Vibration Patents (Class 340/566)
  • Patent number: 6127920
    Abstract: A car location indicating and burglarproof alarm device including a main frame and a portable controller. The main frame includes a central processing/controlling unit, a signal receiving unit, a shock sensor, an indicator and an alarm unit. The main frame is equipped with a clip member enabling a user to easily mount the main frame on a sunshade or instrument panel of the car by way of clipping. The portable controller includes a microprocessing unit, a signal transmitting unit and a key pad unit. The portable controller is used to remotely control and activate or turn off the burglarproof alarm of the main frame. When a user via the key pad unit of the portable controller gives the main frame a command of activation, the signal receiving unit of the main frame receives the signal transmitted from the portable controller and sends the signal to the central processing/controlling unit for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Chung-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 6114967
    Abstract: An improved safety related compact hand-portable apparatus for home or office use, EQ-Alert.TM. is ceiling or shelf mountable, activating upon sensing a minimum-threshold earthquake preferably of about 3.25/Rictor-scale intensity, instantly emitting a series of approximate 110-decibel level siren-alarms; preferably along with activation of a safety-lamp to illuminate an immediate floor-area in event of community power-outage. A preferably dry-cell powered dc/electronic IC-chip timer-circuit, limits duration of the audible-alarm, triggered by sufficient movement of an internal omni-directional mercury n.o./jiggle-switch. Upon completion of the timed audible-alarm and optional voice-chip announcement, the timer-circuit sequences a conventional integral superheterodyne-AM/radio user has preset to a local Conelrad/news-station, for ongoing notification of any earthquake rescue procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Marvin J. Yousif
  • Patent number: 6109110
    Abstract: A low frequency vibration sensor includes a permanent magnet, a sensor body, a steel spheroid, and a piezoelectric element. The sensor body has a pillar shape and is made of plastic material having a transverse separator section in a middle portion to divide the sensor body in an upper and a lower spaces. A depressed slot is formed around the upper space for disposing the magnet, while the lower space is made larger than the steel spheroid so as to accommodate it therein movably and also put under the influence of an attractive force of the magnet above. A piezoelectric element is set in along a grooved rail provided around the bottom edge of the sensor body to thereby form a closed space. The steel spheroid is movable to swing in the space such that its motion is conducted to the piezoelectric element to induce a corresponding low frequency electric signal between two electrodes of the piezoelectric element to thereby detect the vibration caused by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Shih Ming Hwang
  • Patent number: 6087936
    Abstract: A vibration sensor (10) that more effectively distinguishes between various causes of vibrations is disclosed. The vibration sensor includes a housing (18), a plurality of spaced contacts (22-34) positioned above the floor (44) of the housing, a central electrode (36) positioned within the housing, and an electrically-conductive ball (38) configured for movement within the housing. The contacts are interconnected by a plurality of electrically-conductive elements (50-62) such as resistors and are configured for connecting to a first terminal (12) of an alarm system (16). The central electrode is spaced from the contacts and is configured for connecting to a second terminal (14) of the alarm system. The ball is configured for simultaneously contacting at least one of the contacts and the central electrode so that it provides an electrical path between the first and second terminals to allow the transfer of an electrical signal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Randall Woods
  • Patent number: 6072395
    Abstract: A plurality of lights operated by timers and/or a radio frequency remote control device are used to direct students from one activity to another. The lights are preferably arranged in a housing to resemble a traffic signal, the housing also including electrical circuitry to actuate the lights in response to timers, the remote control device, or noise levels above a selected threshold to communicate with the students. For example, a red light could signal the class to be quiet, a yellow light could indicate it is time to prepare for the next classroom activity, and a green light indicate it is time to move on to the next activity. The invention replaces the tedium of vocally repeating classroom instructions with signaling lights controlled automatically or responsive to the remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Mary Ellen Vega
  • Patent number: 6069560
    Abstract: A security system having a vibration detector that senses vibration in any direction is disclosed. The vibration detector includes two or three detector elements that each have a magnet, and a coil or Hall-effect device that produces a signal in response to changes in a magnetic field in the vibration detector caused by movement of a magnet. The magnet in each detector element is mounted for reciprocating movement in one or more planes about a rest position. Each magnet is held temporarily in the rest position by springs. When three elements are used, the magnets are mounted on journalled shafts or on plate-like springs for reciprocal movement in directions that are at right angles to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Covial Device AB
