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GB2394588A - Security device including telecommunication apparatus - Google Patents

Security device including telecommunication apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2394588A
GB2394588A GB0323860A GB0323860A GB2394588A GB 2394588 A GB2394588 A GB 2394588A GB 0323860 A GB0323860 A GB 0323860A GB 0323860 A GB0323860 A GB 0323860A GB 2394588 A GB2394588 A GB 2394588A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
modular device
call
telecommunication apparatus
network
telephone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0323860A
Other versions
GB0323860D0 (en
GB2394588B (en
Inventor
Peter Richard Woodyard
John Aldred
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of GB0323860D0 publication Critical patent/GB0323860D0/en
Publication of GB2394588A publication Critical patent/GB2394588A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2394588B publication Critical patent/GB2394588B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
    • B60R25/102—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/30—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems
    • B60R25/33—Detection related to theft or to other events relevant to anti-theft systems of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
    • G08B13/14—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
    • G08B13/149—Mechanical actuation by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
    • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
    • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
    • G08B13/19—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using infrared-radiation detection systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B15/00—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
    • G08B15/001—Concealed systems, e.g. disguised alarm systems to make covert systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/012—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using recorded signals, e.g. speech
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/016—Personal emergency signalling and security systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/08—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using communication transmission lines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/10—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0254—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/72418—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting emergency services
    • H04M1/72424—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting emergency services with manual activation of emergency-service functions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/04—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/20—Communication devices for vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/205—Mobile phones
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/30—Vehicles applying the vehicle anti-theft devices
    • B60R2325/304—Boats
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/008—Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/10—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a GPS signal receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

A module 92, adapted to be fitted to electronic equipment, includes telecommunication apparatus 94 which is adapted to establish a call to a predetermined telephone number via a cellular telephone network if the equipment is turned on, or is used without entry of a particular password, or if the module is removed from the equipment. The apparatus 94 incorporates a detector to form a combined detector-transceiver for placement in a position in which the detector responds to a change to establish the call to the predetermined number. The apparatus can transmit an alarm message when the dialled number answers, or store information.

Description

GB 2394588 A continuation (74) Agent and/or Address for Service: Keith W
Nash & Co 90-92 Regent Street, CAMBRIDGE, CB2 1DP, United Kingdom
Title: Security System Field of the Invention
This invention concerns the remote signalling of a monitored condition, to alert the recipient of the information that the particular change or event has occurred.
Background to the invention
It is known to provide an auto dialling facility to alert a monitoring organisation or the local police if an intruder alarm system has been triggered by unauthorised entry into a building, or room in a building.
It is an object of the present invention to extend this principle to other applications, and to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus for warning a person or organisation that the state of a monitored condition has altered.
Systems satisfying this objective may be adapted to alert the person/organisation at the time the monitored condition changes, or when addressed at a later point in time, that the monitored condition has changed.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a modular device adapted to be fitted to electronic equipment, the modular device being fitted with telecommunication apparatus which is adapted to establish a call to a predetermined telephone number via a cellular telephone network if the equipment is turned on, or is used without entry of a particular password, or if the modular device is removed from the equipment.
J The telecommunication apparatus may have incorporated therein a detector to form a combined detector-transceiver for placement in a position in which the detector is adapted to respond to a change in a defined condition and produce a change in an electrical circuit or generate an electrical signal.
In a modular device as aforesaid the telecommunication apparatus may respond to the change in the circuit or generated signal to establish the call via the cellular network to the predetermined telephone customer.
The telecommunication apparatus may transmit at least one alarm message when the dialled number answers.
In a modular device as aforesaid means may be provided for storing data and the detector output is adapted to store information in a permanent or semi-permanent manner.
The stored information may be indicative of the time when a change in the monitored condition has occurred, or may merely indicate that the change has occurred, whereby if the number of the telecommunication apparatus is dialled and a link is established from another telephone via the cellular network, the stored information can be accessed by the calling telephone.
Preferably access to the stored information is only possible after a code or password has been entered by the calling subscriber.
Preferably there is provided an electrical link to circuit means which is thereby adapted to respond to an incoming call received by the telephone.
A modular device embodying the invention may have integrated therein a GPS receiver capable of determining from satellite radio beacons the latitude and longitude of the position of the receiver, and means may be provided for relaying the latitude and longitude co-ordinates via the mobile telephone link established by the telecommunication apparatus,
so that an accurate position fix is obtainable when a mobile 'phone call is established to the network upon being prompted to do so by the detector, or after being called up via the network to establish a call to the mobile 'phone.
Alternatively a modular device as aforesaid may be used in a cellular telephone network which itself is adapted to locate the geographical position of any telecommunication apparatus which has called the network and established a call or which has been called by the network so as to establish a call, to enable the whereabouts of the modular device to be determined using signals from the network.
In a modular device as aforesaid the telecommunication apparatus may include activating means which makes a first call to raise an alarm in response to a signal from a detector, and the activating means may be adapted to terminate the call after the called 'phone has answered. Preferably the telecommunication apparatus has its own self-contained power supply.
The telecommunication apparatus responds to the change in the circuit or generated signal to establish a link to the cellular network and establish a call to at least one telephone customer and either transmit at least one alarm message when the dialled number answers, or store in a permanent or semi-permanent manner information relating to the time when a change in the monitored condition has occurred, or merely that the change has occurred, whereby if the number of the telecommunication apparatus is dialled and a link is established from another telephone via the cellular network, the stored information can be accessed by the calling telephone.
The telecommunication apparatus may be a conventional portable telephone with its own self-contained power supply, with an electrical link to circuit means which is thereby adapted to respond to an incoming call received by the telephone, or for establishing a call from the telephone to a selected telephone number determined by the circuit means.
Where it is only desired that an outgoing call is to be established as soon as a change in the monitored condition is detected, and a conventional portable telephone is to be employed as the telecommunications apparatus for establishing the call, the electrical circuit means may include electromagnetically operated mechanical means for operating the keypad of the 'phone, to dial-up the wanted number.
In a particularly simple arrangement, the portable telephone may be primed by dialling the number which is to be called, leaving only the transmit key needing to be depressed to establish the call to the network (and thence to the called number), and the mechanical means needs only to be a single plunger or lever mechanism adapted to depress the transmit key when activated.
In such an arrangement as aforesaid, the activation of the lever may be by way of an actuator such as an electromagnet or electric motor, which may be powered by a separate power supply from that of the telephone, with a control circuit for converting a change of circuit condition or signal instigated by the detector into an electric current suitable for operating the actuator, or a relay device which in turn controls operating current to the actuator, or a solid state switching device, adapted to control the flow of operating current to the actuator.
In one embodiment the actuator is located in a housing which is adapted to receive the telephone, and the detector may be incorporated into the housing, or mounted adjacent the housing, or may be adapted to be mounted remote from the housing and be connected thereto by a cable or by a wireless link, in which event a simple one-way radio link is required to be built in, or adapted to respond to, the signal generated by, or circuit change of state brought about by, the detector responding to a monitored condition change.
The apparatus is preferably adapted to be mounted covertly so as not to be evident.
The modular device may be housed within a removable computer disc drive, CD-Rom drive, supplementary power supply, modem or the like.
Where a pre-recorded message is required to be transmitted by the calling telecommunication apparatus a signal storage device may be provided, typically a digital store, for storing digital information which when read out and suitably assembled will produce a synthesised voice recording of a pre-recorded message and to this end, reference to telecommunication apparatus herein, is intended to mean such apparatus in combination with digital storage means containing digital data for generating a synthesised voice message for transmitting by the telecommunication apparatus once the call is established.
The telecommunication apparatus in the modular device may have integrated therein or form part of, or be combined with a GPS receiver capable of determining from satellite radio beacons the latitude and longitude of the receiver, and means is provided for relaying the latitude and longitude co-ordinates via the mobile telephone link, so that an accurate position fix is obtainable all the time the mobile phone call remains established to the network. This feature enables the police or the owner to trace the whereabouts of the item if it has been stolen, and moved from where it was left.
Alternatively where the cellular telephone network can, in known manner itself be employed to locate the geographical position of any 'phone which has called the network and established a call - or can be called by the network so as to establish a call, a method of locating the whereabouts of an article which has been fitted with a modular device as aforesaid, involves establishing a call between the mobile 'phone telecommunication apparatus in the article and employing the known technique for identifying the position of the 'phone as by using signals from other cells in the network.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 shows how a portable telephone can be adapted to constitute a remote monitoring device,
Fig 2 shows how such a device can be controlled from a remote location, Fig 3 shows a unit which can be adapted to receive and operate any one of a number of different mobile 'phones for the purpose of the invention, Fig 4 shows a remote control device for the unit of Fig 3, and Figs 5A and 5B show a modified modular unit adapted to fit into a portable/laptop computer, in place of a modular unit which could normally occupy that position in the computer. In Fig 1 a standard mobile 'phone 10 includes a keypad 12 for entry of numerals 0 - 9 to make up the number of a subscriber to be called and a transmit button 14 which is depressed after the subscriber number has been entered and the display 16 has been checked, to establish a radio link with the cellular net work within which the 'phone operates and thereby make a call to the number which has been entered.
By entering a number it is only necessary thereafter to press button 14 to establish the call, and in general, providing power is left ON, the call can be established at any time thereafter (many hours later if desired).
Most portable 'phones include an edge connector, usually at the base of the 'phone (not shown), to give access to the circuits within the 'phone for externally controlling the phone functions and/or programming the phone. A charging connection is also usually provided (again not shown in Fig 1). To this end an adapter 18is provided adapted to make a multi-
way connection with the edge connector and provide connection to a detector unit 20 which contains a PIR 22, and may contain a battery 24 (which may be rechargeable).
A socket 26 provides for connection to 20, via a lead 27 and plug 29, of a second PIR 28.
A switch 30 allows one or other or both PIRs to be selected and rendered active.
A socket 32 allows for connection to an external power supply such as via a plug 34, lead 36 and connector 39, to a vehicle cigar lighter socket (not shown).
A separate charger unit adapted to be connected to a domestic electricity supply main as via a 13A plug and socket may be provided as at 40, with a lead 42 and plug 44 to connect to the socket 32 in place of plug 34.
Remote control of the unit 20 and 'phone 10 is achieved by a hand held device 46 having three buttons 48, 50, 52 labelled ARM, DISARM and TEST respectively. An LED 54 lights up to indicate the unit 46 is working correctly.
Connection between 46 and 20 may be by cable such as 56 or a wireless link, in which latter case both 46 and 20 need to have wireless transceivers incorporated with appropriate antennae, and 46 would need a power supply such as a battery.
The adapter 18 may to advantage be one of a number of different devices, each adapted to connect to the unit 20, and to one of a range of 'phones each of the other adapters being adapted to connect to another of the phones in the range.
The combination of 'phone 10 and unit 20 is such that if a PIR such as 22 detects movement, then an electrical signal is supplied via 18 and the edge connector to the 'phone to cause the 'phone to dial a predetermined number (or merely call a number already keyed in and held in the display memory awaiting the transmit instruction). This obviates the need to mechanically depress the transmit button 14 on the 'phone.
The combination can be mounted within an enclosed space such as a vehicle interior, and after the 'phone has been programmed with the number to call, the space can be secured and left. Any intrusion will cause the phone to establish the call to the dialled number (or
predetermined number stored in 20). This of course requires the 'phone 10 and unit 20 to be visible.
Alternatively the 'phone 10 and unit 20 may be stored out of sight (e.g. locked in a glove compartment in a car) and a remote PIR 28 discreetly connected via a thin cable to the socket 26, and the remote PIR can be camouflaged or otherwise hidden as much as possible, so as not to be evident to a casual observer. In this event the unit 20 need not actually include a PIR in the simplest case.
Where the 'phone allows a message to be stored for transmission when a number is called, this internal facility may be employed to transmit an "alarm" message.
Alternatively unit 20 may include a further memory (not shown) for storing a pre-recorded message either via a separate microphone or via the 'phone microphone, and this message is transmitted electrically to the 'phone to be transmitted when the call is established.
In one embodiment the 'phone 10 is arranged to dial the number of a mobile 'phone which is carried by the owner of or person responsible for an article such as a vehicle, and in the simplest case, if that mobile 'phone rings, and the number displayed on the called 'phone is that of the mobile in the vehicle - the recipient will know that the vehicle has been tampered with, or unauthorised entry gained to the vehicle. After terminating the incoming call in the usual way on the receiving 'phone, the recipient can investigate and/or make a 999 call to the police, and give details of the article such as registration number, colour and type of vehicle and place where it was parked, giving the police a good chance of apprehending anyone who is interfering with or has gained access to and is driving away such a vehicle.
Where it is possible for the cellular 'phone network to identify the position of a calling phone, the owner and/or police can obtain further assistance by asking the network company to trace the position of the mobile 'phone in the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition a GPS transceiver (not shown) may be incorporated into unit 20 to allow the
position of unit 20 to be identified and transmitted by the mobile phone associated with unit 20. Fig 3 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which a pocket 58 for a mobile 'phone (not shown) is provided to the side of a sensor unit 60. A detector 62 such as a PIR is mounted at the top of the unit 60 and a keypad 64 and associated electronic circuits (not shown) and battery (not shown), allow a code to be entered and to arm and disarm the device, by first entering (say) a four digit number (which has previously been selected and entered by depressing a PROGRAMME button 66), and thereafter depressing either the ARM button 68 or the DISARM button 70.
To the side of the unit 60 is an adjustable rail assembly 72, 74, 75 with a solenoid actuator mounted on a carriage 76 which is slideable up and down 72 to adjust the height of the solenoid plunger 78 (shown dotted). Lateral adjustment of its position is achieved by sliding the rail 72 relative to 74 and 75 to which end 72 is carried at opposite ends in trunnions 79, 80 which slide along the rails 74 and 75 respectively. By appropriate movement along 72 and relative to 74, 75 so solenoid plunder 78 can be positioned opposite the transmit/establish call button of any mobile 'phone located in the pocket 58.
Although not shown further adjustable devices may be provided to grip the sides and/or back and/or front and/or top of a mobile 'phone in the pocket 58, to securely position the phone in the pocket.
As with the arrangement of Fig 1, a remote control device 82 may be provided connected to the unit 60 by a cable or by a wireless link. The unit 82 has an ARM button 84, a DISDARM button 86, a TEST button 88 and a test LED 90.
As shown in Figs SA and 5B in the case of a portable or laptop computer which has one or more modular units which can be removed from the computer housing (e.g. a modem module containing a PCMCIA card). The latter may be replaced by a similarly sized module 92 adapted to fit in the same way into the bay normally occupied by the PCMCIA
card module, and a GSM 'phone device 94 and associated battery 96 are mounted within the modular body 92. A front panel 98 (see Fig SB) includes a key hole 100 leading to an internal lock which when operated prevents the body 92 from being removed from the computer housing.
The front panel 98 may be attached to the body 92 via a weak-link, so that if force is applied, the weak link breaks and the front panel comes away leaving the body embedded in the computer housing, and difficult to remove A link (not shown) from the computer motherboard to the GSM 'phone device 94, is adapted to convey signals which will cause the latter to establish a call to a network if for example the computer is turned ON or OFF, or if in a standby mode is reactivated, without first a secret code or password being entered via the computer keyboard.
A GPS location determining device (not shown) may be combined with the GSM 'phone device to provide latitude and longitude position data for transmission via the GSM 'phone to assist in the identification of the location of the computer if stolen.
Preferably the GSM 'phone device is silenced so as not to ring if called by the network.
As shown in Figs SA and SB the unit consists of a power pack and GSM Cellphone construction of such a nature that when fitted it locks itself securely to the computer and can only be removed with a suitable key (possibly a self contained chip key as used with modern motor vehicles). If the unit is forcibly removed, the front section 98 breaks away leaving the main unit 92 in place and very difficult to remove without dismantling the computer. The function of the device is to alert the owner of the computer of unauthorised use and to telephone a predetermined number of the owner's choice as soon as the computer is put to any use, without a password having been entered (or an incorrect password is entered), and being GSM its position could be located by the network.
The device 94 may be programmable with software which enables the function of the unit to be overridden on entering the usual password for the computer, but if the password is not entered within a specified time (or an incorrect password is enetered) the GSM 'phone will be activated. In one arrangement, the unit can be removed only after entering an appropriate password, for example to enable the normal module to be inserted in its place.
In this event, if there is an attempt to remove the module 92 without having entered the password, the GSM 'phone is activated.
The invention could be incorporated into a computer by means of any other port or port replicator, internally or externally at the manufacturer's discretion, and preferably the GSM device is included on the motherboard at the time of production.
In general the present invention provides electronic telecommunication apparatus for transmitting to and receiving signals from a cellular telephone network which is incorporated into a detector to form a combined detector-transceiver, for placement in a position in which the detector can respond to a change in a defined condition and produce a change in an electrical circuit, or generate an electrical signal.
Likewise the invention provides a detector adapted to monitor a deemed condition and produce a change in an electrical circuit, or generate an electrical signal has incorporated therein electronic telecommunication apparatus for transmitting to and receiving signals from a cellular telephone network.
In either case the telecommunication apparatus can respond to the change in the circuit or generated signal to establish a link to the cellular network and establish a call to at least one telephone customer and either transmit at least one alarm message when the dialled number answers, or store in a permanent or semi-permanent manner information relating to the time when a change in the monitored condition has occurred, or merely that the change has occurred, whereby if the number of the telecommunication apparatus is dialled
and a link is established from another telephone via the cellular network, the stored information can be accessed by the calling telephone.
The invention also lies in a modular device adapted to be fitted to electronic equipment such as a removable computer disc drive, CD-Rom drive, supplementary power supply, modem or the like, when fitted with telecommunications apparatus as aforesaid which is adapted to establish a call to a predetermined telephone number for example if the apparatus is merely turned on, or is turned on and used without entry of a particular password, or if the modular device is removed from the apparatus.

Claims (13)

Claims
1. A modular device adapted to be fitted to electronic equipment, the modular device being fitted with telecommunication apparatus which is adapted to establish a call to a predetermined telephone number via a cellular telephone network if the equipment is turned on, or is used without entry of a particular password, or if the modular device is removed from the equipment.
2. A modular device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the telecommunication apparatus has incorporated therein a detector to form a combined detectortransceiver for placement in a position in which the detector is adapted to respond to a change in a defined condition and produce a change in an electrical circuit or generate an electrical signal.
3. A modular device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the telecommunication apparatus responds to the change in the circuit or generated signal to establish the call via the cellular network to the predetermined telephone customer.
4. A modular device as claimed in claim 3 in which the telecommunication apparatus transmits at least one alarm message when the dialled number answers.
5. A modular device as claimed in claim 3 wherein means is provided for storing data and the detector output is adapted to store information in a permanent or semi-permanent manner.
6. A modular device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information stored is indicative of the time when a change in the monitored condition has occurred, or merely indicates that the change has occurred, whereby if the number of the telecommunication apparatus is dialled and a link is established from another telephone via the cellular network, the stored information can be accessed by the calling telephone.
7. A modular device as claimed in claim 5 wherein access to the stored information is only possible after a code or password has been entered by the calling subscriber.
8. A modular device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7 wherein there is provided an electrical link to circuit means which is thereby adapted to respond to an incoming call received by the telephone.
9. A modular device as claimed in any of the preceding claims having integrated a GPS receiver capable of determining from satellite radio beacons the latitude and longitude of the position of the receiver, and means is provided for relaying the latitude and longitude co-ordinates via the mobile telephone link established by the telecommunication apparatus, so that an accurate position fix is obtainable when a mobile 'phone call is established to the network upon being prompted to do so by the detector, or after being called up via the network to establish a call to the mobile 'phone.
10. A modular device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 for use in a cellular telephone network which itself is adapted to locate the geographical position of any telecommunication apparatus which has called the network and established a call or which has been called by the network so as to establish a call, to enable the whereabouts of the modular device to be determined using signals from the network.
11.A modular device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the telecommunication apparatus includes activating means which makes a first call to raise an alarm in response to a signal from a detector, and the activating means is adapted to terminate the call after the called 'phone has answered.
12. A modular device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 in which the telecommunication apparatus has its own self-contained power supply.
13. A modular device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 when housed within a removable computer disc drive housing, a removable CD-ROM drive housing, a computer supplementary power supply housing or a computer modem housing.
GB0323860A 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system Expired - Fee Related GB2394588B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0028302A GB2369224B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system

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GB0323860D0 GB0323860D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB2394588A true GB2394588A (en) 2004-04-28
GB2394588B GB2394588B (en) 2004-06-30

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GB0323860A Expired - Fee Related GB2394588B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323882A Withdrawn GB2394818A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system using telephone communication
GB0028302A Expired - Fee Related GB2369224B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323852A Expired - Fee Related GB2393011B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323862A Withdrawn GB2394817A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Condition sensing and locating system using cellular telephone network
GB0323857A Expired - Fee Related GB2393305B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323856A Expired - Fee Related GB2394587B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323858A Withdrawn GB2394345A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Computer motherboard for telecommunication apparatus
GB0323880A Withdrawn GB2393306A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Alarm device with portable telephone and panic button
GB0101804A Expired - Fee Related GB2372612B (en) 2000-11-21 2001-01-24 Security system

Family Applications After (9)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0323882A Withdrawn GB2394818A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system using telephone communication
GB0028302A Expired - Fee Related GB2369224B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323852A Expired - Fee Related GB2393011B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323862A Withdrawn GB2394817A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Condition sensing and locating system using cellular telephone network
GB0323857A Expired - Fee Related GB2393305B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323856A Expired - Fee Related GB2394587B (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Security system
GB0323858A Withdrawn GB2394345A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Computer motherboard for telecommunication apparatus
GB0323880A Withdrawn GB2393306A (en) 2000-11-21 2000-11-21 Alarm device with portable telephone and panic button
GB0101804A Expired - Fee Related GB2372612B (en) 2000-11-21 2001-01-24 Security system

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2394587B (en) 2004-10-06
GB0323862D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB2372612A (en) 2002-08-28
GB0323852D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB0323860D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB2372612B (en) 2003-04-30
GB2394818A (en) 2004-05-05
GB0323857D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB0323882D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB2394345A (en) 2004-04-21
GB2393305B (en) 2004-12-22
GB2393011A (en) 2004-03-17
GB2394587A (en) 2004-04-28
GB2394817A (en) 2004-05-05
GB0323880D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB2369224A (en) 2002-05-22
GB2369224B (en) 2004-05-26
GB2394588B (en) 2004-06-30
GB2393306A (en) 2004-03-24
GB0323858D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB0323856D0 (en) 2003-11-12
GB0101804D0 (en) 2001-03-07
GB0028302D0 (en) 2001-01-03
GB2393305A (en) 2004-03-24
GB2393011B (en) 2004-11-24

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Effective date: 20051121