Communications: electrical – Audible indication – Piezoelectric
Patent
1998-10-26
2000-11-21
Wu, Daniel J.
Communications: electrical
Audible indication
Piezoelectric
3403841, 3405681, 340571, G08B 310
Patent
active
06150923&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to alarm system for detecting theft or attempted theft of an article and producing an alarm signal upon such detection.
2. Description of Related Art
A particular, but not exclusive, object of the invention is to provide an alarm system adapted to prevent or discourage theft of fitted radios, cassette players, CD players, radio/cassette players, radio/CD players and the like, from motor cars or other vehicles, such items all being referred to herein, for convenience, as car radios.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an alarm system for detecting attempted theft of an article, the system including or comprising means incorporated in the article itself and arranged to transmit and to continue transmitting an alarm signal when the article is removed from its original location.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an alarm system for detecting attempted theft of an article or appliance connected with a power supply, the system being arranged to detect disconnection of the article or appliance from such supply.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an alarm system for providing an audible alarm, or transmitted alarm, is provided, arranged to be operated when a thief removes or attempts to remove a car radio, cassette player, compact disc player or the like from a car. Unauthorised removal of a car radio or the like from the standard slot provided in the console at the front of the car is preferably detected by the consequent breaking of an electrical circuit which may preferably be the necessary power supply connections to the radio from the car electrical system or may for example be the connections to the loudspeakers or the radio aerial. Alternatively, an auxiliary connection dedicated to the alarm system may be provided.
Preferably the alarm system is incorporated in the radio itself, being powered, for example, by a rechargeable battery within the radio casing and which is kept charged by the vehicle electrical system in normal use. The alarm preferably incorporates an appropriate sound-producing device, for example an efficient piezo-electric transducer, or a horn powered by a small compressed gas container within the radio casing and controlled by a electrically operable valve controlled in turn by the alarm system. The alarm system may also, or alternatively, be arranged to spray or exude a marker substance onto the thief, or may also, or alternatively be arranged to send a radio signal allowing the stolen radio to be "tracked" by a suitable receiver with which the owner, or the police, for example may be provided.
The radio preferably incorporates means for disabling the alarm to allow the legitimate owner to remove the radio when necessary, such means being, for example, key operated or including means whereby a predetermined code known only to the owner may be entered. As in known coded car radios, the means for entering the code may be afforded by operating buttons, etc. already provided on the radio for programme selection etc. Alternatively the radio may incorporate a receiver, for example, an infra-red or ultrasonic receiver, whereby a predetermined key or code signal can be transmitted from a remote control device to disable the alarm. Conveniently, where the car is provided with a remotely controlled e.g. infra-red controlled door-locking or car alarm system, the alarm system may be capable of being disabled by operation of the same infra-red transmitter used to operate the remotely controlled door locking or car alarm system. Preferably the alarm system is incorporated in the radio as an integral part thereof, for example contained within the casing of the car radio. However, if desired, the alarm system may be provided as an "add on" unit, for example to be interposed in the power supply connections between the radio and the car battery and arranged to operate whether the radio is
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Hughes Steven
Johnson William Nevil Heaton
Rice Christopher George
Poff Clifford A.
Trieu Van T.
Wu Daniel J.
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