United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,748,083
`
`Rietkerk
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`US005748083A
`
`[54] COMPUTER ASSET PROTECTION
`APPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Anthony J. Rietkerk. Hollister. Calif.
`
`[73] Assignee: Security Solutions Plus. Santa Clara.
`Calif’
`
`[21i APPL N05 5159734
`.
`.
`Mar’ 11’ 19%
`[22] Filed’
`[51]
`Int. Cl.‘ ................................................. G083 13/14
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`........... 340/568; 340/571; 340/687
`[5s] Field of Search ..................................... 340/539. 568.
`340/571‘ 687
`
`[55]
`
`References Cited
`
`Primary Examiner—]effery Hofsass
`Assistant Examiner—Edward Lefkowitz
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—R. Michael Ananian; Flehr
`Hohbach Tsst Alb;-inon & Herbert LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`An advanced asset protection system (APS) includes a
`small. battery-powered. Asset Protection Device (APD) hav-
`ing circuits for detecting motion and tampering and intrusion
`of a protected asset or the APD itself. The APD includes a
`an internal Wireless battery—powered transmitter that trans-
`mits security system status infomnation such as information
`“{3} 311 alarm °°ndifi°|1 W35 SCDS’-‘—fL °1’_th3t 3 t3mP‘_’v1' 90"-
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`g
`ports for electrically coupling assets to the APD modular
`telephone wire. Ports present but not used. are disabled (to
`prevent false tamper or alarm reports) by port by—pass
`circuitry. The APD efiectively extends the tamper and alarm
`circuits to remotely connected assets via the multi-port
`connector. The APD provides a motion sensitivity adjust-
`ment circuit. including a configurable bank of capacitors
`across a mercury switch. that provides for selectable motion
`detection sensitivity by adjusting the delay period between
`the initial disturbing motion and an alarm indication. The
`APD and the APD sensors are themselves protected from
`electrical and mechanical intrusion of the housing. physical
`removal from an asset. electrical manipulation of the cou-
`lin cords or remote asset
`otection sensors attached to the
`P
`8
`PT
`assets. or removal of the sensors from a protected asset.
`
`21 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`4,523,184
`4_73-L770
`4,323,230
`4,89f7,630
`4.951.029
`5s405»256
`5305351
`5’438’607
`
`U-S- PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1012
`
`Page 1 of 22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`5,748,083
`
`FIG. 1A
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`FIG. 1B
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`FIG. 1
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`Page 2 of 22
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 5, 1998
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`Sheet 3 of 13
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`5,748,083
`
`R’ 103
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`Page 5 of 22
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`Page 5 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`May 5, 1998
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`Sheet 5 of 13
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`Page 6 of 22
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
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`5,748,083
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`
`Page 7 of 22
`
`Page 7 of 22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`5,748,083
`
`Normally Closed (Open Activates Alarm)
`
`203
`
`SW1
`
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`
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`
`Housing Tamper
`Circuit
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`
`Page 8 of 22
`
`Page 8 of 22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
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`5,748,083
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`May 5, 1998
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`Sheet 10 of 13
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
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`5,748,083
`
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`Page 12 of 22
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`Page 12 of 22
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
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`5,748,083
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`Page 13 of 22
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
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`5,748,083
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`Page 14 of 22
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`Page 14 of 22
`
`

`
`5,748,083
`
`1
`COMPUTER ASSET PROTECTION
`APPARATUS AND METHOD
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`The invention pertains generally to physical asset
`protection. and more particularly to protective apparatus and
`method for identifying alarm and/or tamper conditions when
`a protected asset is physically moved or detached from the
`protective apparatus or otherwise disturbed. or when the
`asset protection apparatus is tampered with.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The physical security of personal and corporate property.
`particularly expensive electronic goods. has become increas-
`ingly important as the number and value of such goods has
`increased. Computers. video cameras. printers. and
`scanners. are increasingly available in the home and busi-
`ness environment. The sophistication of laptop and note-
`book computers is particularly problematic because such
`computers may easily cost 5.000 or more and are easily
`moved and concealed. such that they can be removed from
`the premises unless some additional security is provided.
`Even larger desk—top computers are susceptible to theft;
`either the entire unit may be stolen or with increasing
`likelihood the valuable internal components such as the
`central processing unit (CPU) chip or memory chips may be
`removed after the exterior cover has been removed. The
`
`developing trend toward storing vast amounts of personal
`and business data and software on a computer hard disc
`drive makes theft and tamper prevention all
`the more
`important. Most such asset thefts are never solved. and the
`property is rarely recovered. Therefore there is a need to
`protect an asset. such as a computer or associated peripheral.
`from being stolen 5’? otherwise removed from its proper
`location and from tampering. including being opened to
`remove valuable components. and for protecting the security
`apparatus itself from tampering.
`For notebook computers which are intended to be used at
`a variety of locations. there are advantages to a security
`system that permits authorized removal and disconnection of
`the computer from the security system or network so that the
`computer can be removed without undue burden on the user
`or on the company security team. The potentially large
`number of assets to be protected benefits from a low cost
`modular security system that can protect one or any number
`of assets. Therefore.
`there is a continuing need for an
`electronic asset protection device that is simple and there-
`fore relatively low cost. wireless. easily reconfigurable to
`meet changing needs. and modular so that it may be easily
`expanded.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`The inventive apparatus and method provide an advanced
`asset protection system (APS) that includes a small. battery-
`powered. Asset Protection Device (APD) having means for
`detecting motion of protected assets. means for detecting
`tampering of the protective apparatus. and means for detect-
`ing any tampering of the asset protection equipment. The
`APD advantageously may include an internal wireless trans-
`mitter that transmit security system status information. For
`example. the inventive apparatus includes a wireless trans-
`mitter for transmitting APD status information indicating
`that an alarm condition is sensed (for example. equipment
`disruption or motion detected). that a tamper condition is
`sensed. and APD identifier information to a Wire-less
`receiver within the facility where the APD is maintained.
`
`2
`The APD is self-contained and need not electrically connect
`to a protected asset. The inventive APD also advantageously
`includes a configurable multi-port connector module that
`provides a plurality of asset coupling ports for coupling
`assets to the APD via 2- or 4—conductor wire.
`Advantageously.
`the detection and signaling circuits
`described herein permit the assets to be coupled to the APD
`using inexpensive modular telephone attachment cords to
`securely couple the assets to the APD. A single APD
`provides connectivity and protection for multiple assets.
`limited only by the number of APD ports provided. One
`small APD unit provides three ports. but additional ports
`may easily be configured. and ports present but not used.
`may be disabled (to prevent tamper or alarm conditions) by
`port by-pass circuitry. The inventive APD effectively
`extends the tamper circuit contained within the APD housing
`to remotely connected assets via a multi-port connector and
`connector cord.
`
`The inventive APD provides a motion sensitivity adjust-
`ment circuit that provides for selectable motion detection
`sensitivity by adjusting the delay period between the initial
`disturbing motion. such as the change in the open/closed
`state of a mercury switch. by varying the capacitance in a
`bank of capacitors. The sensitivity may be adjusted to
`provide a relatively low sensitivity (long delay) if the
`equipment is routinely subject to occasional bumps so that
`the false alarm rate is reduced to a tolerable level without
`sacrificing security. The inventive APD master module and
`the APD sensors are themselves protected from electrical
`and mechanical intrusion of the APD housing. physical
`removal of the APD unit from an asset. electrical manipu-
`lation of the coupling cords or remote asset protection
`sensors attached to the assets. or removal of the sensors from
`a protected asset.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating compo-
`nents of an embodiment of the inventive Asset Protection
`System (APS) particularly including an Asset Protection
`Device (APD).
`FIG. 2 is an diagrammatic illustration of a portion of the
`APS system in FIG. 1 showing the relationship between the
`APD and several protected assets.
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an asset
`protection device sensor module. 4-wire coupling cord. and
`multi-port connector.
`FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic illustration showing an
`embodiment of the Asset Protection Device Sensor (APDS)
`prior to being attached to. or after removal from. an asset so
`that a spring-loaded switch plunger is in an extended posi-
`tion and can signal an alarm.
`FIG. 4b is a diagrammatic illustration showing the man-
`ner in which an embodiment of the Asset Protection Device
`Sensor (APDS) shown in FIG. 4a is mechanically attached
`to an asset so that the spring-loaded switch plunger is in a
`retracted position and does not signal an alarm.