    Inventor: Roland Larsson
  • Patent number: 6064309
    Abstract: A swimming pool drowning prevention safety system. The swimming pool drowning prevention safety system comprises: an article wearable by a person, a radio frequency transmitting device coupled to the article for transmitting a radio frequency signal, a microprocessor controlled radio frequency receiving station for receiving the radio frequency signal from the radio frequency transmitting device when the radio frequency transmitting device is within a user adjustable radio reception range of the radio frequency receiving station, and an alert signaling device coupled to the radio frequency receiving station for signaling when the person wearing the article has come within the user adjustable radio reception range of the radio frequency receiving station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Scott D. Sellers, Edward C. Frieberg
  • Patent number: 6053361
    Abstract: A dynamic displacement sensor for detecting an out-of-fluid condition in a liquid delivery system detects an increased amplitude of pump motion of a reciprocating air pump and provides an output signal upon detecting the increased amplitude motion. The detector includes a spring-mass combination supported within a housing such that the mass is movable along a defined axis of the housing, with the spring applying a restoring force to the mass when the mass moves away from its static position. The detector is attached to the pump with its defined axis aligned parallel with the pump axis. A sensor within the housing is triggered to change state when the mass is displaced by pump motion of a predetermined amplitude and frequency, thereby providing is an output signal indicating an out-of-fluid condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (U.S.)
    Inventor: William M. Hills
  • Patent number: 6043734
    Abstract: An optical shock sensor 22 which includes a light generator 40 adapted to generate light 46 and a light detector 44 which are an optical communication by means of a moveable hemispheric dome 48. Specifically, an intrusion, tampering, motion, and/or shock, applied to vehicle 11, causes the moveable dome 48 to move, and to interrupt or change the amount tyoe, focus and/or intensity of the light 46 which is reflected or communicated to light detector 44, thereby causing a tampering output signal to be selectively produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Code Alarm, Inc.
    Inventors: Rand W. Mueller, Peter J. Stouffer, Jon Richard Gillespie, Joseph A. Santavicca, Matthew J. McAmmond
  • Patent number: 6002333
    Abstract: A barrier alarm for positioning adjacent a door opening includes an elongated tubular body having a vibration-sensing relay fitted thereto. The relay is able to distinguish between a smooth, continuous movement such as associated with the swinging arc motion effected by a breeze and the instantaneous vibration effected by being impacted by a rigid object. The power source may be integrated with the body or may be remote. The power source may be a direct current source or may be an alternating current source. The alarm may be audible or visible or both. The alarm may be integrated with the body or may be remotely positioned. The barrier alarm may be provided in an array that is horizontally-positioned with respect to the top portion of the door jamb or may be vertically positioned with respect to the door. A combination of this arrangement may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Mark J. Hickey
  • Patent number: 5999089
    Abstract: An alarm system that includes a number of alarm detecting devices wherein each alarm detecting device includes an alarm condition detecting circuit, a secondary alarm activation circuit, and an audible alarm output circuit including an audio oscillator and a speaker; the audible alarm output circuit being responsive to a detecting circuit control output generated by the alarm condition detecting circuit and to a secondary triggering output signal generated by the secondary alarm activation circuit; the secondary alarm activation circuit including a microphone having a microphone output signal, an amplifier circuit in connection with the microphone output signal and generating an amplified output signal, a filter circuit having a filter input in connection with the amplifier output signal generating a filtered output signal in a first predetermined frequency range; a filter signal integrator having an integrator input in connection with the filtered output signal for integrating the filtered signal output and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Lance K. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5990786
    Abstract: A method of indicating a degree of incoming threat to an electronically secured area comprising the steps of sensor sensing a degree of threat delivered to a secured area and generating an electric signal proportional to the degree of threat; analyzing the signal to determine if it is a low degree of threat or a high degree of threat; and producing either a first pulse representing low degree of threat or separately producing the first pulse and a second pulse representing a signal having both low degree of threat and high degree of threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventors: Darrell E. Issa, Jerry W. Birchfield
  • Patent number: 5986548
    Abstract: A movement detector situated within a portable housing is coupled to an access to an entity. The movement detector generates a movement signal upon the vibration or moving of the movement detector. A transmitter transmits a remote motion detection signal via free space upon the receipt of the movement signal. The movement detector is powered by a battery situated within the portable housing thereof. Controller circuitry having an input terminal is coupled to a movement detector receiver which generates an alarm activation signal at an output thereof upon the receipt via free space of the remote motion detection signal. The controller circuitry further has an output terminal for transmitting an alarm activation signal upon receipt of the alarm activation signal at the input terminal thereof. Also included is a transmitter coupled to the output terminal of the controller circuitry for transmitting an alarm signal to a remote location through space upon receipt of the alarm activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Gerald C. McGregor
  • Patent number: 5945602
    Abstract: A media handling apparatus such as a cash dispenser apparatus (16) includes a plurality of sensors made up of microphones (38) and acoustic emission (AE) sensors (42) which are respectively arranged to sense the acoustic outputs of different parts of the apparatus. The apparatus includes data storage means (50) arranged to store digital representations of normal outputs of the sensors (38,42) respectively corresponding to normal operation of said parts, and processing means (4) arranged, in operation, to respectively compare digital representations of the acoustic outputs of the sensors (38,42) with the stored digital representations of the normal outputs of the sensors (38,42). On the basis of this comparison, the data processing means (4) makes a determination as to whether any of the sensors (38,42) has an abnormal acoustic output. In this way, an indication of the state of health of the apparatus (16) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Ross
  • Patent number: 5917413
    Abstract: A high sensitive water entry alarm system which prevents outside noise from falsely triggering the alarm system. A transmitter generates ultrasonic timed acoustic bursts at a fixed frequency when it is submerged in water. A receiver located in the body of water senses for acoustic signals similar in characteristic to the transmitter signal. A comparing circuit coupled to the receiver compares the acoustic signals received by the receiver to a reference signal having the same fixed frequency as the transmitter signal. The comparing circuit also measures the duration of the acoustic signals received by the receiver. The comparing circuit will generate a alarm signal which will sound off an audible alarm only when the acoustic signal received by the receiver has the same fixed frequency and is transmitted in controlled burst at the same timed intervals as the transmitter signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: William F. Hogg
    Inventor: Roger D. Malin
  • Patent number: 5917410
    Abstract: The glass break detector uses sampling techniques to a low band and a high band portion of a signal from a transient event to assess whether the bands are random. In addition, an assessment of the envelope shape of the signal is made to confirm the signal is consistent with a rapid rise followed by a sloped decay typical of transient events. It has been found that dividing of the signal into high and low bands and analyzing each portion over a short front end portion of a transient event is effective in distinguishing glass break events from other common events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Digital Security Controls Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Cecic, Hartwell Fong
  • Patent number: 5912620
    Abstract: A combined type intrusion and attack sensing device was a microwave oscillation and Doppler detect circuit an intrusion band-pass filter, an attack band-pass filter, two comparators, two alarm driving circuits, and a suspended object. The combined type intrusion and attack sensing device adopts the Doppler effect to sense an intrusion and employs a microwave antenna to transmit a signal in the microwave band within a predetermined range. The signal will be reflected by any object within above range or suspended object vibration, and the reflected wave will be received by the antenna. The reflected wave will be mixed with original signal to generate a difference-frequency signal. The difference-frequency signal is amplified by an intrusion band-pass filter or an attack band-pass filter. The amplified and filtered signal is sent to two comparator circuits for comparison with a reference signal to generate two driving signals to drive one of the two alarm-generating circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Lite-On Automotive Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Ting Lin, Sheng-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 5886631
    Abstract: A new barking dog sound alarm system for scaring away intruders using the menacing sounds of a dog. The inventive device includes a microphone for detecting noise, a device to compare the detected noise level to a reference level so as to determine whether the detected noise is a potential intruder, a plurality of sound recordings of different excited dogs, a speaker for broadcasting one of the recordings, and a controller for activating one of the sound recordings when the detected noise is determined to be a potential intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Leo N Ralph
  • Patent number: 5886622
    Abstract: An alarm system having a signal evaluator is disclosed. The system includes an alarm controller and at least one sensor that generates a signal that corresponds to the magnitude of a detected event. The signal evaluator is part of the controller and receives the magnitude signal from the sensor. The signal evaluator compares the magnitude signal to an alarm threshold and generates an alarm signal if the magnitude signal exceeds the alarm threshold. If not, the signal evaluator compares the magnitude signal to a warning threshold and generates a warning signal if the magnitude signal exceeds the warning threshold and is less than the alarm threshold. The signal generated by the signal evaluator is coupled to an alarm annunciator which generates an alarm in response to the alarm signal and a warning in response to the warning signal. The warning and alarm may be vocal, a siren, or a chirp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Jon Snyder, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5886630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for monitoring the absence of motionless bodies in a swimming pool. Two cameras (1) provide for the permanent imaging of the bottom of the swimming pool. These images are first digitized and then processed by a computer. The superimposition of the two information permits analysis of substantially the entire the surface of the swimming pool in order to determine if a portion is masked by an obstacle. When such obstacle is detected, the duration of the presence of each masked pixel is analyzed. After a certain time delay, and for a minimum number of neighboring pixels, an alarm is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Edouard Menoud
  • Patent number: 5867091
    Abstract: A vehicle alarm comprises of a control unit (2) coupled to a message center (22) and an ultrasonic movement sensor (20). The ultrasonic movement sensor (20) is automatically activated when the vehicle ignition is switched off. If movement is not detected in the time period between switching the ignition off and the driver's door being closed, then the ultrasonic movement sensor (20) is deemed to have failed. A count of such failures is kept and when a predetermined number of such failures has occurred, a warning message is displayed on the message center (22). If movement is detected in the time period, the count is reset to zero. In this way, the alarm can automatically determine whether or not the ultrasonic movement sensor (20) is functioning correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventor: Jonathon Chard
  • Patent number: 5847647
    Abstract: An alarm for detecting the unauthorized movement of an object includes a motion detector, programmable microprocessor and an audible alarm contained within a housing. The motion detector utilizes a series of radially extending electrical contacts together with a peripheral electrical contact ring that encircles the perimeter of the outside edges of the radially extending electrical contacts. A metallic ball is provided within the electrical contact ring and is of sufficient size that it can roll freely within the interior of the ring. The programmable microprocessor has a key pad for programming the processor to detect when an electrical circuit is formed by said contact ring, ball and any radially extending contact and to detect when this circuit is broken by movement of the object. The audible alarm sounds when the electrical circuit is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: James Brian Paul Devine
  • Patent number: 5838231
    Abstract: A monitoring device for detecting acoustic vibrations in monitored objects has a plurality of several structure-borne sound sensors which are connected to a remote central electronic analyzing system. The individual structure-borne sound sensors are each acoustically coupled with a self-testing unit, which can be activated from the central electronic analyzing system. Activation of the self-testing units is performed by modulation of an operating voltage supplied to structure-borne sound sensors, without additional electric connections to the electronic analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Senstar-Stellar Corporation
    Inventor: Stefan Scherbarth
  • Patent number: 5831528
    Abstract: A glass shattering detector and method for detecting breaking glass take advantage of the characteristics of high frequency components of a glass shattering signal which can be statistically recognized. In contrast to most non-glass breaking transient events, the higher frequency components are wide-band and random and, based on theses characteristics, can be distinguished from many non-glass break event transient signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Digital Security Controls Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Cecic, Hartwell Fong
  • Patent number: 5828304
    Abstract: A pool monitoring system including a monitoring unit with a detection mechanism adapted to transmit an alarm signal upon the detection of a human falling within the body of water. Further provided is a timer deactivation mechanism having a first mode of operation during which an activation signal is transmitted, wherein the activation signal is transmitted only while the timer deactivation mechanism is maintained in the first mode of operation. The timer deactivation mechanism further has a second mode of operation initiated by the receipt of a timer deactivation signal via free space. The timer deactivation mechanism is further maintained in the second mode of operation during a time period inherent in the timer deactivation signal. Also included is a transmitter mechanism connected to the sound detection mechanism and timer deactivation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Ruth I. Mowday
  • Patent number: 5805056
    Abstract: A vehicle security system 10 having a sensor 28 which selectively produces output signals based upon a threshold signal comparison, which automatically deactivates upon the presence of transmitter 20, and which may be used in combination with an existing vehicle security system 106.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Code-Alarm, Inc.
    Inventors: Rand W. Mueller, Robert J. Pizzuti, Graham Fishman, Jay N. Cullimore, Thomas Lemense, Hilton W. Girard, Mark Cohrs, Joseph Santavicca, Todd Scott, Peter J. Stouffer, David Rupert, John Gillespie
  • Patent number: 5804769
    Abstract: A wire protection device especially for telephone lines mounted on an outside building wall including a pair of channel-shaped members adapted to entrap and protectively enclosure at least the lower wire portion of the line which is normally accessible to being cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Carmen G. Morena
  • Patent number: 5796336
    Abstract: To improve accuracy in detection of glass breakage, a microphone converts a glass breaking sound into an electrical signal, and high-pass filters and extract high frequency components of 2 kHz or higher and 150 Hz or higher, respectively, from the signal. A half-wave rectifier circuit half-wave rectifies these signals and an amplifier amplifies them. The output of the amplifier is smoothed by smoothing circuits. When the output of the smoothing circuit reaches a predetermined value, a trigger circuit outputs a start pulse to a start terminal of a CPU. Started by the start pulse, the CPU inputs the outputs of the smoothing circuits, converts them into digital values using an A/D converter, determines integrals over 30 ms, and stores the integrals into a RAM. Then, the CPU calculates a ratio of the integral of the output of the smoothing circuit to the integral of the output of the smoothing circuit based on a program stored in a ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotugu Ishino, Akira Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 5793286
    Abstract: An intrusion and alarm sending arrangement having at least one motion sensing device and a first motion signal threshold device has an input connected to said motion sensing device for generating a motion alarm indication in response to a motion signal exceeding a motion threshold determined by said first motion threshold device. At least one infrasonic sensing device is connected to a first infrasonic threshold device having an input connected to said infrasonic sensing device for generating an infrasonic alarm indication in response to an infrasonic signal exceeding an infrasonic threshold determined by said first infrasonic threshold device. A decision device has a motion alarm input and an infrasonic alarm input for respectively receiving said motion alarm indication and said infrasonic alarm indication, and an output, for generating a valid alarm indication upon determining simultaneity of said motion alarm indication and said infrasonic alarm indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Seaboard Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Charles Greene
  • Patent number: 5786750
    Abstract: A self-propelled remotely controlled pilot vehicle adapted for use on raiad tracks to monitor hazardous conditions and obstacles on the railroad tracks. The pilot vehicle precedes a train along the railroad tracks at a distance which will allow the train to come to a complete stop in the event the pilot vehicle encounters a hazardous condition on the track. The pilot vehicle is equipped with a sensor array which measures a variety of different parameters such as the presence of noxious gases, moisture in the atmosphere, breakage in one or both rails of the track and orientation with respect to the force of gravity as well as the yaw, pitch and roll attitude of the tracks upon which the pilot vehicle is riding. The pilot vehicle is also equipped with a television camera which provides a visual image of the railroad track ahead of the pilot vehicle to the engineer of the train. An infrared camera which is mounted on the front of the pilot vehicle generates an infrared image of the tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Guy F. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5764729
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tamper protection device for protecting a telephone operated security alarm system. In particular, it protects a conventional security alarm system using telephone service lines from being disabled by an intruder before the alarm system has a chance to function. Telephone service lines are generally accessible from the exterior of the structure. The alarm system is protected by providing an service enclosure having a strong box and a dual conduit assembly to enclose the telephone service box and telephone service lines. The essential conduit assembly has inner and outer slotted concentric conduits to fully protect the service lines. The protection device includes sensors and switches to inform the security monitor before an intruder can disable the alarm system. A vibration sensor is activated when movements of the strong box and conduit occur and a signal is generated to announce the intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Brian Company Enterprises
    Inventors: Brian W. Black, Brian K. Clift
  • Patent number: 5754115
    Abstract: An impact sensing system senses an impact or acceleration applied and provides an external alarm indicative of the impact or acceleration applied. An envelope detector detects an envelope of an output signal of said sensor unit. An amplifier amplifies the output signal of said envelope detector, a direct current component being eliminated therefrom. A first low pass filter filters a first level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, the first level signal being indicative of a first level of impact or acceleration. A second low pass filter filters a second level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, the second level signal being indicative of a second level of impact or acceleration. A first timing pulse generator generates a first timing pulse with a first time duration in response to the output signal of said first low pass filter, the first time duration being indicative of said first level signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Jin Ho Woo
