Patents Examined by Glen Swann
  • Patent number: 5886635
    Abstract: An overboard alarm system includes a signal device and a receiving station. The signal device includes a water-activated switch, a transmitter controlled by the switch to generate a signal, an antenna for providing the signal from the transmitter, and a floatation aid for keeping an end of the antenna above water when the signal device is located in the water. The transmitter may be an RF transmitter. The receiving station includes a receiving antenna for receiving the signal transmitted by the signal device, and an interface for providing the received signal to a navigational system. The receiving station may further include a processor for formatting the received signal and for providing the formatted signal to the interface. The receiving station may further include an alarm device for providing an alarm output in response to the received signal. The processor may include means for recording the position of the receiving station when the received signal is provided to the navigational system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: BriarTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Landa, Charles K. Collins
  • Patent number: 5886634
    Abstract: A security system includes a base station that reads a first tag and a second tag, each tag associated with items, persons, and/or containers. Upon reading the tags, the base station determines whether the removal of the items, persons, and/or containers is authorized. If the removal is not authorized, the base station may activate an alarm, lock the exit, and/or generate a message for delivery to a remote site. The security system may also be integrated with an inventory control system to monitor the location and status of the items, persons, and/or containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Muhme
  • Patent number: 5883573
    Abstract: Circuits for supervising message generators and audio output cables include memory for binary storage of messages previously recorded in a message generator. As the generator is cycled to produce an audio output, that analog output is sampled and compared to the previously stored binary representation. A match indicates a successful generation of the message. The cables can be supervised by applying a DC bias thereto and detecting the voltage present on the respective cable. Line integrity is indicated where the cable DC voltage falls in an expected range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Mazeiko, Jr., Michael A. Troiano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5874896
    Abstract: An electronic anti-shoplifting system monitors articles of merchandise in a sales outlet to deter shoplifting. The system is provided with transponder tags connected to the articles of merchandise. A tag exciter is positioned at an exit leading from the sales outlet and generates an RF surveillance excitation signal. If a customer carries an article through the exit without removal authorization due to failure to pay for the article, the transponder tag is activated, being powered by the RF surveillance excitation signal as the customer passes the tag exciter. The activated transponder tag generates an RF surveillance response signal that triggers an alarm. If the customer has removal authorization as the result of paying for the article, the transponder tag is reprogrammed to modify the operational data stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Palomar Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Lowe, Donald G. Small, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5874898
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the fall of a person or object into a body of water comprises a series of interconnected modules mounted in a line contiguous to the body, and associated controls. The modules comprise alternately disposed radiation emitters and radiation sensors. The controls are associated with the sensors and adapted to detect perturbations from a steady state condition of the received radiation energy caused by reflections from the falling person or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Joaquin O. Peralta, Maria Teresa Casas De Peralta
  • Patent number: 5870021
    Abstract: A control element for a magnetomechanical EAS marker is formed of an amorphous metalloid that has been annealed so as to be at least partially crystallized while remaining substantially flat. The annealing is preferably a two-stage process applied to induce semi-hard magnetic characteristics in an amorphous metallic material that is magnetically soft as cast. The two stages include a first stage in which the material is annealed for at least one hour at a temperature that is below a crystallization temperature of the material. The first stage results in a reduction in the volume of the material. The second stage is carried out at a temperature that is above the crystallization temperature and for a time sufficient to crystallize the bulk of the material and give it semi-hard magnetic properties. The two-stage annealing process prevents deformation of the material which has resulted from conventional crystallization processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Michael Gadonniex
  • Patent number: 5867103
    Abstract: A portable monitoring device is provided for each monitored person which secures to a respective monitored person and which has tamper detection means contained therein. The portable monitoring device receives a signal from a detached sending unit and transmits a signal for transfer to a central location. A position reference is arrived at following a mathematical computation. Storage of the position reference may occur within a locational tracking database along with associated occurrence references which identify when the portable monitoring device was at a specific positional location. The locational tracking database will be used as a law enforcement tool. Excluded sites may be designated within the system, which the monitored person may not enter. A dual tracking monitoring enables a restrictor person to be protected from a restrictee person by determining when the restrictee person comes within a predetermined distance measurement from the restrictor person and generating a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: John E. Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5867098
    Abstract: A transmitter produces a magnetic alternating field having a predetermined frequency. A receiver is provided with a detector which is able to detect predetermined higher harmonics of the frequency of the alternating field. A transponder includes a signal element made of soft magnetic material. When the transponder is placed in the magnetic alternating field, higher harmonics of the frequency of the alternating field are generated by the signal element. The signal element is in the form of a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dutch A&A Trading B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Angel, Henri Batterink, Cornelis Simon Adriaan De Nood
  • Patent number: 5867095
    Abstract: A detector tamper/trouble delay circuit incorporates a sensor which senses the presence or absence of a cover for the detector. When the cover is removed, the sensor triggers a delay element preset for predetermined time interval. If the cover is replaced during the time interval, no trouble or fault indicator is generated. If the cover remains off the detector for the entire time interval, a trouble or fault indicator will be generated. The indicator can be used by an alarm system control element or a stand alone trouble or fault indicator for producing a humanly perceptible representation of the existence of the fault or trouble condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Klein, Cherie H. Wilkinson, Steven L. Wiora
  • Patent number: 5864290
    Abstract: An alarm tag releasing device is provided for a theft monitoring device. The theft monitoring device has a gate installed in a desired position and producing a theft monitoring region of a predetermined range by transmitting radio waves at a predetermined wavelength. A buzzer tag is attached to a protected item by a built-in lock mechanism so as not to be detached, and an alarm circuit operated by a built-in battery to sound an alarm when the radio waves at the predetermined wavelength are received when the buzzer tags enters the monitoring region, said alarm tag releasing device comprising: an insertion part having a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the buzzer tag and into which the buzzer tag can be inserted, such that the lock mechanism provided in the buzzer tag is unlocked when the buzzer tag is inserted into the insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignees: Secom Co., Ltd., Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshitaka Toyomi, Hideki Arimoto, Hideki Miyake, Seisi Namioka, Shin Kinouchi, Nobuyuki Ichimiya, Daisuke Takai
  • Patent number: 5861809
    Abstract: A resonant tag used with an electronic article surveillance system for detecting the presence of the tag within a surveilled area utilizing electromagnetic energy at a frequency within a predetermined detection frequency range includes a resonant circuit capable of resonating at a frequency within the predetermined detection frequency range. The resonant circuit includes an inductor formed at least in part on a surface of a dielectric substrate of the tag. The inductor is formed with a discontinuity or gap, causing an electrical open circuit. The open circuit is closed with a fuse secured proximate to the gap and wirebonded to the portions of the inductor proximate to the gap. The fuse is melted by a current greater than a predetermined level flowing therethrough. Such a high current may be induced in the inductor by an external electromagnetic field. Melting of the fuse causes an open circuit condition, which alters the frequency at which the tag resonates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Alan Eckstein, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary Thomas Mazoki
  • Patent number: 5859587
    Abstract: A data communication and electronic article surveillance tag includes a data communication transponder and an electronic article surveillance tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge F. Alicot, Richard B. Frederick, Hubert A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5856782
    Abstract: A portable anti-theft monitor comprises a case; a detection conductive wire led out of said case, having a loop portion; an engaging member provided in said case so as to freely get it in and out, for engaging by catching the loop portion of said detection conductive wire in a state in which it has been pressed in said case; and a locking member for locking said engaging member in the state in which said engaging member has been pressed into said case, and for being attracted by a magnet to be moved in the unlocking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Sasagawa, Shin Kinouchi, Seishi Namioka, Nobuyuki Ichimiya, Toshitaka Toyomi, Hideki Arimoto, Hideki Miyake
  • Patent number: 5854588
    Abstract: A security system includes an intrusion detector having a transmitter coupled with a portable receiver to alert a homeowner or the like that an intrusion has taken place or occurred within a pre-set time period. The area under surveillance is monitored by an infrared detector which activates the transmitter upon the receipt of abrupt differences in infrared radiation levels, associated with the presence of a warm body in an otherwise equilibrated environment. A radio signal is emitted by the transmitter upon activation by a transmitter-receiver carried by the homeowner or the like as he/she approaches the protected area. The radio signal from the transmitter is received by the portable remote transmitter-receiver. A first signal, indicating that an intrusion has been detected in the monitored areas, is displayed on the receiver for a preselected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Devan Dockery
  • Patent number: 5854589
    Abstract: A magnetic/acoustic transducer is disclosed. The transducer can be used in security/smart tag applications. The transducer includes a sensor tag made of magnetic metallic glass having a relatively high magnetostriction and a relatively low coercivity. Driving signals are provided by an rf dipole loop antenna. The tag responds to the rf signals and converts the exciting magnetic field into acoustic signals via magnetoelastic coupling. That is, the tag is forced to vibrate in unison with the incident electromagnetic signals generating longitudinal acoustic waves along a length of the tag. This results in radiation of ultrasound waves in air which can then be detected and characterized using an ultrasound microphone or a piezoelectric sensor. The tag is provided having a length equal to one half or one quarter long of an acoustic wavelength so that an acoustic resonance condition is established to maximize the generation of ultrasound waves in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Hoton How, Carmine Vittoria
  • Patent number: 5852403
    Abstract: A pet containment system which comprises a transmitter for transmitting a series of electromagnetic signals, and a receiver removably attached to the pet for receiving the series of electromagnetic signals from the transmitter. The transmitter includes means for generating the electromagnetic signals, means for transmitting the electromagnetic signals, and at least one transmitting antenna. The receiver includes at least one receiving antenna, means for comparing the phase of the received electromagnetic signals from the transmitter with a predetermined phase and for producing an electronic indication of a loss of phase, and means for producing a control stimulus to the pet. The present invention also provides a method for producing an area for the containment of a pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Allen H. Boardman
  • Patent number: 5844487
    Abstract: An alert alarm responsive to the passage of a child unaccompanied by an adult. An adult sensor is placed at an adult height higher than any anticipated child. A child sensor is placed at a height lower than the height of the shortest anticipated child. Actuator circuitry is actuated if a child passes the child sensor unless an adult passed the adult sensor within a limited time either before or after the child passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Paul E. Britt
  • Patent number: 5844481
    Abstract: An intrusion detector for security systems includes a stationary host unit and a transponder unit secured to a movable door, window or the like. The host unit is secured to a stationary frame in alignment with the transponder unit. A pair of electromagnetic coupling elements are supported upon the host unit and are aligned with a corresponding mirror image pair of electromagnetic coupling units supported on the transponder unit. The host unit provides a burst of power signal which is magnetically coupled to the transponder unit and rectified therein to provide operative power for the transponder unit. The host unit further provides a data signal magnetically coupled to the transponder unit which communicates a random number to the transponder unit. The transponder unit calculates a pseudo-random number using a predetermined algorithm and communicates the random number back to the host unit. The host unit performs an identical calculation upon the random number to provide a reference pseudo-random number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventors: John J. Quintus, Louis J. Finkle
  • Patent number: 5844483
    Abstract: A device to monitor golf club location includes a marker mechanism, positionable on a golf club that imparts a unique identification to the club. The device also includes sensing mechanisms for sensing removal and return of the golf club into or out of a bag by sensing a change with respect to the marker. The device also includes a readout mechanism that receives a signal from the sensing mechanisms and transmits the status to the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey V. Boley
  • Patent number: 5844484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a theft preventive apparatus used as attached to a commodity or the like exhibited in a shop, for outputting an alarm when detached therefrom.Conventionally, an alarm output device for outputting alarm information comprises a speaker for giving an alarm sound. However, it is impossible, where a plurality of theft prevention apparatus are arranged close to one another, to determine instantly which theft prevention apparatus is giving the alarm sound. The theft preventive apparatus of this invention comprises a box (2) attachable to an object of theft prevention (E) and including detecting means (P) for detecting a preliminary stealing act, and alarm output means (Q) for outputting alarm information based on detection information from the detecting means (P), said box (2) housing light emitting means (20) for emitting light based on the detection information from the detecting means (P) outwardly of said box (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujiuchi, Masaaki Takeshita, Keinji Uchida, Tsutomu Ida, Mitsuhiko Nakajima