WO1997020295A1

WO1997020295A1 - A controlling and/or registration system

Info

Publication number: WO1997020295A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/001559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Edman
Original assignee: Rolf Edman
Priority date: 1995-11-28
Filing date: 1996-11-28
Publication date: 1997-06-05
Also published as: CA2238716A1; SE9504260D0; AU1046297A; EP0883868A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a controlling and/or registering system (A) to which different types of detectors (1) can be connected and adapted so that a satellite unit belonging to the system is able to detect the removal of a detector (1) from a supportive surface (1') or an attempt to remove the detector from the supportive surface, or to detect disconnection of a detector from the system (A). Respective detectors include an alarm element (2) having on one side (2') thereof an adhesive material (21) by means of which the detector can be affixed to the supportive surface (1'), and a connection cable (3) which extends from the alarm element (2) and connects with the satellite unit. At least one of the detectors includes an identification circuit (4) that has a unique identity. An electrically conductive loop (3') extends from the satellite unit and continues through a first conductor (3a) within the connection cable (3) and connects with the identification circuit (4) through the medium of means within the alarm element (2), and continues from the identification circuit (4) to a second conductor (3b) within the connection cable (3), whereafter the loop (3') returns to the satellite unit via the second conductor (3b). The satellite unit is able to read the identity of the identification circuit through the medium of the loop (3') and the means is adapted to short-circuit the loop (3') 'upstream' of the identification circuit (4) and/or break the loop (3') upon removal of the detector (1) from the supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove the detector (1) from the supportive surface, such as to interrupt the ability of the satellite unit to read the identity.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: A CONTROLLING AND/OR REGISTRATIN6 _SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a controlling and/or registering system of the kind that includes at least one system monitoring host computer and a number of monitorable devices or objects belonging to the system.

The invention is also based on the premise that the monitoring host computer can communicate either directly or indirectly with each of the monitorable and monitored devices or groups of devices, while each of said monitored devices or groups of devices can communicate with the host computer either directly or indirectly through the medium of information-carrying signals that are so adapted with respect to carrier frequency or the like as to enable the signals to be transmitted and perceived through the medium of transmission via conductors that belong to mains voltage networks.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a controlling and/or registering system that can be readily supplemented to provide a relevant inventory register over all the monitorable and/or monitored devices.

Thus, the inventive system also includes a facility whereby the presence of monitored devices can be supervised continuously by virtue of a physical connection with said monitored devices.

The inventive system includes a facility by means of which a device, an object or the like whose function does not require the use of an available mains voltage system to be monitored, and therewith create conditions for forming an alarm activating system which will issue an alarm when a monitored device is stolen or unintentionally removed, this facility being additional to the aforesaid facility or being the sole facility.

The present invention also relates to a detector that can be connected in a controlling and/or registering system, said detector being adapted to enable the system to detect the removal of or an attempt to remove one of several connected detectors from a device or object, or to detect disconnection of the detector electrically from the system.

It can also be mentioned that the present invention is based on a controlling and/or registering system according to Internation- al Patent Application No. PCT/SE95/01037.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Controlling and/or registering systems that are comprised of a monitoring unit or a host computer and a number of devices that can be monitored and/or are monitored by the host computers are known to the art in several different forms.

For instance, there is known a fire-control system that utilizes central equipment or a host computer to sense a number of measuring points and to activate alarm equipment immediately one of the measuring points is switched from a non-fire indicating state to a fire indicating state.

Also known to the art are similar systems that have other supervisory purposes, such as burglar alarms, security alarms and the like.

With regard to the fundamental concepts of the present invention, it can be mentioned that different systems for transmitting information-carrying signals over a mains voltage system with the aid of a carrier frequency are also known to the art. U.S. Patent Specification 4,513,382 discloses an example of the present standpoint of techniques in this regard.

With respect to different earlier inventory registers, it is known to store inventory object significant information in a computer unit as a data record and to insert manually into the register each new inventory record and/or to remove manually from the register an earlier stored inventory record.

The inventory list in question, stored in the computer unit, can be read-out and/or printed-out, by activating circuits adapted herefor.

The disclosures made in the following publications also belong to the earlier standpoint of techniques:

WO-A1-93/11515

This publication discloses a security system in which diverse security units are used to monitor electronic devices that may be connected to a common voltage supply network.

One type of security device (10) used in the system can be connected to equipment to be monitored. This security unit includes an identity code that is unique to said security unit and therewith to the equipment to which it is connected. A further security unit (20) used in the system is mounted in the wall outlet or electric socket (14) to which the monitored equipment is connected to its voltage supply. This security unit (20) also has an individual identity code.

A central computer (30) is connected to the same supply voltage and polls the monitored devices via the voltage network. The security unit 10 answers to the security unit 20 which, in turn, answers to the central computer. Thus, the central computer is not only able to see that a given device is connected but also to which wall socket. The common supply voltage network is used for the transmission of communications.

EP-A2-0 456 395

This publication describes a security system for monitoring a number of personal computers, working stations or other computers that are supplied with voltage from a common voltage supply network.

The security units provided in respective computers are comprised of a modem which functions to transmit and receive information over the supply voltage network. In other respects, the functions lie in the computer software in which the internal processors and memories are used.

