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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to alarm systems, and more particularly to
programmable alarm systems that provide proximity detection in combination
with vocal reports and alarms generated by voice synthesis techniques.
Alarm systems are known in the art. A typical alarm system is installed for
the purpose of securing a defined area from unauthorized intrusion or
trespass. The defined area that is secured by the alarm system will
usually comprise a closed area, such as a specified room(s) within a
building, or an entire building or house. In the case of automobile alarm
systems, the secured area protected typically comprises the interior of
the automobile, and may also extend to unauthorized tampering with the
exterior of the automobile. However, no known systems extend to protecting
an area or zone around the vehicle or other object to be protected; and of
warning someone who intentionally or unintentionally enters this protected
zone prior to sounding the alarm.
All alarm systems have certain basic elements in common. All include one or
more sensors that are used to sense an entry event or other activity that
could be viewed as an unauthorized tampering or presence (hereafter a
"violation"). The sensor(s) are coupled, usually with electrical wires
(although RF or other communication links may also be used), to a central
control unit or equivalent circuit. When an entry or other activity is
sensed by the sensor, an appropriate signal is sent to the control unit,
which, if armed, generates an alarm signal. The alarm signal, in turn, may
be used locally to sound an audible alarm, such as a loud siren or loud
bell (intended to scare off the would-be intruder and to draw attention to
the fact that an intrusion or other violation has been detected). The
alarm signal may also be used to signal a remote location, such as a
police station or a neighboring facility, of the violation that has been
detected.
In the case of a simple automobile alarm system, the vehicle's existing
electrical system (used, for example, to turn on a light when a door is
opened) is used as a basic sensor that is connected to a control module.
An alarm circuit within the control module is triggered whenever the
monitored event occurs, such as when the door is opened. A siren or horn
is sounded if too much time passes (typically 10 to 15 seconds) before the
alarm system is turned off (disarmed).
More sophisticated automobile alarm systems supplement this basic alarm
system with additional sensors (e.g., that sense the opening of the hood
or trunk, the removal of an automobile cover, or the presence of "motion"
within the vehicle) and a correspondingly more complex control module.
Such systems may also include backup battery protection and remote paging
capabilities. Further, it is not uncommon for such systems to take more
preventative steps than merely sounding an alarm. For example, automobile
alarm systems are known in the art that, upon sensing a violation (such as
the opening of the door, trunk or hood while the system is armed), will
disable the ignition and/or fuel delivery system of the automobile's
engine, thereby rendering it impossible to drive the vehicle under its own
power.
A feature common to all automobile alarm systems is the ability to
selectively arm or disarm the system. A simple alarm system is armed after
a prescribed time delay, such as 15 seconds, following the manual setting
of an arming switch inside of the vehicle. (Typically, such switch is
"hidden" or otherwise made non-conspicuous so that only the vehicle's
owner knows of its location and function.) Once armed, all of the systems
sensors are enabled and any entry or tampering event is interpreted as an
unauthorized event or violation. The prescribed time delay after manually
setting the arming switch allows the vehicle owner sufficient time to exit
the vehicle prior to the system becoming "armed". Similarly, upon
reentering the vehicle, as mentioned above, another time delay allows the
owner sufficient time to manually disarm the system before the alarm is
sounded.
Unfortunately, situations can and do arise where the prescribed time delay,
either for exiting or reentering the vehicle, is too short. The result is
that it is not uncommon for an automobile alarm system to be "falsely"
triggered (meaning that an authorized exit or entry usually the owner's
exit or entry--has been interpreted as an unauthorized entry). Needless to
say, false triggering can not only be a nuisance and an annoyance, it can
also be an embarrassment. Further, in some situations, false triggering
can also create a safety hazard either to the owner or to those who might
respond to the falsely triggered situation without knowledge that it is a
false alarm.
Potentially more serious than false triggering, however, is the possibility
of false arming (meaning that the system has not been armed when the owner
thinks it has been armed). False arming arises because the owner has no
positive means by which he or she can verify that the system is properly
armed or disarmed. Typically, a simple indicator light may be used to
indicate the armed/disarmed status of the alarm system. However, such a
status light is usually only visible from inside of the vehicle. Thus,
once the owner has exited the vehicle, he or she has no way of verifying
that arming has actually occurred (other than by reentering the vehicle,
which reentry will either sound the alarm or cause the false triggering
concerns mentioned above).
