US4851815A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons
Assignee: Thomas Enkelmann Computer
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Filing: 1988-02-23
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2008-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons is described which comprises an RF transmitter (10) and a security tag (15) with a casing for accommodating an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit contains a battery and an alarm circuit (30). An alarm is triggered when an electrically conductive security element (14) for attaching the security tag (15) to the object or to the person is severed or when an external RF field generated by the RF transmitter (10) has a defined state. The RF transmitter (10) is here designed with an encoder (11) for coding the RF signal, while in the electronic circuit of the security tag (15) a decoder (20) is provided which outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) to trigger an alarm when a defined information content of the coded RF signal is present.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Enkelmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:17
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In a device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons, in conjunction with an RF transmitter, and being in the form of a security tag with a casing accommodating an electronic circuit which comprises a battery and an alarm circuit, and which further comprises on the one hand an electrically conducting security element for attaching the security tag to the object/the person which triggers an alarm if severed, and which comprises on the other hand an RF receiver for alternative triggering of an alarm in response to an external RF field generated by the RF transmitter; the improvement wherein the electronic circuit further comprises an alarm circuit (30) and a decoder (20) which outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) to trigger an alarm when a defined information content of a coded RF signal from an RF transmitter is present; wherein the decoder (20) and the alarm circuit (30) are designed in such a manner that when a first alarm code is received the alarm is triggered, and when a second reset code is received a triggered alarm is switched off; and wherein the decoder (20) comprises a suppression circuit (30) which then outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) if the second reset code is not received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In a device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons, in conjunction with an RF transmitter, and being in the form of a security tag with a casing accommodating an electronic circuit which comprises a battery and an alarm circuit, and which further comprises on the one hand an electrically conducting security element for attaching the security tag to the object/the person which triggers an alarm if severed, and which comprises on the other hand an RF receiver for alternative triggering of an alarm in response to an external RF field generated by the RF transmitter; the improvement wherein the electronic circuit further comprises an alarm circuit (30) and a decoder (20) which outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) to trigger an alarm when a defined information content of a coded RF signal from an RF transmitter is present; wherein the decoder (20) and the alarm circuit (30) are designed in such a manner that when a first alarm code is received the alarm is triggered, and when a second reset code is received a triggered alarm is switched off; and wherein the decoder (20) comprises a suppression circuit (30) which then outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) if the second reset code is not received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the decoder (20) comprises means (23, 23') of setting a code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the means of setting both codes comprises a single coding switch (23) by means of which both the codes can be set simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the electronic circuit (20) comprises a divider (25), via which the alarm signal is led in such a manner that an alarm is triggered only if a number of alarm signals corresponding to a division ratio of the divider (25) were received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a switch (29) which is mechanically connected to the casing in such a manner that its switch state alters when the casing is opened and an alarm signal is passed to the alarm circuit (30).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a first pull-up resistor (27) between a first end of the security element (14) and a switch point (B; Vcc) with a defined first logical level ("1"), whereby the second end of the security element (14) lies on a logical level ("0") opposite to that of the first logical level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic circuit further comprises a second pull-up resistor (28) electrically connected between said switch (29) and said switch point (B; Vcc).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises an OR gate (24) to the input of which all alarm signals are led and the output of which is connected to an alarm set input of the alarm circuit (30).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
Device according to claim 8 characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a timing circuit (40) which outputs at defined intervals switch-on signals to controllable switches (43, 44) between the battery (45) and power supply connections (Vcc) of power-consuming components (27, 28) or assemblies (19, 20, 24, 26) to sample the alarm states.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the timing circuit (40) is designed in such a manner that the decoder (20) and (if appropriate) the OR gate (24) are supplied with power only for a period of time sufficient to receive the defined information content.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
Device according to one of the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the power-consuming components (27, 28) or assemblies (26) provided in the electronic circuit for monitoring the security elements (14) and the switch (29) are supplied with power only during a period of time defined at least by the switch times of the electronic circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the timing circuit (40) has a clock output (C1) led to clock inputs of the electronic circuit and lies with a control input via a synchronization circuit (19) at the output of the RF receiver for synchronization of clock pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the suppression circuit comprises a counter (39) which is continuously supplied with power, a counting input (Count) of which is connected to the timing circuit (40) for counting the defined intervals, a reset input (Res) of which is connected to the decoder (20) for resetting when the second code is received and the output of which is connected to the alarm circuit (30) for outputting an alarm signal when the counter (39) exceeds the limit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 13 characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an electroacoustic transducer to output an acoustic alarm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Device according to claim 13 characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an RF alarm transmitter (34) to output an alarm signal detectable by an RF receiver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 13 characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises coding means (35) for coding the alarm signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