Communication between respective computers is effected in a manner similar to that used generally in local area networks (LAN), but with the difference that transmission takes place over the standard voltage supply network instead of over a dedicated communications network.

US-A-5,034,723

This publication describes a monitoring system in which monitored devices (4) are connected to the general voltage network through the medium of a special cable (1) and an alarm unit (3). The alarm unit (3) is in contact with a control station (11) via communication over the general voltage network.

The special cable (1) is designed to enable the alarm unit to detect removal of the cable from a device (4) or severing of the cable. In such cases, the alarm unit alarms the control station via the voltage network.

US-A-4,410,883

This publication describes a multi-signal system in which a number of remote units are in contact with a main unit via a voltage supply network installed in a building.

The system is unlike any of the earlier described systems or the present invention, since this known system is intended to transmit signals from a number of remote units of different types. These units may be units for sound transmission, units for the transmission of alarm signals for different types of alarms, such as fire alarms, smoke detection, water level alarms or a call for medical assistance. The units may also be intended for the transmission of control signals for different control systems, such as heating or air-conditioning control systems.

Each remote unit communicates with the main unit on a unique frequency band, which is the modulation frequency used in the communication. A total of up to ninety-nine separate frequency bands are used.

The system can be configured so that a remote unit will send a signal continuously, wherein interruption of the signal is noticed by the main unit which then activates some kind of alarm. Conversely, instead of transmitting continuously, a remote unit may not begin to transmit until it wishes to draw attention to an alarm situation.

Each remote unit is identified by a unique transmission frequency and a unique identity number. For instance, a remote unit may be a portable unit that is carried by a cleaner who is required to connect the unit to the mains when cleaning of a room is complet- ed, and to key-in the number of the room concerned on a number selector or keypad on the remote unit and therewith send to the main unit a signal that indicates that the room has been cleaned. Thus, a remote unit can be used with several different identity numbers (room numbers), wherein the main unit detects which remote unit is transmitting, by virtue of the transmission frequency, and from which room the signal is transmitted, by virtue of the room number. It is obvious that each remote unit must be allocated a specific transmission frequency before communication can be established between the remote unit and the main unit in this particular case. It will also be obvious that the various units are allocat- ed a transmission frequency and an identity number through the medium of hardware selectors, such as dipswitches or rotary switches, manually on each individual remote unit.

The "alarm units" disclosed in the aforesaid publications are mainly electronic arrangements that are intended to be connected mechanically and/or electrically to the devices concerned, in one way or another.

Thus, it has long been known to use different types of alarm units in an alarm system to cover all different supervisory or monitoring requirements.

This requirement may be one of detecting heat, sound, smoke, vibrations, among many other things. The system may be intended to protect an object or an area from unauthorized use or tres¬ pass, or to establish an inventory system. The system may also be intended to monitor a sequence of events, for instance in an industrial process.

It is also known to use alarm units that are applied to a device or an object and that cause an alarm to be activated upon their removal from a guarded or supervised area, or that are adapted to activate an alarm when the object is removed from a guarded area, or that are destroyed when removed illegally from the object to which they are fitted, or that are adapted to destroy the object to which they are fitted or to render said object unusable in any other way when an illegal attempt is made to remove said unit.

These types of alarm units, e.g. antitheft devices, are often manufactured in large numbers and can be offered at low prices. They are normally used in stores who wish to protect their goods through the medium of an alarm system. Alarm units of this kind may therefore often be easily removed legally from the object to which the units are applied when an object is purchased.

It is also known to guard an object by detecting when an electric current is broken. Such breaking of a closed electric contact can be caused by unauthorized opening of a door, by breaking an electrically conductive foil on a glass window as when breaking a pain of glass, or by breaking a light beam as someone passes between a light source and a light detector.

Examples of this technique are found in the following publica¬ tions:

WO-A1-93/11514

This publication describes a system that uses sensors which are connected to the system via an electric conductor. The publica¬ tion describes different embodiments of the construction of a sensor with the aid of two, three or more electric conductors in the cable, wherein an interruption in or a short-circuiting of a circuit can be detected.

The publication also describes how a communications circuit can comprise a part of the system and how a sensor can be connected to the system through the medium of a specific communications circuit.

GB-A-2 287 339

This publication describes a sensor comprised of electrically conductive foils. The sensor is glued to a supportive surface and cannot be removed therefrom without damaging the foils and/or without altering the foils to an extent sufficient for a measur- able, and therewith detectable, change in their resistive properties to take place. SE-B 434 684

This publication describes a self-adhesive contact device which is intended to be fastened to theft-attractive articles and to be connected to an alarm system. The contact device includes a contact spring which is intended to break an electric circuit when an attempt is made to remove the contact device from an article.

EP-A2-0 093 095

This publication describes a device which is intended to identify an alarm-emitting detector. A predetermined number of detectors are connected to the device mutually in parallel in a loop connected to a line-unit.

The line-unit transmits a first signal and detectors that have an alarm status are adapted to cause a specific voltage drop across the loop in response to the first signal.

This voltage drop generates an alarm signal from the line-unit to the device.