In view of these false triggering and false arming concerns, what is needed
is an automobile alarm system that provides positive verification to the
owner of the armed/disarmed status of the system, even when the owner is
outside of the vehicle. Such a system would greatly reduce the risk and
consequences of both false triggering and false arming.
Another shortcoming of prior art automobile alarm systems is that the
alarm, once triggered, will continue to sound until the system is manually
turned off (disarmed). In the case of false triggering, as above
described, this shortcoming is not too serious because the owner is right
there and can turn off the system quickly. However, if the owner is not
present--such as would occur if an unauthorized entry attempt has been
made and the would-be intruder has fled from the scene; or, if the owner
"loaned" the vehicle to a friend but forgot to tell the friend how to
disarm the system; or, if there is some sort of malfunction with the
sensor or the control module--such continuous sounding of the loud,
attention-getting alarm can create a major nuisance and safety hazard.
Accordingly, more sophisticated alarm systems known in the art sound the
alarm for only a prescribed time period, e.g. one minute, and then turn
the alarm off. However, when the owner returns, such systems typically
have no way of notifying the owner that an unauthorized entry event or
violation has occurred. While some of the more sophisticated systems will
provide some visual (e.g., an indicator light) or audible (e.g., a beeping
sound) indication to the owner upon his or her return that a violation has
occurred, such indication does not tell the owner when the security
violation occurred or, in the case of a system that employs multiple
sensors, what type of security violation occurred. Such information, if
available, could prove invaluable to the owner as an aid in assessing
appropriate action to take and, in situations where actual damage or theft
of articles occurred, in completing police and insurance reports.
Unfortunately, to communicate such information to an owner using
conventional output communication devices, such as printers, CRT or LCD
screens, or one-line character displays, would significantly add to the
cost and complexity of the alarm system.
It is apparent, therefore, that an alarm system is needed that not only
notifies the owner of the occurrence of an unauthorized entry event, but
that also informs the owner, without using expensive, cumbersome
communication devices (such as printers and visual character displays), of
the type and time of occurrence of the unauthorized entry event.
A further major concern with existing automobile alarm systems relates to
their cost of manufacture and purchase, complexity of installation, and
ease of maintenance verses their performance. To illustrate, a simple
automobile alarm system (e.g., one that uses only the existing wiring of
the automobile to sense the opening of a door and that sounds an alarm
when unauthorized entry is detected) can be quite inexpensive to
manufacture and simple to install (and therefore quite affordable to the
owner). Unfortunately, such a simple alarm system does not suit the needs,
nor provide adequate protection, for many automobile owners. Therefore,
most owners who want an alarm system will choose an alarm system that
provides more protection and better suits their particular needs and
vehicle.
Another concern associated with automobile and other type of alarm systems
is that the sensors are designed to sense only a violation event that has
already occurred, which event could (and usually does) involve some type
of damage to the secured object, such as the breaking of a lock or the
breaking of a windshield or other window glass. Thus, while the violation
event is advantageously sensed by the alarm system, and the alarm is
triggered by such event (which triggering of the alarm scares away the
would-be intruder and/or signals others of the violation event), the
violation event disadvantageously may cause damage or harm to the object
being protected that must be repaired. What is needed, therefore, is an
alarm system that not only senses a violation event, but that also detects
when a violation event is about to occur so that a preliminary warning
signal can be given in an attempt to protect against a would-be intrusion
and prevent any damage before it occurs.
Because every make and model of automobile is somewhat different, and
further because every owner is also different, and further because the
needs of every owner change as a function of time and situation, there is
no known universal automobile alarm system that will suit the diverse
needs of all owners at all times. Therefore, an owner must carefully shop
around and try to select the alarm system that provides the best
compromise given the owner's particular desires, needs and budget. See,
e.g., "Auto Alarm Systems", Consumer Reports, October 1966, pp. 658-62. If
the owner's needs or wants subsequently change, the only option available
to the owner is to replace or upgrade the existing system with a new one
that satisfies these new needs or wants. Such replacement and/or upgrading
can be very bothersome and expensive, and in many situations is not
practical.