`FIG. 5a is a diagrammatic illustration showing a perspec-
`tive view of an embodiment of a particular Asset Protection
`Device (APD) module showing panicularly the manner in
`which the APD is protected from tampering by removal of
`the cover or by removal of the APD from the protected asset.
`FIG. Sb is a diagrammatic illustration showing a partial
`sectional view of an embodiment of the APD module in FIG.
`5a and showing details of the APD cover and APD housing
`anti-tamper switches and mercury switch motion sensor.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the equivalent elec-
`trical circuit for the APD module anti-tamper circuit shown
`in FIG. 5.
`
`5
`
`I0
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`65
`
`Page 15 of 22
`
`Page 15 of 22
`
`

`
`5,748,083
`
`3
`FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the equivalent circuit
`for a simple embodiment of an asset protection device
`anti-tarnper sensor (APDS).
`FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the equivalent circuit
`for another embodiment of an asset protection device anti-
`tamper sensor (APDS).
`FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the equivalent alarm
`circuit for a simple embodiment of the APD.
`FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the equivalent circuit
`for a simple embodiment of the motion sensor circuit
`sensitivity adjustment circuit according to one embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the equivalent circuit
`for a simple embodiment of the protected asset anti—tarnper
`circuit wherein each anti-tamper circuit includes a simple
`wire loop for maintaining current flow between two termi-
`nals.
`
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the equivalent circuit
`for a different embodiment of the circuit in the APD.
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`FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the equivalent circuit
`for a preferred embodiment of the invention including
`motion detection circuit with sensitivity adjust and by-pass.
`ADP module anti-tarnper circuitry. remotely connected asset
`protection sensors. and port-bypass circuitry.
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`With reference to FIG. 1. there is shown a system block
`diagram for an embodiment of the inventive Asset Protec-
`tion System (APS) 101. FIG. 2 provides a diagrammatic
`illustration of a physical configuration of an embodiment of
`the inventive system showing the major components and
`their connectivity to protected assets. APS 101 comprises
`four primary components including at least one battery
`powered Asset Protection Device (APD) 102. at least one
`Wireless Receiver (WR) 103 associated with the APD 102.
`an optional Central Station Receiver (CSR) 104. and an
`optional Processing Unit 105 including Operating and
`Monitoring Software components 106 at a remote monitor-
`ing and processing facility. A preferred embodiment of APS
`101 includes all four components. Multiple APDs 102 and
`WRs 103 may be provided. Each asset 107 protected by APS
`101 is integrated into the APS 101 either by physically
`(mechanically) attaching the APD 102 to the asset or by
`connecting the asset physically to an APD Sensor 141 and
`the APD sensor 141 to the APD via an electrical connecting
`cord 108 through one of electrical coupling ports 109A.
`109B. and 109C. More or fewer coupling ports. including no
`ports where the APD is only mechanically attached to the
`asset. may be provided. The details of each APS 101
`component and the interconnectivity of the APS components
`and protected assets 107 are described in greater detail
`hereinafter.
`Commercial wireless transmitters. such as are commonly
`employed in security and asset protection system are capable
`of transmitting either or both of two signals: (1) an alarm
`signal. and (2) a tamper signal. In general. according to
`conventional usage. a tamper type signal is sent repeatedly
`(e.g. at a predetermined repeating rate or alternatively. more
`or less continuously) until the cause of the tamper condition
`is cured. Curing the tamper condition typically requires
`investigation of the asset locale by an investigator or secu-
`rity oflicer. An alarrn-type signal is generally understood to
`mean a signal that is generated only at the initiation of the
`alarm condition. that is as a one-shot event. Such a one-shot
`is self-curing. and may not be investigated. For example. if
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`a motion of the equipment is signaled. the alarm condition
`is transmitted. but once the motion stops so does the alarm
`These conventions are described here as an aid to under-
`standing the configuration of the alarm and tamper portions
`of the APD. The wireless transmitter may be provided in the
`APD 102 such that it transmits an alarm and/or tamper type
`signal for any predetermined circumstances. such signals
`being any combination of one-shot and repeating signals.
`Therefore. although the invention is described in terms of
`alarm and tamper type signals. it will be understood by those
`having ordinary skill in the art in light of the description
`herein. that the apparatus and method of the invention may
`be practiced with alarm or tamper type signaling.
`A single zone condition (alarm and tamper) transmitter
`117 is configured to receive a first input from alarm sensing
`module 132 (condition 1) and a second input from tamper
`sensing module 131 (condition 2). The wireless transmitter
`117 is configured to transmit an alarm condition when the
`input
`to the alarm port has appropriate electrical
`characteristics. such as a change in voltage or current
`characteristics across the two terminals of the alarm input
`port. as described subsequently. In an analogous manner.
`transmitter 117 is configured to report a tamper condition
`when the input to the tamper input port has appropriate
`electrical characteristics. The tamper and alarm transmis-
`sions have difierent signal characteristics and when received
`by wireless receiver 103. these diiferences are interpreted
`and decoded as alarm or tamper conditions for the particular
`zone. For example for an APD configured as a particular
`zone.
`the wireless transmitter 117 transmits a digital
`encoded Radio Frequency (RF) signal identifying the con-
`dition and the particular zone.
`In conventional security systems. a motion sensor is
`coupled to the transmitter 117 alarm sensing module circuit
`132 to provide a one-shot signal for each detected motion.
`and tamper detection circuits are typically coupled to a
`tarnper-type sensing module circuit so that a repeating
`transmission is sent until the tamper condition is investi-
`gated and the tamper condition is reset. Several embodi-
`ments of the invention are described that retain this motion
`sensor connectivity to the alarm circuit; however. it should
`be understood that the motion detector may be configured to
`either transmitter 117 input port.
`A protected asset 107 is any item that has been connected
`to the APS such that the asset is protected For example. the
`asset may be protected in a manner that movement of the
`item, physical or electrical disconnection of the item from
`the APD. or tampering of the APD and associated compo-
`nents including damage or disruption of the components
`generates an alarm condition signal. a tamper condition
`signal or both. Typically.
`the protected asset will be a
`desktop computer. a notebook computer. a laptop computer.
`and/or one or more computer peripherals. other electronic.
`optical. or mechanical equipment. and the like. AnAPD may
`also be installed in conjunction with external motion detec-
`tion equipment. Infrared sensors. magnetic switches such as
`may be used to monitor door and window closure and other
`devices that present or can be made to present a closed
`circuit and an open circuit (e.g. a switch). The APD is not
`dependent on any particular electrical characteristics of the
`protected asset for operation. although some embodiments
`of the APD may be fabricated such that the APD 102 may
`be installed internal to an asset. such internal installation in
`not preferred because of the potential disruption in asset use
`during installation and maintenance and the potential liabili-
`ties associated with installation into another manufacturer’s
`product. The APD is preferably small and unobtrusive. One
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`embodiment of the APD is about 4" by about 2"Xabout 1".
`but smaller form factor APDs may be fabricated so long as
`they provide suflicient surface areas for the coupling ports
`109. and suflicient interior volume for the circuitry. Of
`course. the housing should be transmissive to the internal
`wireless transmitter. such as a plastic housing.
`With further reference to FIG. 1. an embodiment of Asset
`Protection Device 102 is now described. The APD provides
`security for each connected asset by providing a motion
`sensing device 137 and associated motion sensing or detec-
`tion circuitry 113 that detects motion of the APD 102 and the
`asset physically attached to the APD. The motion sensing
`circuitry 113 couples to the alarm sensing module 132 (e.g.
`condition 1 port). The alarm sensing module 132 is also
`coupled to and receives signals from each protected asset
`through disruption detection circuits 174 as illustrated. for
`example.
`in FIGS. 9 and 13. The motion detector and
`disruption circuits are coupled serially to each other so that
`either motion or circuit disruption results in an alarm con-
`dition. These disruption circuits detect physical or electrical
`tampering or disruption of the electrical coupling of the
`assets attached to the APD via coupling cords or wires 108
`extending to each protected asset and an APD sensor
`(APDS) 141 or laptop asset sensor (LAPDS) 142.
