Partition Penetration Patents (Class 340/550)
  • Patent number: 7271723
    Abstract: The objective is the provision of intrusion detection sensor panels, which when used to enclose a closed space as a closed space apparatus, protect against the unlawful intrusion into that closed space, as well as the removal or secretion of articles into that closed space. To achieve that objective, the present invention provides a closed space apparatus comprised of intrusion detection sensor panels that detect intrusions over their entire surface. The intrusion detection sensor panels are not merely ones which incorporate a plurality of wire or point sensors over their surface, but they are characterized by being panels in which the overall panel functions to detect intrusions across its entire surface without gaps or lapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Tanichi Ando
  • Patent number: 7256692
    Abstract: One apparatus embodiment includes a patterned electrically conductive layer, a power source, and an actuator. The power source provides an electrical signal to the electrically conductive layer. The monitoring unit monitors the electrical signal and initiates an action based upon a change in the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Vatsaas, David B. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7227465
    Abstract: A security bar providing improved security from breach is obtained with the use of a fiber optic cable longitudinally inserted in a hollowed out cavity thereof. Monitoring of the security bar to identify attempts at breach thereof may be achieved by connecting an optical light source to one end of the fiber optic cable and a light monitoring device (i.e., an optical receiver) at the other end. In this manner, a breach of the security bar is identified when the optical receiver fails to receive the light generated by the optical light source. In one embodiment, an isolator which consists of a material that is soft enough to absorb a potential shock but hard enough to break or splinter if the security bar is substantially deformed (e.g., wood) surrounds the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen Meyer
  • Patent number: 7211783
    Abstract: A sheet includes an optical fiber extending across at least a portion of its surface to detect nuclear radiation. The sheet can line at least a portion of a shipping container or box. Radiation within or outside the container or box reduces optical transmissibility of the fiber. The fiber integrates the radiation over time and/or over the length of the fiber, making the fiber sensitive to even low-level radiation. Dopants, use of particular wavelengths of light or temperatures or other mechanisms can increase the sensitivity of the optical fiber to radiation. The optical fiber is monitored for a change in its transmissibility. A reduction in the transmissibility, such as to below a threshold, can trigger an alarm, such as an annunciator, or send a message that includes information about the time or the container's contents or location when the radiation is detected to a central location, such as a ship's control room or port notification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Tamperproof Container Licensing Corp.
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 7189959
    Abstract: Closely spaced conventional optical fibers are arranged in a grid placed between a first surface and a second surface. A penetrating impact onto the first surface results in a hole of a size proportional to the diameter and velocity of the impacting object. The size and shape of the debris plume that travels between the first and second surfaces is also proportional to the diameter and velocity of the impacting object. If the debris plume is sufficiently energetic, a number of the fibers in the grid are broken. The size and shape of the area defined by the broken fibers can be determined simply by determining which fibers are no longer transmitting light. Analytical methods are then used to relate the extent of the damaged area to the location of an MOD impact, the direction from which the impact occurred, and the size of the impacting object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Systems Technology
    Inventors: W. Donald Morison, Roderick C. Tennyson, Thierry Cherpillod
  • Patent number: 7183895
    Abstract: A system for providing stand-off biometric verification of a driver of a vehicle at a control gate while the vehicle is moving, including an RFID vehicle tag reader, an RFID personal tag reader and a facial detection and recognition (verification) system. The RFID vehicle tag reader scans and reads data from an RFID vehicle tag of the vehicle that is trying to pass through the gate. The RFID personal tag reader reads data from an RFID personal tag carried by personnel who are driving in the vehicle. The facial detection and verification system scans and reads facial images for the driver. All the data and facial images detected by the reader are sent to a computer for further processing (final face verification).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bazakos, David W. Meyers, Murray Cooper
  • Patent number: 7154391
    Abstract: A sensor array that forms part of an intrusion detection system, which is adapted for use on narrow spaced objects that surround a perimeter. The sensor array includes at least two intrusion detection sensor nodes, a plurality of node processors corresponding to each sensor node, and a deformable cable. The plurality of sensor nodes are situated and spaced along the deformable cable. The at least two sensory nodes include one or more discrete volumetric sensors with associated volumetric detection fields extending from each discrete volumetric sensor. Each sensor node has a detection zone extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the deformable cable at the sensor node and defined by the detection fields of its constituent sensors as constructed and arranged in each sensor node. Each sensor node includes a node processor situated thereat for processing a response generated by the sensors when an intruder enters a nodes detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Melvin C. Maki, Pier Bortot
  • Patent number: 7154390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for monitoring access to a transport container. The system includes a monitoring unit secured to the transport container and at least one sensor in operable communication with the monitoring unit. The sensor is structured to detect incidents of access to the transport container and to communicate data corresponding to the incidents to the monitoring unit. The system includes at data key configured to communicate with the monitoring unit. The data key is capable of being configured as an activation key and/or a deactivation key. The activation key is configured to activate the monitoring unit so that the monitoring unit begins to monitor access to the transport container. The deactivation key is configured to deactivate the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit is configured to communicate data corresponding to the access incidents to the deactivation key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Powers International, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Giermanski, Philippus Lodewyk Jacobus Smith, Vincent Rigardo Van Rooyen
  • Patent number: 7119682
    Abstract: A method and a facility for the protection of a crowd from terrorists by screening each individual in search of concealed prohibited articles possibly carried by one of the individuals in the crowd. Each individual is monitored by sensors controlled by a monitoring unit while passing in single line queue over a fenced walkway and through a confinement structure containing a one-way passage control device. When a prohibited object is detected, response is provided and the passage control device is locked to detain the suspect individual in the confinement structure interior. The confinement structure is configured to deflect the blast created by an explosion initiated therein, and to prevent harm to the individuals residing on the fenced walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.
    Inventor: David Fisher
  • Patent number: 7110625
    Abstract: A stress inducing device for inducing stress into a fiber optic cable is useful for detecting a person attempting to breach a security fence by climbing over the security fence. A stress inducing device is attached adjacent to a top of each fence post of the security fence. A fiber optic cable runs adjacent to a top of the security fence, and passes through each of the stress inducing devices. Once activated, a pressing member of the stress inducing device will pinch the fiber optic cable therein causing an alarm. The stress inducing device will be activated if a person leans a ladder against the fiber optic cable or the stress inducing device itself, or if a person attempts to open or tamper with the stress inducing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Formguard Inc.
    Inventor: Hong Gi Chun
  • Patent number: 7098444
    Abstract: A liner sheet lines at least a portion of an interior surface of a shipping container or box and defines an optical path extending across at least a portion of the sheet, such that a breach of the interior surface also alters an optical characteristic of the optical path. For example, an optical fiber can be woven into, or sandwiched between layers of, the liner sheet. The optical path is monitored for a change in an optical characteristic. If the container or box interior surface is breached, one or more portions of the optical fiber are severed or otherwise damaged, and the optical path is altered. The detected change in the optical path can be used to trigger an alarm, such as an annunciator, or to send a message that includes information concerning the container's contents or time or location of the container when the breach occurred to a central location, such as a ship's control room or a port notification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 7071822
    Abstract: When an anomaly occurs in a monitor area, careless entry of the user into the monitor area is blocked reliably and simply. In a monitoring system for monitoring a house as a monitor area, sensors are placed at appropriate points in the house, and a door open hindrance unit for hindering opening of a front door placed at the entrance of the house is placed. Upon detection of an anomaly in the house based on a detection signal from each sensor, a management unit instructs the door open hindrance unit to hinder opening of the front door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Tanichi Ando, Atsushi Shimizu, Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, Hiroya Ueda
  • Patent number: 7065655
    Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising placing a first device in an enclosure, placing a second device in the enclosure, sealing the enclosure, and after sealing the enclosure, causing the first device to exchange a key with the second device. After the key exchange, the first and second devices can be taken out of the enclosure and can use the key to communicate with each other securely and in an authenticated manner. The devices may be electronic devices or optical devices. The enclosure prevents electromagnetic radiation of a certain bandwidth from escaping and thus prevents an adversarial device from eavesdropping on communication between the first and second devices. The enclosure may include a filtering material such as a metal net. The enclosure may be, for example, a plastic bag or a glass container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bjorn Markus Jakobsson
  • Patent number: 7023329
    Abstract: An air pressure induction type vehicle anti-thief device includes an on-vehicle main unit installed in a motor vehicle adapted to detect variation of air pressure in the inside chamber of the motor vehicle through an air pressure sensor and to drive an alarm to output an alarm signal when the amount of variation of transient variation of air pressure surpassed a predetermined safety air pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Tung Thih Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 7019671
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which is easy to use and is capable of a search for a person or walking support without fail. The image-taking apparatus comprises a compound eye optical unit, an image-pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by the compound eye optical unit, and a transmission unit which transmits image information provided by using the image-pickup device. The compound eye optical unit and the image-pickup device are held by a hold member which is provided with an attachment member for attachment to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7015823
    Abstract: A physical barrier for a circuit board also functions as a tampering sensor or sensors monitored by electrical circuitry that generates a tamper signal for erasing information critical for the operation of the circuit board in the event of sensed tampering. One or more routing matrices configured in at least one programmable device is programmed to interconnect operating as well as optional dummy components on the board so that routing information is erased in the event of sensed tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Systran Federal Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Gillen, Todd Scott Grimes
  • Patent number: 6998981
    Abstract: A secure screen that includes a sheet of robust metal mesh having separate locking devices, located, but not limited to, the top, bottom, left, and right sides thereof that to provide for independent locking locations on the mesh member that are each lockable to one of four separate dwelling structure locations; a motion sensor being mechanically attached to an outer frame of the robust metal mesh member and, if connected to an existing alarm system, such that tampering with the electrically metal mesh member, can activate the alarm system to summon help and, thereby, prevent entry of a potential intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Marybeth W. Montague
  • Patent number: 6995353
    Abstract: A sheet includes an optical fiber extending across at least a portion of its surface to detect a breach or nuclear radiation. The sheet can line at least a portion of a container or a fence. A breach of the sheet or radiation within or near the sheet reduces optical transmissibility of the fiber. The fiber integrates the radiation over time and/or over the length and volumetric mass of the fiber, making the fiber sensitive to even low-level radiation. The optical fiber is monitored for a change in its transmissibility. A reduction in the transmissibility, such as to below a threshold, can trigger an alarm, such as an annunciator, or send a message that includes information about the time or the container's contents or location when the breach or radiation is detected to a central location, such as a ship's control room or port notification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Gilbert D. Beinhocker
  • Patent number: 6982642
    Abstract: The present invention provides a security enclosure having an electronic assembly, such as a cryptographic processor card enclosed within an enclosure, surrounded by a tamper respondent wrap. The enclosure further includes a flexible extension cable which electrically connects the wrap and the assembly. The extension cable includes a plurality of interconnections at a first end to form an electrical connection with the assembly, and a plurality of bonding pads at a second end to form an electrical connection with a plurality of corresponding bonding pads of the wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario L. Cesana, Donald S. Farquhar, Martino Taddei
  • Patent number: 6937151
    Abstract: A perimeter barrier system and method of monitoring a perimeter barrier are disclosed which comprise a perimeter barrier element in the form of a picket or fence panel which is mounted for limited movement by spring loading the barrier element by means of springs. An optical fiber is coupled to the barrier elements so that upon an attempt to breach the perimeter barrier system the barrier element is moved to in turn cause movement of the waveguide. A light source and detector is provided for launching light into the fiber and for detecting light which is passed through the fiber so that when the fiber is moved a parameter of the light is changed and that change in parameter is detected by detector to provide an indication of an attempt to breach the perimeter barrier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Future Fibre Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Edward E Tapanes
  • Patent number: 6914401
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for monitoring a spatial area of least one motor-driven wing of a door includes a plurality of primary transmitters emitting beams of radiation toward a spatial area, and a plurality of primary receivers arranged to receive radiation from the primary transmitters which is reflected in the spatial area, the receivers generating a signal to actuate the motor driving the wing. A plurality of auxiliary transmitters are arranged next to respective primary receivers and emit auxiliary beams of radiation toward the spatial area, and a plurality of auxiliary receivers are arranged next to the primary transmitters to receive radiation from the auxiliary transmitters. A transmitter emits radiation and a receiver reacts to a reflection of the beam differing in intensity and produces a signal which controls the actuation of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Semelka
  • Publication number: 20040227632
