Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-02
2001-08-07
Crosland, Donnie L. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S539230, C340S531000, C340S525000, C340S870030, C348S155000, C348S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271752
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to remotely accessible monitoring devices, and more particularly, to an intelligent multi-access remote system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the past few decades computers and communications technology has evolved into a complex infrastructure where countless different systems, platforms, and other products are now interoperable. Only recently has the concept of open systems become a reality, permitting new developments in standard-based file transfer, electronic mail, and remote log in. Opportunistically, society is becoming increasingly dependent on many of the new technologies made available via phone communications, private computer networks, and the Internet.
One example of how such technology has recently spurred growth in a particular field, is video surveillance. Nowadays, the expense and associated complications with monitoring a particular location has been greatly reduced with the advent of video surveillance. Businesses can now successfully monitor an entire building using only one security guard, who tracks multiple cameras positioned at key locations throughout a selected building. Indeed, one security guard can even monitor multiple buildings, from a remote location, using networking and other available technologies. Occasionally, video recording devices and electronic sensors may be installed to eliminate the need for any security guard. An alarm system can trigger when an electronic sensor detects an intruder and the video recording device can record images that are later supplied to the police for subsequent apprehension of the intruder.
Despite the success of the above and other similar alarm systems, most businesses desire at least one security guard to secure properly the environment. Even the best sensors may accidentally trigger a false alarm, whether by stray animals or faulty wiring. Additionally, police often do not respond as speedily unless a person specifically phones for a response. As a result sophisticated commercial security surveillance systems today incorporate many of the above features with a live person, stationed at a remote central station, available to assume control at the opportune time.
The above surveillance system, however, is not appropriate or feasible for individuals or small businesses. Individuals and small businesses desire the lower cost of having an employee available to respond to an occasional alarm, rather than a full time security guard, but cannot implement an affordable technology that would make this type of system functional. For example, in order to view a smooth high quality stream of video from a remote location, expensive cables need to be installed between the surveillance area and the remote location. Furthermore, small businesses and individuals constantly change locations and even if proper cabling can be installed they may desire a surveillance system that is accessible from any location, not only those that have cabling.
Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive multi-access remote system that enables individuals to access remotely a security surveillance or other video system area and appropriately monitor and operate this area as desired. In addition, there is a need to contact the system users at specific times, such as when an alarm triggers, to provide surveillance access when needed, rather than monitoring the area full time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a multi-access remote system is provided and which comprises a security surveillance area, a plurality of end user locations, and a communications network such that one or more of the end user locations can establish a connection with the security surveillance area, and vice versa, using a communications protocol via the communications network.
The security surveillance area comprises a local computer system, a network interface, and a camera having a motion sensor. The local computer system is electronically connected via a camera adapter to the video camera so that video, sound, and motion sensor data can be transmitted from the camera to the local computer system, and instructions or other data can be transmitted from the local computer system to the camera. The local computer system is additionally connected to a computer network interface, which may be a modem, network card, or other communications hardware, used to connect to the communications network. The local computer system includes various components, including an audio/video coder/decoder, fixed storage means, operating system software, communications software, compression software, and application programming interface (API) software.
The end user locations each comprise a remote computer system connected to a network interface, and one or more optional communications devices, such as a telephone, beeper, fax, e-mail, or wireless device for being contacted by the security surveillance area when an alarm triggers. The remote computer system includes operating system software, communications software, compression software, application software, and browser software.
The local computer system first captures a predetermined length of video, compresses the file, and transmits it to the remote user who subsequently plays the downloaded image in high-quality. This method avoids video stream difficulties associated with bandwidth limitations because the entire image is downloaded to the remote computer before viewing.
The browser and application software of the remote computer system may be configured to communicate with the local computer system via the Internet or any other communications network. In one embodiment, the browser contains a video display for viewing video images, and control mechanisms for operating the camera and manipulating the video images, including, focus, rotation, view, peak, dimming, play, record, fast forward, etc.
The above description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
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Crosland Donnie L.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
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