`The electrical and physical characteristics of embodi-
`ments of the APDS and LAPDS are illustrated diagrammati-
`cally in FIGS. 3 and 4; the electrical and physical charac-
`teristics of the APD tamper sensors 151. 152 are illust:rated
`in FIG. 5; and both are described in greater detail hereinafter.
`Tamper Sensor circuit is coupled to an APD tamper detec-
`tion circuit (See FIGS. 6. 12 and 13. for example), and
`detects tampering of the APD itself (such as intrusion into
`the APD housing. and/or a physical removal of the APD
`from the asset). In the preferred embodiment of the APD. an
`asset tamper detection circuit is also extended from the
`transmitter 117 inside the APD housing through 2-wires of
`a 2-. 4-. or 6-wire electrical cord 108 to the APDS or LAPDS
`141 sensor vial the multi-port connector module 128 of APD
`102. This configuration provides redundant tamper and
`alarm protection for each cord 108 coupled asset. each of the
`tamper and alarm circuits using 2 of the available 4 wires in
`cord 108.
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`The alarm sensor circuit 113 and tamper circuit 112
`communicate alarm condition and tamper condition respec-
`tively to a alarm sensing module 132 or tamper sensing
`module 131 within Wireless Transmitter 117. Transmitter
`117 transmits a digitally encoded signal. identifying whether
`the transmission event is for an alarm detection condition
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`(e.g. motion or circuit disruption) or a tamper condition (e.g.
`APD removal. APD intrusion. cord electrical damage. APDS
`or LAPDS removal) and the unique identity of the APD
`sending the transmission. which is received by Wireless
`alarm Receiver 103.
`
`The APD is nominally a low power consumption device.
`and such power is provided by the battery/power circuit 116.
`such as a 3.6-volt Lithium Battery. Because of the desirable
`low power nature of the APD 102. the Wireless Receiver 103
`receiving the alarm and/or tamper signals is normally
`located in the general vicinity of the APD. for example in the
`same room or an adjacent room. Each APD 102 also has a
`unique identification (ADP ID) encoded in the unit. Wireless
`Transmitter 117 receives the APD 1]) when either or both of
`the alarm sensing module 113 and the tamper sensing
`module 112 transmit. The APD ID provides information that
`permits the Central Station Receiver 104 and the Processor
`Unit 105 including Monitoring Software 106 to dispatch
`security personal to the location of the alarm and/or tamper
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`condition. and to produce alarm/tamper tickets and reports at
`the remote facility.
`Wireless Receiver 103. may also respond to receipt of an
`alarm and/or tamper condition by initiating activation of an
`audible or visual signal and/or by activating a telephone line
`transmitter (for example. a modem) to send an alarm mes-
`sage over a communication link. such as a telephone line.
`RS-232 channel. or other like means. to Central Station
`Receiver (CSR) 104. Each WR 103 advantageously has a
`unique identification code. referred to as the Account ID
`programmed within it. CSR 104 may be provided at a central
`location within a facility and be connected to several such
`WAR’s provided at dilferent locations (e. g. rooms) within
`the same facility (e.g. building or clusters of buildings) or
`remotely.
`APS 101 may be configured with a plurality of WR 103
`and a further plurality ofAPDS 102 associated with each WR
`103. The WR Account ID and the APD ID provide infor-
`mation means that enables rapid and appropriate response
`when an alarm or tamper condition are signaled and
`received. The APD ID and the WR Account ID may be
`provided in any conventional manner such as by setting a
`bank of switches. by programming an EEPROM. or by
`providing a unique ID for each APD or WR unit during
`manufacture and then reading that ID during APS system
`set-up and configuration to configure any particular preset
`ID with other system components.
`Bach CSR 104 is in turn connected via a telephone line.
`RS-232. cellular telephone. wireless RF-link. or other com-
`munication channel to a Processor 105 at a Monitoring
`Station. The Monitoring Station. may for example. be a
`corporate security headquarters. an oil‘-site security contrac-
`tor facility. a police or other law enforcement facility. or any
`other like facility provided for monitoring asset status.
