Electronic security device

Claim 2

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal that are responsive to said impedance distributed along said lead for generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering, including major disturbances such as shorting and open circuiting of said lead as well as small disturbances including moving and bending of said lead, that effectively change said distributed impedance of said lead; said means for monitoring being operable to generate said alert signal when said distributed impedance changes by an amount substantially smaller than would be produced by short circuiting or open circuiting said lead.

Claim 3

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including inductive means (100) for coupling said monitoring means to said communications lead.

Claim 4

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including inductive means (100) for coupling said monitoring means to said communications lead.

Claim 5

The electronic security device of claim 2 wherein said communications lead comprises a closed loop (14").

Claim 6

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said communications lead comprising an r. f. transmission line (14); and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 7

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said communications lead comprising an r. f. transmission line (14); and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 8

The electronic security device according to claim 4 wherein only one end of said transmission line (14) is coupled to said control signal module and said means for monitoring (182') monitors reflections or absence of reflections on said transmission line.

Claim 9

The electronic security device according to claim 5 wherein said means (180) for generating a signal comprises a source of pulses, there being plural terminations (184) for said transmission line to provide a reflection that is detectable time-wise.

Claim 10

The electronic security device according to claim 4 wherein said r. f. transmission line is provided with a termination (184).

Claim 11

The electronic security device according to claim 7 wherein said termination (184) has an impedance value other than the characteristic impedance of said transmission line.

Claim 12

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead for the purpose of generating an alert signal, wherein said monitoring means is normally responsive to the value of said impedance distributed along said lead as determined at least in part by the length of said lead for normally inhibiting generation of said alert signal, while being sensitive to a range of incremental changes in said value of impedance distributed along said lead to generate an alert signal when one or more of said characteristics are altered as a result of external tampering causing said changes in said impedance distributed along said lead, said range of incremental changes which bring about said alert signal extending to impedance changes substantially less than occasioned by shorting and opening said communications lead, in order to facilitate sensitive detection of said tampering.

Claim 13

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead for the purpose of generating an alert signal, wherein said monitoring means is normally responsive to the value of said impedance distributed along said lead as determined at least in part by the length of said lead for normally inhibiting generation of said alert signal, while being sensitive to a range of incremental changes in said value of impedance distributed along said lead to generate an alert signal when one or more of said characteristics are altered as a result of external tampering causing said changes in said impedance distributed along said lead, said range of incremental changes which bring about said alert signal extending to impedance changes substantially less than occasioned by shorting and opening said communications lead, in order to facilitate sensitive detection of said tampering.

Claim 14

The electronic security device according to claim 9 further provided with means (71) for communicating its status to a remote point.

Claim 15

The electronic security device according to claim 9 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises a DC source.

Claim 16

An electronic security device for detecting when a portal to a sealed enclosure has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being secured on one side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; a signal control module (12) adapted for being secured on another side of said portal boundary and to which at least one end of said lead may also be affixed; means (74, 180) for generating a signal and directing this signal to the first end of said lead, and means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; clock means (70) including display means (24) for displaying real time readings; and microprocessor means (52) for reading and recording the time kept by said clock means in response to said alert signal generated by said monitoring means and for controlling said clock means to display said time on said display means.

Claim 17

An electronic security device for detecting when a portal to a sealed enclosure has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being secured on one side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; a signal control module (12) adapted for being secured on another side of said portal boundary and to which at least one end of said lead may also be affixed; means (74, 180) for generating a signal and directing this signal to the first end of said lead, and means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; clock means (70) including display means (24) for displaying real time readings; and microprocessor means (52) for reading and recording the time kept by said clock means in response to said alert signal generated by said monitoring means and for controlling said clock means to display said time on said display means.

Claim 18

The electronic security device of claim 12 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises an oscillator (74) and said means for monitoring (72) comprises means for detecting voltage levels and phase.

Claim 19

The electronic security device of claim 12 wherein said communications loop (14) comprises a conductor having random impedance along its length.

Claim 20

The electronic security device of claim 12 further including graphics display means (26) for drawing attention to said device upon the detection of a tampering event.

Claim 21

An electronic security device for detecting when a portal to a sealed enclosure has been tampered with, said device comprising: a transmission line (14) over which a signal may be transmitted from the first end thereof to the second end thereof; means (74, 180) for generating a signal for transmission over said line from said first end to said second end; means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more of the characteristics of said signal on said line and generating an alert signal indicative of changes in characteristics resulting from tampering therewith; and means (60, 70, 72, 24) for recording time readings in response to said alert signal and for displaying said readings.

Claim 22

An electronic security device for detecting when a portal to a sealed enclosure has been tampered with, said device comprising: a transmission line (14) over which a signal may be transmitted from the first end thereof to the second end thereof; means (74, 180) for generating a signal for transmission over said line from said first end to said second end; means (72, 190) for monitoring one or more of the characteristics of said signal on said line and generating an alert signal indicative of changes in characteristics resulting from tampering therewith; and means (60, 70, 72, 24) for recording time readings in response to said alert signal and for displaying said readings.

Claim 23

The electronic security device of claim 16 wherein said means for recording time readings and displaying said readings comprises: clock means (70) including display means (24) for displaying real time readings, and microprocessor means (52) for recording the time kept by said clock means and controlling said display means to display time readings in response to said alert signal.

Claim 24

The electronic security device of claim 16 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises an oscillator (74), and said means for monitoring (72) comprises means for detecting voltage level and phase.

Claim 25

The electronic security device according to claim 16 wherein said means for generating a signal comprises an r.f. oscillator (180), and said transmission line comprises an r.f. transmission line (14).

Claim 26

The electronic security device of claim 16 further including graphics display means (26) for drawing attention to said device upon the detection of a tampering event.

Claim 27

The electronic security device of claim 16 further including sensor means (73) for detecting the approach of personnel.

Claim 28

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 152, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; and wherein said means for generating a signal comprises an oscillator (74), and said means for monitoring (72) comprises means (90, 96, 98) for detecting voltage levels and phase.

Claim 29

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 152, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; and wherein said means for generating a signal comprises an oscillator (74), and said means for monitoring (72) comprises means (90, 96, 98) for detecting voltage levels and phase.

Claim 30

The electronic security device of claim 22 wherein said communications lead comprises a conductor (14) having random impedance along its length.

Claim 31

The electronic security device of claim 22 further including graphics display means (24, 26) for drawing attention to said device upon the detection of a tampering event and for displaying the time of such event.

Claim 32

The electronic security device of claim 22 wherein said communications lead comprises an inductance coil (14').

Claim 33

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 152, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; and wherein said communications lead comprises an r.f. transmission line (14).

Claim 34

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: a communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 152, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics; and wherein said communications lead comprises an r.f. transmission line (14).

Claim 35

The electronic security device according to claim 26 wherein only one end of said transmission line (14) is coupled to said control signal module and said means for monitoring (182') monitors reflections or absence of reflections on said transmission line.

Claim 36

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for generating a signal comprising an oscillator (74), and said means for monitoring comprising means (90, 96, 98) for detecting voltage levels and phase.

Claim 37

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for generating a signal comprising an oscillator (74), and said means for monitoring comprising means (90, 96, 98) for detecting voltage levels and phase.

Claim 38

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said lead comprising a conductor having random impedance varying along its length; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 39

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said lead comprising a conductor having random impedance varying along its length; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 40

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including graphics display means (24, 26) for drawing attention to said device upon detection of a tampering event and for displaying the time of such event.

Claim 41

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including graphics display means (24, 26) for drawing attention to said device upon detection of a tampering event and for displaying the time of such event.

Claim 42

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said communications lead comprising an inductance coil (14'); and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 43

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong, said communications lead comprising an inductance coil (14'); and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead.

Claim 44

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including capacitor means (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) for coupling said monitoring means to said communications lead.

Claim 45

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said electronic security device further including capacitor means (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) for coupling said monitoring means to said communications lead.

Claim 46

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal including means for measuring voltage over a length of said lead having said impedance distributed along its length.

Claim 47

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal including means for measuring voltage over a length of said lead having said impedance distributed along its length.

Claim 48

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration including means (60) for storing one or more of said characteristics for comparison with subsequent characteristic values.

Claim 49

A portable electronic security device for detecting when a portal has been tampered with, comprising: an elongated communications lead (14) adapted for being attached to a side of a portal boundary, said lead having a first end and a second end between which a signal may be transmitted, wherein said lead is characterized by impedance distributed therealong; and a signal control module (12) adapted for being affixed to another side of said portal boundary to which at least one end of said lead may also be secured; wherein the device includes means (74, 152, 180) for generating a signal for said communications lead, and means (72, 150, 190) for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal as modified by said impedance distributed along said lead and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration of one or more of said characteristics as a result of external tampering effectively changing said impedance of said lead; said means for monitoring one or more characteristics of said signal and generating an alert signal indicative of alteration including means (60) for storing one or more of said characteristics for comparison with subsequent characteristic values.