US 5,559,496 AGranted

Remote patrol system

OwnerWilliam C. Dubatsinventor

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Abstract

A system for detecting the presence and passage of vehicle, pedestrian, or other intrusion and/or traffic within one or more monitored areas. The system detects intrusions of nontransparent objects which interrupt energy projections, records and stores data on certain characteristics of the intrusion(s), and transmits such data to a base station through a communication link. System estimates approximate size, speed and directional characteristics of intruding object(s) with an "expert system". Selected environmental data may be detected and transmitted along with intrusion data. Provision for photographing intruding objects is included. The base station provides user interfaces, processes intrusion data, reports activity, summarizes traffic data, prints reports and stores such data for future retrival. The intrusion detection system is based on energy projection, and does not require a physical presence such as air hoses, switches or inductive devices across the immediate span being monitored. Devices may be portable, easy to set up and useful for concealed monitoring applications.

An intrusion detection apparatus for detecting the presence of an object, comprising:

a. first energy projection means for projecting a first beam of energy along a first linear axis;
b. second energy projection means for projecting a second beam of energy along a second linear axis, wherein said second linear axis is substantially parallel to said first linear axis and is spaced a predetermined separation distance therefrom;
c. first receiving means positioned along the first linear axis at a predetermined distance from said first energy projection means, said first energy receiving means for receiving at least a portion of the first beam of energy projected by said first energy projection means, said first energy receiving means indicating an interruption in the first beam of energy when an object passes between said first energy projection means and said first energy receiving means;
d. second receiving means positioned along the second linear axis at a predetermined distance from said second energy projection means, said second energy receiving means for receiving at least a portion of the second beam of energy projected by said second energy projection means, said second energy receiving means indicating an interruption in the second beam of energy when an object passes between said second energy projection means and said second energy receiving means;
e. data log means coupled to said first energy receiving means and said second energy receiving means for storing data defining timing and duration of when said first energy receiving means indicates an interruption in said first beam of energy, and when said second energy receiving means indicates an interruption in said second beam of energy;
f. processing means located remotely from said data log means for processing the data log and for providing for user interface inputs and outputs;
and
g. communication means coupled to said data log means and said processing means for transmitting the data from said data log means to said remotely located processing means.

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Abstract

Claims17