Here is exactly how the LightGard Fiber Optic Security System works. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Almost all theft at Colleges and Universities is done by insiders. Students, Faculty, cleaning personnel and even occasionally security officers if given the Opportunity of stealing something without being caught, will take a valuable item that they think they want or need. Therefore, a unique system is needed to be able to protect equipment from theft even when it is being used. When a LightGard System is installed, personnel can be walking by the protected equipment and, adjust the equipment or clean the equipment, and/or use the equipment but they cannot steal it without an alarm going off.

 

A person’s Need can seldom be changed, a person’s Attitude and beliefs which are taught in large part by his or her parents cannot easily be changed. However, the Opportunity for theft can be greatly diminished by a properly designed LightGard Fiber Optic Security System.

 

An installer simply installs a LightGard module to any “Hardwire” or “Supervised Wireless” alarm control panel or “Access Control” panel of his or her choice and attaches the Plastic Fiber Optic Loop to the desired equipment using various attachment devices that are available. Typically each LightGard Module’s Fiber Optic Loop (up to several hundred feet long) attaches to multiple valuable items such as computers, printers, scientific or audio equipment as well as high end AC power strips. Usually there are many more than 10 items protected on each loop thus making the system very cost effective. The LightGard module then pulses a short beam of light through the plastic fiber optic loop at a random rate of about two pulses per second. The modules or zones are then programmed to be armed 24 hours a day similarly to the way that one would attach panic buttons or smoke detectors. If someone breaks or detaches the fiber optic loop to try to steal a protected device, a local alarm (Siren) will sound and if the Control Panel has been programmed to report to a computerized Monitoring Station, the School Police Department can be notified of the potential theft within less than a minute. The exact Building, Room and Work Station area that is being vandalized can be designated. We recommend posting a map in the room that shows the location of the various zones so that the responding officers will immediately know where to look. A person responsible for arming and disarming the alarm system can easily disable a protected zone to remove or repair a protected item. Pull apart fiber optic splice points can easily be installed in the plastic fiber optic loop to facilitate anticipated future repairs. We have successfully been doing this since 1986 when we first invented the system for Carnegie Mellon University over 33 years ago.

 

Any individual, School or Distributor who is capable of installing an alarm system can install a LightGard Fiber Optic Security System to protect valuable items even if they are being available for use 24 hours a day. Unlike glass fiber optic cable, plastic fiber optic cable is extremely easy to splice and work with. All Installers should call 303-526-7209 for substantial List Price Discount Code.

 

 

The LightGard Products are not model selective. They do not care if they protect an Apple computer or a Dell, or an HP Printer or an AC Power strip. If a school decides to upgrade a Lab, within a few minutes, they just simply attach the new devices to the Plastic Fiber Optic Loop that is already there! No need to buy a new alarm system. Most Colleges and Universities don’t want unsightly non-monitored steel cables and padlocks.

Many colleges and Universities want to keep their Labs open 24 hours a day so that they will always be available to their students. Assuming the Lab is open 24 hours a day, here is the personnel cost.

At $5.00 per hour: $43,800.00 per year per lab.

At $10 per hour: $87,360 per year per lab.

At $15 per hour (which is what we are headed for): $131,040 per year per lab.

LightGard does not go on Bathroom Breaks, have Lunch, require scheduling, take vacations, have sick leave, etc etc etc.

Minatronics Corporation has been manufacturing the LightGard units since 1986 which means that the old systems have continued to work for over 33 years. Since that time, we have never heard of a single unit that, due to old age, has failed to continue working. The units simply pulse a beam of light through the Plastic Fiber Optic Cable randomly approximately twice a second over and over and over and over again. This has been a great benefit for Colleges and Universities whom from time to time decide to upgrade their computer or scientific labs with new equipment. The Fiber Optic Cable does not care if it is being used to protect an Apple, or Dell, or whatever types of computers or AC power strips or printers or scientific equipment that need to be protected. The schools simply restring the Fiber Optic Cable through or attach it to the new equipment. Perhaps they add a new splice point or a new attachment device. The new security system installation just takes up where it left off and now protects the new equipment. The new MINI-DNP connectors can be added to a loop that has old DNP Connectors and the loop can not tell the difference. No parts need to be wasted or thrown out due to old age.

LIGHTGARD – PARTIAL LIST OF USERS

Here is a list of just a few of the customers whom have purchased LightGard Fiber Optic Parts and Devices to protect their equipment on a 24 hour basis:

The Swedish Airforce

Tandy Corporation

General Motors

Cheesebouogh Ponds

Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

Sears

Albany Law School

Allegheny Community College

Boston College

Bowie State

Bowling Green University

Bucks County Community College

California PolyTechnical State University

Carlow College

Carnegie-Mellon University

Clarion University

Colorado State University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Eastern Michigan University

Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute

Florida Atlantic College

Gannon College

Illinois Institute of Technology

Indiana University

Indiana Institute of Technology

Jersey City State College

Keene State College

La Roche College

Loyola College

Nazareth College

Notre Dame

Nova University

Ohio State University

Penn State University

S.U.N.Y Albany

St. Mary’s of California

St. Thomas University

Skidmore College

Stanford University

Tufts University

University of Calvary

University of California Berkeley

University of California Davis

University of California Los Angeles

University of California San Diego

University of California Santa Barbara

University of Chicago

University of Illinois

University of Kansas

University of Iowa

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Nebraska

University of North Carolina

University of Oregon

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rhode Island

University of Southern California

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

University of Texas

University of the Pacific

University of Toronto

University of Waterloo

University of Wisconsin

Worchester State University

Yale University

York College of Pennsylvania

to name a few . . .

The Personal Computer… The Most Stolen Item in the Country.

Over 10 billion dollars worth of computers and computer hardware(figure does not include the value of the software contained on the computers) were stolen in 1992 according to the Stolen Computer Registry. With the advent of the laptop computer this figure is growing astronomically. The Personal Computer, like its predecessors, the TV and VCR, is no longer considered a luxury, but rather a necessity! Students at all levels of education can no longer expect to participate or advance in the classroom without knowing how to use personal computers. It’s a sign of the times, but unfortunately, so too is the growing Black Market demand for these computers. In fact, personal computers are now the most stolen item in the country. Many universities are reporting losses of up to two per day. The most disturbing aspect is that only 5% is due to forcible entry, while 95% is due to internal theft.

 

 

It is nearly impossible to control a potential thief’s NEED. A person’s need or perceived need can change over time due to drug addiction, becoming an alcoholic, family sickness, children’s education expenses, credit card debt, and other economic factors.

His ATTITUDE can also change due to all sorts of happenstance, and likewise is often beyond an employer’s control. An employee can be passed over for a promotion, he can begin to feel that his employer has so much money that the employer will not miss what the thief is about to take, he can want to “get even” for something, or he can feel that everyone else is taking things so he might as well take things also.

The only thing that an employer can control is the OPPORTUNITY. By installing a LightGard Fiber Optic Security System on your valuable items, the OPPORTUNITY for stealing the valuable items without being caught is greatly diminished thereby stopping the theft. If a thief feels that sirens are going to go off, the police are going to arrive in minutes, and/or that CCTV cameras are going to be “tripped on” to begin to record him as he is taking something, he is not going to even attempt the theft. No faculty member wants to explain to his wife and kids that he lost his job because he was caught stealing. No student wants to explain to his parents that he was kicked out of school because he was caught stealing. No employee, janitor, etc. wants to explain to his wife and kids that he lost his job because he was caught stealing. No employee that loses his job due to “down sizing” wants to explain that he also lost his unemployment benefits because he took “his” laptop computer when he left his job. LightGard can easily eliminate theft OPPORTUNITY, and thereby prevent a theft.

 

So What If Your Computer Is Stolen?

Reloading all your data

That is if you still have access to it

Down Time

Can you afford to deal with the lost time because your computer has been stolen?

Someone Has To Replace It!

Replacement Costs which deflate your department’s budget directly effecting raises, improvements, and equipment purchases.

Insurance Rate Hassles and deductibles

Who wants to deal with another lengthy Insurance claim. You know they will want to depreciate your equipment and will not pay for software or your time to reconstruct your lost data.

Feeling Violated and Vulnerable!

Whether it’s the entire computer, the exterior components, or the interior boards…computer theft is costing our educational system millions! Imagine the problems that you would face if you walked into your computer lab or office tomorrow and found that your computers or internal circuit boards were stolen. You would feel vulnerable and violated, and suddenly faced with the financial problems associated with trying to replace the equipment.

Possible Negligence Suit!

Is a CEO or the Board of Directors liable for loss of valuable Proprietary Data, Trade Secrets or New Product Engineering Data if steps have not been taken to properly secure the computers? What happens to a Doctor, Lawyer, Stock Broker, Accountant or Banker that loses a client’s Confidential Data contained on an unprotected computer?

So Why Not Avoid the Hassles and Headaches?

LightGard is the security system that provides ’round-the-clock protection for personal computers and/or a broad range of other equipment and merchandise. LightGard is more than just a deterrent. It represents the latest technological advance in security. Its fiber optic loop with its pulsating light beam offers 24-hour protection. If the beam of light is broken…if the fiber loop is cut…if any protected piece is disconnected from the system, the alarm is sounded and the proper authorities can be immediately dispatched to the exact trouble spot.

Absolutely! LightGaurd can be used to protect your personal computer, jet skis, guns, outboard motors, and bicycles. Protect your fishing boat and motor parked in your back yard!

The “Wireless” LightGard units usually utilize the same battery that the door/window transmitter uses which last about 4 years! The “Supervised Wireless” and “Hardwire” LightGard units normally pulses two light pulses per second. The “Hardwire” version is powered by the Alarm System CPU and therefore uses the battery in the CPU. With the new supervised LightGard WIFI unit, the enclosed batteries will power the unit for 4 to 5 years before the unit sends you a text message telling you it is time to replace the batteries.

Current suggested User List Prices can be found on the “Shop” page. Authorized Distributors and Installers can obtain a discount code for reduced prices. Call: 303-526-7209 for code.

Note: Due to the many ways that a user or installer might attach the Fiber Optic Cable to a device, we can not be responsible for losses.

LightGard Fiber Optic System sends approximately 2 random pulses per second of light through a flexible one eight inch diameter plastic Fiber Optic Cable which can be a loop that is approximately 400 feet long. Any piece of equipment that you can thread the flexible Cable through or attach the Cable to can be protected 24 hours a day even though the piece of equipment is being used. This is true Indoors, Outdoors, in Explosive environments, or in Nuclear or Chlorine or other Toxic Environments! The LightGard system can be added to any “Supervised Wireless” or “Hardwire” 12 volt Alarm Panel or Access Control Panel as a separate 24 hour Zone of protection. Units have dry form “C” contacts for use by “Hardwire” type systems, and there is room inside the units to accommodate many of the “Supervised Wireless” types of door window transmitters. The “Wireless” versions thereby monitor for Alarms, Tamper, Low Battery, and Supervisory signals. (Hover your curser over the LightGard IV picture on our shop page to Learn more) Also, hover your curser over the Hatch Switch icon on our Shop page to see additional information as to how LightGard Security differs from Access Control and TV Camera systems. Now with the new LightGard WIFI unit, you do not need an alarm control panel, AC power, Phone Line or touchpad. All you need is the new unit and a WIFI network. Learn more by clicking on the LightGard WIFI link on any page.

A LightGard Fiber Optic Security zone features:

1. Authorized personnel can use protected and monitored equipment 24/7.
2. At schools, Campus Security within about a minute will be alerted to the exact location where someone is trying to remove protected equipment.
3. Easy to install by almost anyone and not objectionable to see.
4. Almost any and all types of equipment can be added to the fiber optic loop.
5. Once installed equipment will provide security and monitoring for 30 or more years.
6. Over time LightGard equipment monitoring can save millions compared to personnel monitoring costs.
7. Fiber Optic cable is good – rain or shine, snow, hail or windstorm, zero magnetic field, no AC or DC current, no heat, no spark, zero chance of fire or explosion, good from -31F to +176F degrees, operational in nuclear or chlorine environments!

Each Typical fiber optic loop in schools monitor 5 to 10 computers and all their associated devices.

Have your favorite Alarm Company or installers contact us at www.minatronics.com and we will help you figure out if LightGard is right for you.

In order for a theft to occur, three things need to be present. Need, Attitude, and Opportunity. We can not control a person’s Need or Attitude, but the LightGard Fiber Optic Security System can greatly limit the Opportunity.

Ans: An AC Power Strip does not seem like a big deal. However, if your school has 1000 new Freshmen Students arrive on campus each year, loses of these relatively inexpensive devices can add up.

Suppose ¼ of the incoming freshmen decide that they NEED a Six Socket AC Power Strip for their campus room. Their thinking ATTITUDE might be: “I am paying about $50,000 per year in tuition and board and will probably end up with about $100,000 or more in student debt. The school can easily buy another Power Strip with the money I am paying them.” “Another ATTITUDE that the student might have regarding his parents or whoever is helping pay for his education. He might feel like he does not want to ask them for another $25.00 to buy a 6 Socket AC Power Strip since they have already paid so much and are hurting financially do to helping pay for his education, but he really NEEDS another power strip to plug in a desk or floor lamp in order to save his eyes. He can maybe just leave it in his room when he graduates so really he is just borrowing the Power Strip”. Soon the school has to pay about (based on Amazon prices) $5,000 to $6,000 each year to replace all of the stolen Power Strips. (Much higher numbers with larger numbers of incoming Freshmen or if older classmates also decide they now NEED another power strip) However, the LightGard Fiber Optic Security with the addition of an inexpensive  “Squirrel Trap”, that was specifically designed and patented for the purpose of protecting AC Power Strips, can easily eliminate the OPPORTUNITY for theft for each and every year for the next 20 or 30 years. Simply add the inexpensive “Trap” to the LightGard Fiber Optic Loop that is protecting the computers and scientific equipment 24/7 hours a day 365 days a year even while the equipment is being used. With the addition of the “Traps” to the loop, the Power Strips will now also be protected. The LightGard Fiber Optic Security System can not change a person’s NEED, or ATTITUDE, but it can greatly change the OPPORTUNITY.

 

The LightGard units can be added to any “Hardwire” or “Supervised Wireless” Alarm System CPU as well as to any Access Control Panel. Those units normally require AC Power and a Phone Line to communicate. When the LightGard unit is used in a “Supervised Wireless” system, the LightGard unit normally uses the battery of the Door Window Transmitter that is contained inside the LightGard IV case. Since the pulse of light is of such short duration, even though it pulses at a rate of about two pulses per second, the battery normally will last about 4 years before the transmitter reports low battery. However, now with the new LightGard WIFI unit you do not need an Alarm System control panel, Touchpad, AC power or Phone Line. The new supervised units come with two long lasting batteries which will notify you in about 4 to 5 years that it is time to change the batteries.

Standard Shipping will be Free in the USA to all 50 States other than for orders of less than $100.00 for which there will be a $10.00 Handling and Shipping charge for standard shipping.  Cost of Standard Foreign shipments will be $50.00 due to additional paperwork and associated costs. Expedited foreign shipments will be $100.00 instead of $50.00. 

RETURN POLICY: If you are not satisfied with LightGard products within the first 90 days, please call 303-526-7209 between 9:00AM to 4:30PM MST Monday through Friday for an RMA number for return of the product. (For orders over $100.00 there will be a 20% restocking fee) Custom orders are not returnable> We urge that you order a sample order before ordering a number of custom items.

USER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND LIMITATION AGREEMENT

User of Minatronics Corporation LightGard devices Acknowledges that services provided by such equipment are not guaranteed to work as described and Minatronics does not agree to assume any liability or warrant that such devices will prevent any loss or damage arising from the use of such devices. Minatronics also does not assume any liability for cellular products which rely on internet transmission of signals and will not assume any damages or loss resulting from a default or breach of duty by the cellular provider.

The cellular service is provided without warranty of any kind, whether express of implied including any warranty or merchantability and any warranty that the internet service is fit for any particular purpose.

Any products manufactured by Minatronics Corporation are subject to the following limited warranty. The Minatronics products are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year following the date of purchase. Minatronics obligation is limited to repairing or replacing with reconditioned or new parts at it’s option. This limited warranty is provided for any product proven to be defective in materials or workmanship under normal use. Defective products should be returned to Minatronics to obtain warranty service or replacement. Minatronics shall have no obligation under this limited warranty if its products are altered or improperly repaired or serviced by any other party other than Minatronics Corporation.

Most people don’t consider the why’s and how’s of theft until they’re a victim of it. Certain items are popular targets because of their size and intrinsic value. We list some of the most commonly stolen items and how you can eliminate the opportunity of theft at your home or business.

Electronic Devices

Stolen electronics account for a large portion of lost items. Cell phones, tablets, and laptop computers are small enough that a thief can easily slip them into a backpack. Without a laptop anti-theft alarm, you won’t realize what happened until it’s too late. The LightGard system alerts you as soon as it’s removed from the fiber optic loop.

Leisure Items

If you’re a musician or an athlete, you probably use expensive items to participate in the activity. Sporting equipment and instruments are often stored in bags or cases, so it’s quick and easy for a thief to grab and go if there’s no theft deterrent device to stop them.

Dangerous Tools

Some things are dangerous enough to warrant consumer restriction of ownership and use. Guns are one obvious example, but even chainsaws have permit laws, which depends on where you live. This red tape creates a perceived necessity to steal the item. Firearm and power tool theft protection are important, not only for the security of your valuables, but for the safety of others as well.

Recreational Vehicles

While it’s true that small items are easy prey, large items are not off limits. Even without a key, a knowledgeable thief can drive a boat away from its dock. Out on the putting green, you could find yourself stranded if someone makes off with your golf cart. Theft prevention devices can stop these inconvenient crimes.

Thieves are born out of low-risk, high-reward situations. Many people may have the need and motivation, but the reason why people steal stems from the opportunity. You can protect these most commonly stolen items with the right safeguards in place. Ask our Minatronics team how we can help with our LightGard fiber optic system.