Hence, what is needed, is a universal automobile alarm system that can be
efficiently and inexpensively manufactured, readily customized at
installation to suit the particular automobile and owner involved, and
easily modified by the owner thereafter to alter its performance to suit
the needs and wants of the owner at any given time.
An alarm system is also needed that can be easily adapted for use with an
automobile, motorcycle, house, or any other item of personal or real
property, either by itself or in combination with existing alarm systems;
and that further includes means for detecting not only a violation event
(unauthorized entry or touching), but also an unathorized approach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the needs identified above, as well as
other needs, by providing an alarm system that combines a proximity
detector with conventional sensors and a unique control unit that provides
vocal alarm and reporting features. The proximity detector sets up a
protected zone or region around the object being protected, such as a
vehicle. When an intrusion is sensed into this area, a preliminary warning
is vocally given informing the intruder that a protected region has been
entered. This warning may be followed by a vocal count-down that gives the
intruder ample time to move out of the protected area before the alarm is
sounded. If, after the count-down has been completed (or after the
expiration of a prescribed time period), an intrusion into the protected
area is still sensed, the vocal alarm of the system is triggered and a
violation event is recorded. The occurrence of this violation event can be
immediately reported to the owner of the object being protected, or to a
designated law enforcement agency, using conventional communication
techniques (e.g., a beeper, cellular telephone link, RF link, or
equivalent communication link) and/or stored in the memory elements of the
system for later reporting to the owner.
Advantageously, as referenced above, the alarm system herein disclosed uses
voice synthesis technology to generate vocal reports and alarms in order
to provide the preliminary vocal warnings, and in order to communicate to
the owner the status of the system, e.g., whether the system is armed or
disarmed, and whether and when a particular type of violation occurred.
Such voice synthesis technology allows the alarm system's control module
to efficiently and effectively provide needed warnings when the zone
around the protected object is violated, and to communicate to the owner
without the need for using additional and expensive communication devices,
such as printers and displays, as are conventionally used in the art.
Advantageously, when the system is used to protect a vehicle, use of vocal
communication permits the alarm system to utilize the existing components
(e.g. speakers) of the vehicle's radio or tape player, thereby reducing
the cost of the system. Alternatively, the control system of the alarm
system may be a self-contained unit, including a speaker and power source,
that can be placed by its owner near whatever object or property the owner
desires to protect, such as a boat, a motorcycle, a house, or other object
or area. Advantageously, the vocal warnings that are given by the system
may be programmed by the owner to convey a desired "personalized" message,
or pre-programmed vocal warnings may be used.
As with known alarm systems, the alarm system of the present invention
comprises one or more sensors, a control module, and means for sounding an
alarm should an unauthorized event be detected by the sensor(s). However,
unlike known alarm systems, the alarm system of the present combines a
proximity detector and a voice synthesizer with these more conventional
elements in order to provide, in addition to the synthesized vocal speech
warnings and reports indicated above, a degree of flexibility,
programmability, and testability in its installation, use, and operation
that has heretofore been unavailable.
The proximity detector used as part of the present invention may be any
type of sensor that can detect an intrusion into a designated area around
the object to be protected. Preferably, such proximity detector will be
one or two types: an RF proximity detector; or an infrared proximity
detector. The RF proximity detector includes means for generating an
electromagnetic field around the object to be protected and means for
sensing any disturbance to this field that is caused by a human intruder.
The infrared sensor includes means for sensing human body heat that comes
within a prescribed distance of the sensor. Advantageously, both types of
sensors include adjustment means for setting the sensitivity so that human
bodies can be distinguished from other types of bodies, such as animals
(dogs, cats, and the like), and so that a desired range around the object
being protected can be achieved.
The other elements of the alarm system of the present invention, including
the voice synthesizer, may be as disclosed in the above referenced parent
patent 4,794,368, or as known in the art.