`Preferably. CSR 104 is programmable to allow a user to
`program the desired location of the Monitoring Station (e.g
`programmable telephone number and message
`characteristics). and the Monitoring Software 106 provided
`in association with Processor 105 at the monitoring Station
`includes an Asset Tracking Application 121. an Asset Data-
`base and Database Access Program 122. and an alarrnl
`tamper Ticket Generator Application Program 123.
`Asset Tracking Application Sofiware 121. the Asset Data-
`base and Database Access Program 122. and the alarm/
`tamper Ticket Generator Application Program 123 are com-
`mercial products available from ABM Data Systems. Inc. Of
`9020 Capital of Texas Highway North. Suite 540. Austin.
`Tex. 78759.
`
`The preferred embodiment of the inventive APD 102
`provides several advanced and desirable features. First. the
`APD is small. battery-powered. and includes an internal
`wireless transmitter 117 to transmit status information
`(alarm sensed, tamper sensed. APD ID) to the WR 103
`(typically mounted on a wall of the facility). Second. the
`APD includes a configurable multi-port connector module
`128 that provides a plurality of asset coupling ports (e.g.
`109A. 109B. and 109C) for electrically coupling assets to
`the APD. Advantageously. the alarm sensing module circuits
`and the tamper sensing module circuits permit the assets to
`be coupled to the APD using inexpensive attachment cords
`to securely couple the assets to the APD. For example.
`4-conductor (2-conductor wire is sufficient for some
`embodiments) phone cord provides two wires for each of
`two independent circuits to/frorn the multiport connector
`128 and an APDS 141 attached to an asset. The coupling
`may advantageously use the conventional phone cord clip-
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`connectors. such as used for RJ-11 modular phone cords.
`handsets. and the like. Third. a single APD 102 provides
`connectivity and protection for multiple assets. limited only
`by the number of APD ports 109 provided One embodiment
`of the APD provides three two-terrninal ports. but additional
`ports may easily be configured. The details of the port
`structure are described in greater detail hereinafter. Fourth.
`the inventive APD provides a sensitivity adjustment circuit
`129 that provides for selectable motion detection sensitivity
`by adjusting the delay period between the initial disturbing
`motion. such as the change in the open/closed state of a
`mercury switch. by varying the capacitance in a bank of
`capacitors coupled in parallel across the mercury switch
`(SW5). The sensitivity may be adjusted for a relatively low
`sensitivity (long delay) if the equipment is routinely subject
`to occasional bumps so that the false alarm rate resulting for
`example. from minor bumps or vibrations of the APD is
`reduced to a tolerable level without sacrificing security.
`Fifth. the APD unit 102 and the APD sensors are themselves
`protected from electrical and mechanical
`tampering by
`tamper sensor circuits that sense tampering of the APD
`housing. physical removal of the APD unit from an asset.
`electrical tampering of the coupling cords 108. electrical
`tampering of the APDS or LAPDS sensors attached to the
`assets. or removal of the APDS or LAPDS from an asset
`(See FIGS. 4 and 5). Finally. the APD 102 and assets are
`redundantly protected by the aforedescribed disruption
`detection circuits. The redundant protection also means that
`the one- shot alarm (if so configured) and the repeating
`tamper alarm (if so configured) are both provided. Repeating
`type alarms are advantageous since it provides greater
`deterrent etfect from theft and vandalism and may even
`increase capture of suspected thieves on site.
`With respect to theapmbodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. there
`is shown an embodiment of the equivalent electrical circuit
`of APD tamper circuit 161. Switches SW1 and SW2 are
`serially coupled and correspond to the housing tamper
`micro-switch SW1 151 and the APD unit removal detection
`switch SW2 152 shown in FIG. 5. For each of these switches
`SW1 and SW2. the normally extended spring-loaded plung-
`ers 154. 155 are depressed either by the lid 134 or by contact
`with the protected mechanically mounted asset. and the
`switch is normally closed in this state. If the lid is removed.
`plunger 154 can extend thereby opening switch SW1. In
`similar manner. if the APD unit is removed from the surface
`of the protected asset 156. plunger 155 can extend. thereby
`opening switch SW2. In either case the circuit opens. current
`flow stops. and a voltage potential develops between port
`terminals 203 and 204 which are coupled to input terminals
`of tamper sensing module 131 (See. for example. FIGS. 1
`and 12.).
`An APD con