Patents Examined by Glen A. Swann, III
  • Patent number: 5515032
    Abstract: An anti-theft alarm to be concealed within an article likely to be stolen causes an alarm such as release of smoke, tear gas, dye. The alarm is responsive to continual motion and requires an initial motion followed by motion in each of a series of intervals following the initial motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: ICI Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5499015
    Abstract: An inventory of goods is protected from theft by means of electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers integrated with items of the inventory. Each such item has a structural member in which a cavity is integrally formed. A respective magnetostrictive element is housed, free of mechanically clamping constraint, in each cavity. A respective biasing element is located adjacent to the cavity on each such item of inventory. The biasing element provides a magnetic field to bias the respective magnetostrictive element. EAS equipment is provided at a retail store where the inventory is maintained. The EAS equipment generates an alternating electromagnetic interrogation field, and when an item of inventory having the integrated EAS marker is exposed to the interrogation field, the biased magnetostrictive element is excited into mechanical resonance that is detected by the EAS equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Winkler, Hans Witzky, Alan Willard
  • Patent number: 5495229
    Abstract: An electronic article surveillance system has a receiver with a plurality of receiving coils. Each coil in the system is treated as a separate detection unit with its own noise environment which is distinct from the noise environments of the other coils in the system. This allows the system to optimize its performance by maximizing the sensitivity of each coil according to its own local noise environment. In EAS systems in accordance with the invention, the priority of the detection routines is to keep an accurate and up-to-date picture of the noise environment for each coil in "noise phases" and to look for tags during "transmit phases". Upon tag detection, a controller establishes a validation sequence comprising a number of cycles and can change the number of cycles adaptively to the noise environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Brent F. Balch, William R. Accolla, Scott A. Tribbey
  • Patent number: 5495231
    Abstract: A glassy metal alloy consists essentially of the formula Co.sub.a Fe.sub.b Ni.sub.c M.sub.d B.sub.e Si.sub.f C.sub.g, where M is selected from molybdenum and "a", "b", "c", "d", "e", "f" and "g" are in atom percent, "a" ranges from about 40 to about 43, "b" ranges from about 35 to about 42 and "c" ranges from 0 to about 5, "d" ranges from 0 to about 3, "e" ranges from about 10 to about 25, "f" ranges from 0 to about 15 and "g" ranges from 0 to about 2. The alloy can be cast by rapid solidification into ribbon or otherwise formed into a marker that is especially suited for use in magneto-mechanically actuated article surveillance systems. Advantageously, the marker is characterized by relatively linear magnetization response in the frequency regime wherein harmonic marker systems operate magnetically. Voltage amplitudes detected for the marker are high, and interference between surveillance systems based on mechanical resonance and harmonic re-radiance is virtually eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Ryusuke Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5461367
    Abstract: A fire alarm for an electric panel cabinet mounts a temperature sensor to monitor the internal cabinet temperature and sound an alarm if the inside of the cabinet becomes too hot. The alarm device preferably has an auxiliary battery power supply in case overheating within the cabinet causes a power failure. The alarm can be mounted remotely from the panel cabinet or directly, preferably by a threaded conduit nipple secured to an alarm enclosure box and mounted within a knockout opening in the panel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Apex Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward T. Altavela, Glenn R. McComber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5451930
    Abstract: A combination appliance door ajar, occupant emergency and abnormal temperature condition alarm system, in a single unit utilizing three visual indicators, one for each of the emergency conditions, and an audio alarm with multi-tone operation, for each of the emergency conditions. The alarm system incorporates a first light indicator and audio alarm that are triggered in response to a door ajar condition. The time period before the alarm is triggered may be adjusted by means of timer circuitry. The alarm system also incorporates a manually operated switch installed on the interior of the appliance that allows an occupant of the appliance to indicate an emergency condition that requires outside assistance. The occupant emergency system uses a visual indicator and an audible alarm signal that are distinctive from those used for the door ajar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Steven M. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 5416469
    Abstract: A temperature sensor (10), which is connected to a sampling/recording meter (14), is imbedded in a diaper (22). The meter measures and records the temperature of the sensor at time intervals of, for example, one minute over a predetermined period of, for example, three days. The temperature and time data are then loaded from the meter to a computer (30), which causes a printer (40) to plot temperature versus time data in graphical format, and numerical format. Voiding events are identified. Thereafter, at a short time before the person will void, the person can voluntarily use a toilet or bed pan either alone or with the assistance of care giver. This voluntary voiding is an example of intervention. The meter includes an event button (44) that allows the recording and later printing of a symbol representing a specific event and the time the event occurred. The symbols may be used in identifying voiding events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Joyce C. Colling
  • Patent number: 5402000
