US5440290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximity detection device for protection of personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation
Assignee: Tecsec Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-07
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2013-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A proximity detection device for protection of personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation. The device works by detecting the presence of people, either the operator or bystanders, who are in the system antenna's radio frequency radiation hazard zone. Upon detection, the device triggers a timer that delays the activation of alarm circuitry for a brief period of time. This time delay is instituted to minimize the triggering of nuisance alarms by a momentary intrusion in the hazard zone. If a presence is still detected after the delay time, pulsing visual and audible alarms are triggered to alert the system operator of the dangerous situation. The alarms remain activated for a timed period, allowing the operator to clear the hazard zone. If the system of the present invention continues to detect a presence in the radio frequency radiation hazard zone after the timed alarm period, the alarms are set in constant activation and a relay is triggered deactivating the system transmitter, thereby removing the radio frequency radiation hazard.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. McCullough
- 👤 Roy D. Follendore, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/04; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/04; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/182; G01S15/88; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/521
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A proximity detection device for use with a radio frequency radiation transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter providing a radio frequency output conforming to an antenna beam pattern, the proximity detection device comprising: A) a sensor disposed to detect the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the sensor providing a sensor output signal which indicates when the presence of a person is sensed within the predetermined area and the predetermined area being defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern and within which the radio frequency output is greater than a predetermined level; B) a detector disposed to interpret the sensor output signal, the detector providing a detection output signal that is asserted when the sensor output signal indicates the presence of a person within the predetermined area; and C) a switch, connected to the detector, for disabling the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A proximity detection device for use with a radio frequency radiation transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter providing a radio frequency output conforming to an antenna beam pattern, the proximity detection device comprising: A) a sensor disposed to detect the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the sensor providing a sensor output signal which indicates when the presence of a person is sensed within the predetermined area and the predetermined area being defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern and within which the radio frequency output is greater than a predetermined level; B) a detector disposed to interpret the sensor output signal, the detector providing a detection output signal that is asserted when the sensor output signal indicates the presence of a person within the predetermined area; and C) a switch, connected to the detector, for disabling the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The proximity detection device of claim 1, further comprising a visual output device disposed to provide a visual output when actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The proximity detection device of claim 2, further comprising an audible output device disposed to provide an audible output when actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The proximity detection device of claim 3, further comprising control logic disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The proximity detection device of claim 4, further comprising a timer disposed to control the switch and the control logic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The proximity detection device of claim 5, wherein: A) the control logic comprises an oscillator disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device in a pulsing fashion; B) the control logic further comprises a continuous actuator disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device in a continuous fashion; and C) the timer is adapted to enable and disable the oscillator, the continuous actuator, and the switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The proximity detection device of claim 6, wherein the timer is adapted to enable and disable the oscillator, the continuous actuator, and the switch in a sequence when the detection output signal is not asserted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The proximity detection device of claim 4, further comprising reset logic disposed to enable the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is not asserted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The proximity detection device of claim 4, further comprising test logic disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device and for disabling the radio frequency transmitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The proximity detection device of claim 1, further comprising an audible output device disposed to provide an audible output when actuated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
214 words
A proximity detection device for use with a radio frequency radiation transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter providing a radio frequency output conforming to an antenna beam pattern, the proximity detection device comprising: A) a sensor disposed to detect the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the sensor adapted to provide a sensor output signal which indicates when the presence of a person is sensed within the predetermined area and the predetermined area defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern within which the radio frequency output is greater than a predetermined level; B) a detector, disposed to interpret the sensor output signal, the detector providing a detection output signal that is asserted when the sensor output signal indicates the presence of a person within the predetermined area; C) a visual output device disposed to provide a visual output when actuated; D) an audible output device disposed to provide an audible output when actuated; E) control logic connected to the detector, the visual output device, and the audible output device and adapted to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device when the detection output signal is asserted; and F) a switch disposed to disable the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
A proximity detection device for use with a radio frequency radiation transmitter, the radio frequency transmitter providing a radio frequency output conforming to an antenna beam pattern, the proximity detection device comprising: A) a sensor disposed to detect the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the sensor adapted to provide a sensor output signal which indicates when the presence of a person is sensed within the predetermined area and the predetermined area defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern within which the radio frequency output is greater than a predetermined level; B) a detector, disposed to interpret the sensor output signal, the detector providing a detection output signal that is asserted when the sensor output signal indicates the presence of a person within the predetermined area; C) a visual output device disposed to provide a visual output when actuated; D) an audible output device disposed to provide an audible output when actuated; E) control logic connected to the detector, the visual output device, and the audible output device and adapted to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device when the detection output signal is asserted; and F) a switch disposed to disable the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The proximity detection device of claim 11, further comprising a timer, connected to the detector, the switch, and the control logic and adapted to control the switch and the control logic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
The proximity detection device of claim 12, wherein: A) the control logic comprises an oscillator disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device in a pulsing fashion; B) the control logic further comprises a continuous actuator disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device in a continuous fashion; and C) the timer is adapted to enable and disable the oscillator, the continuous actuator, and the switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The proximity detection device of claim 13, wherein the timer is adapted to enable and disable the oscillator, the continuous actuator, and the switch in a sequence when the detection output signal is asserted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The proximity detection device of claim 11, further comprising reset logic disposed to enable the radio frequency transmitter when the detection output signal is not asserted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The proximity detection device of claim 11, further comprising test logic disposed to actuate the visual output device and the audible output device and for disabling the radio frequency transmitter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for protecting personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation, the radio frequency radiation conforming to an antenna beam pattern, comprising: A) sensing the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the predetermined area defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern and within which the radio frequency radiation is greater than a predetermined level; B) asserting a detection signal as long as the presence of the person is sensed within the predetermined area; C) waiting a predetermined amount of time; and D) disabling a source of the radio frequency radiation if the detection signal is still asserted.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for protecting personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation, the radio frequency radiation conforming to an antenna beam pattern, comprising: A) sensing the presence of a person within a predetermined area, the predetermined area defined by a region substantially the same shape as the antenna beam pattern and within which the radio frequency radiation is greater than a predetermined level; B) asserting a detection signal as long as the presence of the person is sensed within the predetermined area; C) waiting a predetermined amount of time; and D) disabling a source of the radio frequency radiation if the detection signal is still asserted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method for protecting personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation of claim 17, further comprising the following before disabling the source of the radio frequency radiation: A) turning on an alarm if the detection signal is still asserted; and B) waiting a second predetermined amount of time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for protecting personnel against exposure to hazardous radio frequency radiation of claim 18, further comprising turning on the alarm in a different manner if the detection signal is asserted after waiting the second predetermined amount of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |