Patent Application
20070252720
To further clarify the above and other features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments whereby the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the security chassis 150 further includes a microphone (not shown). The microphone may receive sound from the surrounding area, which may be transmitted via the communication device during a suspected intrusion so that the contacted party can listen to the sounds near the site of the MPSS 100 to determine if further action is needed.
In one embodiment, the MPSS 100 may further include a NEMA (“National Electrical Manufacturers Association”) receptacle for the tripod lights 104a and 104b and screw terminals for an optional external telephone dialer or other communications device. The strobe flasher 158 may include, for example, a flasher designed to operate from a 12 VDC power source. In one embodiment, the flasher's DC line may be fed by an open-collector driver. The MCU may control the operation of the flasher.
The high-intensity siren 156 may include, for example, a 125 dB siren, such as a three terminal device intended for operation from a 12 VDC power source. The open collector driver may feed the siren control wire and may be activated by the MCU.
In one embodiment, the motion detector 152 may include a passive infrared motion detector that is designed for outdoor use with UV filtering and dual optical beams to reduce false triggering. The motion detector 152 may include an OPTEX VX-402 (Standard Model), which is powered by a 12 VDC power source, and provides normally closed or normally open relay contacts. The motion detector's 152 relay contacts may connect to the MCU input. The status of these contacts is polled at ¼ second intervals when any security or utility mode is activated, as described in detail below. Since the operation of the user interface may generate MCU interrupts, any timing or warning sequence is easily aborted using the remote. Although the illustrated MPSS 100 utilizes a motion sensor 152, any detector may be used for detecting the presence of a potential intruder, such as a heat sensor, a sound detector, other types of optical sensors, and the like.
The speaker system 154 may include four speakers mounted on the security chassis 150, as illustrated in
As mentioned previously, in one embodiment, a hand-held controller, such as the remote controller 180 illustrated in
In one embodiment, the MPSS 100 electronics may be housed on two separate circuit boards. For example, a Power Supply Board may contain individual power supplies and the high voltage and other relay control circuits. A Systems Board may contain the MCU, logic, remote control receiver, audio power amplifier and programmable voice chip.
The Systems Board 220 may connect to the Power Supply Board 210, the passive infrared motion detector 152, the speakers 154 and the antenna 160. The example Systems Board 220 may decode the serial data from the remote control using a decoder 224 and may send the appropriate signal to the MCU 222 for processing. The Systems Board 220 receives the input signal from the motion detector 152 and sends it the MCU 222 for processing. Audio signals stored in the programmable voice chip 228, described below, are fed to the audio power amplifier 226 and speakers 154 on command from the MCU 222. The MCU 222 manages all system functions and feeds various drive commands to the voice chip 228 and the other warning devices via the Power Supply Board 210.
Voice warnings may be audibly projected to a potential intruder via the speakers 154. As described previously, the voice messages may be stored in the Voice Chip 228. The voice chip 228 may include sufficient memory to store 60 or more seconds of total message space usable with a number of record and playback modes. In one embodiment, voice messages may be recorded in the voice chip 228 using an external programmer. In another embodiment, the voice chip 228 may be set to operate only in a playback mode after it is initially programmed.
In one embodiment, an “End of Message” (EOM) signal may also be stored in the voice chip's internal memory 230 which flags the end of each stored message. This EOM signal may be used by the MCU 222 to determine when a message ends and to aid in shuffling through individual messages to rapidly cue up the required message for playback. In one embodiment, the EOM signal of the voice chip may connect to an LED 232 and to the MCU 222. The LED 232 may be set to off during playback and may illuminate when the EOM signal is present and the given message ends. The MCU 222 may poll the EOM signal of the voice chip 228, waiting for the message to finish prior to executing the next event. The MCU 222 also may poll the EOM signal of the voice chip 228 while stepping through messages to cue the required message. When cuing, pulses may be generated following each EOM pulse. For example, to cue the Nth message, N−1 cycles of start and EOM pulses may be generated. In one embodiment, pressing any button on the user interface, such as the remote control 180 can cause the MCU 222 to generate an interrupt and thus abort the voice message currently running.
