WO2004006204A1

WO2004006204A1 - Device of a sensor unit for a surveillance system

Info

Publication number: WO2004006204A1
Application number: PCT/NO2003/000232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stein Helge Glad Nordahl; Torbjørn AASEN
Original assignee: Stein Helge Glad Nordahl; Aasen Torbjoern
Priority date: 2002-07-04
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Also published as: AU2003281411A1; NO20023258L; NO20023258D0; EP1559080A1; NO318000B1

Abstract

A device is described of a sensor unit for a surveillance and/or a message system, comprising of a body that can move on a foundation which includes teh sensor unit which comprises a transmitter and receiver units for transmission of signals between sensor and a centre, where the body is arranged to take up arbitrary positions on a foundation. The device is characterised in that the body is mobile ball in which the sensor unit with transmitter and receiver is fitted, with the ball comprising a drive element to rotate the ball, and in addition means to control the ball's drive element and the sensor unit. Also described is an alarm system as well as an application of the device.

Description

DEVICE OF A SENSOR UNIT FOR A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.

The present invention relates to a device of a sensor unit for a surveillance and/or a message system, comprising a body, which can move on a foundation, incorporating the sensor unit which encompasses a transmitter and receiver units for transmission of signals between the sensor and a central unit, where the body is arranged to take up arbitrary positions on a foundation.

The invention also relates to an alarm system and an application of the sensor construction in an alarm installation.

The invention is particularly relevant for a warning system, such as an alarm system, whereby gasses, heat, smoke, radiation such as in radioactivity, sound, light, pressure, liquids such as water from leakages, movement and signals in connection to, for example, GPS systems (position determinations) can be detected. The transmission to the centre can occur analogically to a mobile telephone system such as a GSM system, internet, at transmission of signals to display pictures (MMS) , video, sound, light, text and the like. It can also be envisioned that the transmitter unit can emit odours. The invention shall be explained in the following in connection with alarm systems which are based on warning or alarming when un-authorised movements from objects/persons occur in an area, such as in burglary and the like. However, the invention is not to be restricted to detection of un-authorised movements by people.

Alarm systems can be based on PIR (passive infrared) - detectors, ultrasonic detectors, MX detectors and/or seismic detectors, or other types of sensor which are not specified further here.

For application in alarm systems, one can use the following main detector types:

- PIR (passive infrared)

PIR is the most reliable movement detector. It detects changes in heat through a series of lenses which divide the area into zones, both vertically and horizontally.

- Ultrasonic detector

This sensor type uses sound to detect movement. The detector is active by emitting ultrasonic signals. The detector can demonstrate, with the help of a Doppler effect, changes in sound when an object is moving. This type of detector is often used in surroundings which do not allow for optimal use of PIR. It can also be programmed to react to strong and loud sounds.

- MX detector The detector utilises microwaves as a radar. Thus it can see through walls, furniture and other obstacles. It is therefore ideal in bank premises, museums and public offices .

- Seismic detector

This detector is sensitive to vibrations. By moving in a "listening position" on the floor it will be able to immediately detect shaking that arises from, for example, small explosions, dropping objects and so on. In today's alarm system, such detectors are positioned at strategic positions on walls (in corners) and in ceilings of the rooms that shall be surveyed. They are connected with the help of leads or wireless contact to an alarm centre that controls the surveillance of what the sensor sees and feels at any time. When the centre unit of the alarm installation is activated, it simultaneously activates all the sensors by way of leads or wirelessly. However, there are disadvantages with today's alarm systems. It is a problem with known alarm systems that strangers can carry out a mapping of the fitted installation to manipulate it later when it is out of operation, for example during the day.

It sometime happens that burglars have been able to cover-up or tape the sensors so that whole or parts of the alarm system have been put out of operation. Thereby it will not function and register unauthorised movements when the alarm system is activated when the premises are closed for the day. It is not simple to register that the sensors have been covered either.

In the alarm centre a manual or automatic control is carried out, and the actions can comprise, for example, a call-out (by a security firm, police, fire brigade and the like) and/or a sound alarm is triggered in the premises where the un-authorised movement is registered. In premises where people such as employees and the public move periodically (for example, at opening times in office premises, shops, art exhibitions and the like) the permanently fitted sensors can be disconnected.

It is an aim of the invention to provide a new type of installation with an arbitrary or unpredictable movement pattern and which comprises a sensor unit as indicated initially.

Furthermore it is an aim of the present invention to provide a sensor unit for a surveillance and/or a message system that will remove the disadvantages that exist which today's systems. It is an other aim of the invention that the alarm system shall not be based on permanently positioned sensors .

It is a further aim of the invention that one shall not be able to predict where the sensor is located in the area that is under surveillance.

The sensor according to the invention is characterised in that the body is a mobile ball in which the sensor unit with a transmitter and a receiver is fitted, as the ball comprises a drive element to rotate the ball, and also means to control the drive element and the sensor unit. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent device claims .

The alarm system according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a body encompassing a sensor of the type given in the device claims, and the transmitter unit of the body is arranged to communicate with a telephone network, such as a mobile network.

According to the invention the sensor construction is used in an alarm system such as it appears in the claims 14 and 15 respectively.

The invention in question increases the security of the alarm installation in that the sensor which detects movement in the premises moves arbitrarily around the premises itself, such that its position on the floor at any given time cannot be predicted.

Thereby, possible intruders cannot plan to disconnect the sensor or to avoid the alarm system as mentioned initially. All the four sensor types mentioned above can be connected together in one alarm system according to the invention and be programmed as desired.

The unpredictability lies in that the ball with the connected sensors is arranged mainly to be lying stationary on the floor, then move at similar or different time intervals in an apparently arbitrary distance and direction and thereafter remain stationary again. Thus, the body goes through sequences in which it moves and then lies still, said sequences being repeated as long as the alarm system is activated.

In some embodiments the sensor can be connected and detect both in the stationary mode and moving mode of the body. According to an other solution the sensor can be programmed such that the sensor is disconnected from detection mode when the body is moving. This can be carried out when a movement sensor that will react to the body' s own movements is used.

Thus, with the invention, one can utilise existing alarm installations with wireless movement sensors, where the sensor itself is mobile in an arbitrary (unpredictable) way. As will be apparent from the following, it is, according to a preferred embodiment, possible to control the direction of movement of the ball by displacing the eccentrically placed weight inside the ball, or by altering the polarity of the electric drive motor. This can be the case when one wants that the detection shall occur in a given area or location, or when one wishes that the ball shall move toward its station for recharging the drive gear batteries. By giving the processor inside the ball a signal to alter polarity and/or displace the weight when the ball rolls away from a given object, it will tend to roll in the direction of the desired object all the time.

When the system is applied as an alarm in connection with a burglary and the like, one has consequently achieved that the person who moves will have no idea where the sensor is, and will be subjected to great uncertainty with regard to where the sensor is.

In an alarm context one can say in popular terms that the burglars uncertainty is your security

The applied ball-robot according to the invention is designed to obtain an arbitrary direction of movement, and this arises in that a large number of different factors influence the robot's choice of direction of movement. One way to obtain this is by allowing the robot to be exposed to many collision moments, i.e. situations in which the robot, or the drive gear, collides with another element, something that initiates a change in direction.

The robot in the alarm system is a mobile type that is described in Norwegian Patent application 2001 3685. In this patent a ball-formed outer shell and an inner drive gear is described. The drive gear inside the ball can be of any type. For example, a drive gear in the form of balls as described in WO 99/30876, WO 97/25239, US 4,733,737, US 4,726,800, US 4,541,814 and US 4,501,569, can be used. The drive gear has control electronics to start and stop the drive gear, and also an energy source, for example, a battery. A preferred drive gear for the ball comprises a weight the position of which can be altered by a drive gear and where the weight moves along the inside of the ball's skeleton so that the ball' s centre of gravity changes with this resulting in a movement of the ball. Thus, the drive principle is based on the ball's centre of gravity continuously changing so that it rolls along the floor.

When the ball hits an object, for example, a chair leg or part of a wall, this will lead to an arbitrary change in direction. Thus, the ball gets an arbitrary movement pattern.

The shape of the ball results in it moving with low friction against the floor. The ball can be constructed from any material, but the material that constitutes the outer surface of the ball must have a sufficient friction against the floor so that the rotating movements of the ball result in the ball moving in relation to the floor. As the detector inside the ball shall transmit and receive signals, the ball shell must be penetrable for such signals, and when the detector includes a camera that shall take pictures or a video recording, the ball shell must be of a transparent plastic or glass material.

As mentioned, a preferred embodiment comprises a propulsion mechanism of a central shaft (centrally and permanently mounted inside the ball space) with a fitted weight, the position of which can be changed in that it can rotate around the shaft with the help of a drive gear. When the weight starts to move along the inside of the ball skeleton/ball shell the ball's centre of gravity will change with this resulting in the ball rolling on the floor. Instead of the weight rotating around the shaft, the ball will start to roll instead, while the weight remains suspended approximately vertically, underneath the shaft, when the ball rolls. When the rotation stops the ball will roll to a position where the weight is lying at its lowest, down toward the inside surface of the ball that is nearest the foundation, i.e. the floor.

One (or more) sensor is placed inside the ball with a transmitter unit that wirelessly transmits signals to the alarm centre of the installation, as is described above. The sensor can be placed on the opposite side of the weight/rotation shaft so that the sensor is always facing upward when the ball is lying still and the weight faces downward. The sensor will also face upward when the ball is rolling.

The ball shell is manufactured from a material which is penetrable for the signals which the sensor transmits and receives, such as a plastic or glass material.

Furthermore, the drive gear itself in the ball is arranged to be set by programming such that it can alter between being activated (roll) for a given time interval and to be inactivated (lie stationary) for a given time interval .

The invention shall be explained in more detail with reference to the enclosed figures, in which; Figure 1 shows a cross-section of a detector ball, with the internal elements being shown schematically, and also shows a possible connection to a charger unit.

Figure 2 shows schematically how signal transmission takes place by way of a signal connection to a mobile network (GSM) by way of a suitable aerial system.

A cross-section through such a ball 10 according to the invention is shown in figure 1. The ball has a shell that defines a hollow inner space 12, in which the propulsion mechanism, as well as the sensor with transmitter and receiver, are fitted. A shaft running centrally through the ball 10 is shown by 14. An internal housing part or a housing forming body 15 is arranged to be able to rotate around the shaft 14, i.e. that the shaft functions as an axis of rotation. The housing part 15 comprises a motor 16 with drive battery 18 and a weight element in the form of a weight 20. When the ball lies stationary the force of gravity causes the housing with the motor/battery/weight to "hang down" underneath the shaft. The sensor with the receiver/detector and transmitter unit 22 is permanently fixed to the housing diametrically on the opposite side of the weight 20, the battery pack 18 and the motor 16. The heaviness of the weight on the diametrically opposite side ensures that the front side 24 of the sensor will always face upward, toward the upwardly facing ball shell 26 whichever position the ball takes up or how the ball rolls. When the drive motor stops the rotation, the ball will roll to or search for a stable position where the body 15 and the weight 20 remain hanging downwards. In this position, the sensor can carry out the detecting task, and the radiation permeable ball shell 10,26 leads through receiver signals 36 (to the sensor) that can imply unauthorised movement, and also transmitter signals 38 (from the sensor) which are sent further to the alarm centre. The battery 18 that drives the motor 16 can be supplied electricity from an external charger 30 on the outside of the ball shell by way of the lead 32, as the connection appropriately is made at the point where the stationary shaft 14 is secured to the ball shell. The transfer of electricity can also take place in a wireless way. A switch for manual starting and stopping of the ball is also preferably situated here.

In addition to these units the detector unit 22 comprises the processor itself, encompassing a timer (or also a programmable data unit) which can be used to set the drive motor on the pattern of movement/stand still one desires the body to go through. By way of the timer/data unit one can also program the sensor to be disconnected when the body is moving.

Figure 2 shows the inventive detector ball placed in a building 40 shown schematically. If the sensor is a movement sensor inside the ball 10, it receives signals 36 that a person 42 is illegally inside the building. The receiver transforms the signal, or it takes the necessary pictures and sends this information on as transmitting signals 38. The signal can go by way of an aerial 44 to an alarm centre 46 and further to a telephone network 48, such as a broadband, internet or another suitable medium. The signal 38 can also be transferred directly to an external aerial 50 for further transmission to the alarm centre.

When using certain sensor types it is appropriate that they are turned off when the body/ball is moving, thereby to avoid the alarm system being triggered as a consequence of the ball's own movements.

It is preferred that the time periods in which the ball lies still are longer than the time periods in which the ball moves. A preferred pattern can be that the ball lies still for 20 minutes and then to move in arbitrary directions over a time period of 30 seconds, but other time windows for these two modes can also be chosen. Short intervals for movement and longer intervals of stand still to be in detection position are preferred. During fitting in premises that are to be surveyed one can set out one or more of the sensor balls that are described above. The sensor balls will then move around on the floor in an unpredictable way. Thereby, a burglar cannot know in advance where the sensor is situated. The burglar will thereby become uncertain as is intended.

The types of sensors that can be applied inside the ball are sensors for registering movements, temperature. It can also comprise a camera for taking pictures. Furthermore, communication can take place by way of a mobile telephone system which is integrated into the ball, for transmission of SMS text messages about the status of the surveillance site and the like. Thus, signals (such as video recordings) can, for example, be sent directly to a house owner by way of his mobile telephone. Provided with the present invention is an innovation for alarm installations that offers the following advantages :

1. Flexibility/portability. The sensor can be moved.

2. Simple to use and maintenance free 3. Unlimited expansion possibilities. The detection system of the ball can be adjusted to register all types of parameters.

4. Wireless system.

5. Can be connected to existing alarm installations. 6. Increased security (unpredictable position of the movement sensor) . Intruders cannot know where the sensor is situated.

According to a variant of the invention, the robot/body/ball with the built-in sensor can constitute the whole alarm installation. The transmission body of the robot can, according to a specific example, be arranged such that it is connected directly to and communicates with a telephone network, such as a mobile network. Thereby warnings about the unauthorised movements can be sent to an ordinary telephone or a mobile telephone. The recipient (the person) can then carry out the necessary actions.

It is described in the above that the ball shall move completely arbitrarily on the foundation/floor. However, according to a preferred embodiment it is possible to partially control the directions of the ball's movement.

This is in situations where there are, for example, special areas in a premises that shall be especially surveyed. For example, it can be desirable that one, by way of the ball (photographing) , shall be able to control whether a window in the premises is closed or stands open, or it can be desirable to direct the ball to a charging station for transfer of electricity to the battery 18 of the drive gear.

A transmitter that sends a signal to the ball's sensor unit can be at such stations and thereby inform whether the ball's distance to the station increases or decreases. For example, when the sensor unit in the ball registers that the distance increases, the control system can be programmed such that a servo inside the ball displaces the weight 20 from its original and normal centre position, i.e. to the left or to the right. Such a change will make the ball change the direction of rolling. If the direction of rolling after some time (some seconds) turns out to be in a direction away from the station, then the servo pushes the weight to the other extreme position. The ball will thereby continuously change its direction of rolling, and systematically, albeit it slowly, move towards the mentioned position.