    Abstract: A room security system has a deterrent sprayer positioned on a ceiling of a room selectively inward and in front of an entryway to the room. A spray nozzle of the deterrent sprayer is directed at nose height of an average or anticipated person and adjustable to diverge conically to about three-to-six feet in diameter at a point of contact with the person after partial entry through the entryway. A position slightly on an open side of the entryway can be selected on a ceiling for an entryway with a closure that opens on side hinges like a conventional door. A position directly in front of the entryway can be selected for an entryway with a closure that slides vertically or horizontally like some windows and doors. A trip of the deterrent sprayer and/or other security devices can be actuated and an actuation signal transmitted by mechanical, electrical, electronic, light, magnetic or gaseous means in working relationship with the closure and the entryway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Joe B. Owens, II
  • Patent number: 5381137
    Abstract: RF tagging system (10) has a plurality of resonant circuits (13) on a tag (12). When the tag (12) enters a detection zone (14), the system determines the resonant frequency of each of the resonant circuits (13) and produces a corresponding code. Preferably, resonant frequency detection is implemented by simultaneously radiating signals at each possible resonant frequencies for the tag circuits (13). The system is useful for coding any articles such as baggage or production inventory. Preferably, the radiated signals are phase shifted during the detection process, and signals received by receiver antennas, besides transmitter signals, may be monitored to improve the reliability of detecting the resonant circuits (13). Also, a preferred step adjustment configuration for capacitive metalizations (106, 110) of the resonant circuits is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjar Ghaem, Rudyard L. Istvan, George L. Lauro
  • Patent number: 5325084
    Abstract: The system includes a vestibule and a plurality of emergency exits interconnecting the secure area with the outside environment. The vestibule comprises a pair of security doors and the emergency exits comprise security doors having locking means and means for disabling the locking means in response to any one of several preselected egress corroborating events that are not likely to be associated with adversarial activity. The various preselected events may include non-emergency situations such as a request to leave or disable made by two persons within the secure area, a request to leave or disable made by a single person within the secure area plus security guard affirmation, and a request to leave or disable made by a single person within the secure area plus the expiration of a time delay triggered by the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: R. E. Timm & Associates
    Inventors: Ronald E. Timm, Glen Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5210523
    Abstract: A broadband transformer with one-to-one turns ratio provides common mode noise suppression in a transmission line. One winding of the transformer is connected in series with each of the two wires of the transmission line. The transmission line is connected between a multiplexer device, coupled in turn to a plurality of spaced-apart fire detectors, and an output fire alarm control panel. Common mode noise on the transmission line results in only a very small noise current appearing at the central fire alarm panel. As a result, a noise rejection for the system is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Fire-Lite Alarms, Inc.
    Inventor: David Tipping
  • Patent number: 4386341
    Abstract: A security device incorporates apparatus for producing a special alarm sound in response to a change in acceleration sensed with a special omnidirectional sensor and under the control of special SCR circuitry. The circuitry and sensor are especially adapted for the security application but have independent utility. The alarm generates two tones in the middle audio range, separated by 50 to 200 Hz. One of those tones is interrupted at a sub-audible rate of 3 to 8 Hz. The resulting alarm, at high volume levels, is of enhanced urgency, compelling a hearer to escape, the compulsion being of a degree not easily overcome by reason.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Inventor: Yujiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4310836
    Abstract: A photoelectric barrier comprises an emitter emitting a movable modulated beam which scans periodically at a high rate an area to be protected. The beam is then redirected to a photoelectric receiver supplying the signal deactivating the machine controls. The barrier also comprises a circuit generating pulses which are effective to suppress some of the pulses emitted by the photoelectric emitter in order to monitor the machine operation during scanning, the suppression pulses being produced by detecting the correct rotation of the scanning motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Datalogic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Stanzani
  • Patent number: 4295132
    Abstract: A capacitance intrusion detection system for use with a metal object or objects insulated from ground comprises a circuit for cyclically charging and discharging the object at a relatively low frequency, for example, less than 500 Hz, and simultaneously integrating the charge on the object to develop a DC voltage proportional to the capacitance of the object. The integrating network is AC coupled to a bandpass filter which passes signals having frequencies corresponding to changes in capacitance of the object caused by an intruder and these signals are applied to a threshold circuit for activating an alarm when an intrusion occurs. Tamper alarm circuits are provided to detect unauthorized disconnection of any portion of the protected object (decrease capacitance) or the addition of capacitance in an attempt to defeat the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. Burney, Marvin D. Laymon
  • Patent number: 4004289
    Abstract: A grain flow rate monitor has a high sensitivity for the detection of seed loss in the chaff ejected from a thresher, which may be used for monitoring heavy or light seed grains. The monitor includes an acousto-electric sensor upon which the chaff impinges to produce a wide frequency spectrum signal. This signal is passed through two or more band pass filters which are centered at predetermined frequencies. When two filters are utilized, they will each have a predetermined bandwidth, one of which is contained in the 0 to 25 kHz range and the other contained in the 25 to 100 kHz range. The filter outputs are coupled to detectors for detecting either the peak amplitudes in each band or the average amplitude. These detector amplitudes are compared in a comparator to determine whether the ratio of their magnitudes fall within a predetermined ratio range which is indicative of a seed striking the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Assignee: Canadian Patents and Development Limited
    Inventor: Thomas G. Kirk