Security television simulator with realistic emulation of television output
OwnerBlaine C. Readler, Rein S. Tederinventors
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for simulating an operating television for the purpose of deterring potential intruders by providing the appearance that one or more occupants are at home. Realistic simulation of a television is accomplished via perceived random combinations, amplitudes, colors, and durations of television program scene modes, these scene modes comprised of fades, swells, flicks, static periods, and low frequency noise. Color shifts, both subtle and dramatic, effectively emulate true television output. Efficient, reliable, and inexpensive super-bright LEDs serve as light sources.
Claims22
1) An intruder deterrent device that simulates an operating television by projecting light of varying amplitude from a light source, said varying amplitude light emulating the melded image of typical television programs wherein,
- a) said varying amplitude light comprises a succession of television simulating modes of operation,
- b) said succession of television simulating modes of operation including static periods, wherein for each said static period,
- i) said varying amplitude light remains at an approximately constant intensity level,
- ii) said approximately constant intensity level being selected at random from a continuous range of possible intensity levels, such that any two successive said approximately constant intensity levels may be either increasing or decreasing,
- c) each said static period mode occurs over a duration of time,
- d) each said duration of time being selected at random,
- whereby, when shone upon a surface, said varying amplitude light realistically simulates said melded image of typical television programs, misleading a potential intruder into thinking that occupants are at home.
8) An intruder deterrent device that simulates an operating television by projecting light of varying amplitude and hue, said light of varying amplitude emulating the melded image of typical television programs, including,
- a) a television simulating control circuit, said control circuit including a plurality of outputs,
- b) said control circuit varying the amplitude of each of said outputs differently,
- c) a first light source of a first color, operatively coupled to a first output of said control circuit, wherein said first light source varies in amplitude in accordance with said varying amplitude of said first output,
- d) a second light source of a second color, operatively coupled to a second output of said control circuit, wherein said second light source varies in amplitude in accordance with said varying amplitude of said second output,
- e) means for projecting and mixing the light output of said first and second light sources, resulting in a perceived color hue, wherein said varying amplitude outputs change said color hue over time,
- whereby, when shone upon a surface, said light of varying amplitude and said hue realistically simulates said melded image of typical television programs, misleading a potential intruder into thinking that occupants are at home.
17) An intruder deterrent device for misleading potential intruders into believing a building is occupied by simulating the visual effect of a typical operating television, said intruder deterrent device comprising,
- a) a housing,
- b) a power supply,
- c) a television simulation circuit deployed within said housing, said circuit including,
- i) at least one digital random number generator producing an output,
- ii) a means for producing a succession of digital random intensity values based on the output of said random number generator,
- iii) a means for abruptly selecting different static digital values from said succession of said digital random intensity values,
- iv) a means for converting said static digital values into analog signals,
- d) an LED light source operatively coupled to said television simulation circuit, said light source being disposed to shine an intensity of light upon a building surface, whereby, when shone upon a building surface, said light source realistically simulates said melded image of typical television programs, misleading a potential intruder into thinking that occupants are at home.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.