Abstract:
A dummy security device that includes some means of drawing attention to itself using a visual and/or audible means to thereby draw attention to the presence of the dummy security device, wherein the fact that the device is not a real security device is hidden from view, wherein the dummy security device is relatively inexpensive to purchase to thereby promote installation of many of the devices, and wherein an active detection means may be employed to enable the dummy security device to provide a visual and/or audible indication that the presence of a person has been detected.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This document claims priority to and incorporates by reference all of the subject matter included in the provisional patent application docket number 4958.RDOT.PR, having Ser. No. 61/478,824, filed Apr. 25, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to security devices that are used for commercial, residential and automobile security purposes. More specifically, a dummy security device is intended not only to be seen but to actively draw attention to itself for the purpose of informing a viewer that security is important at the location it is being seen and thereby acting as a deterrence to criminal activity. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Security devices are typically put in place to act as deterrence to criminal activity such as theft or vandalizing. Such security devices include but are not limited to active security devices such as cameras, motion sensors, and alarms. The purpose of these active security devices is to generally function as some sort of a warning that a particular object or location is being protected from criminal activities. 
         [0006]    For example, security cameras can not only record images of people for review at a later time, but can by their very presence discourage criminal activity because a potential criminal knows that they might be identified and apprehended based on the recorded image. In other words, when a potential criminal sees a warning sign advertising an alarm or protected. premises, a sticker advertising security cameras, a motion sensor or a security camera, the potential criminal may be less likely to commit a criminal act because the chances of being caught are increased. 
         [0007]    However, the number of automobiles, homes or other buildings that owners would like to protect far exceeds the monetary resources of those who want to protect them. If this was not true, many more security devices would be in use. Therefore, one of the largest problems preventing the more ubiquitous use of security devices is that they can be relatively expensive. The result is that owners often either decline to spend the money necessary to install security devices in all the locations that they are needed, or decline to install any at all. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it would be an advantage over the state of the art in security devices to provide a method and apparatus for installing security devices at a significantly reduced cost to an owner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is a dummy security device that includes some means of drawing attention to itself using a visual and/or audible means to thereby draw attention to the presence of the dummy security device, wherein the fact that the device is not a real security device is hidden from view, wherein the dummy security device is relatively inexpensive to purchase to thereby promote installation of many of the devices, and wherein an active detection means may be employed to enable the dummy security device to provide a visual and/or audible indication that the presence of a person has been detected. 
         [0010]    These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description. taken in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dummy security device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dummy security device of  FIG. 1  with a visual display thereon to attract the attention of a potential criminal. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a control unit of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a decal having a single LED light. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a decal having a plurality of LED lights. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the present invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the claims which follow. 
         [0017]    In a first embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , a dummy security device is shown. It should be understood that this dummy security device can look like any security device that is currently in use. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the dummy security device is a fake or non-operational video camera  10 . The dummy video camera  10  should appear as a complete housing, but need not have any working components. However, it should be understood that even an operational video camera or a previously operational video camera can also be used and should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0018]    The possible inoperative or dummy security devices that might be used include, but should not be considered to be limited to, a video camera, a motion. sensor, a thermal or infrared sensor, a radio frequency detector, etc. What should be understood is that the dummy security device can be made to look like any real security device, even if it is not performing the real function. 
         [0019]    It should also be understood that it would be advantageous if the dummy security device can be made to be an exact replica of any real security device. In this way, a potential criminal does not know if the security device that can be seen is a real security device or a fake. This inability to know if the security device is fake or real serves as the basis for preventing criminal, activity ii the potential criminal thinks that the risk is too high to take without knowing if the security device is fake or real. 
         [0020]    Therefore, even though it will be common knowledge that dummy security devices are being sold, possibly in large numbers, this knowledge will not help the potential criminal because real security devices might also be installed along with a mixture of dummy security devices. To further prevent identification of a dummy security device as a real security device, the dummy security device might also come with features that make the dummy security devices to not appear all the same. These features include but should not be considered limited to physical features such as antenna, wiring, cabling and electrical connections, hoods, shades, stickers, decals or any other feature that would not interfere with operation if the security device as not fake. 