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a secure enclosure from a remote location to determine whether a secure enclosure door has been opened includes a seal having a base material and an indicator. The base material is bonded across first and second secure enclosure surfaces that must move relative to each other when the secure enclosure door opens. The indicator includes an indicator component that is coupled to the base material to deform in response to a relative movement between the first and second secure enclosure surfaces. The indicator provides a first indication prior to deformation of the indicator component and a second indication after deformation. Indicator components can include an impedance element, a piezoelectric material, volatile memory, a transmitter assembly component or a bar code. A monitor (e.g. RF signal receiver or a bar code reader) receives the indication and determines whether the secure enclosure door has been opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Ramon Lorenzo Grijalva, Mark Allen Herman, David Daniel Lilly
  • Publication number: 20040113780
    Abstract: A weather resistant, battery powered tripwire warning device includes a weather resistant housing, a battery mounted within the housing, an alarm mounted within the housing, at least one spotlight mounted on a side of the housing and configured to illuminate regions extending from the side of the housing, and at least one and preferably a pair of switches mounted on opposing sides of the housing and configured to close a circuit between the alarm and the battery when either switch is activated. Each switch is configured to be attached to a trip cord, such that a selected tension on the trip cord will activate the alarm. The tension required for activation of the switches is individually adjustable. The battery powered tripwire device may be employed for perimeter security of a military force or for training exercises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Michael D. Pottratz
  • Patent number: 6717514
    Abstract: An alarm system and method is provided for preventing injuries as may occur within a manufacturing plant using lathes, milling equipment, metal shears and other machinery. The alarm system is so positioned to allow safe operation of the machinery while tracking the operator's movement. A transmitter attached to the operator's hand allows monitoring of the operator and prevents unsafe actuation of the machinery. The alarm system can also be programmed to prevent operation by unauthorized personnel and includes a trio of X, Y and Z spatially positioned receivers which are connected to a programmed system controller to activate alarms or to terminate power to the machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Richard M. Stein, Lynwood F. Hampshire
  • Publication number: 20040036603
    Abstract: A lighting security system includes a plurality of light packs. Each light pack includes at least two light sources, a plurality of motion sensors, an imaging unit, an electric eye, a lens, a processing element, a timer, and a power source. Upon detection of movement of an object in a designated area of a light pack, each light of the light pack activates and successively activates the other light packs of the plurality of light packs until all of the light packs are activated. Each light pack may also include one or more switches, an audible indicator, a modem configured to wirelessly or non-wirelessly transfer data to/from the light pack. If a light pack is configured for wireless data transfer, the light pack will also include a transceiver and an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Victoria J. Bingham
  • Publication number: 20040004546
    Abstract: When an anomaly occurs in a monitor area, careless entry of the user into the monitor area is blocked reliably and simply. In a monitoring system for monitoring a house as a monitor area, sensors are placed at appropriate points in the house, and a door open hindrance unit for hindering opening of a front door placed at the entrance of the house is placed. Upon detection of an anomaly in the house based on a detection signal from each sensor, a management unit instructs the door open hindrance unit to hinder opening of the front door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tanichi Ando, Atsushi Shimizu, Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, Hiroya Ueda
  • Publication number: 20030234728
    Abstract: A pool guard alarm provides constant security at one or more entrances to a pool area. The alarm utilizes a delay timer to provide an authorized entrant the ability to enter the pool area and reset the alarm before an audible alarm is sounded. The alarm further guards against pool entrances being left inadvertently open by sounding an audible alarm if a pool access point is not closed within a specified time period after being opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Ko
  • Patent number: 6614354
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an in-ground pipeline by detecting an occurrence of a contact with an in-ground pipeline via an acoustic sensor employing a first selected detection parameter and a second sensor employing a second selected detection parameter, which is different from the first selected detection parameter. The locations of the acoustic sensor and the second sensor are known and the input signals from the sensors arrive at a processor at different times and at known respective speeds such as to permit a determination of the point of contact with the in-ground pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Harvey Haines, Robert B. Francini
  • Publication number: 20030156031
    Abstract: The invention concerns an alarm device including an acoustic pressure sensor (10) delivering an analog signal to first amplifying means (12) and to second amplifying means (14), a first comparator (34) whereof the + input is connected to the output of the second amplifying means and whereof the output delivers a warning signal to alarm means (26, 28) when there is a break-in or an attempt at breaking in, and self-adjusting means consisting of a microprocessor (26) programmed to deliver a digital signal at the −input of said first comparator whereof the pulses have a variable width which increases in accordance with the duration and the importance of said atmospheric disturbance so as to automatically increase the alarm device triggering threshold and hence reduce its sensitivity when the acoustic sensor detects an atmospheric disturbance such as wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Francois Philippe
