IP Library Granted Patent US 9,978,233
Granted Patent B2
US 9,978,233 · App. 15/483,643 · Granted May 22, 2018

Restricted area automated security system and method

Inventors: Nolan Kariniemi (New Brighton, MN); Mark Pikkarainen (New Brighton, MN)
Assignee: Comtrol Corporation
G08B13/183
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,978,233
App. No.
15/483,643
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A security system includes a plurality of laser scanners to establish light shields in an area to be monitored, with each of the light shields including at least one detection zone, and a controller to detect unauthorized entry to the area to be monitored based on a position and timing of breaks in the detection zones of the light shields.

Claims (50)

1. A security system, comprising:

a plurality of laser scanners to establish light shields in an area to be monitored, each of the light shields including at least one detection zone; and

a controller to detect unauthorized entry to the area to be monitored based on a position and timing of breaks in the detection zones of the light shields,

the controller to determine a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in a reverse direction to a direction of movement that is allowed,

the controller to trigger a security action if the sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in the reverse direction is in sync with a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in a direction of movement that is allowed.

2. The security system of claim 1 , the plurality of laser scanners to establish planar light shields each including at least one planar detection zone.

3. The security system of claim 1 , the plurality of laser scanners to create a three dimensional matrix of two dimensional detection zones.

4. The security system of claim 1 , the plurality of laser scanners to be mounted above the area to be monitored.

5. The security system of claim 1 , the area to be monitored comprising an egress area from a secured area to an unsecured area.

6. The security system of claim 1 , the light shield of at least one of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the area to be monitored.

7. The security system of claim 1 , the light shields of a number of the plurality of laser sensors to be oriented substantially parallel with each other.

8. The security system of claim 1 , the light shields of a first number of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented substantially parallel with each other at a first non-orthogonal angle and the light shields of a second number of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented substantially parallel with each other at a second non-orthogonal angle.

9. The security system of claim 1 , the plurality of laser scanners to establish light shields each including a plurality of detection zones.

10. The security system of claim 1 , the controller to determine a direction of movement of an entity within the area to be monitored based on a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur,

the controller to trigger a security action if the direction of movement is disallowed.

11. The security system of claim 10 , the controller not to trigger a security action if a direction of secondary movement of the entity is opposite a direction of primary movement of the entity that is allowed.

12. A security system, comprising:

a plurality of laser scanners to establish light shields in an area to be monitored, each of the light shields including at least one detection zone; and

a controller to detect unauthorized entry to the area to be monitored based on a position and timing of breaks in the detection zones of the light shields,

with movement of an entity in a disallowed direction during movement of another entity in an allowed direction, the controller to trigger a security action if movement does not occur within a common zone of the light shields in which movement began and in which final movement occurs.

13. The security system of claim 12 , the plurality of laser scanners to establish planar light shields each including at least one planar detection zone.

14. The security system of claim 12 , the plurality of laser scanners to create a three dimensional matrix of two dimensional detection zones.

15. The security system of claim 12 , the plurality of laser scanners to be mounted above the area to be monitored.

16. The security system of claim 12 , the area to be monitored comprising an egress area from a secured area to an unsecured area.

17. The security system of claim 12 , the light shield of at least one of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented at a non-orthogonal angle to the area to be monitored.

18. The security system of claim 12 , the light shields of a number of the plurality of laser sensors to be oriented substantially parallel with each other.

19. The security system of claim 12 , the light shields of a first number of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented substantially parallel with each other at a first non-orthogonal angle and the light shields of a second number of the plurality of laser scanners to be oriented substantially parallel with each other at a second non-orthogonal angle.

20. The security system of claim 12 , the plurality of laser scanners to establish light shields each including a plurality of detection zones.

21. The security system of claim 12 , the controller to determine a direction of movement of an entity within the area to be monitored based on a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur,

the controller to trigger a security action if the direction of movement is disallowed.

22. The security system of claim 21 , the controller not to trigger a security action if a direction of secondary movement of the entity is opposite a direction of primary movement of the entity that is allowed.

23. A security method, comprising:

establishing light shields with a plurality of laser scanners in an area to be monitored, each of the light shields including at least one detection zone; and

detecting unauthorized entry to the area to be monitored based on a position and timing of breaks in the detection zones of the light shields,

determining a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in a reverse direction to a direction of movement that is allowed, and

triggering a security action if the sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in the reverse direction is in sync with a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur in a direction of movement that is allowed.

24. The security method of claim 23 , creating a three dimensional matrix of two dimensional detection zones with the plurality of laser scanners.

25. The security method of claim 23 , orienting the light shields of a number of the plurality of laser sensors substantially parallel with each other.

26. The security method of claim 23 , orienting the light shields of a first number of the plurality of laser scanners substantially parallel with each other at a first non-orthogonal angle and orienting the light shields of a second number of the plurality of laser scanners substantially parallel with each other at a second non-orthogonal angle.

27. The security method of claim 23 , determining a direction of movement of an entity within the area to be monitored based on a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur, and

triggering a security action if the direction of movement is disallowed.

28. A security method, comprising:

establishing light shields with a plurality of laser scanners in an area to be monitored, each of the light shields including at least one detection zone; and

detecting unauthorized entry to the area to be monitored based on a position and timing of breaks in the detection zones of the light shields,

with movement of an entity in a disallowed direction during movement of another entity in an allowed direction, triggering a security action if movement does not occur within a common zone of the light shields in which movement began and in which final movement occurs.

29. The security method of claim 28 , creating a three dimensional matrix of two dimensional detection zones with the plurality of laser scanners.

30. The security method of claim 28 , orienting the light shields of a number of the plurality of laser sensors substantially parallel with each other.

31. The security method of claim 28 , orienting the light shields of a first number of the plurality of laser scanners substantially parallel with each other at a first non-orthogonal angle and orienting the light shields of a second number of the plurality of laser scanners substantially parallel with each other at a second non-orthogonal angle.

32. The security method of claim 28 , determining a direction of movement of an entity within the area to be monitored based on a sequence in which breaks in the detection zones of the light shields occur, and

triggering a security action if the direction of movement is disallowed.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2019
From: COMTROL CORPORATION
To: PEPPERL+FUCHS GMBH
Reel/Frame 048607/0465 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2017
From: KARINIEMI, NOLAN; PIKKARAINEN, MARK
To: COMTROL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042677/0040 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62320685 · Apr 11, 2016
Related Publication 20170294087A1 · Oct 12, 2017