch or window switch. Upon sensing the presence of intruder  16 , sensor  22  may emit an electronic signal, such as an alarm signal, on line  24  to a central office  26 . Central office  26  may then notify police or other authorities that intruder  16  has entered premises  12  such that the police may attempt to apprehend intruder  16 . 
     Arrangement  20  also includes a genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  that may extract and collect a DNA sample, such as a hair, saliva or skin sample, from intruder  16 . More particularly, mechanism  28  may receive the signal from sensor  22  on line  24  upon sensor  22  sensing the presence of intruder  16 . Genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  may be in the form of any mechanism that is capable of obtaining a genetic sample from intruder  16  upon receiving the signal from sensor  22 . However, in particular embodiments of the present invention, mechanism  28  is in the form of a vacuum pump, a turnstile, and a static charge attraction device, respectively. 
     A vacuum pump type of mechanism  28  may be installed in a ceiling of premises  12  at a location about one to ten feet from point of egress  14 . Upon receiving the signal from sensor  22 , a motor in the vacuum pump may be started to thereby create a suction or air flow from the general area surrounding intruder  16 , i.e., below the vacuum pump, towards the vacuum pump. Thus, samples of the DNA of intruder  16 , such as hairs, cells of dead skin, and/or saliva, may be sucked away from intruder  16  and into the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump may include, or be associated with, a container  30  such as a conventional vacuum bag for collecting and storing the DNA sample collected from intruder  16 . 
     A turnstile type of mechanism  28  may be installed inside premises  12  such that intruder  16  cannot gain access to any person or thing of significant value within premises  12  without first passing through the turnstile. In one particular embodiment, the turnstile includes about four horizontally-oriented arms extending radially from a central hub about which each of the arms may be rotated in a horizontal plane. Upon receiving the signal from sensor  22 , an actuator within the turnstile may uncover adhesive surfaces on the arms of the turnstile. When intruder  16  engages and rotates one or more of the arms, DNA samples from intruder may be adhered to the adhesive surface(s). Upon sensing that the rotation of the arms has ceased, the actuator may then return the surfaces of the arms to their former covered state. Thus, the DNA samples may be collected and stored within the arms of the turnstile, and it is the housing or shell of the arms that functions as container  30  in this embodiment. 
     A static charge attraction device type of mechanism  28  may be installed on a ceiling, wall or floor of premises  12  such that intruder  16  may pass close enough to the attraction device that DNA samples on intruder  16  may be electrostatically removed from intruder  16  and physically transferred to the attraction device. For instance, upon receiving the signal from sensor  22 , a surface of the attraction device may be provided with a negative charge via conventional methods. Positively charged DNA samples on intruder  16  may then be transferred to and electrostatically adhered to the attraction device. After a predetermined time period, or when sensor  22  no longer senses the presence of intruder  16  in the immediate vicinity, the negative charge may be removed from the attraction device. The removal of the negative charge on the attraction device may cause the collected DNA samples to no longer be adhered to the attraction device and may allow the DNA samples to fall into, or be scraped into a container  30 . 
     Regardless of the form of genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  or of container  30 , a time stamp module  32  may record the date and time of day that the DNA sample stored in container  30  is collected. Container  30  may sense the presence of a DNA sample and may consequently send a signal  34  to module  32  indicating that a DNA sample has been collected. Module  32  may also receive continuous date and time of day updates from a clock  36 , as indicated at  38 . Thus, whenever module  32  receives a signal  34  indicating that a DNA sample has been collected, module is able to record the current date and time of day associated with the collection of the DNA sample. 
     In another embodiment, module  32  receives the signal from sensor  22  and interprets that signal as indicating that a DNA sample has been, or soon will be, collected in container  30 . Thus, in this embodiment, signal  34  is eliminated. 
     It may be desirable for the DNA sample to be collected without intruder  16  knowing that the DNA sampling has occurred. Thus, an optional visual distraction device  40  may be provided in order to create a visual distraction that may prevent intruder  16  from noticing any motion or noise that may be associated with operation of genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28 . For example, upon receiving the signal from sensor  22 , distraction device  40  may provide a flash of light that temporarily blinds intruder  16 . In another embodiment, distraction device  40  may instead, or additionally, provide an audio distraction such as audio static and/or a loud and intense noise. 
     Illustrated in  FIG. 2  is one embodiment of a method  200  of the present invention for operating a security system. In a first step  202 , a sensor is provided in the security system. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a sensor  22 , which may be in the form of any conventional building security sensor, is provided in security system  10 . 
     In a next step  204 , the sensor is used to sense a presence of an intruder within a protected space. In  FIG. 1 , sensor  22  is used to sense the presence of intruder  16  within protected premises  12 , such as a building, residence, or designated outdoor area. 
     Next, in step  206 , a genetic sample-gathering mechanism is provided in the security system. That is, a genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  is provided in security system  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     In step  208 , a signal is transmitted from the sensor to the genetic sample-gathering mechanism in response to the sensing of the intruder. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a signal is transmitted on line  24  from sensor  22  to genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  in response to the sensing of intruder  16  by sensor  22 . 
     In a next step  210 , the genetic sample-gathering mechanism is used to take a genetic sample from the intruder in response to the signal from the sensor. For example, genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  may be used to take a DNA sample from intruder  16  in response to mechanism  28  receiving an alarm signal from sensor  22 . 
     Next, in step  212 , the genetic sample is stored in a container. That is, the DNA sample collected by genetic sample-gathering mechanism  28  may be stored in a container  30  that securely retains and preserves the sample for later analysis in order to determine the identity of intruder  16 . 
     In a final step  214 , a date and time of day associated with the taking of the genetic sample is recorded. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a date and time of day is continuously provided by clock  36  to time stamp module  32 . When time stamp module  32  receives signal  34  from container  30 , module  32  associates the most currently received date and time of day with the DNA sample taken from intruder  16  and stored in container  30 . Module  32  may then record in memory that date and time of day in association with the DNA sample taken from intruder  16 . 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.