CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and benefits of Chinese Patent Application Serial No. 201210554159.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of P. R. C. on December 19, 2012, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a security system field, and more particularly to an alarming system and a method for alarming.

BACKGROUND

With a higher requirement on security, a safer and more effective anti-theft device is required to be developed. Conventionally, a wire rope or a cable is usually fixed on an object to be protected in order to prevent the object from being stolen. Alternatively, the cable is an electric cable and a current in the electric cable may be detected by a current sensor. When a thief tries to steal the object and disconnects the electric cable from the object, the current of the electric cable cannot be detected by the current sensor. In this condition, a trigger signal is sent and an alarming module may provide an alarm.

However, if the thief uses a similar electric cable, for example, an electric cable having a same resistance with that of the original electric cable, and removes the original electric cable, the alarming module will not be able to provide an alarm.

Therefore, an alarming system which is able to provide an alarm when the electric cable in the security device is destroyed or when a new electric cable is connected in the security device is needed.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one of the problems in the related art.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an alarming system is provided. The alarming system comprises: a signal generating unit configured to generate an input signal; a first processing unit connected to the signal generating unit and configured to receive the input signal, to process the input signal and to output a first processed signal; a second processing unit connected to the signal generating unit and configured to receive the input signal, to change a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and to output the second processed signal; a signal controlling unit connected to the first processing unit and the second processing unit respectively and configured to determine a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal, to calculate a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and to output a calculating result; an alarm controlling unit connected to the signal controlling unit and configured to receive the calculating result; and an alarming unit connected with the alarm controlling unit and configured to alarm when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value.

In some embodiments, the second processing unit is connected with an object to be protected. When the object is disconnected from the second processing unit or when a new circuit is connected to the alarming system, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value. In this condition, the alarming system may alarm. That is to say, when a thief tries to steal the object and removes the object from the alarming system, or when the thief tries to prevent the alarming system from alarming by connecting a new circuit with the alarming system, the alarming system may alarm to give a warning.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the input signal comprises a sinusoidal signal. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal controlling unit comprises a phase detecting module configured to detect the first phase of the first processed signal and the second phase of the second processed signal.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal controlling unit comprises a calculating module configured to calculate a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal controlling unit comprises a converting module configured to convert the calculating result into a voltage signal or a current signal.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alarming unit comprises a sound alarming module configured to alarm by sound.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alarming unit comprises a light alarming module configured to alarm by light.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the alarming system comprises a displaying unit connected to the alarm controlling unit and configured to display a location of the object to be protected.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal generating unit comprises a crystal oscillator.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first processing unit comprises a printed circuit board.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second processing unit comprises a cable. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an alarming method is provided.

The alarming method comprises: generating an input signal; processing the input signal and outputting a first processed signal; changing a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and outputting the second processed signal; determining a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal; calculating a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and outputting a calculating result; and alarming when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value.

In some embodiments, an object to be protected may be connected with an alarming system using the alarming method. When the object is disconnected from the alarming system or when a new circuit is connected with the alarming system, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value. In this condition, the alarming system may alarm. That is to say, when a thief tries to steal the object and removes the object from the alarming system, or when the thief tries to prevent the alarming system from alarming by connecting a new circuit with the alarming system, the alarming system may alarm to give a warning.

According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, an alarming method with the alarming system is provided. The alarming system may comprise a signal generating unit, a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a signal controlling unit, an alarm controlling unit and an alarming unit. The second processing unit may be connected with the object. The method for alarming comprises: generating an input signal by the signal generating unit; processing the input signal and outputting a first processed signal by the first processing unit; changing a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and outputting the second processed signal by the second processing unit; determining a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal, calculating a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and outputting a calculating result by the signal controlling unit; and alarming when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value by the alarming unit.

