Campus Crime Neutralization Method Using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Enhanced 2-Way Radio

Abstract

Disclosed is a Crime on Campus Neutralization System comprising a communication network of 2-way radios connecting a USER to a USER-REPEATER, subsequently to a LINK-REPEATER, enabling a USER to ultimately initiate a LOCK-DOWN procedure on a CAMPUS. Further disclosed, here within, are methods that enable the system to work effectively. This system is very cost effective, consisting of components that can be bought off the shelf. The system is unique in that it does not use the internet, a cell-phone device, a tablet, a computer, or any other device that, by its design, could be “hacked” or “compromised” by outside parties. The system is not complex, unlike other systems which rely on extensive software programs, but instead relies on a 6 decade proven technology.

Claims

1) A Crime on Campus Neutralization System, for notifying persons on a CAMPUS of an impending lethal threat, and further neutralizing said perpetrator before he or she can maim or kill dozens of persons, comprising: a plurality of USER REPEATERs, each consisting of 2, conventional 2-way mobile radios, a notch-only mobile radio duplexer, a micro-processor based repeater controller, a Mp3 audio file recorder/player, a ancillary CTCSS (PL) decoder module, a conventional 2-way mobile LINK-RADIO, a plurality of band specific transmit/receive gain antennas, a 12 volt DC power supply with deep cycle battery back-up; a LINK-REPEATER, consisting of 2, conventional 2-way mobile radios, a pass/notch 4 cavity duplexer, a micro-processor based repeater controller with internal AUTO-PHONE-PATCH circuit board, one or more unique first responder base stations, a 12 volt DC power supply with deep cycle battery back-up, the LINK-REPEATER of which is located at a remote site, 500 or more feet above average terrain; a plurality of UNIQUE 2-way portable radios enhanced with dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) keypads; a plurality of UN-UNIQUE 2-way portable radios without DTMF keypads; a notification device, such as a public address system, against said crime perpetrator; a cloaking device against said crime perpetrator; a plurality of containment devices against said crime perpetrator; a plurality of obstruction devices against said crime perpetrator, where within, upon identification of a potential crime perpetrator by any person who shall carry either of said 2-way portable radios, be able to initiate a LOCK-DOWN procedure by performing a set of simple functions on said 2-way radios.

2) A method of transmitting a signal to the USER REPEATER of the Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, comprising a USER transmitting a signal on radio channel 1 to a USER REPEATER by a UNIQUE radio, including in the signal a unique 4 digit DTMF code, which shall further be decoded by the repeater controller, and which shall further connect said repeater controller to a LINK-RADIO, the LINK RADIO of which shall communicate to a LINK-REPEATER.

3) A method of transmitting a signal to the USER-REPEATER of the Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, comprising a USER transmitting a signal to a USER-REPEATER by a UN-UNIQUE radio, by alternate means, the means being the UN-UNIQUE radio shall transmit on radio channel position 2, said channel position containing a different CTCSS (PL) tone than channel 1, signaling an ancillary CTCSS (PL) decoder module to trigger an interactive Mp3 player message prompting sequence with said USER, enabling said USER to confirm, or abort, the initiation of a LOCK-DOWN sequence.

4) A method of connecting the audio output and push-to-talk functions of the USER-REPEATER of the Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, to a public address system.

5) A method of transmitting a signal from the LINK-REPEATER to a multiplicity of USER-REPEATERs of the Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, comprising a signal containing the message of the original USER, now sent by the LINK-REPEATER to a multiplicity of additional USER-REPEATERS.

6) A method of transmitting a signal from a multiplicity of USER-REPEATERs to their respective USER portable radios of the Crime on Campus Neutralization System, comprising USER-REPEATERs re-transmitting the original message from the original USER, to an additional USER at a different CAMPUS, or CAMPUSes.

7) A method of transmitting a signal by a USER of a Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, which shall enable a USER to activate a crime perpetrator containment device, such as a chain-linked barrier and/or the locking of a multiplicity of doors, the former chain-linked barrier being located in the ceiling of a plurality of hallways, corridors, vestibules, or other identified in-door areas, further lowered to the ground as a result of a signal by wire-line or radio signal coming from the USER REPEATER controller output upon a LOCK-DOWN procedure, and the latter, the locking of a multiplicity of door also being activated by wire-line or radio signal also coming from the USER-REPEATER controller upon a LOCK-DOWN procedure, and these doors being in the same locations as mentioned above, being hallways, corridors, vestibules, and other identified in-door areas.

8) A method of transmitting a signal by a USER of a Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, which shall enable a USER to activate a crime perpetrator obstruction device, such as a “fogging” device, located in a plurality of ceilings or walls of hallways, corridors, vestibules, or other identified in-door areas, rendering the crime perpetrator, within 30 seconds, unable to see his or her intended victim, by means of an initiation of a LOCK-DOWN procedure.

9) A method of transmitting a signal by a USER of a Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, which shall enable a USER to activate a crime perpetrator obstruction device, such as the dropping of 30-50 mm plastic balls from a plurality of ceilings or walls of hallways, corridors, vestibules, or other identified in-door areas, rendering the crime perpetrator unable to pass through referenced pathways, causing instead said crime perpetrator to lose his or her balance and fall to the floor, by means of an initiation of a LOCK-DOWN procedure.

8) A method of transmitting a signal by a USER of a Crime on Campus crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, which shall enable a USER to inter-connect a USER-REPEATER to an external server, yet keeping said USER-REPEATER from being “hacked” or “compromised” by virtue of said USER-REPEATER not being connected to the Web, to a cellular system, to a WI-FI device, or any other type of network system.

11) A Crime on Campus Neutralization System of claim 1, which comprises a method by which a USER shall be able to initiate a LOCK-DOWN sequence irrespective of whether there is an operational Telco phone line, or continuous 110 volt AC utilities, working on said CAMPUS.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a UNIQUE radio and its enhanced features.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a un-unique radio and its limited features.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the components of, and the inter-connections between, the elements making up the USER REPEATER.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows the components of, and the inter-connection between, the elements making up the LINK REPEATER.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows the USER REPEATER communicating to the LINK REPEATER and the LINK-REPEATER further communicating to a plurality of USER REPEATERS.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of a chain-line barrier device and how said barrier might be deployed from a ceiling.

[0027] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of a “fogging” device, and how said device might be mounted in a ceiling.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows the embodiment of a obstruction device using a large quantity of 30-50 mm plastic balls dropped from a ceiling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INTENTION

1. Definitions

[0029] CAMPUS—A gathering place of 5 or more persons in a buildings, an open acreages, or other specifically defined densely population places, where educational instruction, entertainment, or business practices are performed. [0030] UNIQUE RADIO—Personnel on a CAMPUS using a conventional VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz 2-way portable radio enhanced with a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) keypad. [0031] PANIC BUTTON—A “red” button located on top of UNIQUE RADIO that will send a 4 digit unique identification code of that particular radio upon pressed. Identification number of said radio shall be displayed on screen of any other UNIQUE RADIO upon receiving a signal of the right frequency and CTCSS (PL) tone. [0032] CTCSS—Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System. [0033] DTMF—Dual-Tone Multi-frequency [0034] MDC1200 SIGNALING—Motorola Data Communications low speed data system using 1,200 baud data rate. Mark and space tones are 1,200 Hz and 1,800 Hz, respectively. Used for unit ID, selective TX inhibit, radio check, and selective calling. [0035] UN-UNIQUE RADIO—A VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz conventional 2-way radio without enhanced dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) keypad. [0036] LINK RADIO—A VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz conventional 2-way radio that transmits and receives, to and from, a LINK-REPEATER together. [0037] USER REPEATER—A transmitter/receiver combination of VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz conventional 2-way mobiles radios that re-broadcasts, or repeats, the transmission of an incoming analog or digital modulated signal. [0038] LINK REPEATER—A transmitter/receiver combination of VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz conventional 2-way mobile radios that re-broadcasts, or repeats, the transmission of an incoming analog or digital modulated signal, using a repeater controller with an auxiliary phone-patch module, a duplexer, a link radio, one or more first responder base station, the radios of which are connected to band specific antennas, the system being located at a site 500 or more feet above average terrain. [0039] VOICE BOX—A module containing a MP3 based recorder/player, with up to 256 addressable audio files. [0040] AUTO PHONE-PATCH—An accessory circuit board located in a repeater controller which can connect a aid repeater to a Telco phone line, thereby enabling said radio users to have the ability to make semi-duplex phone calls from their 2-way radio to any one at the end of the Telco phone line, including a pubic safety office. [0041] LOCK DOWN—A procedure of neutralizing a campus crime DOWN perpetrator by a process comprising, notifying students, teachers, administrators, entertainment attendees, workers, managers, or other involved personnel, of an eminent life threatening event, further comprising, the locking of doors and windows in response to a life threatening event, further comprising, automatically dialing 911 operator, further comprising, automatically interconnecting to first responders using dedicated first responder base stations, and further comprising, automatically initiating clocking, containment, and obstruction devices to preclude the crime perpetrators from observing or attacking intended victims.

2. Best Mode of the Invention

[0042] FIGS. 1 thru 8 show the best mode contemplated by the inventor according to the concepts of the present invention.