  • Publication number: 20030141975
    Abstract: A display monitor is provided for a multi-optical-path photoelectric safety apparatus including a plurality of multi-optical-path photoelectric sensor units. The user can determine whether a special function such as blanking is set for each optical path in a group which comprises a plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row along a longitudinal direction. The user can check the light incidence/light block status for each optical path on an indicator lamp group. The display monitor includes the plurality of indicator lamps placed in a row in the longitudinal direction. First and second switches allow the user to select the unit and the optical path to be shown on the two indicator lamp groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hama, Tetsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 6597283
    Abstract: A protective cover assembly for use as a convertible top is provided. The protective cover assembly includes a flexible cover and an alarm assembly. The flexible cover includes an outer layer of flexible material, an inner layer of flexible material, and at least one layer of tear resistant material interposed between the outer and inner layers. The alarm assembly includes a pair of conductor plates interposed between the outer layer of flexible material and the inner layer of flexible material, a power source, and an alarm system electrically connected to the power source and at least one of the first and second conductor plates such that upon an electrical conducting implement piercing the first conductor plate and contacting the second conductor plate an electrical connection is established between the first conductor plate and the second conductor plate thereby causing the alarm system to emit an alerting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hard 2 Top Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Ramirez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6583721
    Abstract: An intrusion detection fence and system is provided. In one embodiment, the fence includes a plurality of trip wires secured between a pair of anchor posts, a plurality of detector posts anchored in the ground, located between the anchor posts, at least one actuator attached to each of the detector posts, the actuator also being coupled to each of the plurality of trip wires; and a detecting device attached to the actuator and secured to each of the detector posts. The deflection or cutting of any of the plurality of trip wires activates at least one of the detecting devices adjacent to the activated trip wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Magal Security Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Hersh Yaakov Dank, Moshe Zilberstein
  • Patent number: 6577234
    Abstract: A security system comprising discrete detector units engaged together in data communication and each for detecting danger and for causing an emitting of an alerting stimulus in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Laser Shield Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Dohrmann
  • Patent number: 6570500
    Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring an environment by evaluating an infrasonic signal obtained from said environment. The method includes averaging said infrasonic signal (Vinfra) to provide an averaged infrasonic signal (Vav), mapping said averaged infrasonic signal (Vav) according to a function to provide an infrasonic noise signal (Vnoise); averaging said infrasonic noise signal (Vnoise) to provide an averaged infrasonic noise signal (Vav noise); offsetting said averaged infrasonic noise signal (Vav noise) with an offset value to provide an infrasonic level signal (Vlimit); comparing said infrasonic level signal (Vlimit) with said averaged infrasonic signal (Vav); and generating a trigger signal (30) if said averaged infrasonic signal (Vav) is greater than said infrasonic level signal (Vlimit).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Norbert Pieper
  • Patent number: 6556138
    Abstract: The invention is a secure container for the transport and storage of materials that can alert the user as to the location and condition of materials, as well as container status. This provides cargo and access information that is critical in high-value or controlled shipments. The container uses a wound fiber-optic layer embedded in a covering. A transmitted light signal is sent through the fiber-optic layer to a receiver. Any change in the light signal causes an alarm or indication. The container also gives real time read outs, remotely or locally, as to the conditions of the contents and the container itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ziro Limit Composite, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Sliva, Kurt A Stahl, Kevin L Simmons, Norman C Anheier, Norman R Gordon, Walter R Park
  • Patent number: 6538570
    Abstract: A glass-breakage detector that provides improved immunity to false triggering when detecting the breakage of a glass window, or similar structure, as sensed by an acoustic transducer. The detector employs a validation method which improves discrimination of commonly known false alarm signals, such as glass flexing. Signals from an acoustic transducer are amplified, conditioned, and measured within three signal processing sections which process the signals at low-frequencies, medium-frequencies, and high-frequencies according to methods highly selective to breakage events. The detector provides an alarm output upon validating a detected breakage event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International
    Inventor: Richard A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030052779