The example systems board 220 may include a controller receiver IC 234 to demodulate a signal received from the user interface. For example, the controller receiver 234 may demodulate an RF signal received from the remote control 180. The controller receiver 234 may also send a serial digital signal to the serial decoder 224. The serial decoder 224 may output the user interface functions, as described below. The serial decoder 224 may be programmed to only decode the signals from the user interface if the unique ID of the user interface matches the unique ID of the MPSS 100, or in one example, if the ten-position DIP switch of the MPSS 100 matches the corresponding DIP switch settings in the remote control 180. In one embodiment, the output from the serial decoder 224 may feed a binary priority encoder to re-encode the remote for reducing the number of inputs required by the MCU 222. The MCU 222 may then interpret the input received from the user interface and may execute the associated function. The MCU 222 may be configured to generate an interrupt anytime an input is received from the user interface. The user interface thereby may be given priority and can abort any timing sequence or function.
In one embodiment, the MCU 222 polls the status of the motion detector 152 at one-quarter second intervals only when the security mode or the utility mode, as will be described below, is selected. The motion detector 152 and associated circuitry may generate a positive going pulse when an intruder enters the detection field. The motion detector's 152 normally closed contacts may be connected to the MCU 222 and an external pull-up resistor to give the required pulse height and polarity. The motion detector's 152 relay contacts may be triggered by the detector's internal processing of the dual infrared sensors. Any valid motion may cause the detector's contacts to energize for a minimum duration of two seconds, thus triggering the MCU 222 on any given poll cycle. The MCU 222 may start a given event timing sequence at the leading edge of the pulse generated by the motion detector 152 if a predefined security or utility mode is selected. If no security mode is selected, the MCU 222 may be programmed to ignore the motion detector 152.
An analog output of the voice chip 228 may be connected directly to a speaker 154. However, because the voice chip 228 may not have sufficient internal power to drive the array of speakers 154 or provide sufficient volume for the MPSS 100 application, an amplifier 226 may also be provided for generating sufficient power to drive the speaker array 154 in the security chassis 150. For example, in one embodiment, outputs of the voice chip 228 are differential at Vcc and at ground potential in standby—when no message is running. In one embodiment, dual operation amplifier chips (not shown) may be used to provide a differential input and buffering to eliminate the DC component shifts as the voice chip 228 analog output stage switches on and begins or ends a message. The dual operational amplifier chips may further add low pass filtering to reduce transients generated in the voice chip 228. In one embodiment, the audio amplifier 226 may provide roughly 20 Watts of power to sufficiently drive the speaker array 154 in the security chassis 150. The audio circuitry may further include a potentiometer (not shown) to adjust sound volumes below clipping or to a desired level.
As described previously, in one embodiment, a remote control may be used for controlling the modes of the MPSS 100. For example, and referring to
A first setting on the user interface may be selected to disable all security functions. In one embodiment, when the first setting is selected, a voice message may be sounded, such as “System disabled.” Any current mode is aborted when the disabled mode is selected.
A second setting on the user interface may be selected to engage a Utility Mode. In one embodiment, when the first setting is selected, a voice message may be sounded, such as “Utility mode activated.” This mode may turn on the tripod lights 104 when motion is detected and may also sound the message “Welcome” at the first detected motion. The lights 104 remain on for a fixed length of time before shutting off. The sequence repeats when any further motion is detected.
A third setting on the user interface may be selected to engage the Full Security Mode. The Full Security Mode may provide a series of progressive warnings in a predefined sequence upon detecting the presence of a potential intruder. The predefined sequence provides a series of warnings to a potential intruder that has been detected by the motion sensor 152. In one example embodiment, the first time the motion sensor detects the presence of an intruder, the MPSS 100 provides the intruder with a simple warning according to a first warning procedure. If the motion sensor 152 detects the continued presence of the intruder after the first warning has been issued, a more severe warning is issued according to a second warning procedure. This process continues until ultimately reaching the most severe warning procedure. Each warning procedure corresponds with a “security risk level”, or “escalation level”, which increases with each instance that the motion sensor 102 detects the presence of an intruder within a predefined amount of time. For example, after detecting the potential intruder a first time, the system may wait for 30 seconds before searching for the potential intruder a second time to provide the potential intruder an opportunity to leave the vicinity. When the system begins searching for the potential intruder a second time, if the potential intruder is not detected within ten minutes, for example, the process may be reinitialized by setting the security risk level to its lowest level.
