US 6,888,461 B2Granted

Fiber optic based security system

AssigneeEntreprises Lokkit Inc.

InventorClaude Houde

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A fiber optic based security system is disclosed, including a light emitter, a light detector, an optical fiber and a threshold detector. Light is injected at one end of the optical fiber and received at the other end. The optical fiber is looped or secured about an object to be protected. If someone attempts to steal the object by tampering with the optical fiber or cutting it altogether, the light received at the light detector will fall below a predetermined threshold. When this happens, the threshold detector is adapted to trigger an alarm, alerting the proper persons of the theft. Preferably, the system is contained in a portable housing, and the system is preferably useful for protecting objects located outside a building, such as a trailer, bicycle, motorcycle, snowmobile, etc., where conventional security systems would be prohibitive to install.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A fibre optic based security system, comprising:

a length of optical fibre having two opposite ends and adapted to be looped about at least one object to be protected;
and
a portable casing comprising:
a light emitter optically coupled to one of the opposite ends of said fibre for injecting light therein;
a light detector optically coupled to the other of said opposite ends of the fibre for detecting a level of light transmitted by said fibre;
threshold means connected to said light detector for determining if the level of light transmitted by the fibre is below a predetermined threshold level;
a power source for powering said system;
and
an alarm operatively associated with said threshold means, said alarm being triggered when said level of light transmitted by said fibre falls below the threshold level;
characterized in that said length of said optical fibre is such that when said fiber is looped about said object to be protected, said portable casing is placed at an area remote from said object and physically separated therefrom by a barrier, so that said casing is not accessible from an area where said object is located.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/095,650Filed 11 Mar 2002
Priority: CA 234053313 Mar 2001
Published: US 2002/0130776 A119 Sep 2002
Granted: 3 May 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G08B 13/186
By interruption of a radiation beam or barrier: using light guides, e.g. optical fibres
E05B 45/005
Alarm locks: chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
G08B 13/126
By the breaking or disturbance of stretched cords or wires: for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
G08B 13/1463
With detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or…