GB2273982A - Security system for angling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A passive infra-red detector 12 having an area of surveillance covering the interior of a shelter for an angler and external passive infra-red detector 10 having an area of surveillance covering exposed items of equipment lying outside the shelter are connected to a control unit 14 having an alarm 16. The internal detector may be incorporated in the control unit and the second detector connected to it by a wire or radio signal. The system may also be used to protect a caravan. The sensors may be armed singly or in combinations; the external sensor may be disarmed if the internal sensor detects movement. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ANGLING EQUIPMENT Field of the invention The present invention relates to a security system for angling equipment.

Background of the invention When angling for certain types of fish, for example carp, many hours may need to be spent waiting for the fish to take the bait. Anglers therefore rest their rods on bite indicators that produce an audible alarm when line movement is sensed. The rods and bite indicators must usually be left in a position exposed to the elements but the angler, to make himself more comfortable, commonly sets up a shelter with a camp bed and remains sheltered during this time.

A problem encountered by anglers is theft of their equipment while they are resting. The fishing rods and bite indicators are costly items and it is not unknown for them to be stolen while the anglers is sleeping.

Object of the invention The present invention seeks to provide a security system particularly adapted to protect an angler's equipment.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention, there is provided a security system for angling equipment which comprises an internal passive infra-red detector having an area of surveillance covering the interior of a shelter for the angler, an external passive infra-red detector having an area of surveillance covering exposed items of equipment lying outside the shelter and a control unit connected to both detectors and to an alarm.

The internal passive infra-red (PIR) detector may be located within the housing of the control unit. In use, the control unit may be connected to the external PIR detector by a single multicore cable. To prevent tampering with the system while it is in use, the control unit may be designed to emit an alarm signal if the cable is cut or disconnected.

Preferably, the control unit can be set to allow the system to operate in different modes, depending upon the activity of the angler.

The control unit may conveniently have a first mode in which detection of an intruder by either detector serves to trigger an alarm indication, which may be audible and/or visible. This mode would be used at times when the angler is away from all his equipment.

It is also advantageous for the control unit to be able to respond to only one of the detectors at a time. For example, while the angler is setting up the fishing tackle, he may wish to select a mode in which the external detector is disregarded but in which the internal detector is armed so as to detect unauthorised intruders into the angler's shelter. Furthermore, while the angler is sitting in the shelter, he may wish the internal detector to be disregarded while the external detector is armed.

To avoid unnecessary alarms, one may continue to sense movement within the shelter and disable the external detector for a period following each detection of movement within the shelter. A passive infra-red detector responds to movement rather than the presence of a source within the area of surveillance. If the angler is motionless in the shelter, for example when he is asleep, the internal detector will not respond to his presence and the external detector will therefore be armed. However, if the angler is moving about within the shelter, then the external detector can be disarmed as the angler is known to be awake.

It is particularly preferred in the latter mode of operation also to disarm the external detector completely if it detects movement within a certain time of movement being detected within the shelter. In this way, the angler will not himself trip the alarm on leaving his shelter.

By suitable design of the control unit connected to the two passive infra red detectors, it is therefore possible to provide a high degree of security in different operating modes, without causing any inconvenience or nuisance by emitting undesirable false alarms.

Brief description of the drawing The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is a block diagram of a security system of the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiment The drawing shows a first PIR detector 10 which acts as an external detector and a second PIR detector 12 which act as an internal detector, both being connected to a common control unit 14 which has an associated audible and optionally also visible alarm 16. The two PIR detectors may be identical or may differ from each other in the angle of surveillance.

For ease of setting up of the system, the internal PIR detector may be located within the housing of the control unit 14. To set up the system, it is then only necessary to connect the external PIR detector 10 to the control unit and this can the done using a single multicore cable. The control unit may in this case also be designed to respond to the cable being cut or disconnected after the system has been set in any of its modes, so as to detect any attempt to tamper with the system while it is in operation.

As is well known, PIR detectors comprise a lens which images the scene onto an infra red sensor, while dividing the area of surveillance into monitored and monitored zones. As an infra-red source, such as a human, moves about, there will be changes in the amplitude of the infra red radiation incident upon the sensor and these will result in a signal being produced indicating the presence of an intruder in the area of surveillance. However, a source which remains stationary, even if it lies within the area of surveillance will not result in a detection signal.

In use the external detector 10 is positioned so that the fishing tackle falls within its area of surveillance and the internal detector 12 covers the interior of the tent or other shelter used by the angler.

The control unit 14 has three modes of operation. In the first, an alarm is produced in response to a signal from either the first or the second detector. Here the two detectors operate in tandem and an intruder sensed near the tackle or in the shelter will result in an alarm signal.

This mode would be set when the angler is away from his equipment altogether.

In the second mode, the control unit 14 energises the alarm 16 only when an intruder is sensed within the shelter and signals from the external detector 10 are disregarded. This mode would be used while the angler is setting up the tackle to make sure that equipment within the shelter is protected while his back is turned.

In the third mode the external detector 10 is armed but the signal from the internal detector 12 is not used to generate an alarm. This mode is used when the angler is sheltering or asleep. If the angler is moving, then he can be assumed to be awake and aware of undesired tampering with his tackle. On the other hand, if he is asleep and not moving then the alarm is required to warn him of the intrusion.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fact that the angler does not cause the second detector 12 to respond when he is inside the shelter but does not move is made use of to control the arming and disarming of the external detector 10. Each time movement is sensed within the shelter in the third mode of operation, a latch is operated for a preset period which prevents an alarm from being emitted in the event of a signal being generated by the external detector 10. Furthermore, if the external detector does respond within a predetermined time following the sensing of a movement within the shelter, then it is desirable to switch off the detection system entirely.

By virtue of this interaction between the internal and external detectors in the third operating mode, the detection system is prevented from emitting alarms while the angler is active within the shelter and should he get up to attend to one of the rods, for example if he should hear a sound from a bite indicator, then as soon as he is sensed moving in the shelter the external detector will be disarmed and when his presence is sensed by the external detector, the system is switched off automatically. The alarm system does not therefore require any attention when the angler leaves his shelter to attend to a bite on a fishing line.

Of course, on returning to his shelter, the angler will be required to reset the system. A light emitting diode may be provided on the control unit to indicate to the angler that the system needs resetting.

The control unit has not been described in detail because its construction is generally known from other burglar alarms applications. The setting and resetting may be done by turning a key or by entering a number on a keypad.

Furthermore, timing circuits may be built into the control unit to allow the angler to leave and re-enter the area of surveillance without sounding an alarm.

Though a wired connection has been described between the external PIR detector and the control unit, it is alternatively possible to use a radio transmission.

The alarm unit 16 that is used to warn of intruders may additionally be used as part of the bite indication system in order to save on duplication of components and to minimise the equipment which the angler is required to transport.

The security system described above, though intended for angling equipment, has other important applications. For example, caravan users often have an awning in which they may leave out camping equipment. The external detector of the security system may in this case be used for the awning area while the internal detector may be used for the caravan. In this case, the external detector may also be used to operate a light. This light can be used for the convenience of the user and to warn him that the alarm is active and should be switched off when he enters the caravan. It also offers additional security in that will act as an additional deterrent against thieves.

Claims (9)

1. A security system for angling equipment comprising an internal passive infra-red detector having an area of surveillance covering the interior of a shelter for the angler, an external passive infra-red detector having an area of surveillance covering exposed items of equipment lying outside the shelter and a control unit connected to both detectors and to an alarm.

2. A security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit can be set to allow the system to operate in different modes, depending upon the activity of the angler.

3. A security system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit has a first mode of operation in which detection of an intruder by either detector serves to trigger an alarm indication.

4. A security system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit has a mode of operation in which it is able to respond to only one of the detectors at a time.

5. A security system as claimed in claim 4, wherein an alarm signal is prevented from being emitted in response to a detection signal emitted by the external detector, if detection by the external detector takes place within a predetermined time after the sensing of movement by the internal detector.

6. A security system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the security system is automatically switched off in response to a detection by the external detector occurring with a predetermined time of sensing of movement by the internal detector.

7. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the internal detector is mounted with the housing of the control unit.

8. A security system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control unit is connected to at least one of the detectors by a cable, and wherein the control unit is designed to emit an alarm signal in response to cutting or disconnecting of the cable while the system is in an operating mode.

9. A security system constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.