US4998094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safeguard device
Assignee: Telefunken Electronic GmbH
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Filing: 1989-04-05
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Granted: 1991-03-05
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Expires: 2009-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A safeguard device is provided with a high frequency sensor which triggers an alarm device after receiving high frequency energy. To prevent the alarm device being rendered ineffective by high frequency shielding of the safeguard device, a metal sensor is provided in addition which activates the alarm device regardless of the presence of high frequency energy when it is attempted to shield the safeguard device.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Englmeier
- 👤 Hans-Werner Weber
- 👤 Thomas F. Enkelmann
- 👤 Salim Moolji
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:02
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2431; G08B13/2434; G08B13/2437; G08B13/2442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
In a safeguard device having a housing including a selective high frequency sensor that triggers an alarm device after receiving high frequency energy, the improvement wherein said housing is provided with a metal sensor which additionally, and independently of said high frequency sensor, controls said alarm device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a safeguard device having a housing including a selective high frequency sensor that triggers an alarm device after receiving high frequency energy, the improvement wherein said housing is provided with a metal sensor which additionally, and independently of said high frequency sensor, controls said alarm device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein said metal sensor has at least two electrically conductive surfaces arranged on the outside of said housing, which when connected in an electrically conductive manner trigger the alarm device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein said metal sensor has on the housing at least two surfaces which are insulated electrically against external tampering but which are in themselves electrically conductive and form the coatings of an electrical capacitor whose capacitance is changeable by the proximity of metal objects or metal foils and which is operatively connected internally to an evaluation circuit associated with the alarm device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A safeguard device according to claim 1, wherein said metal sensor comprises an inductive metal detector which is arranged in said housing and whose inductance is changeable by the proximity of metal objects or metal foils, whereby the change in inductance triggers the alarm device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A safeguard device according to claim 1 wherein said alarm device is within said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A safeguard device comprising: a housing; an alarm device disposed in said housing; selective high frequency sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device after receiving high frequency energy; and a metal sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device, independent of said high frequency sensor means, after detecting the presence of metal adjacent said housing, whereby an attempt to thwart the safeguard device by covering the housing with an electrically conductive high-frequency-effective shielding material, will be detected by said metal sensor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A safeguard device comprising: a housing; an alarm device disposed in said housing; selective high frequency sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device after receiving high frequency energy; and a metal sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device, independent of said high frequency sensor means, after detecting the presence of metal adjacent said housing, whereby an attempt to thwart the safeguard device by covering the housing with an electrically conductive high-frequency-effective shielding material, will be detected by said metal sensor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A safeguard device according to claim 6 wherein said metal sensor means comprises at least two conductive surfaces arranged on the outside of said housing which surfaces, when connected in an electrically conductive manner by metal, trigger said alarm device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A safeguard device according to claim 6 wherein said metal sensor means comprises a tuned resonant circuit having a reactive component whose value is varied by the presence of metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A safeguard device according to claim 8 wherein said reactive component is an inductance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A safeguard device according to claim 9 wherein said resonant circuit is a series resonant circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safeguard device according to claim 8 wherein said reactive component is a capacitor formed by two spaced conductive surfaces disposed on said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A safeguard device according to claim 11 wherein said resonant circuit is a parallel resonant circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
A safeguard device for protecting objects from theft comprising: a housing having means for releasably attaching said housing to an object to be protected; an alarm device disposed in said housing; first sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device after receiving high frequency energy of a selected frequency; and a second sensor means disposed in said housing, and operating independently of said first sensor means, for detecting the presence, around said housing, of an undesired metal shield for said high frequency energy, and for triggering said alarm device in response to such detection, whereby an attempt to thwart the safeguard device by covering it with an electrically conductive high frequency effective shielding material will be detected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
A safeguard device for protecting objects from theft comprising: a housing having means for releasably attaching said housing to an object to be protected; an alarm device disposed in said housing; first sensor means disposed in said housing for triggering said alarm device after receiving high frequency energy of a selected frequency; and a second sensor means disposed in said housing, and operating independently of said first sensor means, for detecting the presence, around said housing, of an undesired metal shield for said high frequency energy, and for triggering said alarm device in response to such detection, whereby an attempt to thwart the safeguard device by covering it with an electrically conductive high frequency effective shielding material will be detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A safeguard device as defined in claim 13, wherein said second sensor means comprises at least two electrically conductive surfaces arranged on the surface of said housing and electrically insulated from each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A safeguard device as defined in claim 14, wherein said surfaces are electrical contacts which trigger the alarm device when two or more of said contacts are connected in an electrically conductive manner.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A safeguard device as defined in claim 14, wherein said conductive surfaces form a capacitor whose capacitance is changeable by the proximity of metal and said second sensor means further comprises circuit means, disposed in said housing, for detecting a change in capacitance of said capacitor to trigger the alarm device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A safeguard device as defined in claim 13, wherein said second sensor means is an inductive metal sensor comprising an inductor whose inductance is changeable by the proximity of metal, and circuit means operatively connected to said inductor for detecting a change in inductance of said inductor and for triggering said alarm device.
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) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |