Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6429893
-
Patent Number
6,429,893
-
Date Filed
Thursday, June 4, 199826 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 6, 200222 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 348 155
- 348 152
- 348 153
- 348 154
- 348 156
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector is disclosed. The security system also enables an occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. A remote unit allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity. The inventive device includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a video monitor operably coupled to the video camera, a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the proximity detector wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the video monitor through a video recording and playback device and wherein the microcontroller further includes firmware for activating the video camera and the video recording and playback device in response to the first signal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to security systems and more particularly pertains to a new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of security systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, security systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art security systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,843,461; 4,355,329; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,973; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,524,384; and 4,581,634.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new security system. The inventive device includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal.
In these respects, the security system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system. The security system also enables the occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. A remote unit also allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of security systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new security system construction wherein the same can be utilized for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new security system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the security systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new security system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art security systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new security system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the security systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new security system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art security systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new security system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new security system which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such security system economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system that enables an occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system that includes remote unit that allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1
is a schematic view of the door unit o the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a schematic view of the remote unit of present invention.
FIG. 3
is a front elevational view of a door and adjoining wall having the new security system installed thereon.
FIG. 4
is a side elevational view of the door having the new security system installed thereon.
FIG. 5
is front elevational view of the outside portion of the door unit of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a front elevational view of the control panel of the present invention.
FIG. 7
is side elevational view of the door unit.
FIG. 8
is a front elevational view of the remote control unit of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1 through 8
thereof, a new security system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.
With reference to
FIG. 1
there is schematically shown the door unit including a video camera
16
for generating a video signal. The video camera
16
is preferably a charge coupled device video camera of the kind well know in the art. The video camera
16
is shown operably coupled to a means for displaying video signals
15
through a video switch
13
, the function of which will be described further hereinafter. The means for displaying video signals
15
is preferably a liquid crystal display selected for space economy.
The video camera
16
is preferably mounted within a door
80
or other threshold of a structure such as a residence or office in such manner so as not to be prone to shaking and further in such manner that the lens
101
of the video camera
16
faces the outside of the structure and thereby is positioned to capture activity outside the door
80
or other threshold. The means for displaying video signals
15
is preferably mounted upon an inside surface of a wall or other structure adjacent the door
80
or other threshold. In this manner a person inside the structure can view the activity outside the door without endangering themselves by being positioned in front of the door
80
, as would be the situation if the person were using a peep hole.
With continued reference to
FIG. 1
, a means for detecting motion
29
, such as a proximity detector or motion detector, is shown operably coupled to a microcontroller
12
. The means for detecting motion
29
is designed for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera
16
. The microcontroller
12
is further shown operatively coupled to the video camera
16
and to the means for displaying video signals
15
through a means for recording and playing back video signals
27
. The means for recording and playing back video signals
27
is preferably a video cassette recorder of the type well know in the art. The microcontroller
12
includes means for activating the video camera
16
and the means for recording and playing back video signals
27
in response to the first signal.
As is well known in the art, a video cassette recorder includes a means for simultaneously recording audio signals. An outside microphone
20
is shown operably coupled to the video cassette recorder
27
and is preferably disposed proximate the video camera
16
on an outside surface of the door
80
. The outside microphone
20
generates a first audio signal which is recorded by the video cassette recorder
27
upon the activation of the video cassette recorder
27
.
An inside speaker
26
is shown and is preferably disposed proximate the means for displaying video signals
15
. The inside speaker
26
is shown operably coupled to the outside microphone
20
through a first amplifier
25
having a volume control. The first amplifier
25
receives the first audio signal and generates a first amplifier output signal which is received by the inside speaker
26
. In this manner a person outside may communicate with the person inside the structure.
An inside microphone
24
is shown and is preferably disposed proximate the means for displaying video signals
15
. The inside microphone
24
is shown operably coupled to audio mixers
22
and
63
through a second amplifier
23
. The inside microphone
24
generates a second audio signal which is received by the second amplifier
25
. The second amplifier
25
generates a second amplifier output signal which is coupled to the audio mixers
63
and
22
. The audio mixers
63
and
22
passes the second amplifier output signal to an outside speaker
21
. In this manner the person inside the structure can communicate with a person outside the structure.
With continued reference to
FIG. 1
there is shown a radio frequency (RF) audio/video transmitter operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
through the means for recording and playing back video signals
27
. The RF audio/video transmitter
17
receives the video signal and the first audio signal and generates an audio/video signal which is transmissible through a first antenna
34
operably coupled to the RF audio/video transmitter
17
through a first duplexer
35
.
The microcontroller
12
is further shown having an alarm interface
31
operably coupled thereto. The microcontroller
12
preferably includes firmware implementing a means for generating an alarm signal for activating an alarm means. Also shown operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
is a control panel
30
. The microcontroller
12
includes means for programmably controlling the various capabilities of the means for recording and playing back video signals
27
. Further the microcontroller
12
is programmable to accomplish functions as described hereinafter. The control panel
30
provides a means for a user interface to the microcontroller
12
.