[0043] The inventor intended in this invention to take off-the-shelf devices, which, in most cases are the most cost effective purchases of said devices, and to assemble them in a unique fashion to accomplish a straight forward objective: to neutralized a CAMPUS crime perpetrator before he or she has a chance to kill or maim a significant number of persons.

[0044] In doing so, the inventor used his already acquired extensive knowledge in the 2-way radio communications field, and applied it to the above state problem.

[0045] The inventor has researched as much documented articles and as many related patents and patent applications as could be found on this subject, and has concluded that most prior art in the field is either to complex, therefore too costly, or does not in fact prevent the killing or maiming of individuals in the first 2-10 minutes of a crime in progress. The inventor realized that there is a need for a more immediate method of saving lives.

[0046] The present process invention meets the before mentioned needs and is comprised on three (3) basic components, comprising,

[0047] a plurality of UNIQUE radios (FIG. 1) and UN-UNIQUE radios (FIG. 2) of a VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz 2-way configuration further comprising,

[0048] a USER REPEATER (FIG. 3), consisting mobile radios, a repeater controller, a link radio, and band specific antennas, further comprising,

[0049] a LINK-REPEATER system (FIG. 4), comprising 2, conventional mobile 2 way radios, a repeater controller with an added AUTO-PHONE-PATCH circuit board, and additionally interconnected to a single or a plurality of base stations, the combination of which are located at a site 500 or more feet above average terrain.

The present apparatus invention is further described in detail as comprising,

[0050] 1) a UNIQUE RADIO (FIG. 1), having a volume control (1), a frequency channel select control knob (2), a band specific antenna (3), a push-to-talk button (4), a PANIC-BUTTON (5), a alpha-numeric display window (6), 2, side of radio programmable function buttons (7), MDC1200 SIGNALING circuitry (8), a speaker (9), a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) keypad (10), a programming/external speaker-microphone accessory jack (11), and a chassis frame (12), further comprising,

[0051] a UN-UNIQUE RADIO (FIG. 2), having a volume control (13), a frequency channel select knob (14), a band specific antenna (15), a push-to-talk button (16), a PANIC BUTTON (17), 2, side of radio programmable function buttons (18), MDC1200 SIGNALING circuitry (19), a speaker (20), a programming/external speaker/microphone accessory jack (21), and a chassis frame (22), further comprising,

[0052] a USER REPEATER, (FIG. 3), comprising 2, conventional VHF, UHF, or 900 MHz 2-way mobile radios, (23) and (24), further comprising, a micro-processor based repeater controller (25) interconnected to said repeater mobile radios, further comprising, a multiplicity of outputs from the repeater controller (26), (27), (28) and (29) which can activate the deployment of such devices as the inter-connection of VOICE-BOX (30) audio, as described in definitions, to an intercom system (31), as the activation of a “fogging” device (32), as the activation of the lowering of a chain-link barrier (33) from a ceiling, and as the activation of the deployment of thousands of plastic balls from a plurality of containment enclosures (34), further comprising, repeater mobile radios connected to a notch-only mobile duplexer (35), which is further connected by low loss coaxial cable (36) to a band specific antenna (37) mounted on USER's building roof (38), further comprising, a LINK-RADIO (39) connected by low loss coaxial cable (40) to a band specific antenna (41), also located on USER's building, further comprising a 12 volt direct current supply (42) connected to a bank of deep cycle rechargeable back-up batteries (43) able to power all of said equipment for more than 48 hours without any supply of standard 110 voltage from a utility source, further comprising,

[0053] a LINK-REPEATER (FIG. 4) consisting of 2, conventional 2-way mobile radios (44) and (45), matching the said LINK-RADIO frequencies, CTCSS (PL) tones, and any other coding required to communicate properly with said LINK-RADIO radios, further comprising, a notch-only mobile duplexer (46) connected to said mobile radios by interconnecting coaxial cables (47) and (48) and further connected by low loss coaxial cable (49) to a band specific antenna (50) mounted on the roof of a building (51) located at a height advantaged site 500 or more feet above average terrain (52), further comprising a micro-processor repeater controller (53) interconnected to said mobile radios by conventional wiring (54), further comprising a single or a plurality of first responder base stations (55), connected by coaxial cable (56) to a band specific antenna (57), communicating to a emergency responder radio vehicle (58), further comprising a AUTO-PHONE-PATCH circuit module (59) located within the repeater controller, which shall enable LINK-REPEATER, by said repeater controller, to connect to a Telco phone line (60) and shall automatically dial to a 911 operator, further, entire LINK-REPEATER system shall have a 12 volt direct current power supply (61), backed up by series of deep cycled rechargeable batteries (62), further comprising,

[0054] a total operating system, shown in FIG. 5), of 2 or more USER REPEATERS (62) and (63), communicating to each other through a shared LINK-REPEATER (64), the signal of which shall emanate from LINK-RADIO's band specific antennas (65) and (66) to LINK-REPEATER antenna (67), further the USER radio (68) shall communicate to the USER-REPEATER through USER-REPEATER antenna (69), further comprising,

[0055] a containment barrier device as view in FIG. 6, comprising a housing enclosure (70), mounted in, or attached to, the ceilings (71) of various hallways, corridors, or vestibules, containing a motor (72) which shall unroll said chain-link barrier (73) until same comes in contact with the the floor of said hallway, corridor, or vestibule, upon which time it shall come to rest, further comprising a process for retracting same using an alternate from said controller, signaling said motor to operate in the reverse direction, the motor of which is enabled forward, or enable in reverse as a result of a signal from one or more outputs of the USER-REPEATER controller, further comprising,

[0056] a containment enclosure (73), as view in FIG. 7, mounted in, or attached to, a ceiling (74) in a hallway, a corridor, or vestibule, which shall hold thousands of 30-50 mm plastic balls (75), which shall be released by a trap door (76) upon the retraction of a bolt (77) powered by a solenoid, activated by a triggering signal from one or more outputs from a signal coming from the USER-REPEATER controller, further comprising,

[0057] a “fogging” device (78), located in strategic places in walls, or in ceilings (79), of hallways, corridors, or vestibules of a CAMPUS, which shall be enabled as a result of a triggering signal coming from one or more outputs of a USER-REPEATER controller (80), the cloud of which shall obscure within 30 seconds, the view a campus crime perpetrator might have of possible shooting victims, and which shall be harmless to humans, further comprising,

[0058] a sequence of events, included that contained in the description of the invention, which shall enable a singe USER at a school, a entertainment complex, a government complex, a municipal complex, a airport complex, or a business complex, to have the capability with the previously described UNIQUE or NON-UNIQUE radios, to initiate a LOCK-DOWN sequence having only said radio in his or her hands, irrespective of whether USER is close to a standard convention land-line telephone, or is safe or unsafe to use said convention phone device because USER may be prevented from using same because of sustaining gunfire or having the lack of proximity to said local line land device, further comprising,

[0059] said UNIQUE and UN-UNIQUE radio shall have as a standard purchased feature, MDC1200 signaling, and a PANIC BUTTON on said radio which shall permit a USER who is injured, yet still upright, to trigger an alarm function in the USER REPEATER controller, which shall prompt another USER or other USER's to attempt to locate and help said person who presses the “man-down” button on a UNIQUE or UN-UNIQUE radio, and shall alert those USER persons to the identification of said person activating a “man-down” alarm, the result being that other USER personnel shall come go to the aid of the person who has activated the “man-down” alert. Further, said “man-down” alarm shall start an initialization of a LOCK-DOWN procedure, where the USER REPEATER controller in conjunction with the VOICE-BOX shall send radio transmitted message over the USER REPEATER to the effect, “do you wish to initiate a LOCK-DOWN procedure, and if not, please cancel said LOCK-DOWN procedure within 10 seconds”, which shall allow any USER to send a unique command to the USER REPEATER controller that shall cancel said LOCK-DOWN procedure, further comprising,

[0060] UNIQUE and UN-UNIQUE radios that shall contain circuitry in said radios which shall, in the case where a USER who falls to the ground because of and injury and said radio shall stay in a position of less than 45 degrees above horizontal for more than a predetermined time, suggesting USER injury or disability, initiating a LOCK-DOWN procedure after a predetermined time, but which may be cancelled by the said USER hearing an alert tone from said radio, or by any USER who can send a unique code to the USER REPEATER controller to cancel the LOCK-DOWN initiation.

3. How to Use the Invention

[0061] A school, a municipality, a government, or a business entity may use this invention to greatly improve the level of said institution's ability to protect themselves against a campus crime perpetrator. In the event that said perpetrator is recognized on campus, any personnel with a UNIQUE or NON-UNIQUE radios (FIGS. 1 and 2) can initiate a LOCK-DOWN procedure using their conventional 2-way radio portable. Most schools at this time are currently using 2-way radios to perform ancillary tasks such as traffic control, contacting maintenance personnel, and contacting teachers on a playground. Therefore, it is a logical further step to incorporate this already accepted technology in an extended application that can have a great impact in reducing the number of killings on various campuses. The cost of the invention is considerably lower than any other solution currently available. When a USER sees a potential crime perpetrator, he or she may activate a LOCK-DOWN procedure by keying the UNIQUE or UN-UNIQUE radio and pressing a predetermined DTMF code on a UNIQUE radio, or perform a sequence of inter-active responses to voice prompts on a UN-UNIQUE radio.