WO2020245348A1

WO2020245348A1 - Alarm system for detecting the theft of an object

Info

Publication number: WO2020245348A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/065613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Géraldine LAURET
Original assignee: Gainville, Maurice
Priority date: 2019-06-06
Filing date: 2020-06-05
Publication date: 2020-12-10
Also published as: FR3092197B1; FR3092197A1

Abstract

The invention mainly relates to an autonomous alarm system (10) for detecting the theft of an object, characterised in that the autonomous alarm system (10) comprises: - an accelerometer (13) capable of detecting accelerations of the object positively or negatively along three axes, - means for emitting (14) a light and/or sound signal, - a device for activating and deactivating (17) the alarm system (10), - a control unit (20) capable of controlling the means for emitting (14) a light and/or sound signal so as to generate a light and/or sound signal following the detection of an unauthorised acceleration of the object occurring after the alarm system (10) has been activated via the corresponding device (17).

Description

Title of the invention: ALARM SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF A

OBJECT THEFT |

The present invention relates to an alarm system for the detection of an object theft. This alarm system based on the use of an accelerometer for the detection of movement finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application with the set of containers to be protected against theft, such as handbags, travel and business leather goods, such as suitcases, but also professional containers to protect, such as pallets, boxes, files, etc.

[0002] It is common for a person to keep an object, such as a handbag, within reach of them, in particular when they are in a public place, for example a bar or a restaurant. However, it may happen that someone with malicious intent takes advantage of a moment of inattention to steal the object. The present invention aims to alert the owner of the object in the event of an attempted theft.

[0003] To this end, the invention relates to an autonomous alarm system for the detection of theft of an object comprising:

- an accelerometer capable of detecting accelerations of the object positively or negatively along three axes,

- means for emitting a light and / or sound signal,

- a device for activating and deactivating the alarm system,

- a control unit capable of controlling the means for emitting a light and / or sound signal so as to generate a light and / or sound signal following detection of an unauthorized acceleration of the object occurring after activation of the alarm system via said corresponding device.

[0004] According to one embodiment, the device for activating and deactivating the alarm system comprises a fingerprint reader. [0005] According to one embodiment, said alarm system comprises a memory storing information relating to at least one fingerprint of at least one authorized person.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the alarm system is configured to implement a delay, for example of the order of 1 second, following an activation and / or deactivation of the alarm system. The delay during the activation of the system allows the stabilization of the object before the activation of the alarm system.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the alarm system is configured to detect an unauthorized acceleration when an acceleration along at least one axis exceeds a safety threshold.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory storing several programs to manage different situations of use of the object.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the memory of the control unit stores a program making it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is previously in a stationary state.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the memory of the control unit stores a program making it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed on a moving element, such as a supermarket trolley.

[001 1] According to one embodiment, the memory of the control unit stores a program making it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed on a table.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the memory of the control unit stores a program making it possible to detect unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed in a motor vehicle.

Of course, the different characteristics, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other. others in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading the following detailed description comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented by way of non-examples. limiting, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0015] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an alarm system for the detection of an object theft according to the present invention;

[0016] [Fig. 2] FIG. 2 is a graphic representation illustrating the safety thresholds to be exceeded in order to trigger the detection of an unauthorized acceleration with respect to a reference position;

[0017] [Fig. 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram of activation and deactivation of the alarm system for the detection of theft of an object according to the present invention;

[0018] [Fig. 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for the selection of the programs of the alarm system for the detection of the theft of an object according to the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

Figure 1 shows an autonomous alarm system 10 for detecting theft of an object, such as for example a handbag. The system 10 comprises means of attachment 12 to an external part or an internal part of the object, such as a hook type climbing hook, or key ring loop. As a variant, the system 10 could be integrated into the product, for example in its thickness.

An accelerometer 13 is able to detect accelerations of the object positively or negatively along three axes X, Y, and Z. As is Classically the case, the X and Y axes lie in the horizontal plane, while the Z axis is a vertical axis. A distinction is thus made between positive accelerations along these axes C +, Y +, Z + - as well as negative accelerations along these axes X-, Y-, Z-. It should be noted that along the Z axis, a negative acceleration Z- corresponds to a fall while a positive acceleration Z + corresponds to a lifting of the object by a person for example.

The alarm system 10 also comprises means 14 for transmitting a light and / or sound signal, provided with a buzzer 15 and / or at least one lamp 16 of the diode type for example.

An activation and deactivation device 17 of the alarm system 10 makes it possible to control the operation and shutdown of the system 10. This device 17 may take the form of a button. Preferably, however, this device 17 advantageously comprises a fingerprint reader. A memory 18 stores information relating to at least one fingerprint of at least one authorized person for comparison with a fingerprint acquired with the reader. The memory 18 preferably stores information relating to several fingerprints of several authorized persons, in particular the prints of two or three authorized persons, or more.

In addition, a control unit 20 is able to control the transmission means 14 so as to generate a light and / or sound signal following a detection of an unauthorized acceleration of the object occurring after a activation of alarm system 10 via device 17.

The alarm system 10 is configured to implement a delay, for example of the order of 1 second, following an activation and / or deactivation of the alarm system 10. The delay during the activation of the system 10 allows the stabilization of the object before the activation of the alarm system.

The alarm system 10 is configured to detect an unauthorized acceleration when an acceleration along at least one axis exceeds a safety threshold relative to a reference position. Thus, in FIG. 2, a high threshold SH and a low threshold SB are distinguished with respect to a reference value Pref. These safety thresholds SH, SB make it possible to avoid an untimely activation of the alarm system 10. There is also preferably an activation threshold delay Tact during which the unauthorized acceleration must be detected in order to confirm the displacement of the l. object and avoid false detections due to signal noise.

The control unit 20 comprises a memory 21 storing several programs to manage different situations of use of the object. Thus, the program P1 makes it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is previously in a stationary state. In this case, the control unit 20 controls the generation of a light and / or sound signal when an unauthorized acceleration of the object is detected along the axes C +, X-, Y +, Y-, Z +, Z -.

The control unit 20 further stores at least one other program according to which the control unit 20 allows movement of the object along the X +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and controls the generation of a light and / or sound signal when an unauthorized acceleration of the object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes. A hysteresis is provided on the acceleration values along the Z + and Z- axes in order to avoid false detections.

Thus, the program P2 makes it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed on a moving element, such as a supermarket trolley. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes movement of the object along the C +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and controls the generation of a light and / or sound signal when an unauthorized acceleration of l The object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes.

The program P3 makes it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed on a table. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes movement of the object along the C +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and controls the generation of a light and / or sound signal when an unauthorized acceleration of l The object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes. The program P4 makes it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is placed in a motor vehicle. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes movement of the object along the C +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and controls the generation of a light and / or sound signal when an unauthorized acceleration of l The object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes.

In order to avoid false detections, the range of hysteresis between the low value and the high value is adapted according to the situations of use of the object. Thus, the hysteresis range used for an object located on a table is smaller than the hysteresis range used for an object located on a cart, which is smaller than the hysteresis range used for an object located in a cart. car.

The memories 18 and 21 may be memories of the control unit 20 taking the form of a microcontroller. The memories 18 and 21 may be integrated in the same memory of the microcontroller or correspond to two separate memories of the microcontroller. It depends on the architecture of the chosen microcontroller.

In the diagram of Figure 3, following a start step DEB, the control unit 20 implements a programming loop 100. The control unit 20 performs, in a step 101, the acquisition of a fingerprint. The control unit 20 checks in a step 102 that the alarm system 10 is active.

In the case where the alarm system 10 is active, the control unit 20 compares, in a step 103, information relating to the fingerprint acquired with information relating to the fingerprints of authorized persons stored in memory 18.

The control unit 20 then tests whether the imprint is recognized in a step 104. In the case where the imprint is not recognized, the buzzer 15 is activated in a step 105 and the diode 16 is on. in a step 106. Following a TEMP time delay, for example of the order of 3 seconds, the buzzer 15 is deactivated in a step 107 and the diode 16 is extinguished in a step 108. In the case where the fingerprint is recognized, the control unit 20 tests whether the alarm system 10 is activated in a step 109. In the case where the alarm system 10 is not activated, the control unit 20 activates monitoring in a step 1 10. The control unit 20 can then briefly activate the diode 16, for example over a period of the order of one second, during a step 1 1 1, to signify the activation of the alarm system 10 to the user. A control bit then goes to 1 in a step 1 12.

In the event that the alarm system 10 is activated, the control unit 20 deactivates the monitoring in a step 1 13. The control unit 20 can then briefly activate the buzzer 15 in a step 1 14, for example over a period of half a second, and flashing the diode 16 in a step 1 15 to signify the deactivation of the alarm system 10 to the user. A control bit then goes to 0 in a step 1 16.

The control unit 20 tests the state of the control bit in a step 1 17.

In the case where the control bit is at 1, the control unit 20 activates the accelerometer 13 in a step 1 18. In the case where the control bit is at 0, the control unit 20 exits from the loop in a step 1 19 to go to an end step END of the program without activating the accelerometer 13.

In the diagram of Figure 4, following a start step DEB, the control unit 20 awaits the selection of a program P1 -P4 which can be carried out, during a step 200, by means a rotary button that can take different positions to each of which corresponds a program P1 -P4 associated with a specific use situation of the object to be monitored.

The control unit 20 then ensures, during a step 201, a processing according to the program P1 -P4 selected by the user.

In the case where the program P1 corresponding to an immobilization of the object is selected, the control unit 20 stores in memory, in a step 202, the X, Y, Z coordinates of the object. The control unit 20 performs, in a step 203, a reading of the data coming from the accelerometer 13 and compares them with reference values in a step 204. In this case, the control unit command 20 detects a fault when an unauthorized acceleration of the object is detected along one of the axes C +, X-, Y +, Y-, Z +, Z-.

In the case where the program P2 corresponding to an object placed on a moving element such as a supermarket trolley is selected, the control unit 20 stores in memory, in a step 205, the coordinates X, Y , Z of the object. The control unit 20 performs, in a step 206, a reading of the data coming from the accelerometer 13 and compares them with reference values stored in a step 207. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes a movement. of the object along the C +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and detects a fault when an unauthorized acceleration of the object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes.

In the case where the program P3 corresponding to an object placed on a table is selected, the control unit 20 stores in memory, in a step 208, the X, Y, Z coordinates of the object. The control unit 20 performs, in a step 209, a reading of the data coming from the accelerometer 13 and compares them with reference values stored in a step 210. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes a movement. of the object along the X +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and detects a fault when an unauthorized acceleration of the object is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes.

In the case where the program P4 corresponding to an object arranged in a motor vehicle is selected, the control unit 20 stores in memory, in a step 211, the X, Y, Z coordinates of the object. The control unit 20 performs, in a step 212, a reading of the data coming from the accelerometer 13 and compares them with reference values stored in a step 213. In this case, the control unit 20 authorizes a movement. of the object along the C +, X-, Y +, Y- axes and detects a fault when an unauthorized acceleration is detected along one of the Z +, Z- axes.

The control unit 20 then tests whether a fault has been detected in a step 214. In the case where no fault has been detected, an alarm signal is set to state 0 in a step 215 Otherwise, if a fault has been detected, the alarm signal is set to state 1 in a step 216. The control unit 20 then controls, in a step 217, the system 10 according to the state of the alarm signal. In the case where the alarm signal is at state 0, the control unit 20 does not activate the buzzer 15 (see step 218), or the diode 16 (see step 219). In the case where the alarm signal is at state 1, the control unit 20 activates the buzzer 15 in a step 220 as well as the diode 16 in a step 221. The end step END of the program is then reached. program.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants which a person skilled in the art may envisage in the context of the present invention and in particular any combination of the various operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in combination.

Claims

[Claim 1] Autonomous alarm system (10) for detecting theft of an object, characterized in that said autonomous alarm system (10) comprises:

- an accelerometer (13) capable of detecting accelerations of the object positively or negatively along three axes,

- emission means (14) of a light and / or sound signal,

- a device for activating and deactivating (17) the alarm system (10),

- a control unit (20) capable of controlling the means (14) for transmitting a light and / or sound signal so as to generate a light and / or sound signal following detection of an unauthorized acceleration of the object occurring after an activation of the alarm system (10) via said corresponding device (17).

[Claim 2] An alarm system according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation and deactivation device (17) of the alarm system (10) comprises a fingerprint reader.

[Claim 3] An alarm system according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a memory (18) storing information relating to at least one fingerprint of at least one authorized person.

[Claim 4] An alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is configured to implement a time delay, for example of the order of 1 second, following an activation and / or deactivation of the alarm system (10).

[Claim 5] An alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is configured to detect an unauthorized acceleration when an acceleration along at least one axis (X, Y, Z) exceeds a safety threshold (SH, SB).

[Claim 6] An alarm system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit (20) comprises a memory (21) storing several programs (P1 -P4) for managing different situations of use of the object.

[Claim 7] An alarm system according to claim 6, characterized in that the memory (21) of the control unit (20) stores a program (P1) making it possible to detect an unauthorized acceleration of the object while the object is previously in an immobile state.

[Claim 8] Alarm system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the memory (21) of the control unit (20) stores a program (P2) for detecting unauthorized acceleration of the object. while the object is placed on a moving element, such as a supermarket cart.

[Claim 9] An alarm system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the memory (21) of the control unit (20) stores a program (P3) for detecting unauthorized acceleration. of the object while the object is laid out on a table.

[Claim 10] An alarm system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the memory (21) of the control unit (20) stores a program (P4) for detecting unauthorized acceleration. of the object while the object is placed in a motor vehicle.