Alerting device and method for reminding a person of a risk

[0003] The present invention is an alerting device and method to detect a person exiting a predetermined space proximate to a risk and to remind the person of the risk. The term “risk,” used hereinafter, is defined as a possibility of loss, illness, or injury.

[0004] Information is the lifeblood of any organization, especially its sensitive, proprietary, confidential, trade secret, or classified information. When it is lost or compromised to an adversary, or competitor, the organization's reputation and ability to compete could be severely damaged or ruined. More importantly, national security interests could be jeopardized.

[0005] Protecting an organization's business information, and business property in general, from loss demands that there be an active and meaningful security awareness program in place. Security professionals have traditionally relied on security training, briefings, videos, security posters, warning signs, etc., to help remind personnel of their day-to-day responsibilities in protecting information and physical property. These methods alone, however, have proven to be unsatisfactory based on the continuing problems of information security infractions and loss of property.

[0006] This problem can be explained, in part, through various scientific studies that have shown that the typical work environment has been overcome by visual pollution. That is, there is too much visual information being pushed at personnel, such information becoming “part of the woodwork.” For example, within a short period of time a security poster at an office exit fails to capture the attention of personnel and they become oblivious to the poster and its message. Security briefings and videos also receive low marks for helping to sustain employee security awareness and minimizing complacency, mental lapses, forgetfulness, and inattention to detail.

[0007] Such inadequacies are also important contributing factors in many occupational accidents and illnesses. Similar to security personnel, occupational or industrial safety/health professionals rely on personnel being well trained and knowledgeable of procedures to protect themselves and coworkers. Depending on the specific job hazards, additional lines of defense may be established that include passive warning signs and physical barriers. Like security defenses, however, personnel may become accustomed, and oblivious, to these safety defenses over time.

[0008] A variety of indoor and outdoor devices exist that warn a person, through audible and/or visual means, upon detection of a person's or object's presence in a monitored area. For example, the devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,912,457, and 5,726,629 warn or greet a person audibly and visually upon detection of the person: the '457 device can remind a machine tool operator to use safety guards on machinery when the operator is close to the machine tool and the '629 patent discloses a home security application whereby the sound of a dog barking can be delivered to the intruder whose presence is detected. U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,686 discloses a device that warns workers in a roadway work zone of an errant vehicle by the use of motion detectors targeting the perimeter of the zone and a high intensity strobe light array.

[0009] No devices exist, however, that meet the needs of security and occupational or industrial safety/health professionals. Simple, low-cost, and effective reminders for personnel are needed for those circumstances whereby the level of risk significantly increases as a person exits an area near the risk. For example, there are situations whereby personnel need to be reminded to:

[0010] Secure sensitive or classified information in hardcopy or electronic form,

[0011] Lock safes, files, the office door, or other security barriers,

[0012] Secure or store valuable or hazardous materials and equipment after use,

[0013] Return equipment or materials,

[0014] Clean the work area,

[0015] Remove potentially-contaminated personal protection clothing, and

[0016] Deenergize equipment or appliances.

[0017] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a simple, low-cost, and effective alerting device that reminds a person of a risk upon sensing the person exiting an area near the risk.

[0018] The present invention provides an alerting device and method to remind personnel of a risk. The device has at least two sensors, a logic controller, a power source, and an annunciator that delivers a visual message, with or without an audible alarm, about a risk to a person when the sensors detect the person exiting a predetermined space. In particular, the present invention reminds a person of a security, safety, or health risk upon exiting a predetermined space. More particularly, the present invention reminds a person of an information security risk relating to sensitive, proprietary, confidential, trade secret, classified, or intellectual property information. Details of the device are set forth below only as may be necessary for a proper understanding of the invention since specific details will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, including those skilled in sensor technology, control logic, and electronic circuit design.

[0019] An object of the present invention is to remind a person of a risk upon detection of the person exiting a predetermined space proximate to the risk.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to alert personnel in a manner such that the invention does not become a nuisance and does not negatively impact personnel productivity.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to reduce the number of information security infractions.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to reduce property losses.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to improve the safety of personnel and reduce the number workplace-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths.

[0024] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

[0025] FIG. 1ais a simplified schematic of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 1billustrates an example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with two IR motion detectors;

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with an IR motion detector and a pressure switch sensor;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with an IR motion detector and an optical motion detector; and

[0030] FIG. 5 is a logic flowchart for the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-4.

[0031] FIG. 1ais a simplified schematic of the present invention and FIG. 1billustrates one of many possible embodiments of the alerting device 10. At least two sensors 20 monitor a predetermined space 30 wherein each sensor 20 transmits a signal, dependent upon the location of a person in the predetermined space 30, to a logic controller 40. If the combination of signals represent a person exiting the predetermined space 30 (as shown in FIG. 1a), the logic controller 40 transmits an alert signal to an annunciator 50. The annunciator 50 includes a sign 55 and a light means 58 for illuminating the sign 65 upon receipt of the alert signal from the logic controller 40. The sign 55 displays an alert message for the person to acknowledge and upon which to act. Energy for each sensor 20, the logic controller 40, and the annunciator 50 is provided by the power source 60 (electronic/electrical wiring and power source not shown in FIG. 1b).

[0032] The sensors 20 may be any combination of sensing devices capable of detecting a person and the direction the person is moving in the predetermined space 30. For example, FIGS. 2-4 illustrate three embodiments of the present invention using a different combination of sensors 20 and a predetermined space 30 exemplified by a room with four walls and a door. Each sensor 20 is effective in detecting a person within a volume in the predetermined space 30, hereinafter referred to as its “detection zone.” FIG. 2 illustrates the alerting device 10 mounted on a wall and having two infrared (IR) motion detectors 20aas the sensors 20. In this embodiment, one of the IR motion detectors 20ahas a detection zone identified as “Zone 1” and the other IR motion detector 20ahas a detection zone identified as “Zone 2”. FIG. 3 illustrates the alerting device 10 having a wall-mounted IR motion detector 20aand a floor-mounted pressure switch 20b, activated by the weight of a person stepping on the pressure switch 20b, as the sensors 20. In this embodiment, the IR motion detector 20ahas a detection zone identified as “Zone 1” and the pressure switch 20bhas a detection zone identified as “Zone 2” on the floor. FIG. 4 illustrates the alerting device 10 having a wall-mounted IR motion detector 20aand a light-beam motion detector 20c, as the sensors 20. In this embodiment, the IR motion detector 20ahas a detection zone identified as “Zone 1” and the light-beam motion detector 20chas a detection zone identified as “Zone 2”. In all these embodiments, the detection zones 1 and 2 overlap, or nearly overlap, such that detection of a person in zone 1 only and then detection of a person in both zones 1 and 2 represents a person exiting the predetermined space 30 and results in an alert signal from the logic controller 40. It is evident that other detection logic combinations could be utilized to optimize performance. For example, referring to FIG. 3, a person exiting the predetermined space 30 could also be represented by detection of a person in both zones 1 and 2 and then detection of a person in zone 2 only. An example of a flowchart for the logic circuit in the logic controller 40 is shown schematically in FIG. 5. As known to those skilled in the art, such a logic circuit may comprise logic chips or a simple microprocessor.

[0033] Also known to those skilled in the art, other combinations of sensors 20 may be similarly used including, but not limited to, a floor-mounted pressure switch with a light-beam motion detector, multiple floor-mounted pressure switches, and multiple light-beam motion detectors. Furthermore, the sensors 20 may be in the form of a photo detector array such as that found in a digital camera. In this embodiment, the sensors 20 would transmit signals, representing the pixel characteristics in the picture frame of the camera, to the logic controller 40. Detected changes in these pixel characteristics that represent a person exiting the predetermined space 30 would result in the logic controller 40 transmitting an alert signal to the annunciator 50.

[0034] The predetermined space 30 is a space capable of being monitored by the sensors 20. For IR motion detectors 20a, the detection zones typically are spherical or conical in shape with a typical range of between about 0.5 and 3 m. The predetermined space 30 and location of the sensors 20 are typically identified by security, safety, or other personnel familiar with the monitoring sensors 20 to ensure objectives are met. Typically, a predetermined space 30 is a space near an exit of a specific work area. Anticipated work areas are those that are near a real or potential security or safety risk such as administrative, laboratory, industrial, construction, medical, and storage work areas. The work areas may be inside a building or out in the field such as a construction site.

[0035] As previously disclosed herein, the annunciator 50 includes an illuminable sign 55 that displays an alert message for the person to acknowledge and upon which to act. The alert message may be in the form of text (e.g., “Have you secured your classified material?”, “Have you safely stored your chemicals?”), a well-recognized symbol or graphic (e.g., radiation symbol, stop sign), or combinations thereof. Illumination of such an alert message is by a light means 58 that may be separated from the sign 55 (as shown in FIG. 1b) or preferably, the sign 55 is made of illuminable elements such as light-emiffing diodes (not shown). It is further preferred that the illumination circuit (not shown) include a flasher such that a flashing light further draws attention to the alert message. Typically, the annunciator 50 is located proximate to the predetermined space 30 and placed on a wall, fence, ceiling, floor, or ground near an exit of a specific work area so that a person is capable of acknowledging the reminder upon exiting.

[0036] An alternative for the annunciator 50 is for the annunciator 50 to also include an audible alarm 62 (see FIG. 1b) that is activated when the annunciator 50 receives the alert signal to further draw attention to the illuminated alert message. The audible alarm 62 may be, but is not limited to, a bell, horn, electronic voice synthesizer, magnetic tape player, and combinations thereof. It is preferable that this alternative has a means to either manually or automatically deactivate the annunciator 50 and to reset the sensors 20 so as not to become a nuisance for personnel after activation. This may be accomplished manually by incorporating an acknowledgment switch (not shown) on the alerting device 10 that is activated by the person, or accomplished automatically through the use of an adjustable deactivation timer in the alarm circuit.

[0037] The power source 60 may be, but is not limited to, conventional building power, solar power, or battery power. It is preferable that the alerting device 10 comprises the sensors 20, the logic controller 40, the annunciator 50 and a power source 60 that is portable (e.g., battery, solar cell, and combinations thereof as an integral unit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1b) to minimize installation cost as well as being easily portable from work area to work area, as required. For the alerting device 10 powered by a battery, it is preferred that there is a to convenient means for security and occupational or industrial safety/health professionals to routinely test the remaining life of the battery (e.g., a battery test port installed on the alerting device 10).

[0038] Anticipated security applications for the alerting device 10 include protecting physical property associated with valuable, difficult to replace, or hazardous equipment and materials, and protecting business information designated as sensitive, proprietary, confidential, trade secret, classified, and intellectual property. Anticipated safety applications include those associated with industrial safety and occupational health hazards. Industrial safety and occupational health hazards include toxic chemical and biological agents, blood-borne pathogens, and radioactive contamination.

[0039] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.