A telephone line interface
28
is also shown operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
. The telephone line interface
28
essentially comprises a modem, a relay, and a dialer. The microcontroller
12
preferably includes firmware for generating a telephone signal capable of dialing a telephone and for sending data messages. The microcontroller
12
is further shown operably coupled to a video digitizer
60
. The video digitizer
60
comprises essentially an analog to digital converter having a memory for storing frames of data representative of the video images captured by the video camera
16
and the infrared camera
14
described hereinbelow. The microcontroller
12
is programmable to either send data messages either by means of a data transceiver
32
operably coupled thereto or by means of the telephone line interface
28
.
An infrared video camera
14
is also shown in FIG.
1
. The infrared video camera
14
generates a third video signal and is mountable within the door in such manner that a lens thereof faces the outside of the structure. The infrared video camera
14
is shown operably coupled to the means for displaying video signals
15
through the video switch
13
. The video switch
13
is responsive to a light sensor
18
shown operably coupled thereto. In the event of low light, the video switch
13
connects the infrared video camera
14
and disconnects the video camera
16
.
With continued reference to
FIG. 1
an outgoing message player/recorder
81
is shown operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
and to the outside speaker
21
. When the proximity detector
29
generates the first signal, the microcontroller
12
signals the outgoing message player/recorder
81
to play a pre-recorded message.
A light emitting diode
62
is shown operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
through a resistor R. The light emitting diode
62
is activated upon the generation of the first signal by the proximity detector
29
.
With reference to
FIG. 2
there is shown the remote unit
40
. The remote unit
40
includes a remote microphone
46
operably coupled to an audio transmitter
48
. The audio transmitter
48
generates a remote audio signal which is transmissible through a second antenna
53
. The remote audio signal is receivable by the first antenna
34
which is operably coupled to an audio receiver
36
through the first duplexer
35
. The audio receiver
36
is shown operably coupled to the mixer
22
. In this manner the person in possession of the remote unit
40
can communicate to the person outside the structure.
With continued reference to
FIG. 2
there is shown a RF audio/video receiver
49
operably coupled to a second means for displaying video signals
50
and a remote speaker
47
. The RF audio/video receiver
49
receives the audio video signal transmitted by the RF audio/video transmitter
17
and generates a third audio signal receivable by the remote speaker
47
and a second video signal receivable by the second means for displaying video signals
50
, which preferably includes a liquid crystal display.
The remote unit
40
further includes a first data transceiver
42
operably coupled to a means for generating data, such as, control panel
43
. The data transceiver
42
generates a data signal transmissible through a first control antenna
45
operably coupled thereto. The data signal is receivable by a second control antenna
33
which is shown operably coupled to a second data transceiver
32
operably coupled to the microcontroller
12
. By means of the control panel
43
a user can access the microcontroller
12
to implement functions such as transmitting the video/audio signal, generating the alarm signal, and the functions of the video cassette recorder
27
.
With continued reference to
FIG. 2
there is shown a means for generating an audible signal
44
operably coupled to the first data transceiver
42
. The means for generating an audible signal
44
preferably includes an audible alarm of the type well know in the art.
A cellular telephone transceiver
71
is shown operably coupled to a second microcontroller
74
through a modem
70
. In the case where the remote unit
40
is disposed away from the door unit, the microcontroller
12
is enabled to transmit the video frames generated by the video digitizer
60
through the telephone line interface
28
. When the modem
70
senses a certain carrier frequency (2600 Hz or higher) and amplitude, the audio functions of the remote unit
40
are muted by the second microcontroller
74
and the video frame is demodulated by the modem
70
. The second means for displaying video signals
50
is shown operably coupled to the second microcontroller
74
through a video circuit
75
. The video circuit
75
essentially comprises a video controller chip including a digital to analog converter and memory to hold the video frames. The second microcontroller
74
includes firmware to enable a user to request a new video frame which is then displayed by the second means for displaying video signals
50
.
With reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4
there is shown a door
80
including an inside surface
81
and an outside surface
82
. The door unit
100
is shown disposed in the door
80
at approximately eye level. A flexible cable
81
connects the door unit
100
to the control panel
30
which is shown in FIG.
6
. The control panel
30
is shown including an LCD video monitor
15
and a plurality of buttons operable to program the microcontroller
12
. Also shown are the inside speaker
26
and the inside microphone
24
.
With reference to
FIG. 5
an outside portion
102
of the door unit
100
is shown including the video camera lens
101
, the outside microphone
20
, the outside speaker
21
, the motion detector
29
and the light sensor
18
.
With reference to
FIG. 7
there is shown the door unit
100
including the outside portion
102
connected to a locking portion
103
by means of an intermediate portion
104
which is closely received in an aperture formed in the door
80
. The locking portion
103
is designed to lock the outside portion
102
is place.
With reference to
FIG. 8
the remote control panel
43
is shown including the second LCD video monitor
50
. A plurality of buttons operable to program and control the second microcontroller
74
. The remote speaker
47
and the remote microphone
46
are also shown.
As to a discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A security system comprising:a video camera for generating a video signal, the video camera being operably coupled to a first means for displaying video signals; a means for detecting motion, the means for detecting motion being for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera; a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion, the microcontroller further being operably coupled to the video camera and the first means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals; and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal.
- 2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the video camera is mountable within a door of a structure in such manner that a lens thereof faces the outside of the structure and wherein the first means for displaying video signals is mountable upon an inside surface of a wall adjacent the door.
- 3. The security system of claim 2, wherein the means for recording and playing back video signals further comprise a means for simultaneously recording a first audio signal, the first audio signal being generated by an outside microphone operably coupled thereto and disposed proximate the video camera on an outside surface of the door.
- 4. The security system of claim 3 further comprising an inside speaker disposed proximate the first means for displaying video signals and operably coupled to the outside microphone through a first amplifier, the first amplifier being for receiving the first audio signal and generating a first amplifier output signal, the first amplifier output signal being receivable by the inside speaker.
- 5. The security system of claim 3 further comprising an inside microphone for generating a second audio signal, the inside microphone being disposed proximate the first means for displaying video signals and operably coupled to an audio mixer through a second amplifier, the second amplifier being for receiving the second audio signal and generating a second amplifier output signal, the second amplifier output signal being receivable by the audio mixer, the audio mixer being operably coupled to an outside speaker disposed proximate the outside microphone.
- 6. The security system of claim 3 further comprising a radio frequency audio/video transmitter operably coupled to the microcontroller through the means for recording and playing back video signals, the radio frequency audio/video transmitter being for receiving the video signal and the first audio signal and generating an audio/video signal, the audio/video signal being transmissible through a first antenna operably coupled to the radio frequency audio/video transmitter through a first duplexer.
- 7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for generating an alarm signal.
- 8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for programmably controlling the means for recording and playing back video signals.
- 9. The security system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for generating a telephone signals.
- 10. The security system of claim 3, wherein the means for recording and playing back video signals further comprise a video cassette recorder.
- 11. The security system of claim 1, wherein the first means for displaying video signals further comprise a liquid crystal display.
- 12. The security system of claim 6 further comprising a remote unit having a remote microphone operably coupled to an audio transmitter, the audio transmitter being for generating a remote audio signal, the remote audio signal being transmissible through a second antenna operably coupled to the audio transmitter through a second duplexer and being receivable by the first antenna, the first antenna being operably coupled to an audio receiver through the first duplexer, the audio receiver being operably coupled to the mixer.
- 13. The security system of claim 12, wherein the remote unit further comprises a radio frequency audio/video receiver operably coupled to a second means for displaying video signals and to a remote speaker, the radio frequency audio/video receiver being for receiving the audio/video signal and generating a third audio signal receivable by the remote speaker and a second video signal receivable by the second means for displaying video signals.
- 14. The security system of claim 13, wherein the remote unit further comprises a first data transceiver operably coupled to a means for generating data, the first data transceiver being for generating a data signal transmissible through a first control antenna operably coupled thereto, the data signal further being receivable by a second control antenna operably coupled to a second data transceiver operably coupled to the microcontroller.
- 15. The security system of claim 12, wherein the remote unit further comprises a means for generating an audible signal operably coupled to the first data transceiver.
- 16. The security system of claim 13, wherein the,second means for displaying video signals further comprises a liquid crystal display.
- 17. The security system of claim 2 further comprising an infrared video camera for generating a third video signal, the infrared video camera being mountable within the door in such manner that a lens thereof faces the outside of the structure, the infrared video camera being operably coupled to the means for displaying video signals through a video switch, the video switch being responsive to a light sensor operably coupled thereto.
- 18. The security system of claim 14 further comprising a telephone line interface operably coupled to the microcontroller, a video digitizer operably coupled to the microcontroller, the video digitizer being operable to digitize and store the video signal into video frames, a cellular telephone transceiver disposed in the remote unit, the cellular telephone transceiver being operable to receive the video frames and the audio signal, the cellular telephone transceiver further being operably coupled to a second microcontroller disposed in the remote unit, a modem operably coupled to the second microcontroller and to the cellular telephone transceiver, and a video circuit operably coupled to the second microcontroller, the video circuit being operable to hold a video frame for transmission to the second means for displaying video signals, the second microcontroller further being operably coupled to the means for generating data.
- 19. The security system of claim 5 further comprising a means for recording and playing back a pre-recorded message, the means for recording and playing back a pre-recorded message being operably disposed between the microcontroller and the audio mixer.
- 20. The security system of claim 1 further comprising a light emitting diode operable coupled to the microcontroller through a resistor, the microcontroller energizing the light emitting diode in response to the first signal.
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A |
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A |
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A |
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A |