In some embodiments, when the object is disconnected from the second processing unit, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value. In this condition, the alarming system may alarm. That is to say, when a thief tries to steal the object and removes the object from the alarming system, or when the thief tries to prevent the alarming system from alarming by connecting a new circuit with the alarming system, the alarming system may alarm to give a warning.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of present disclosure will be given in part in the following descriptions, become apparent in part from the following descriptions, or be learned from the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following descriptions made with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an alarming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a signal controlling unit of an alarming system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alarming system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for alarming according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing a method for alarming according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure. The same or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions.

Terms concerning connections, attachments, coupling and the like, such as "connected", "connected" and "linked", refer to a relationship in which structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "connected" and "connected" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "connected" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance.

In the following, an alarming system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1-3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes a signal generating unit 1. The signal generating unit 1 is configured to generate an input signal. In some embodiments, the signal generating unit 1 may include a crystal oscillator or the like. In some embodiments, the input signal generated by the signal generating unit 1 may be sinusoidal signals or signals having other wave shapes. In one embodiment, the signal generating unit 1 may be a crystal oscillator capable of generating the sinusoidal signal.

As shown in Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes a first processing unit 2 connected to the signal generating unit 1. The first processing unit 2 may be configured to receive the input signal, to process the input signal and to output a first processed signal. In some embodiments, the first processing unit 2 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) or other electric circuits, without particular limits. The PCB is small in size and light in weight, which is easy to be placed in the first processing unit 2 and not easy to be damaged, thus making the alarming system light, small and durable.

As shown in Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes a second processing unit 3 connected to the signal generating unit 1. The second processing unit 3 may be configured to receive the input signal, to change a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and to output the second processed signal. In some embodiments, an object to be protected 8 may be connected with the second processing unit 3.

In an embodiment, the second processing unit 3 includes a cable. The cable may wrap the object 8 when using the alarming system 100 to protect the object 8. As the cable is long and flexible, the alarming system 100 may be used to protect a plurality of objects by wrapping and connecting the cable with the plurality of objects. In this way, it is required to disconnect the second processing unit 3 from the object 8 in order to remove the object 8.

As shown in Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes a signal controlling unit 4 connected respectively to the first processing unit 2 and the second processing unit 3. The signal controlling unit 4 may be configured to determine a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal, to calculate a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and to output a calculating result. In some embodiments, the signal controlling unit 4 includes a chip having detecting, calculating and outputting performances.

Referring to Fig. 2, in an embodiment, the signal controlling unit 4 includes a phase detecting module 41 connected with the first processing unit 2 and the second processing unit 3 respectively, a calculating module 42 connected with the phase detecting module 41 and a converting module 43 connected with the calculating module 42. The phase detecting module 41 may detect the first phase of the first processed signal and the second phase of the second processed signal, and the calculating module 42 may calculate the phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and output the calculating result, finally the converting module 43 may convert the calculating result into a voltage signal or a current signal.

As shown in Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes an alarm controlling unit 5 connected to the signal controlling unit 4. The alarm controlling unit 5 may be configured to receive the calculating result. In some embodiment, a predetermined value may be recorded in the alarm controlling unit. When the object 8 is disconnected from the second processing unit 3, or when a new circuit is connected with the alarming system 8, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value.

In an embodiment, the predetermined value may be detected and set prior to using the alarming system 100 for protecting the object 8. Firstly, the object 8 is connected with the second processing unit 3. Under a normal working process of the alarming system 100, the single controlling unit 4 may determine an initial first phase of the first processed signal and an initial second phase of the second processed signal, calculate an initial phase difference between the initial first phase and the initial second phase, and output an initial calculating result. The alarming controlling unit 5 receives the initial calculating result and set the predetermined value base on the initial calculating result.

Also referring to Fig. 1, the alarming system 100 includes an alarming unit 6 connected with the alarm controlling unit 6. The alarming unit 6 may be configured to alarm when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value.