Device according to claim 13 characterized in that an aerial input of the electronic circuit is connected to an aerial (17) which is led together with the security element (14) out of the casing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the security element (14) forms the one core or the inner conductor of a two-core lead or a coaxial cable, the other core or outer conductor of which forms the aerial (17).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
Device according to one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that the security element (14) is led at one end via an inductor (18) to chassis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an alarm memory (31) which is designed in such a manner that an alarm sounds at least for a defined period of time when an alarm signal is output.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the alarm memory (31) can be cleared by means of a reset signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suppression circuit comprises a counter (39) which is continuously supplied with power, a counting input (Count) of which is connected to the timing circuit (40) for counting the defined intervals, a reset input (Res) of which is connected to the decoder (20) for resetting when the second code is received and the output of which is connected to the alarm circuit (30) for outputting an alarm signal when the counter (39) exceeds the limit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an electroacoustic transducer to output an acoustic alarm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an RF alarm transmitter (34) to output an alarm signal detectable by an RF receiver.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises coding means (35) for coding the alarm signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
Device according to claim 22, characterized in that an aerial input of the electronic circuit is connected to an aerial (17) which is led together with the security element (14) out of the casing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
Device according to claim 26, characterized in that the security element (14) forms the one core or the inner conductor of a two-core lead or a coaxial cable, the other core or outer conductor of which forms the aerial (17).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device according to claims 26 or 27, characterized in that the security element (14) is led at one end via an inductor (18) to chassis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons, in conjunction with an RF transmitter, and being in the form of a security tag with a casing accommodating an electronic circuit which comprises a battery and an alarm circuit, and which further comprises on the one hand an electrically conducting security element for attaching the security tag to the object/the person which triggers an alarm if severed, and which comprises on the other hand an RF receiver for alternative triggering of an alarm in response to an external RF field generated by the RF transmitter; the improvement wherein the electronic circuit further comprises an alarm circuit (30) and a decoder (20) which outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) to trigger an alarm when a defined information content of a coded RF signal from an RF transmitter is present; and wherein the electronic circuit comprises a timing circuit (40) which outputs at defined intervals switch-on signals to controllable switches (43, 44) between the battery (45) and the power supply connections (Vcc) of power-consuming components (27, 28) or assemblies (19, 20, 24, 26) to sample the alarm states.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a device for the monitoring of objects and/or persons, in conjunction with an RF transmitter, and being in the form of a security tag with a casing accommodating an electronic circuit which comprises a battery and an alarm circuit, and which further comprises on the one hand an electrically conducting security element for attaching the security tag to the object/the person which triggers an alarm if severed, and which comprises on the other hand an RF receiver for alternative triggering of an alarm in response to an external RF field generated by the RF transmitter; the improvement wherein the electronic circuit further comprises an alarm circuit (30) and a decoder (20) which outputs an alarm signal to the alarm circuit (30) to trigger an alarm when a defined information content of a coded RF signal from an RF transmitter is present; and wherein the electronic circuit comprises a timing circuit (40) which outputs at defined intervals switch-on signals to controllable switches (43, 44) between the battery (45) and the power supply connections (Vcc) of power-consuming components (27, 28) or assemblies (19, 20, 24, 26) to sample the alarm states.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
Device, according to claims 1 or 29, in combination with a stationary RF transmitter emitting the coded RF signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the decoder (20) comprises means (23, 23') of setting a code.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the means of setting both codes comprises a single coding switch (23) by means of which both the codes can be set simultaneously.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 32, characterized in that the electronic circuit (20) comprises a divider (25), via which the alarm signal is led in such a manner that an alarm is triggered only if a number of alarm signals corresponding to a division ratio of the divider (25) were received.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a switch (29) which is mechanically connected to the casing in such a manner that its switch state alters when the casing is opened and an alarm signal is passed to the alarm circuit (30).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
62 words
Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises a first pull-up resistor (27) between a first end of the security element (14) and a switch point (B; Vcc) with a defined first logical level ("1"), whereby the second end of the security element (14) lies on a logical level ("0") opposite to that of the first logical level.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the electronic circuit further comprises a second pull-up resistor (28) electrically connected between said switch (29) and said switch point (B; Vcc).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the electronic circuit comprises an OR gate (24) to the input of which all alarm signals are led and the output of which is connected to an alarm set input of the alarm circuit (30).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
Device according to claim 34, characterized in that the alarm circuit (30) comprises an alarm memory (31) which is designed in such a manner that an alarm sounds at least for a defined period of time when an alarm signal is output.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 38, characterized in that the alarm memory (31) can be cleared by means of a reset signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device according to claim 29, characterized in that the timing cicuit (40) is designed in such a manner that the decoder (20) and (if appropriate) the OR gate (24) are supplied with power only for a period of time sufficient to receive the defined information content.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
54 words
Device according to claims 1 or 40 characterized in that the power-consuming components (27, 28) or assemblies (26) provided in the electronic circuit for monitoring the security elements (14) and the switch (29) are supplied with power only during a period of time defined at least by the switch times of the electronic circuit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
Device according to claim 41, characterized in that the timing circuit (40) has a clock output (C1) led to clock inputs of the electronic circuit and lies with a control input via a synchronization circuit (19) at the output of the RF receiver for synchronization of clock pulses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |