Prior art — US Patent 7706641

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7706641, I will analyze the patent citations listed within US7706641B2 on Google Patents. The USPTO's Patent Public Search tool can be used to search for the patent itself and its citations.

Here is an analysis of each patent citation for US7706641, providing a full citation, publication/filing date, brief description, and which claim(s) it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Cited Prior Art Analysis:

US5026141A
- Full Citation: US5026141A - Structural monitoring system using fiber optics
- Publication Date: June 25, 1991 (Filing Date: August 24, 1981)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a structural monitoring system utilizing fiber optics to detect changes in physical parameters such as stress, strain, temperature, and vibration. It can be used to monitor large structures like bridges or pipelines for structural integrity. The system involves transmitting light through optical fibers and detecting changes in the light signal caused by physical alterations to the fiber.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US5026141A generally anticipates the broad concept of using optical fibers to detect physical changes for monitoring purposes. Specifically, it could potentially anticipate aspects of:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble & broadly): The foundational idea of "detecting movement of optical fibers" by "detecting movement at locations along the length thereof" using "at least one source of light" and "at least one sensor arrangement" to "detect changes in the received light signals relative to previously received light signals" and "generating an alarm." The patent describes detecting physical changes in a fiber by analyzing the transmitted light.
  - Claim 8 (Broadly): The concept of locating a detected movement. While not explicitly using a "stored table of fiber lengths" as described in Claim 8, the principle of identifying a location of change within a fiber could be considered inherent in a "structural monitoring system" that aims to detect where a structural integrity issue occurs.
US5134386A
- Full Citation: US5134386A - Intruder detection system and method
- Publication Date: July 28, 1992 (Filing Date: January 31, 1991)
- Brief Description: This patent details an intruder detection system that uses optical fibers as sensors. The system monitors light transmitted through the fiber for variations caused by external disturbances, such as pressure or vibration, which would be indicative of an intrusion attempt. The detection system analyzes changes in the characteristics of the light, such as intensity or phase, to trigger an alarm.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US5134386A directly addresses "intruder detection" using optical fibers, which is the core purpose of US7706641. It potentially anticipates aspects of:
  - Claim 1: The method for detecting movement of optical fibers for intrusion, including providing a light source, sensor, detecting light signals, comparing them to previously received signals, analyzing changes indicative of manipulation, and generating an alarm. The purpose of the system (intrusion detection) and many of the broad steps align.
  - Claim 8: The general concept of identifying the location of an intrusion. The patent describes "locating the source of the disturbance," which aligns with the locating arrangement in Claim 8.
US5680104A
- Full Citation: US5680104A - Fiber optic security system
- Publication Date: October 21, 1997 (Filing Date: May 31, 1996)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a fiber optic security system designed to detect unauthorized access or tampering. It uses optical fibers embedded in a perimeter or structure, where disturbances to the fiber alter the characteristics of light propagating through it. These alterations are detected and analyzed to trigger an alarm, enhancing security.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5134386A, this patent directly deals with "security" and "intrusion/tampering detection" using optical fibers.
  - Claim 1: The general method of using optical fibers for security monitoring by detecting changes in light transmission caused by manipulation and generating an alarm.
  - Claim 8: The ability to potentially locate the point of intrusion within the fiber system, as a security system would ideally pinpoint the breach.
US5809185A
- Full Citation: US5809185A - Sensor for detecting microorganisms
- Publication Date: September 15, 1998 (Filing Date: April 26, 1996)
- Brief Description: This patent describes an optical fiber sensor used for detecting microorganisms. It utilizes changes in light transmission or reflection within the fiber due to the presence of biological agents adhering to the fiber's surface or interacting with a coating on the fiber. This is distinct from physical movement detection for intrusion.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is less relevant to the core intrusion detection aspect of US7706641, as it focuses on chemical/biological sensing rather than physical movement for security. It broadly falls under "optical fiber sensing" but for a different purpose and mechanism. It may only very broadly anticipate the use of optical fibers as sensors (Claim 1, preamble), but not the specific "detecting movement... indicative of manipulation" aspect.
US20040071382A1
- Full Citation: US20040071382A1 - Fiber optic security sensor and system with integrated secure data transmission and power cables
- Publication Date: April 15, 2004 (Filing Date: October 9, 2002)
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a fiber optic security sensor system integrated with data transmission and power cables. The system monitors the optical fibers for disturbances that could indicate tampering or intrusion, while also providing data communication and power delivery. This integration aims to create a robust and secure infrastructure.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant due to its focus on fiber optic security sensors and systems.
  - Claim 1: The core method of monitoring fibers for intrusion by detecting movement-indicative changes in light signals and generating an alarm. The "integrated secure data transmission" aspect aligns with the concept of using "active fibers" as discussed in US7706641.
  - Claim 9: The mention of "integrated secure data transmission" suggests the potential for simultaneous data and monitoring signal transmission, which could be enabled by WDM-like techniques, though WDMs are not explicitly detailed as in Claim 9.
US20040114888A1
- Full Citation: US20040114888A1 - Multi-function security cable with optic-fiber sensor
- Publication Date: June 17, 2004 (Filing Date: October 9, 2002)
- Brief Description: This patent application describes a multi-function security cable that incorporates optical fiber sensors. The cable is designed to detect security breaches while potentially carrying other functionalities like data or power. The fiber optic sensor detects physical disturbances to the cable, triggering an alarm in case of tampering or intrusion.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is also highly relevant due to its focus on "security cable with optic-fiber sensor."
  - Claim 1: The method of using optical fiber sensors within a cable for security, detecting physical disturbances (movement/manipulation) via light signal changes, and generating an alarm.
  - The "multi-function" aspect further reinforces the concept of combining monitoring with other uses, potentially relating to the active fiber concept (e.g., data transmission) from US7706641.
US6967584B2
- Full Citation: US6967584B2 - Integrated sensor cable for ranging
- Publication Date: November 22, 2005 (Filing Date: July 28, 2003)
- Brief Description: This patent describes an integrated sensor cable capable of ranging, likely referring to the ability to determine the location of an event along the cable's length. Such a cable could incorporate various sensor types, including fiber optic sensors, to detect physical parameters and pinpoint their location.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The term "ranging" strongly suggests location detection, making this patent highly relevant to the locating aspect of US7706641.
  - Claim 8: The "locating arrangement for detecting the location of a detected movement." The concept of "ranging" is directly analogous to determining the location of an event along the fiber.
US7211783B2
- Full Citation: US7211783B2 - Tamper-proof container
- Publication Date: May 1, 2007 (Filing Date: January 9, 2004)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a tamper-proof container that likely incorporates sensing mechanisms to detect unauthorized access. While the specifics of the sensing mechanism (e.g., fiber optics) are not immediately apparent from the title alone, such systems often rely on breaking a circuit or detecting physical changes.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is less directly relevant to the method of monitoring individual fibers of an optical cable for intrusion (the title of US7706641) but could broadly relate to the application of intrusion detection in a container context. Without further details on the sensing technology, it's difficult to pinpoint direct anticipation of US7706641's claims, particularly those focusing on optical fiber manipulation and signal analysis. It likely anticipates the general goal of "generating an alarm in response to the detection of any such changes which are indicative of manipulation" (Claim 1) in a security context.