With the alarming system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the object is disconnected from the second processing unit 3 or when a new circuit is connected to the alarming system, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value. In this condition, the alarming system may alarm. That is to say, when a thief tries to steal the object and removes the object from the alarming system, or when the thief tries to prevent the alarming system from alarming by connecting a new circuit with the alarming system, the alarming system may alarm to give a warning.

In some embodiments, the alarming unit 6 includes a sound alarming module. The sound alarming module may alarm by sound when the calculating result is different from the predetermined value.

In some embodiment, the alarming unit 6 includes a light alarming module. The light alarming module may alarm by light when the calculating result is different from the predetermined value.

In one embodiment, the alarming unit 6 includes both the light alarming module and the sound alarming module, therefore capable of alarming by both sound and light. In this way, alarming efficiency for the alarming system 100 may be improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, the alarming system 100 may further includes a displaying unit 7 connected to the alarm controlling unit 5. The displaying unit 7 may display a location of the object 8 to be protected. With the displaying unit 7, the location of the object 8 may be clearly read, which is easier for identifying the location of the object 8 to be protected.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an alarming system includes a crystal oscillator, a PCB, a cable, a phase detecting chip (AD8302), an alarming controlling unit and an alarming unit. The crystal oscillator may generate a sinusoidal wave having a frequency of 30 MHz and a peak of 1 V. The sinusoidal wave may be received by the AD8302 by via the PCB, and also be received by the AD8302 via the cable. When the PCB and the cable are of the same length, the AD8302 may output a voltage signal of 1.8 V. When the cable has a length of 1 m, the AD8302 may output a voltage signal of 1 V because the sinusoidal wave may be delayed after going along the cable. In this way, if the length of the cable has been changed by 1 cm, the voltage signal output by the AD 8302 may be changed by 0.01 V. Therefore, when the object is under the protection of the alarming system, the alarming unit may alarm if the voltage signal changes.

It is to be understood that, the alarming system according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be used for many objects and in many fields, as long as it ensured that, when the object is taken away from the alarming system, i.e. when the object is disconnected from the second processing unit, the calculating result is different from the predetermined value, and the alarming unit alarms accordingly.

A method for alarming according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be described below.

As shown in Fig. 4, the method may include the following steps:

Step S401: generating an input signal;

Step S402: processing the input signal and outputting a first processed signal;

Step S403: changing a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and outputting the second processed signal;

Step S404: determining a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal;

Step S405: calculating a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and outputting a calculating result; and

Step S406: alarming when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value.

In some embodiments, the method may be effected with the alarming system described above.

A method for alarming with the alarming system described above may be described with reference to Fig. 5 as below.

Referring to Fig. 5, the method for alarming with the alarming system may include the following steps:

Step S501: the signal generating unit generates an input signal;

Step S502: the first processing unit processes the input signal and outputs a first processed signal;

Step S503: the second processing unit changes a phase of the input signal to obtain a second processed signal and outputs the second processed signal;

Step S504: the signal controlling unit determines a first phase of the first processed signal and a second phase of the second processed signal, calculates a phase difference between the first phase and the second phase and outputs a calculating result;

Step S505: the alarming unit alarms when the calculating result is different from a predetermined value.

In some embodiments, when the object is disconnected from the second processing unit, the calculating result may be different from the predetermined value. In this condition, the alarming system may alarm. That is to say, when a thief tries to steal the object and removes the object from the alarming system, or when the thief tries to prevent the alarming system from alarming by connecting a new circuit with the alarming system, the alarming system may alarm to give a warning.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises converting the calculating result into a voltage signal or current signal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises displaying a location of the object by a displaying unit. When the object is stolen, the displaying unit may display the location of object at the first time.

In some embodiments, the alarming is performed by sound.

In some embodiments, the alarming is performed by light.

Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "one embodiment", "another example," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples," means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in another example," "in an example," "in a specific example," or "in some examples," in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in the embodiments without departing from spirit, principles and scope of the present disclosure.