US6133830A — Motion sensitive anti-theft device with alarm scr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 169 words

An anti-theft system, comprising a control unit having a first transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving data signals, a warning device coupled to said first transceiver and capable of being activated in response to an alert signal from said first transceiver, and an activation element coupled to said first transceiver and capable of directing said first transceiver to transmit an alarm signal representative of a command to activate an alarm, and a theft detector having a motion detector for generating a movement signal in response to a detected movement, an alarm, and a second transceiver coupled to said motion detector and said alarm and providing bi-directional transfer of data signals, said second transceiver being capable of transmitting said alert signal in response to said movement signal, and being capable of activating said alarm in response to said alarm signal received from said control unit, whereby the user is provided a warning that an article coupled to said theft detector has moved, to allow the user to activate the alarm.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 169 words

An anti-theft system, comprising a control unit having a first transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving data signals, a warning device coupled to said first transceiver and capable of being activated in response to an alert signal from said first transceiver, and an activation element coupled to said first transceiver and capable of directing said first transceiver to transmit an alarm signal representative of a command to activate an alarm, and a theft detector having a motion detector for generating a movement signal in response to a detected movement, an alarm, and a second transceiver coupled to said motion detector and said alarm and providing bi-directional transfer of data signals, said second transceiver being capable of transmitting said alert signal in response to said movement signal, and being capable of activating said alarm in response to said alarm signal received from said control unit, whereby the user is provided a warning that an article coupled to said theft detector has moved, to allow the user to activate the alarm.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said theft detector transceiver includes a transmitter carried on a computer motherboard.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said theft detector transceiver includes a receiver carried on a computer motherboard.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said theft detector includes a connector for attaching said theft detector to a portable article.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said theft detector includes an interface for connecting to a PC card interface of a computer.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said theft detector includes a carrying case of the type employed for carrying a portable article.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 1, further including a timer for measuring a predetermined period of time to identify a time interval during which the article is substantially at rest.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said second transceiver includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 1, including an encoder/decoder for encoding and decoding said data signals.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 30 words

The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit includes a system identifier for generating a system identification signal representative of a control unit and at least one theft detector.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

The system of claim 10, including a unit identifier for generating unit identifier codes capable of discriminating among a plurality of theft detectors having a common system identification signal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1, including an arming mechanism for selectively arming and disarming said theft detector.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 1, including a mode switch for selectively entering a low power mode for reducing power consumption.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 1, including a means for selectively activating said warning device in response to frequency and duration of detected motion, so that brief motion triggers a warning alarm and persistent motion triggers a full alarm.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 89 words

A process for manufacturing an anti-theft device, comprising, providing a motherboard of the type capable of executing a computer program, arranging a transceiver and a motion detector on said motherboard, providing a computer program capable of operating said transceiver and monitoring said motion detector to detect movement of said motherboard, and responsive thereto, to activate said transceiver to broadcast an alert signal, and providing a control unit capable of being carried by a user for transmitting command signals to said transceiver to provide operating instructions to said computer program.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 89 words

A process for manufacturing an anti-theft device, comprising, providing a motherboard of the type capable of executing a computer program, arranging a transceiver and a motion detector on said motherboard, providing a computer program capable of operating said transceiver and monitoring said motion detector to detect movement of said motherboard, and responsive thereto, to activate said transceiver to broadcast an alert signal, and providing a control unit capable of being carried by a user for transmitting command signals to said transceiver to provide operating instructions to said computer program.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

A process according to claim 15, including the further act of providing a timer for monitoring said motion detector for a selected period of time, to identify a period of time during which the motherboard is at rest.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 31 words

A process according to claim 15, including the act of providing a mode switch for instructing the computer program to selectively place the motherboard in a mode for reducing power consumption.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

A process according to claim 15, wherein arranging a transceiver includes incorporating a radio-frequency transceiver on said motherboard.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for deterring theft of an article, comprising providing a theft detector unit capable of detecting motion and broadcasting an alert signal, providing a control unit capable of receiving said alert signal and generating a warning signal of the type employed for warning a system user, allowing the system user to direct said control unit to transmit an alarm signal to said theft detector unit, and directing said theft detector to sound an alarm in response to said alarm signal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for deterring theft of an article, comprising providing a theft detector unit capable of detecting motion and broadcasting an alert signal, providing a control unit capable of receiving said alert signal and generating a warning signal of the type employed for warning a system user, allowing the system user to direct said control unit to transmit an alarm signal to said theft detector unit, and directing said theft detector to sound an alarm in response to said alarm signal.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-10-17	2004-04-17	2004-10-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-10-17	2008-04-17	2008-10-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-10-17	2012-04-17	2012-10-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Motion sensitive anti-theft device with alarm screening

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