For example, when operating in the Full Security Mode, the first time that a motion detected may activate the tripod lights 104 and may sound a warning message, such as: “Warning, intruder detected, you have entered a protected area and must leave immediately”, in accordance with a first security risk level. The first warning message may also include a message that warns the detected intruder of a potential safety hazard within the vicinity and instructing the detected individual to depart immediately. If no further motion is detected at the end of the message, the tripod lights 104 are turned off and no further warning is given. However, if further motion is detected, a second warning procedure is initiated in accordance with a second security risk level. For example, the tripod lights 104 are again turned on, the strobe 158 begins to flash and the warning message, such as “Security breach, dispatching in five, four, three, two, one . . . ”, along with the sound of a telephone dialer and other simulated police traffic sounds may be generated. At the end of the message, the siren may be activated for a fixed duration if no further motion is detected. Contacts connecting an optional external telephone dialer or other communications device may be opened as the second message begins. Should motion be detected a third and subsequent time after the siren has shut off, the MPSS 100 may initiate a third warning procedure in accordance with a third security risk level. For example, the tripod lights 104 may again be turned on, strobe flasher 158 and siren and again opens the contacts connecting to the optional external telephone dialer or other communications device. The MPSS 100 may continue to operate in this manner—directly activating the tripod lights, strobe flasher and siren when detecting motion—until the system is reset using a user interface.
A fourth setting on the user interface may be selected to manually activate the tripod lights 104, strobe flasher 158 and/or siren 156 independent of the motion detector 152. This mode may be used in a panic situation to scare off any would-be intruders.
A fifth setting on the user interface may be selected to activate the Silent Alarm Mode. In one embodiment, when the fifth setting is selected, a voice message may be sounded, such as “silent alarm activated.” In this mode, the motion detector 152 causes the contacts of the optional telephone dialer or other communications device to open thus contacting a security unit to provide notification of an intrusion. No visual or audible warnings are activated in this mode.
A sixth setting on the user interface may be selected to manually activate the tripod lights 104. In one embodiment, when the sixth setting is selected, a voice message may be sounded, such as “lights activated” when pressed. This button can be used to illuminate the construction site or other areas requiring protection when entering after dark.
A seventh setting on the user interface may be selected to trigger the external contacts thus activating the external dialer or other communications device, without sounding a voice message. The user interface may reserve additional selections for future applications.
Although the above listing of selections and corresponding functionalities is provided as one example of the various modes of the MPSS 100, various other configurations may be employed for providing a variety of security functions.
The method 300, beginning at 302, detects the presence of a potential intruder within close proximity to the security system. The presence of the potential intruder may be detected by any detector, such as the motion sensor 152, illustrated in
The method 300, at 306, detects the continued presence of the potential intruder within close proximity to the security system. If the potential intruder is detected within a predetermined amount of time since the communicating of the first automated warning signal (at 304), then the method 300 also communicates a second automated warning signal to the potential intruder, denoted at 308. The second automated warning signal contains a more severe warning than the first automated warning signal
The method 300 continues to monitor for the detected potential intruder, and, if the potential intruder remains within close proximity to the security system, the method further includes, at 310, detecting the continued presence of the potential intruder. If the potential intruder is detected the third time within a predetermined amount of time since the communicating of the second automated warning signal (at 308), then the method 300 also communicates a third automated warning signal to the potential intruder, as denoted at 312. The third automated warning signal contains a more severe warning than the second automated warning signal.
As described previously, the automated warning signals may include a variety of warning types. For example, the automated warning signals may include an audible warning signal, such as a recorded voice message and/or an audible alarm signal. Furthermore, the automated warning signals may include the activation of at least one light, such as a strobe light, for a predetermined amount of time.
Furthermore, during one or more of the automated warning signals, a message may be transmitted to an offsite location to provide a notification of the potential intruder. For example, a notification may be transmitted to the police station or other security unit.
As illustrated in
As described above, most buttons on the remote control may generate a voice acknowledgment. All messages including the voice acknowledgement and warnings can be stored sequentially in the voice chip 228. An “End of Message” cue may follow each message. When a particular message is called for, the MCU 222 may switch the voice chip 228 to the MSG CUE Mode and advance through the messages until the pointer is positioned at the beginning of the required message.
Embodiments may also include computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/795,375, filed Apr. 27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60795375 | Apr 2006 | US |
