Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2001-11-27
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S573400, C340S565000, C340S567000, C340S541000, C340S522000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323773
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an alerting device and method to detect a person exiting a predetermined space proximate to a risk and to remind the person of the risk. The term “risk,” used hereinafter, is defined as a possibility of loss, illness, or injury.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Information is the lifeblood of any organization, especially its sensitive, proprietary, confidential, trade secret, or classified information. When it is lost or compromised to an adversary, or competitor, the organization's reputation and ability to compete could be severely damaged or ruined. More importantly, national security interests could be jeopardized.
Protecting an organization's business information, and business property in general, from loss demands that there be an active and meaningful security awareness program in place. Security professionals have traditionally relied on security training, briefings, videos, security posters, warning signs, etc., to help remind personnel of their day-to-day responsibilities in protecting information and physical property. These methods alone, however, have proven to be unsatisfactory based on the continuing problems of information security infractions and loss of property.
This problem can be explained, in part, through various scientific studies that have shown that the typical work environment has been overcome by visual pollution. That is, there is too much visual information being pushed at personnel, such information becoming “part of the woodwork.” For example, within a short period of time a security poster at an office exit fails to capture the attention of personnel and they become oblivious to the poster and its message. Security briefings and videos also receive low marks for helping to sustain employee security awareness and minimizing complacency, mental lapses, forgetfulness, and inattention to detail.
Such inadequacies are also important contributing factors in many occupational accidents and illnesses. Similar to security personnel, occupational or industrial safety/health professionals rely on personnel being well trained and knowledgeable of procedures to protect themselves and coworkers. Depending on the specific job hazards, additional lines of defense may be established that include passive warning signs and physical barriers. Like security defenses, however, personnel may become accustomed, and oblivious, to these safety defenses over time.
A variety of indoor and outdoor devices exist that warn a person, through audible and/or visual means, upon detection of a person's or object's presence in a monitored area. For example, the devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,912,457, and 5,726,629 warn or greet a person audibly and visually upon detection of the person: the '457 device can remind a machine tool operator to use safety guards on machinery when the operator is close to the machine tool and the '629 patent discloses a home security application whereby the sound of a dog barking can be delivered to the intruder whose presence is detected. U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,686 discloses a device that warns workers in a roadway work zone of an errant vehicle by the use of motion detectors targeting the perimeter of the zone and a high intensity strobe light array.
No devices exist, however, that meet the needs of security and occupational or industrial safety/health professionals. Simple, low-cost, and effective reminders for personnel are needed for those circumstances whereby the level of risk significantly increases as a person exits an area near the risk. For example, there are situations whereby personnel need to be reminded to:
Secure sensitive or classified information in hardcopy or electronic form,
Lock safes, files, the office door, or other security barriers,
Secure or store valuable or hazardous materials and equipment after use,
Return equipment or materials,
Clean the work area,
Remove potentially-contaminated personal protection clothing, and
Deenergize equipment or appliances.
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a simple, low-cost, and effective alerting device that reminds a person of a risk upon sensing the person exiting an area near the risk.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an alerting device and method to remind personnel of a risk. The device has at least two sensors, a logic controller, a power source, and an annunciator that delivers a visual message, with or without an audible alarm, about a risk to a person when the sensors detect the person exiting a predetermined space. In particular, the present invention reminds a person of a security, safety, or health risk upon exiting a predetermined space. More particularly, the present invention reminds a person of an information security risk relating to sensitive, proprietary, confidential, trade secret, classified, or intellectual property information. Details of the device are set forth below only as may be necessary for a proper understanding of the invention since specific details will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, including those skilled in sensor technology, control logic, and electronic circuit design.
An object of the present invention is to remind a person of a risk upon detection of the person exiting a predetermined space proximate to the risk.
A further object of the present invention is to alert personnel in a manner such that the invention does not become a nuisance and does not negatively impact personnel productivity.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce the number of information security infractions.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce property losses.
A further object of the present invention is to improve the safety of personnel and reduce the number workplace-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4912457 (1990-03-01), Ladd
patent: 5726629 (1998-03-01), Yu
patent: 5760686 (1998-06-01), Toman
patent: 6157299 (2000-12-01), Wang
Gunter Wayne M.
Pratt Richard M.
Runyon Larry
Battelle (Memorial Institute)
May Stephen R.
Pope Daryl
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