  • Patent number: 5736923
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing motionlessness for sensing motionlessness in a land-based vehicle is provided. The apparatus can include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted in a predetermined orientation on the vehicle and a programmable computer. The IMU can have an inertial sensor which generates a plurality of motion signals. More than one inertial sensor can be used and, in that case, each of the sensors can be mounted in a second predetermined orientation with respect to the others, such as an orthogonal orientation, thereby creating a selected spatial reference frame. The inertial sensor can be one or more accelerometers, or one or more gyroscopes, or an accelerometer-gyroscope combination. The computer receives the motion signals and determining a motion state of the vehicle therefrom. The computer provides the motion state to a target application which acts in accordance therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Samer S. Saab
  • Patent number: 5729193
    Abstract: A vehicle interior is monitored by storage of sample signals in a memory of a computer and comparison of at least one stored sample signal with a signal picked up on a detector of sound waves from the interior of the vehicle. An identity or similarity test is conducted by the computer and an alarm device is triggered when the predetermined degree of similarity is reached to signal an incursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ullrich Grasmann, Michael Bollerott, Bertram Bresser, Frank Obergriesser
  • Patent number: 5726355
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a change in the volumetric integrity of the interior of an enclosure. The enclosure has an electrical interface for coupling to a circuit board and an access device for accessing said interior of said enclosure. The apparatus includes a circuit board for coupling to the electrical interface. Further, the apparatus includes evaluation circuitry connected to the circuit board for detecting the change in volumetric integrity of the enclosure, wherein the circuitry does not mechanically interact with the access device. Various other apparatus and methodology for detecting the stated change are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Edward Sutherland, Michael John Gingell
  • Patent number: 5726449
    Abstract: A warm object detector that includes an infrared object detector and an ultrasonic object detector. A thermal image signal processor obtains thermal object information representative of a warm object in an area by processing signals from the infrared object detector. An ultrasonic processor obtains ultrasonic object information representative of an object in an area by processing signals generated by the ultrasonic object detector. Then a new object determining device determines the presence of a new object in the area by comparing ultrasonic object information supplied from the ultrasonic image signal processor at a prior time with ultrasonic object information being currently supplied by the ultrasonic image signal processor. The new object determining device provides output information representative of a determined new object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yoshiike, Kazuhiko Hashimoto, Katsuya Morinaka
  • Patent number: 5712623
    Abstract: A small-sized alarm device is hung on a doorknob to emit an alarm sound upon detecting that a human body contacts or approaches the doorknob. The alarm device has data processor, such as a calculator and the like, in addition to an alarm and an electro-optic display for displaying data processed by the data processor and information related to the operation of the alarm. To the alarm device is rotatably mounted a hanging member for hanging the alarm device on a doorknob. The hanging member is fit into the case of the alarm device when in not use or is erected from the case when the alarm device is hung on the doorknob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Kumai, Masazumi Niimi, Takashi Sano
  • Patent number: 5705984
    Abstract: An intrusion detection system. An RF energy source transmits energy into a ransmission cable that has a characteristic impedance subject to change by deformation of the cable. The cable is buried along a path that corresponds to a perimeter to be monitored. When an intruder places weight in the vicinity of the cable, the cable deforms and changes its characteristic impedance. Consequently a portion of energy transmitted into the cable reflects back where time-domain or frequency-domain reflectometry apparatus uses the reflected energy to identify the location of the intrusion along the cable and provide other characteristics of the intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Douglas H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5705982
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting intrusions into spaces of various kinds such as apartments, offices, lockers, and the like by either authorized or unauthorized persons apparatus monitors a specific portal for intrusion occurrence events using an intrusion sensing unit, which communicates intrusion occurrence information to a remote, and possibly hidden monitor unit. The monitor dynamically counts the number of valid intrusion occurrence signals received from the sensing unit and stores the same in non-volatile memory. The number of intrusions stored in memory can be displayed on a display means at the monitor unit, which, in a simple embodiment would take the form of a single, seven segment light emitting diode (LED) display. In addition, the number of intrusions stored in the non-volatile memory can only be reset by the input of a unique, coded personal identification number (PIN) signal from an input keypad located on the monitor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: North America Technitron Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Faltings
  • Patent number: 5705985
    Abstract: A structure-bone sound detector suppresses unwanted signals in a frequency range to be monitored, to enhance the immunity of the detector to false alarms. The output signal from a sound sensor undergoes preprocessing, and is then fed to a pair of comb filters that are connected in parallel. The comb filters have mirror image filtering characteristics. The filtered output signals from the two comb filters are provided to a minimum value stage, which selects the smaller of the two output signals. This selected signal is further processed to detect an alarm condition. With this arrangement, broad band signals of interest will produce approximately the same outputs from each of the two comb filters, and therefore be passed on for further processing. In contrast, a narrow band interference signal will be suppressed by one of the two comb filters, and therefore not selected for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Cerberus AG
    Inventor: Cornel Studach
  • Patent number: 5680096
    Abstract: A monitoring of a vehicle interior is effected by detecting sound waves in a vehicle interior, either from an incursion source or as reflected as echo waves and decomposing the electrical signals representing those detected sound waves into measurement vectors which are compared with sample vectors in a neural network so that a correlation parameter is generated which triggers an alarm when the correlation parameter indicates incursion. The system can respond first to glass breakage before an echo system is used to then further establish the nature of the incursion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Grasmann
  • Patent number: 5677674
    Abstract: A flexible closure, for use in an alarm system is provided in which a conductive sensing element is interlaced with fiber matrix material to provide a network over at least part of the closure. The interlacing is preferably by means of knitting a conductive wire together with a yarn which forms the matrix of the closure. The closure may further include a protective outer layer on one or both faces of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Cover Protection Limited
    Inventor: Adrian Wolf
  • Patent number: 5675320
    Abstract: The glass break detector uses sampling techniques and statistical analysis of the acoustic signal to determine whether a random type signal typical of a glass break event has been detected. A host of experiments are analysed and the collective results investigated to minimize the effect of one time non-typical occurrences in the signal. The statistical results are preferably used in combination with other techniques for identifying glass break events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Digital Security Controls Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Cecic, Hartwell Fong
  • Patent number: 5656997
    Abstract: A transducer device for converting mechanical motion into an electrical output, consists of an inductance, a flexible support and a permanent magnet positioned in approximately colinear alignment, the nature of the flexible support being such that the inductance and the permanent magnet are free to move mutually independently. The magnetic fields of the permanent magnet and the inductance are mutually interactive, and when the flexible support moves even slightly, it causes the magnet to move, which in turn induces changes in the self-inductance of the inductance and thus the resonance of the circuit, so as to convert the mechanical motion into an electrical output. This inventive transducer device may be implemented in a wide variety of different circuits to serve various functions, but it is particularly suited for use in an alarm device having one or more alarm or warning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventors: Al Hays, Lester Wooten
  • Patent number: 5652567
    Abstract: Security systems which include an adjustable structure and a motion detector which detects changes in electromagnetic energy from within a zone of protection are described. The structure has a base for mounting the motion detector and wall members which extend away from the base and to form walls around the detector. The wall members are adjusted to positions between the plane of the base and planes perpendicular to the base to alter the shape of the zone of protection and conform it to the area or object of interest. The motion detector is electrically connected to a control unit and alarm module which includes a shock sensor and a current sensor. The motion detector and the control unit and alarm module are connected to a power supply and operated by remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: C.O.P. Corp.
    Inventor: Norbert Traxler
  • Patent number: 5646591
    Abstract: A method of indicating a degree of incoming threat to an electronically secured area consists of the steps of sensing via sensor a degree of threat delivered to a secured area and generating an electric signal proportional to the degree of threat; analyzing the signal to determine if it is a low degree of threat or a high degree of threat; and producing either a first pulse representing low degree of threat or separately producing the first pulse and a second pulse representing a signal having both low degree of threat and high degree of threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Directed Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Issa, Jerry Birchfield
  • Patent number: 5627508
    Abstract: A self-propelled remotely controlled pilot vehicle adapted for use on raiad tracks to monitor hazardous conditions and obstacles on the railroad tracks. The pilot vehicle precedes a train along the railroad tracks at a distance which will allow the train to come to a complete stop in the event the pilot vehicle encounters a hazardous condition on the track. The pilot vehicle is equipped with a sensor array which measures a variety of different parameters such as the presence of noxious gases, moisture in the atmosphere or at ground level, and breakage in one or both rails of the track. The pilot vehicle is also equipped with a television camera which provides a visual image of the railroad track ahead of the pilot vehicle to the engineer of the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Guy F. Cooper, Robert F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5623248
    Abstract: A self-contained electromagnetic impact sensor includes a frame, a fixed permanent magnet, a fixed coil, and a metallic body elastically mounted for movement within the frame. An impact received by the sensor imparts motion to the metallic body, thereby altering the pattern of magnetic flux extending from the permanent magnet and through the coil. An electrical signal is produced within the coil, which is processed and compared to one or more threshold levels to drive one or more corresponding output triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: Byung W. Min
  • Patent number: 5612670
    Abstract: An aftermarket mechanical shock detector for mounting to protected property containing an existing alarm system. The shock detector incorporates a piezoelectric transducer detecting mechanical vibration and generating an electrical vibration signal, and circuitry for comparing the vibration signal to thresholds. The shock detector includes two separately adjustable thresholds. If the vibration signal exceeds either threshold, the shock detector creates an electrical connection between two terminals, thereby triggering a previously-installed alarm circuit to create an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Jon Snyder, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Snyder, Kevin Lipovsky
  • Patent number: 5610590
    Abstract: A motion detection monitor for patient movement, comprising a sensor for viding signals in response to patient movement to provide an alarm under predetermined conditions of patient movement. A processor, including an oscillator, is provided for receiving signals from the sensor, to provide oscillator interrupt signals proportional to active signals. The interrupt signals are observed within a contiguous series at time windows. The alarm condition is satisfied when interrup signals are detected within each window. The sensor preferably includes a conductive sphere in a cylinder having an interior portion locating the sphere therein with conductive end plates and conductive inner surfaces, the inner surfaces being tapered to direct the sphere to an at rest condition in contact with at least one surface and at least a part of the inner surface in any orientation of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mark Johnson, Thomas Simkins