In particular, the control module used with the alarm system herein
disclosed comprises a microprocessor that is programmed to monitor the
various sensors and react in a prescribed manner depending upon the
particular mode of operation that has been selected. With the
microprocessor, there is included an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory) memory circuit for storing the various programs that define
the response the microprocessor takes for a given situation; a PROM
(Programmable Read Only Memory) for allowing a desired personalized vocal
message to be initially recorded at the time of installation or for
providing pre-recorded vocal messages to be used; voice generation
circuits for converting digital signals generated by the microprocessor to
analog voice signals that can be amplified and played back through the
internal and/or external speakers; and various interface or driver
circuits for coupling the alarm signals generated by the microprocessor to
appropriate alarm components, such as a pager, a siren, or other desired
display or warning devices. The alarm system also includes a menu control
pad (manual switch), through which the owner can manually select a desired
mode of operation, from a vocal list of possible modes of operation, for
the system. One of the options includes an interrogating mode wherein the
system provides an oral status report of the system. Another mode allows
various tests to be performed. The alarm system, in one embodiment,
further includes an RF receiver through which remotely transmitted control
signals for the alarm system may be received. Advantageously, the control
module may be built-in to the object being protected (such as under the
hood of a vehicle); or housed as a portable self-contained unit that may
be situated on or near any object to be protected, such as a boat, house,
bike, etc.
The RF receiver that is included as part of the alarm system of the present
invention provides the owner the option of interrogating and/or setting
the alarm system to a desired mode of operation from a remote location
through the use of a portable transmitter. This transmitter is
advantageously a very small, light-weight, hand-held device that can be
carried, for example, on a key ring. The signals generated by this
portable transmitter have a range equivalent to that commonly found in
garage-door opener transmitters i.e., approximately 25-150 feet. In one
embodiment of the invention, this same transmitter may be used as a garage
door opener transmitter as well as the interrogation/set transmitter of
the alarm system.
A major feature of the present invention is the ability to sense an
intrusion into an area around the object being protected prior to the
actual occurrence of a violation event (which violation event may result
in damage to the object), thereby possibly frightening the would-be
intruder away from the object and preventing damage thereto.
Another feature of the present invention is the ability to easily program
into the system at installation the particular options that are desired in
order to best suit the needs and wants of the owner relative to the
particular object to be protected. To this end, a programming device is
provided to the installer that conveniently plugs into the control module
at installation. This programming device advantageously lists all of the
various installation options available to the system in an
easy-to-understand series of menus. The installer, through the use of a
keyboard that forms part of the programming device, as well as other
appropriate data input devices, can readily make the desired selections in
just a matter of minutes. Once the desired options have been selected and
verified, the necessary programs required to carry out the selected
options are transferred to the EPROM of the control module. Further, any
desired vocal messages may be spoken or keyed into the device and
converted to appropriate digital signals that are stored in the PROM of
the control module. (Alternatively, factory produced PROMS containing
preset vocal messages may be selected for use.) The PROM device may be
programmed once at installation. In contrast, the EPROM circuits of the
control module are designed to accommodate a large number of reprogramming
operations, although it is contemplated that most owners will not need nor
want this capability. However, this feature does provide a degree of
universality to the alarm system in that the control module can be readily
upgraded to new performance levels, including those of a different type of
object to be protected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other advantages and features of the present invention will
be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof,
presented in conjunction with the following drawings and appendices,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is an outline of a typical passenger automobile, showing some of the
key components therein that form part of the automobile alarm system
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control module of the automobile alarm
system embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a one embodiment of a transmitter device
that can be used to remotely interrogate and set the control module of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control module of FIG. 2 being
programmed to a desired configuration using an installer's programming
device;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a self-contained embodiment of the alarm
system of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a more detailed block diagram of the self-contained embodiment of
the alarm system of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention of FIG. 5
wherein the proximity detector is realized using an infrared sensor;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention of
FIG. 5 wherein the proximity detector is realized using an RF field
generator and means for detecting an intrusion into such field by the
movement of a large mass, such as a human body;
FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart illustrating the manner of operation of
the alarm system of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the RF-field generator embodiment of the
invention shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is of the best presently contemplated mode of
practicing the invention. This description is not to be taken in a
limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of describing the
general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be
ascertained with reference to the appended claims.