Another way to solve this is to install an electronic circuit in the drive gear which can alter the polarity of the voltage from the battery. At the same time, the drive element can thereby change direction of rotation and the body will thus change direction of rotation about the shaft 14, something which in turn causes the ball to change direction of rolling, as mentioned in the last paragraph. By continuously maintaining this change of movement the ball will gradually approach the desired position. In this way, one can influence the ball's direction of movement to a given position where one wishes to perform a given action, such as to a position where the electricity supply to the drive gear (battery) is to be charged, a position where a picture is to be taken, or an area where a particular surveillance is to be carried out.

Claims

P A T E N T C L A I M S.

1. Device of a sensor unit for a surveillance and/or a message system, comprising a body, which can move on a foundation, and includes the sensor unit which encompasses a transmitter and receiver units for transmission of signals between the sensor and a centre, where the body is arranged to take up arbitrary positions on a foundation c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the body is a moveable ball in which the sensor unit with transmitter and receiver is fitted, as the ball comprises a drive element to rotate the ball, and also means to control the drive element and sensor unit of the ball.

2. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the ball (26) comprises a body (15) which is rotatable about an internally fitted central shaft (14) in the ball space, as the body (15) comprises a weight element in the form of a weight (20) that is arranged eccentrically in relation to the central shaft (14), and is also comprised of the drive element (16) which is arranged to rotate the body around the central shaft, and that the body (15) also comprises the sensor unit (22).

3. Device according to claims 1-2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the sensor unit (22) is fitted to the rotatable element on the diametrically opposite side of the central shaft (14) in relation to the weight element (20) .

4. Device according to any of preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the ball is manufactured from a material which is permeable to the signals which the transmitter unit sends out and receives, as well as for the signals which the transmitter sends to the centre .

5. Device according to any of preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the body (15) comprises a timer/data unit whereby the drive motor can be set/programmed to the pattern of rotation/lying stationary that one wishes the ball to go through.

6. Device according to any of preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the timer/data unit is arranged to set/program the sensor to be inactivated/disconnected when the ball (26) is moving, and is activated when the ball is lying stationary.

7. Device according to claims 8 and 9, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the ball with sensor is arranged to move in an unpredictable way in that it: a) can alternate between moving and lying stationary and move, or b) move all the time.

8. Device according to any of preceding claims claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n- that the ball (26) is arranged to take up short intervals for movement and longer intervals for detecting position.

9. Device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that means to partially be able to influence the ball's direction of movement, such as, for example; that the ball (26) comprises appliances, such as a servo, arranged to displace the weight (20) out of its centre position, i.e. to the left or to the right, and/or means, such as an electronic circuit that can alter the polarity of the voltage such that the drive element changes direction of rotation, and the body thereby changes direction of rotation about the shaft (14) .

10. Alarm system, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that it comprises a ball (26) including a sensor unit of the type which is indicated in the preceding claims, and the transmitting unit of the body is arranged to communicate with telephone networks, such as a mobile network.

11. Alarm system according to claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that warnings about unauthorised traffic occur by way of a telephone or a mobile telephone.

12. Application of the device according to claims 1-11, in an alarm system comprising a number of mobile sensor bodies which communicate wirelessly with a warning centre, where the sensor (s) detects movements.

13. Application of the device according to claims 1-11, in an alarm system, where a number of in themselves known permanently fixed sensors are applied, and also a number of mobile sensor elements according to the claims 1-11, where the sensors, which communicate with a warning centre, detect movements.

14. Application of the device according to claims 1 and 9, to influence and/or change, the ball's direction of rotation such that it moves in a desired direction or toward a given position.

15. Application of the device according to claim 14 to move the ball to a given position where a given action is wanted to be performed, such as to a position where the electricity supply source (battery) of the drive element is to be charged, a position where a picture is to be taken, or an area where surveillance is to be carried out in particular, etc.