    Abstract: An aircraft cockpit door system is disclosed comprising a bulletproof cockpit door and bulkhead, and a bulletproof lavatory isolation door and bulkhead. A logic control circuit alternately locks the two doors, keeping the cockpit crew at all times isolated from other persons aboard the craft to ensure the safety of the cockpit crew, and ultimately the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel H. Martin, Todd E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6535126
    Abstract: An electrochromic window assembly includes a security system for monitoring breakage of the electrochromic window assembly. Control circuitry is connected to the electrochromic window assembly for monitoring an electrical characteristic of one or more conductive coatings within the electrochromic window assembly, such as electrical resistance. Upon detecting a change in the electrical resistance, such as that caused by a break in one or more conductive coating, an alarm signal is generated and is sent to an alarm trigger circuit for activating an alarm. A method for monitoring penetration or breakage of an electrochromic window assembly is also provided, which method involves applying electrical activation to an electrochromic assembly and monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic based on the applied electrical potential. Electrochromic window assemblies incorporating security alarm features in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in automobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia Cheng Lin, Thomas G. Rukavina, Yu Jiao
  • Patent number: 6515574
    Abstract: A tamper evidence device for a secure housing containing electronic circuits includes a zinc air cell and a bi-stable latch circuit connected to be powered by the cell. The zinc air cell requires a supply of oxygen for activation of the cell. Normally when the secure housing is intact and unbreached, a pad seals an aperture for ingress of oxygen to the cell and the cell does not generate any electrical power. However if the secure housing is opened or otherwise breached the pad is displaced and oxygen enters the cell and electrical power is generated to power the latch circuit and thereby set the bi-stable latch circuit to provide evidence of the breaching of the secure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Neopost Limited
    Inventors: Raymond John Herbert, Daniel John Lee
  • Patent number: 6515587
    Abstract: A construction of packaging such as an envelope is disclosed that comprises a wall surrounding contents of the packaging and electrically conductive tracks extending over the wall. An electronic control device is mounted to the wall and includes a plurality of output ports to which one end of each conductive track is connected and an input port to which an opposite end of the conductive tracks are connected. The control device outputs from the output ports pulses which are distinguished from one another and monitors the input port for receipt of these pulses to provide an indication of integrity of the wall of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Neopost Limited
    Inventor: Raymond John Herbert
  • Patent number: 6493687
    Abstract: A glass break detector is disclosed that uses a neural network to determine if an audio signal is breaking glass. A characteristic extraction unit is used to extract a set of signal characteristics from a time domain signal based on the audio signal. The set of signal characteristics is the set of the magnitudes of the discrete Fourier transform coefficients of an acquired time domain signal, or the Fourier transform coefficients themselves. A classifier is connected to the characteristic extraction unit. It is a two-layer neural network that uses the set of signal characteristics to accurately determine whether the acquired time domain signal represents breaking glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ji Wu, William S. DiPoala
  • Patent number: 6456198
    Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a fence sensor which can achieve an excellent detection stability without using a current for generating an electric field nor infrared rays. The fence sensor comprises a detection electrode (8); a reference electrode (9) insulated from the detection electrode (8); a chargeable member (4) insulated from both of the detection electrode (8) and the reference electrode (9); and a detection circuit (20) for detecting a change in the electrostatic capacitance between the detection electrode and the reference electrode that is generated by the presence of an object to be detected within a detection region of the detection electrode. In this fence sensor, the chargeable member is arranged such that at least a part of the chargeable member is situated within the detection region of the detection electrode. Further, the chargeable member is formed from a conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: KS Techno Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryochi Kato, Hideto Kato, Kunihide Kamiyama, Kiichi Seino
  • Publication number: 20020130777
    Abstract: An envelope for the transport or storage of documents or securities or valuables has in its walls an electrically conductive network formed from at least one electrically conductive wire, means of closing the envelope also forming means of closing the circuit formed by the electrically conductive network, means of connecting the network to a neutralisation and/or destruction and/or signalling device intended to be placed in the envelope, the density of the network being such that an attempt at opening the envelope by cutting or tearing thereof causes the breaking of the at least one electrically conductive wire and a change in the resistance of the network capable of causing the triggering of the neutralisation and/or destruction and/or signalling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: BRINK'S FRANCE
    Inventor: Philippe Besnard
  • Patent number: 6452495
    Abstract: This invention is relating to a barbed wire, of which one strand is a conventional iron wire, and the other strand is a conductor embedded plastic wire that includes a conductor covered by a sturdy plastic insulator. The purpose of using a conductor embedded plastic wire is that it can be used for an alarm system where high security is demanded. This invention provides easier manufacturing process and simpler method for the application of the barbed wire to an alarm system than the products of prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,955. Therefore, this invention is less expensive to produce the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Sang J. Choi
  • Patent number: 6400268
    Abstract: A security structure intended particularly for the construction of security containers and security rooms. The security structure has an alarm mat integral therewith. The alarm mat is constructed from one or more insulated, electrically conductive threads, wires or the like, or from one or more light conducting, optical fibres. The thread or threads is/are disposed to form continuous meshes, lopps, or eyes of the kind obtained when knitting or crocheting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Kjell Lindskog
  • Patent number: 6396400
    Abstract: A security system includes a data storage device in which data or other information to be protected is stored. The data storage device, control logic, and other components are contained in a sealed first inner housing. The data storage device stores the data to be protected. The first inner housing is contained within a sealed second inner housing by a plurality of support structures which create an interstitial volume surrounding the first inner enclosure. Both inner housings are contained within an outer housing. A vacuum is created in the interstitial volume between the two inner housings. Both inner housings are sealed thereby precluding air from entering the interstitial volume and defeating the vacuum. One or more pressure sensors monitor the vacuum pressure. If an attempt is made to access the first inner housing, by drilling through the second inner housing or otherwise defeating the second inner housing's seal, the pressure of the interstitial volume will change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Edwin A. Epstein, III, Souk Souvannavong, Chia-Sheng Lu
  • Patent number: 6370439
    Abstract: An apparatus for the monitoring of a protection region which comprises a monitoring unit for the detection of an object penetrating into the protection region is described. The monitoring unit has at least one output at which a control signal for the excitation of a device to be monitored, in particular a switching signal for the switching off of the device, can be produced when an object penetrates into the protection region. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises at least one connection for a switch, in particular for an emergency off switch, through which the device can be excited, in particular switched off. The connection is designed as input of the monitoring unit, with it being possible to generate the control signal for the device to be monitored at the output of the monitoring unit through actuation of a switch which is connected to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Martin Geiler, Franz Dold
  • Patent number: 6351214
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the breakage of glass. A glass breakage detector that uses an acoustic transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, and a processing means which uses software algorithms to determine if a signal received by the acoustic transducer is a result of glass breaking. The glass breakage detector also uses amplifiers which have a greater gain response for higher frequency components in the received signal. The glass breakage detector is also able to correct the offset error generated by the amplifiers. The processing means or digital signal processor (DSP) uses a feature extraction software algorithm that extracts characteristics of the received sound using a plurality of filters centered at different frequencies and a rules analysis software algorithm to compare the extracted features to features from glass breakage and false alarms. The DSP is also capable of transmitting the extracted features to an external computing device for further analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Pittway Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Eskildsen, Ying Xiong, Christopher R. Paul, John E. Foster
  • Patent number: 6335683
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for discriminating between signals generated by means sensitive to variations in the pressure of a gaseous fluid. This method is characterized in that, in order to discriminate between electrical signals, it operates as follows: when a means (5) sensitive to pressure variations generates an electrical signal, the evolution of the amplitude of at least one characteristic of this signal is monitored and, when two successive amplitude variations (A1, A2) substantially opposite relative to a median value (M) are detected, a means (6) for informing people is inhibited, whereas when amplitude variations of a different type are detected, the means (6) for informing people is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Damien Bouillet
  • Patent number: 6275151
    Abstract: A cognitive intelligent carrying case includes an outer shell layer and a plurality of internal layers defining corresponding interior compartments for storing a variety of specific types of items. The outer shell layer includes access type security systems for authenticating the identity of an individual attempting to access the contents of the case. Each of the internal layers includes one or more security systems operable to destroy the specific items contained in the corresponding compartment. In addition, the case includes communication systems that enable communication with authorized users and/or an owner of the case and which enable the locating of the case when such location information is required. When unauthorized access attempts to the case are detected, the location of the case is determined through an onboard GPS system and the owner of the case is contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Narayan Lal Gehlot