In describing the alarm system of the present invention, it will first be
helpful to provide an overview of the alarm system and the features
included therein. Basically, the alarm system includes a programmed
"voice" that allows the owner to have instant access to pertinent
information regarding both the alarm system and the object being protected
at any time. This "voice" is communicated through either interior and/or
exterior speakers that form part of the alarm system. Advantageously, when
the object being protected is an automobile, the interior speakers may be
the same speakers used with the vehicle's radio.
The owner/operator communicates with the alarm system through either an
electronic menu pad (switch) or a portable hand-held remote transmitter.
With just one press of the transmitter or menu pad, the owner is notified
as to the status of the system or the object being protected. Included in
this status information is maintenance information; an indication as to
which alarm features are being turned on or off; which sensor(s) caused an
alarm to sound; and how long ago an intrusion into the area around the
object occurred, or how long ago a violation (unauthorized entry event)
occurred.
With the alarm system of the present invention, not only does any
unauthorized entry event activate an alarm, but any attempt to even get
close to the object being protected causes a voice warning to be given. It
is as though an invisible beam surrounds the object being protected and
sets up an adjustable invisible field. This invisible beam is referred to
as Invisibeam (Invisibeam is a trademark of Electronic Security Products
of California, Inc.) When a human body penetrates this field, i.e., when a
person enters the space around the object being protected while the alarm
system is armed, a vocal warning is given. If the intruder does not move
out of the protected field, an additional warning is issued followed by
either additional verbal warnings and/or a brief audible countdown. If the
intruder steps away, the countdown will stop and the system is reset.
However, if the intruder remains within the field, an alarm will be
triggered.
In one embodiment, the vocal warning given by the system may be a factory
selected message, such as: WARNING! WARNING! YOU HAVE PENETRATED A
PROTECTED AREA. AN ALARM WILL BE TRIGGERED IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE THIS AREA
WITHIN FIVE SECONDS. If the intruder does not leave the protected area,
this first warning is followed, after five seconds (or other selected time
period), by a second message, such as: WARNING! LEAVE THE PROTECTED AREA
OR THE ALARM WILL BE TRIGGERED. TEN NINE EIGHT . . . and so on until the
count down is complete, at which time the alarm will sound if a
penetration into the protected field is still sensed by the system's
proximity detector. In another embodiment (available as an option), the
vocal warning message(s) may be programmed by the owner at the time the
alarm system is purchased, thereby allowing the owner to personalize the
warning statement(s) with whatever message(s) he or she would like to
give.
At the conclusion of the warning period, or when any unauthorized entry
event is detected, whichever occurs first, an alarm is sounded. This alarm
may also take several forms. For example, in the case of an automobile
alarm system, an exterior siren and the vehicle's horn, along with one of
the following voice messages are heard: "I'VE BEEN TAMPERED WITH!",
"VEHICLE SECURITY VIOLATION!", or "BURGLAR-BURGLAR!"Because a voice is
used to sound the alarm in this fashion, the alarm system is referred to
as Vocalarm. (Vocalarm is a registered trademark of Electronic Security
Products of California, Inc.)
When the alarm system herein described is used to protect an automobile,
each alarm system includes sensors for protecting all doors, windows, and
motion of the vehicle. In addition to the protection afforded by the
Invisibeam field or proximity detector, one minute after an alarm is
triggered due to an unauthorized entry event, the system is reset
automatically, and is ready to sound again in the event of another
break-in attempt. If the doors are left open on intrusion, the alarm
continues to sound for five minutes, at one minute intervals, in order to
attract more attention to the vehicle.
There are three embodiments of the alarm system herein described for use
with automobiles. (Other embodiments, for use with other objects to be
protected, such as boats, houses, bicycles, motorcycles, fences, etc.,
will be described hereafter.) In a first automobile embodiment, the
proximity detector is mounted inside or on the vehicle and electrically
connected, through the use of a suitable electrical cable, to the control
module of the system. In a second embodiment, the proximity detector is
"portable" and in RF communication with the alarm system's control module.
In a third embodiment, the proximity detector operates as its own
independent alarm system, using its own features for security, such as by
disabling the automobile's starter, an other features to warn that an
intrusion into the protected space has been s | | |