         [0021]    The dummy security device will be installed in any of the locations that a real security device would he installed so that nothing about the location of the device, or how it appears to be installed, would indicate that it is anything but a real security device. Therefore, the dummy security device would be installed on windows, doors, mailboxes, yard signs, automobile dashboards, mirrors, fences, or any other location that a real security device might be installed. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is another view of the dummy security device  10  of  FIG. 1  but with a visual display  20  disposed thereon. It is important that the visual display be easily seen by a potential criminal. By changing the visual display  20 , the dummy security device  10  is drawn to the attention of the potential criminal. By making the potential criminal immediately aware of the presence of the device  10 , criminal activity is discouraged. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, the way in which the visual display  20  is changed will also further the purposes of protection. For example, the visual display  20  might include a single light or a plurality of lights that simply blink in unison to indicate that the dummy security device  10  is active. The plurality of lights might be made to turn on and off in a pseudo-random pattern to draw more attention to the dummy security device  10 . In addition, the plurality of lights might also be made to change in response to stimulus. 
         [0024]    The stimulus might come from a real form, of potential criminal detection. For example, a simple motion sensor could be used so that if the potential criminal decides to risk movement nearer to the dummy security device, the visual display would change in response to the closer presence of the potential criminal. Thus if the potential criminal believed the device to be fake, the change in the visual display would be an unmistakable signal to the potential criminal that his/her presence has been detected, and the visual display is responding to a presence. 
         [0025]    In a first embodiment of the visual display of  FIG. 2 , the visual, display  20  is a plurality of LED lights  22  that might display a pseudo-random pattern. The pattern could also be changed if the presence of a potential criminal is detected. 
         [0026]    In an alternative embodiment, the visual display  20  is a plurality of any lights that is grouped in any convenient manner to enable the display of recognizable patterns. 
         [0027]    It is a function of the present invention that no detectable pattern in the visual display  20  be seen, unless a pattern is wanted to be shown. For example, the flashing of LED lights might appear to be pseudo-random until a potential criminal is detected, and then the pattern might change to be a recognizable and distinct pattern so that the potential criminal can know almost instantly that the dummy security device  10  is reacting to his/her presence. For example, the pseudo-random pattern might be a random blinking of the plurality of LED lights  22 , and the recognizable pattern might be a change to a solid blinking on and off of the plurality of LED lights  22  in unison, or some other desired and recognizable pattern. 
         [0028]    The visual display  20  might go further than. to lust display lights in some visible but meaningless pattern. For example, a readable message could be shown on a more elaborate visual display that would be a message directly to the potential criminal telling him/her to leave immediately, or any other desired action. 
         [0029]    The dummy security device  10  would include some means for controlling what is seen on the visual display. The dummy security device  10  would therefore include some sort of processing capability to control the display of pseudo-random patterns of light, recognizable patterns of light, or even text messages. 
         [0030]    In another aspect of the present invention, the size of the dummy security device  10  can vary greatly. If the visual display  20  is energy efficient, then the dummy security device  10  could be powered by something as small as a button battery or small AAA or AA cell batteries all the way up to larger D cell batteries or even a transformer that is plugged into an alternating current source. Thus, because the power source can be small, the dummy security device  10  can also be relatively small. This enables the dummy security device  10  to be easily mountable in places that might otherwise be difficult to install a security device. The advantage to the present invention is that the more visible the dummy security device  10  is to a potential criminal, the sooner that the criminal activity might be prevented. 
         [0031]    For example, a simple suction cup might be used to mount the dummy security device  10  on a window. What is important is that the dummy security device should be easily seen. If the dummy security device  10  is to perform its function, it should be easily visible during the day or night. Thus, the location of the dummy security device  10  along with a visual and/or audible indication means is important to the effectiveness of the present invention. 
         [0032]    An audible indicator might be a chirping noise that is emitted by smoke detectors or other small electronic devices. The audible indicator might also be a pre-recorded voice message with a warning to the potential criminal. The audible indicator would be activated when the presence of a potential criminal is detected. 
         [0033]    Another aspect of the present invention is that detection of a potential criminal is not limited only to motion. Therefore the present invention should be considered to include, but not be limited to, pressure sensors, capacitive sensors, thermal or infra-red sensors and motion sensors. 
         [0034]    Alternatively, the sensor of the dummy security device  10  could also include means for detecting the presence of an object being carried by the potential criminal, such as an RF detector that can detect the presence of a mobile telephone. What is important is that the scope of sensors that can be used by the present invention should not be considered to be limited to those named above, but should include any means for detecting a potential criminal or a device that the potential criminal might be carrying if it can be detected. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows in a block diagram the implementation of toe present invention that will involve a control unit  30  having at least a printed circuit board  32  having a microprocessor  34  with some access to a memory unit  36 . The control unit  30  can be powered by a battery or from a plug that is coupled to a source of alternating current. The shape of the control unit  30  can be modified to conform to a variety of different housing units or to have a specific visual profile, such as to fit within a logo or other design of the user. The control unit  30  is capable of controlling a visual display and/or audible signal, 
         [0036]    In another aspect of the present invention, a light sensor such as a photosensitive cell could be coupled to the control unit to disable the visual display during daylight hours if desired. 
         [0037]    In another aspect of the invention, the control unit  30  might include an energy storage unit that might be charged by a solar cell during daylight, and which would power the control unit during the night. The control unit could also be powered during the day directly from the solar cell. 
         [0038]    It is envisioned that the present invention is likely to be installed along with fully operational security devices in order to expand the overall coverage of a security system. By having dummy security devices with visual indicators such as flashing LED lights  22 , potential criminals are put on notice from a distance that the property should not be approached. Prior art decals giving information about an alarm system are typically not visible from a great distance, and the potential criminal is close to the property before the decals are noticed. By making the decal  40  more visible from a longer distance, the potential criminal is kept as far from a structure as possible. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is another embodiment of the present invention that shows a decal  40  that is placed on a window, door or other location that is visible on a structure or object being protected. The decal  40  may include an adhesive front surface  46  so that it can be mounted on the inside surface of a window, or an adhesive back surface (not shown) so that it can be mounted on a structure other than a window, such as a door. The decal  40  includes at least one light such as a single LED  42 . The single LED  42  is powered by a battery within the device. The battery may be accessed on a backside of the decal  40 . The battery, such as a small watch button battery, and the electronics necessary to control the single LED  42  are small and lightweight, and do not interfere with placement of the decal  40  on a window. With constant flashing of the LED light  42  it is still possible to obtain months of use from the battery before it needs to be replaced. Accordingly, the decal  40  will provide more visibility for advertising the presence of a security system during the day and night as compared to a regular decal. The decal  40  can be made flexible or rigid. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 , the decal  40  can include a plurality of LEDs  44 . The plurality of LEDs  44  can provide more information than a single LED. For example, a pattern, letters, words or more than one color can be displayed. The lightweight nature of the plurality of LEDs  44  also lends themselves to making the decal  40  lightweight so that it can still be adhered to a window. The decal  40  can also be made to be flexible or rigid when using the plurality of LEDs 
         [0041]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the decal  40  can be used not only as a warning device, but also as a signaling device to guide emergency responders to a specific location. For example, consider a decal  40  that is disposed on a window. Emergency responders can be lead to access to a window if other access is blocked. Thus, the decal  40  can be used as a signal of distress if help is needed. The help needed can be medical assistance, fire response or police response. A unique LED color, pattern of flashing or any other means for signaling with a light or lights on the decal  40  or the dummy security device should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the single LED  42  or the plurality of LEDs  44  can be controlled by another remotely by another device or operated manually. For example, if a burglar alarm or a smoke alarm were to be activated, the burglar alarm, the smoke alarm or another device monitoring the burglar alarm or smoke alarm could send a signal to the decals  40  or the dummy security devices to send a distress signal and guide emergency responders to window access, or any other convenient access location. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the decal  40  or the dummy security device are also equipped with a sensor to determine the amount of ambient light. The surrounding brightness can then be used to adjust the brightness of any LEDs that are flashing, and thereby conserve power or be more effective for the particular light conditions. 
         [0044]    The LED  42  or plurality of LEDs  44  should also be considered to have the ability to change a pattern of flashing or a color of flashing in order to respond to stimulus and more easily indicate that the presence of a person has been detected. Accordingly, the decal  40  may include a motion sensor or other type of sensor in order to he able to respond to a person. 
         [0045]    A final embodiment of the present invention is the use of a low cost and low cost image sensor that can take snapshots and store them in non-volatile memory for later retrieval 
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may he devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.