The voltage drop also generates a second signal in the loop from the line-unit and the alarm detector is adapted to deliver to the line-unit a pre-programmed identification signal in response to the second signal, thereby enabling the alarm-emitting detector to be identified.

EP-A1-0 071 752

This publication describes an alarm system in which fire detec¬ tors send a specific signal to a control panel in the event of a fire. This signal includes an identifying address and the change in the output signal of the alarm-emitting detector in addition to the fire signals that are normally emitted by conventional fire detectors. The control panel thus indicates fire zones, alarm detectors and the changes in their output signals.

SE-B 439 395

This publication describes an electronic remote monitoring system that includes a plurality of series connected emitters, each of which actuates the next emitter, and so on, subsequent to emitting a zero-signal or an alarm signal. When the last emitter has emitted its signal, there is a brief interruption in the line voltage and a new sensing cycle then commences. Each emitter emits its own specific signal, which is generated by a bit pattern generator belonging to a respective emitter.

DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

When considering the known state of the art as described above and taking as a starting point a controlling and/or registering system according to the aforegoing, it will be seen that a technical problem resides in enabling a device or an object that is not necessarily connected to a mains voltage system to be monitored while maintaining control of individual devices and/or groups of devices.

Another technical problem is one of realizing how a controlling and/or registering system can be readily supplemented with different types of detectors that are adapted to immediately detect damage to the detector and/or disengagement of the detector from the system, and that will enable the detector that initiated the alarm to be clearly identified.

Another technical problem is one of realizing how one such detector can be constructed and manufactured in a cost-effective manner and with a relatively small number of components. It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in realiz¬ ing how such a detector can be made to function without being connected electrically to the device to which it is attached.

Another technical problem is one of realizing the advantages and possibilities that are afforded by a detector that can be connected to a system capable of providing a highly advanced alarm function and that can be identified unambiguously in the system.

A further technical problem is one of realizing the necessity of providing an identification circuit that includes a detector and that forms part of an unbroken electrically conductive loop, whereas a further technical problem is one of realizing how such a loop can be constructed from the detector components and in combination with the identification circuit and the connection cable belonging to the alarm element.

Another technical problem is one of realizing the advantages that are gained when the identification circuit is comprised of an integrated circuit that is given an unchangeable, unique identity in manufacture.

Another technical problem is one of realizing the advantages that are afforded when a loop connected to the alarm system includes a number of slave detectors in the absence of an identification circuit.

It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in realiz- ing the possibility of including a detector in a single unbroken loop that also includes a chosen number of slave detectors.

Another technical problem is one of realizing how detectors and slave detectors respectively can be adapted to form a terminal unit in an electrically conductive loop in relation to forming a unit that is connected somewhere between the system and the last unit in the loop. Still another technical problem is one of realizing the necessity of being unable to distinguish between a detector and a slave detector either by their external appearance or electrical equivalence, and the possibilities that such a feature affords.

Yet another technical problem is one of realizing the possibili¬ ties that are afforded by a system construction in which a detector forms a system-connected loop in coaction w th a plurality of slave detectors, and to realize the possibilities that are afforded by such a system that includes a plurality of such loops connected to one and the same system.

SOLUTION

With the intention of solving one or more of the aforesaid technical problems, the present invention takes as its starting point a controlling and/or registering system that is comprised of at least one system-monitoring host computer and a plurality of devices or objects that can be monitored and/or that are monitored by the host computer, wherein the host computer and said devices or objects may be supplied with voltage from one and the same mains voltage system, wherem the monitoring host computer can communicate with each of the monitorable devices or objects through the medium of information-carrying signals, and each of the monitorable devices or objects are able to communi¬ cate with the host computer through the medium of information- carrying signals, said information-carrying signals being transmitted on electrical conductors within the mains voltage system.

Such a system is also based on a master unit belonging to the host computer being connectable and connected between the host computer and an electrical socket or outlet belonging to the mains voltage system, and that a satellite unit belonging to monitored devices or objects is connectable to and connected to an electrical socket device or outlet belonging to the mains voltage system, wherein the master unit is adapted to control the actuation of each monitored device or object by transmitting and receiving information-carrying signals to and from said monitored devices or objects, and wherein said master unit is adapted to register and/or adapted to register in said host computer at least all monitored devices or objects. Such a system is also based on respective monitored equipment or objects communicating with a master unit via a satellite unit and by communication between satellite unit and a master unit respectively taking place via the mains voltage system.

The reader is referred to International Patent Application No. PCT/SE95/01037 for a more detailed description of a controlling and/or registering system according to the aforegoing.

According to the present invention, a device or object monitoring satellite unit and/or the monitored device or object is allotted an identification code by the master unit when the satellite unit is actuated.

With the intention of enabling electrical monitoring of a device or an object that is not connected to the mains voltage system or which may be connected to the mains voltage system but where the actual connection does not constitute a requirement that the device shall be monitorable, the present invention relates to a detector which is connectable to a satellite unit and adapted so that the satellite unit is able to detect the removal of the detector from a supportive surface or an attempt to remove said detector from said surface or when the detector is disconnected from the satellite unit.

According to one embodiment, a proposed detector includes an alarm element having on one side thereof an adhesive material operative in fixing the detector to a supportive surface, and a connecting cable which is connected to the alarm element and extends therefrom to the satellite unit.

The supportive surface is preferably a surface on the device or object to be monitored.

A plurality of detectors can be connected to one and the same satellite unit, where said detectors are included in a common electrically conductive loop.

In accordance with the invention, the alarm element of at least one of the detectors forming said conductive loop is a so-called first type of alarm detector and includes an identification circuit that has a unique identity, wherein the loop commences from the satellite unit and passes through a first conductor in the connecting cable, connects with the identifying circuit via means provided herefor in said alarm element, continues from the identification circuit to a second conductor in the connection cable and then returns to the satellite unit via said second conductor.

The identity of the satellite unit can be read or established via the loop, and said means is adapted to short-circuit the loop "upstream" of the identification circuit and/or to break the loop upon removal of the alarm detector from the supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said detector, wherein the satellite unit is no longer able to read or establish the identity of the detector.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the identification circuit may be comprised of an integrated circuit that has been allocated a unique and unchangeable identity in manufacture. Such circuits are commercially available at a relatively low cost; which enables an inventive detector to be sold at a low price.

In order to enable a detector to be connected in the centre of a loop, the inventive system may include a second type of alarm detector having a first and a second connection cable, wherein the first connection cable may connect the alarm detector to the satellite unit or to one or more further detectors and the second connection cable may extend the loop to at least one further detector, said loop still constituting a closed loop through the medium of the second detector or second detectors.

In accordance with the present invention, certain detectors may be comprised of a first type of slave detector that is adapted to provide the same function as an alarm detector with respect to the ability to break or short-circuit the loop, although without including an identification circuit.

With this type of slave detector, the loop within the slave alarm element constitutes the same loop as that within an alarm element belonging to an alarm detector with the exception that no identification circuit is included.

In order to enable a slave detector to be electrically equivalent to an alarm detector, the slave means within a first type of slave detector may also include a first component having an impedance value that corresponds to the impedance value of the identification circuit.

For the sake of simplicity, this first component may be comprised of a first resistor that has a resistive value which corresponds to the resistive value of the identification circuit.

This first type of slave detector is intended to form the last unit on a loop which also includes a second type of alarm detector.

In order to enable a slave detector to be placed in the centre of a loop, the inventive system may also include slave detectors of a second type, these second-type detectors having the same properties as the earlier described first-type slave detectors but with the difference that the slave alarm element of this type of slave detector is allocated a first and a second slave connection cable, wherein the first slave connection cable connects the slave detector to the satellite unit, either directly or via a further detector, and wherein a second slave connection cable extends the loop to a further detector.

Similar to the first type of slave detectors, the slave means in the second-type slave detectors may also be supplemented with a component that is allocated an impedance value that corresponds to the impedance value of the identification circuit, such as a second resistor whose resistive value corresponds to the resis¬ tive value of the identification circuit.

It is thus possible to combine an alarm detector with a plurality of slave detectors in a common loop.

However, it should be mentioned that the loop will preferably be terminated with an alarm detector, so as to prevent slave detectors that are connected in the loop downstream of an alarm detector to be short-circuited and then disconnected. Such disconnection would not be detected in such a combination, because the loop would still be intact through the short-circuit and the identification circuit could still be contacted by the satellite unit.

An inventive system may also include a plurality of different satellite units to which a plurality of different electrical loops are connected, said satellite units including different constellations of solely one alarm detector or one alarm detector in coaction with one or more slave detectors.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages that are primarily characteristic of a controlling and/or registering system in coaction with one or more detectors in accordance with the invention reside in the ability to connect to a satellite unit detectors which can be applied to an object to be monitored, where removal of a detector, or an attempt to remove a detector, or disconnection of a detector from the satellite unit will immediately indicate to the satellite unit that something is amiss and will also cause the object concerned to be identified.

It is also possible to include in an inventive system a plurality of loops and component detectors that are connected to a satel- lite unit, wherein each loop with an associated constellation of detectors can be adapted to a specific object or to a group of several objects, thereby enabling several objects to be monitored or supervised by one and the same satellite unit.

The present invention thus provides a system that enables a plurality of different devices or objects to be monitored and readily controlled from a central host computer.

The detectors can be offered for sale at a relatively low price because of their very simple construction and because of the low- cost of the components of said detectors.

The main characterizing features of an inventive controlling and/or registering system will be evident from the characterizing clause of the following Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an inventive controlling and/or registering system;

Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a first type of alarm detector; Figure 3 is a simplified electrical schema of an alarm detector according to Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates from above and partly in section an embodiment of a second type of alarm detector;

Figure 5 is a simplified electrical schema of an alarm detector according to Figure 4;

Figure 6 illustrates one possible compilation of connecting conductors;

Figure 7 illustrates another possible compilation of a connect¬ ing conductor;

Figure 8 is a side view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a first type of slave detector;

Figure 9 is a simplified electrical schema of a slave detector according to Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side view, partly in section, of one embodiment of a first type of slave detector according to Figure 8 that includes a supplementary component;

Figure 11 is a simplified electrical schema of a slave detector according to Figure 10;

Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment of a second type of slave detector from above and partly in section;

Figure 13 is a simplified electrical schema of a slave detector according to Figure 12;

Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment of a second type of slave detector according to Figure 12 that includes a supplementary component, said detector being shown from above and partly in section;

Figure 15 is a simplified electrical schema of a slave detector according to Figure 14;

Figures 16-21 illustrate schematically the various possibili¬ ties of constructing a system to which different configurations of alarm detectors and slave detectors can be connected to a satellite unit; and

Figure 22 illustrates schematically a system in which the loop is comprised of cordless communication between a satellite unit and a plurality of detectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED EMBODIMENTS

Inventive detectors are adapted to a particular controlling and/or registering system of the kind described in the Interna¬ tional Patent Application PCT/SE95/01037. The reader is referred to this Application for a more thorough understanding of a system according to the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of such a system which comprises a host computer 1 that monitors the system either directly or indirectly, and a plurality of devices or objects or the like ul, u2, ..., un monitored by the host computer.

The monitoring host computer 1 can communicate with each of the monitored devices, or groups of said devices, either directly or indirectly, and each of the monitored devices, or groups of said monitored devices, can communicate with the host computer through the medium of information-carrying signals, either directly or indirectly.

These information-carrying signals are adapted partly for transmission via a mains voltage system 11 and a master unit 12 belonging to the host computer 1 is connected between the host computer 1 and an electrical contact device Ilk or outlet belonging to the mains voltage system 11.

A satellite unit A belonging to a monitored device or the like is connected to an outlet Ilk of the mains voltage system 11, and the master unit 12 is adapted to control actuation of each satellite unit, by sending information-carrying signals to and receiving information-carrying signals from the satellite unit A via the mains voltage system 11.

The master unit 12 is adapted to register and/or monitor devices ul, u2, ..., un and/or is adapted to register said devices in the host computer 1.

Respective satellite units A are thus adapted to interlink one or more devices ul, u2, ..., un with the master unit 12 via the mains voltage system 11. The present invention is concerned with the manner in which this interlinking can be achieved with devices or objects that need not necessarily be themselves connected to the mains voltage system, such as non-electrically connected devices or objects in a store, or valuable objects in an exhibition room or show room, or in the home.

This is made possible through the medium of inventive detectors XA, Y, Z that can be attached to devices or objects to be monitored.

It is also conceivable that electrically connected devices, such as electrically connected inventories in schools or in companies are monitored in accordance with the present invention or in accordance with a connection facility described in more detail in the said International Patent Application No. PCT/SE95/01037.

In accordance with the invention, the master unit allocates an identification code to the satellite unit on the first occasion of actuating a satellite unit belonging to a monitored device or devices. The inventive detectors enable a device or an object to be connected to the system anywhere where a connection point is found, a satellite unit A, which is in contact with the host computer 1 via the mains voltage system 11.

Shown in Figure 2 is a specific type of detector, a first type of alarm detector XA, which can be connected to a satellite unit A and which includes an alarm element 2 whose one side has a flat or generally flat surface 2 ' on which there is provided an adhesive material 21 by means of which the detector can be affixed to a supportive surface, and a connection cable 3 which is connected to the alarm element and extends from said element to the satellite unit A and connected thereto.

The alarm element 2 includes an identification circuit 4 which has a unique identity. The identification circuit 4 is in electrical contact with the satellite unit A through the medium of a loop 3 ' intended for the transmission of information- carrying signals, the illustrated loop being an electrically conductive loop that passes through the detector XA.

The loop 3' passes from the satellite unit A via a first conduc¬ tor 31 in the connection cable 3. The first conductor 31 is connected to the identification circuit 4 and the loop 3 ' continues from the identification circuit 4 to a second conductor 32 in the connection cable 3 through the medium of means 5 in the alarm element, whereafter the loop returns to the satellite unit A via the second conductor 32. The unique identity of the identification circuit 4 can be read or established by the satellite unit A through the medium of the loop 3 ' .

The means 5 is adapted to short-circuit the loop 3' "upstream" of the identification circuit 4 and/or break the loop 3 ' upon removal of the alarm detector XA from the supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said detector from said surface, therewith resulting in an interruption in the ability of the satellite unit A to read said identity, in accordance with the equivalent electrical schema of an alarm detector of a first type shown in Figure 3.

Different types of breaking and/or short-circuiting means are known to the art, and these are illustrated in the Figures by different electrically conductive parts that have been pressed together and that fall apart when an attempt is made to remove the detector. Another possibility is to use commercially available microswitches. Since the manner in which the means 5 is implemented plays no significant part in the present inven¬ tion, it will not be described in more detail in this document.

The satellite unit A is adapted to inquire after the presence of each alarm detector connected to the satellite unit A, by polling said each detector, i.e. checking said detector at regular intervals. If a detector fails to respond, this indicates that the loop to which the detector is connected is either broken, short-circuited or disconnected.

When polling fails to produce a response, a signal is generated and the system is made aware of which alarm detector is missing or malfunctioning, and therewith identify the object that has generated the signal.

When an object is to be disconnected by an authorized person, polling of the detector or detectors that monitors/monitor the object is canceled. When the object is reconnected to the system, the system will know which object has been reconnected since the system is given the identity of the object (the alarm detector) in response to polling.

The identification circuit 4 is comprised of an integrated circuit that is given in manufacture a unique identity that cannot be changed subsequent to manufacture.

Such identification circuits are commercially available at relatively low prices, owing to the fact that they are mass produced and because their circuit structure is uncomplicated. An example of one such circuit is an integrated circuit designa¬ ted DS2401 and available from Dallas Semiconductor Corporation in the U.S.A.

Figure 3 shows the first type of alarm detector 1 at the final end of the loop 3 ' . One of the aims of the present invention is to enable a detector to be combined with different slave detec¬ tors, wherein a slave detector will have the same ability to break or short-circuit the loop as a detector, although without containing an identification circuit, and that an unauthorized person will be unable to determine which connected detectors are alarm detectors or slave detectors respectively.

Consequently, it is necessary for the connection cable to have branches that can accommodate a detector which receives the loop and sends the loop further. This means that the alarm detector can be seated in the centre of a loop while terminating the loop with a slave detector.

Figure 4 illustrates an alarm detector of a second type XB, wherein the detector is allocated a first and a second connection cable 31, 32. The first connection cable 31 connects the detector to the satellite unit A or to one or more further detectors via the loop 31 ' , and the second connection cable 32 extends the loop 32' to at least one additional detector, said loop 3' (3i 32' ) still forming a closed loop via the additional detectors.

It is thus evident that a detector need not be connected directly to the satellite unit and that the loop may have passed via one or more additional detectors before reaching the first-mentioned detector.

In a second type of alarm detector XB, the electrical connection of the loop through the alarm element is such that the identifi¬ cation circuit 4 forms part of the loop. In this way, there is obtained a detector that has an electric schema equivalent to that shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows that the loop 31' arrives at the detector 1 and leaves the detector via the identification circuit 4. The detector still has a breaking and short-circuiting function Bl, B2.

In order to exclude the possibility to make a bridge-connection across an alarm detector or a slave detector, it is proposed that the connection cable used may be a cable that has at least two electrically conductive layers.

As illustrated by way of example in Figure 6, a connection cable may be comprised of a flexible multi-layer circuit board to which two detectors 2, 2' are connected, wherein the circuit board has a first electrically conductive layer el that is positioned beneath a second electrically conductive layer e2 with an electrically insulating layer il located therebetween. Figure 11 shows that this circuit board can be bent around a corner on the supportive surface on which the detectors are applied.

Extremely thin flexible multi-layer circuit boards are available, and it is extremely difficult for an unauthorized person to reach the bottom layer el of such a board without short-circuiting said layer against the upper layer e2.

The same effect can be obtained with a coaxial cable according to Figure 7, wherein a first electrically conductive layer el' is intended to be enclosed by a second electrically conductive layer e2' with an electrically insulating layer il ' between said conductive layers. As with the former case, it is also extremely difficult to reach the inner layer el' without short-circuiting said layer against the outer layer e2'.

The present invention includes the use of different types of slave detectors, of which a first type of slave detector will be described hereinafter. Figure 8 illustrates a first type Z of slave detector IS that includes a slave alarm element 2S and a slave connection cable 3S which extends from the slave alarm element to the alarm system A.

The slave alarm element 2S and the slave connection cable 3S may be given an external appearance that is identical to the appear¬ ance of an alarm detector, so that an unauthorized person will be unable to distinguish between an alarm detector and a slave detector.

The electrically conductive loop 3 ' passing through the slave detector IS departs from a first conductor in the loop and continues through a first slave conductor 3aS in the slave connection cable 3S and connects with a second slave conductor 3bS in the slave connection cable 3S via slave means 5S in the slave alarm element 2S, whereafter the loop 3' returns to the second conductor in the loop 3 ' via the second slave conductor 3bS.

A slave detector does not include an identification circuit.

Figure 9 is an equivalent electric schema of a slave detector IS of a first type Z. It will be seen that it forms a very simple circuit that has a breaking function. There is no need for a short-circuiting function in this case, since such a function has no practical significance. With the intention of giving a slave detector IS an electrical characteristic similar to that of an alarm detector, the slave means active within the slave alarm element 2S may be given a first component 41 which has an impedance value that corresponds to the impedance value of an identification circuit, as shown in Figure 10.

A simple adaptation of the electrical characteristic can be achieved with a first component 41 in the form of a first resistor that has a resistive value which corresponds to the resistive value of an identification circuit. Figure 11 shows an equivalent electrical schema for a first-type slave detector Z in accordance with this embodiment. It will be seen that a short-circuiting function can be achieved through the medium of a second circuit breaker B2, although such a function has no practical application in the illustrated case.

The first type of slave detector Z is intended to terminate a loop when a second type of alarm detector XB is placed somewhere in the loop between the terminating detector and the satellite unit.

A second type of slave detector Y is intended to be positioned somewhere between the satellite unit and the loop termination. Since the second type of slave detector can be placed "upstream" of, or before, the alarm detector, it is appropriate to incorpo¬ rate in this type of detector both a breaking and a short- circuiting function.

A slave detector of a second type Y will now be described with reference to Figure 12. As will be evident from the Figure, a second-type slave detector includes a slave alarm element 2S and a first and a second slave connection cable 3IS, 32S extending from the slave alarm element 2S.

The first slave connection cable 31S connects the slave detector to the satellite unit either directly or indirectly through the medium of additional detectors, whereas the second slave connec¬ tion cable extends the loop 3' to at least one further detector.

The slave alarm element 2S and the slave connection cables 31S, 32S may be given an external appearance that is identical to the external appearance of an alarm element and connection cables belonging thereto, so that an unauthorized person will be unable to distinguish between an alarm detector and a slave detector.

The electrically conductive loop 3' (31'S, 32'S) passing through the slave detector IS is formed by coupling the first slave connection cable 31S with the second slave connection cable 32S through the medium of slave means 5S in the slave alarm element.

Figure 13 is a simplified equivalent electronic schema of a slave detector of a second type Y. This type of slave detector includes both a breaking Bl and a short-circuiting B2 function.

With the intention of giving a second type of slave detector Y a similar electric characteristic to that of an alarm detector, the slave means 5S active within the slave alarm element 2S may include a second component 42 that has an impedance value which corresponds to the impedance value of an identification circuit, as shown in Figure 14.

The electric characteristic may be adapted readily, by allowing the second component 42 to have the form of a second resistor whose resistive value corresponds to the resistive value of an identification circuit.

Figure J.5 illustrates an equivalent electric schema for a second type of slave detector Y according to this embodiment. It will be seen that this type of slave detector affords both a breaking Bl and a short-circuiting B2 function.

Whether slave detectors shall be used with or without components (41, 42) will depend somewhat on the number of slave detectors used in a loop and on the physical length of the loop. The circuit DS2401 acts through the loop at a very low amperage ( in the order of μA) , and the system will thus be sensitive to current losses and consequently it may be desirable to exclude any additional components from the slave detectors, such as a resistor.

Thus, it is possible to construct with the aid of the aforedescribed alarm detectors and slave detectors a system to which at least one alarm detector is connected. At leas_t one of these detectors shall comprise an alarπ detector of the first or the second type, and remaining detectors will comprise slave detectors of the first or the second type.

Figure 16 shows a system that includes a satellite unit A to which a firεt-type alarm detector XA is connected.

Figure 17 illustrates a system that includes a satellite unit A to which a first-type alarm detector XA and one or more second- type slave detectors Yl, Y2, ..., Yn are connected.

Figure IB shows a system that includes a satellite unit A to which a second-type alarm detector XB and a first-type slave detector Z are connected.

Figure 19 shows a system that includes a satellite unit A to which a second-type alarm detector XB, a firεt-type slave detector Z and one or more second-type slave detectors Yl, Y2, ... , Yn are connected.

It is also possible to allow two or more detectors in a loop to be comprised of alarm detectors. Such a constellation, however, requires special handling of the polling procedure, since the iden_tification circuits in respective alarm detectors such a loop lie sequentially in series as shown in Figure 20 , where two slave detectors Yl and Y2 lie in a common loop with two alarm detectors XI and X2.

Figure 21 shows a system that includes a satellite unit A having connected thereto a plurality of electric loops SI, S2, ..., Sn which include different constellations of an alarm detector ;^•; and no slave detector for one or more slave detectors cf the first type Z cr tne second type Y connected thereto .

It s thus possible to readily configure a system -,;hicn cill provide desired protection for one cr more objects. It is evident that a plurality of loops can be connected to a common satellite unit and that a plurality of satellite units can coact in a common system, thereby enabling a plurality of objects to be monitored and guarded. It will also be noted that a single loop is not limited to the task of guarding or protecting a single object and that a single loop may extend over a plurality of objects and thereby guard and protect the same.

There is nothing to prevent the loop between a satellite unit and detectors connected thereto from comprising cordless communica¬ tion 33 between the satellite unit A and the detectors Yl, Y2, XA, as illustrated in Figure 22, even though the remaining Figures show embodiments that include electrically conductive connection cables.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated exemplifying embodiments thereof and that modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the following Claims.

Claims

1. A controlling and/or registering system that includes a host computer which monitors or supervises the system either directly or indirectly, and a plurality of devices or objects that are monitored by the host computer, wherein said monitoring host computer can communicate, either directly or indirectly, with each of said monitored devices or groups of said monitored devices, and wherein each of the monitored devices or groups of monitored devices can communicate with said host computer, either directly or indirectly, through the medium of information-carrying signals adapted partially for transmission via a mains voltage system, wherein a master unit belonging to the host computer is connected between said host computer and an electric contact device or electric outlet belonging to the mains voltage system, wherein a satellite unit belonging to a monitored device or the like is connected to an electric contact device or an electric outlet belonging to said mains voltage system, wherein said master unit is adapted to control activation of each satellite unit by sending information-carrying signals to and receiving information-carrying signals from said satellite unit and wherein said master unit is adapted to register and/or is adapted to register in said host computer all of said monitored devices, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that when a satellite unit belonging to a monitored device is first activated, said master unit allocates to the satellite unit an identification code; in that respective satellite units coact with at least one detector; in that said detector is adapted to be affixed mechanically to a supportive surface belonging to one of said devices; in that said detector is adapted to enable the satellite unit to detect removal of said detector from said supportive surface, or an attempt to remove said detector from said surface, or the disconnection of said detector from said satellite unit; in that said detector includes an alarm element whose one side has an adhesive surface for affixing the detector on a supportive surface, thereby enabling said detector to be applied to said supportive surface; in that said detector includes a loop intended for the transmission of information-carrying signals, wherein the loop departs from said satellite unit, connects with the alarm element inter alia via means within said alarm element, whereafter the loops returns to said satellite unit; and in that at least one detector is comprised of an alarm detector that includes an identification circuit to which a unique identity is allotted.

2. A system according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said identification circuit is an integrated circuit; in that said integrated circuit is allotted a unique identity in manufacture; and in that said identity is unchangeable.

3. A system according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said detector is a first type of alarm detector; in that said detector includes a connection cable which is connected to the alarm element and extends therefrom to the satellite unit and connects thereto; in that said loop departs from said satellite unit, continues through a first conductor in said connection cable, connects to the alarm element, via means in said alarm element among other things, continues to a second conductor in said connection cable and thereafter returns to said satellite unit via said second conductor; in that said identification circuit is a part of said loop; in that said identity can be read by said satellite via said loop; and in that said means is adapted to break or short-circuit the loop upon the removal of the detector from said supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said detector from said supportive surface, therewith resulting in an interruption in the ability of the alarm system to read said identity.

4. A system according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said alarm element is connected via two connection cables, a first and a second connection cable; in that said first connection cable connects said detector to said satellite unit or to one or more further detectors; in that said second connection cable extends the loop to at least one further detector; and in that said loop forms a closed loop via said detectors.

5. A system according to Claims 1 and 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said detector is a second type of alarm detector; in that said identification circuit is a part of said loop; in that said identity can be read by the satellite unit via said loop; in that said means is adapted to break and/or shortcircuit said loop upon removal of said detector from its supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said detector from said supportive surface, such as to result in an interruption in the ability of the alarm system to read said identity.

6. A system according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said detector is a first type of slave detector; in that the slave detector includes a slave alarm element and a slave connection cable that extends from the slave alarm element and is connected to the satellite unit; in that an electrically conductive loop that passes through the slave detector departs from said first conductor, continues through a first slave conductor within said slave connection cable, connects with a second slave conductor within said slave connection cable via slave means within said slave alarm element, and then returns to said second conductor via said second slave conductor; and in that said slave means is adapted to break the loop upon removal of the slave detector from its supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said slave detector from said supportive surface, therewith to interrupt the ability of said satellite unit to read said identity.

7. A system according to Claims 1 and 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the slave means within said first type of slave detector includes a first component; in that said first component comprises part of the loop; and in that said first component has an impedance value that corresponds to the impedance value of said identification circuit.

8. A system according to Claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said first component is comprised of a first resistor; and in that said first resistor has a resistive value that corresponds to the resistive value of said identification circuit.

9. A system according to Claims 1 and 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the detector is comprised of a second type of slave detector; in that the slave detector includes a slave alarm element and a first and a second slave connection cable that extend from the slave alarm element; in that the first slave connection cable connects said slave detector to said satellite unit or to a further detector; in that said second slave connection cable extends the loop to at least one further detector; in that the electrically conductive loop passing through said slave detector is obtained by mutually coupling said first slave connection cable with said second slave connection cable via slave means within said slave alarm element; and in that said slave means is adapted to break and/or short-circuit said loop upon removal of said slave detector from said supportive surface or when an attempt is made to remove said slave detector from said supportive surface, thereby to interrupt the ability of the satellite unit to read said identity.

10. A system according to Claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the slave means within said second type of slave detector includes a second component; in that said second component forms part of said loop; and in that said second component has an impedance value that corresponds to the impedance value for said identification circuit.

11. A system according to Claim 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said second component is a second resistor; and in that said second resistor has a resistive value that corresponds to the resistive value of said identification circuit.

12. A system in which there is connected one or more detectors according to any one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that at least one detector is an alarm detector of said first or said second type; in that remaining detectors are comprised of slave detectors of said first or said second type; in that all detectors included in said system commonly form an electrically conductive loop that passes through said identification circuit within said alarm detector, therewith enabling the satellite unit to read the unique identity allocated to said identification circuit; and in that said detectors are adapted to short-circuit said loop upstream of said identification circuit and/or break said loop upon removal of any of said detectors from the supportive surface on which they are applied or when an attempt is made to remove any one of said detectors from said supportive surface or when any of said detectors are disconnected, thereby to interrupt the ability of the satellite unit to read said identity.

13. A system according to Claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said system includes a loop to which only one first-type alarm detector is connected.

14. A system according to Claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said system includes a loop to which a first-type detector and one or more second-type slave detectors are connected.

15. A system according to Claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said system includes a loop to which a second-type alarm detector and a first-type slave detector are connected.

16. A system according to Claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said system includes a loop to which a second-type alarm detector, a first-type slave detector and one or more second-type slave detectors are connected.

17. A system according to Claims 12 to 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said system includes a plurality of different electric loops that are connected to a common satellite unit or to different satellite units; and in that each loop is comprised of a constellation of an alarm detector of said first or said second type and none or one or more slave detectors of said first or said second type independently of other loops.