Monitoring apparatus and method

• US 20030071899A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joao Control and Monitoring Systems LLC (Raymond Anthony Joao)
• Original Assignee: Raymond Anthony Joao
• Inventors: Joao, Raymond Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 6,587,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/302 Airplanes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0015 Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0031 means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0053 using visual equipment, e.g. cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0059 by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members

Abstract

A monitoring apparatus and method including a processing device for receiving video information recorded by a video recording device or a camera, wherein the video recording device or a camera is located at a vehicle or a premises and the processing device is located at a location remote from the vehicle or premises. The processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the vehicle or premises. The video information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device in response the signal. The video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Claims

1. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a processing device, wherein the processing device receives video information recorded by at least one of a video recording device and a camera, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at a vehicle, and wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the vehicle,

wherein the processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the vehicle, wherein the video information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device in response to the signal, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an interior of the vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an exterior of the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video information is real-time video information or live video information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera further comprises a storage medium for storing video information, wherein the video information received by the processing device is stored video information.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing device receives audio information recorded by at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, located at the vehicle, and further wherein the processing device transmits the audio information to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the audio information is real-time audio information or live audio information.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, further comprises a storage medium for storing audio information, wherein the audio information received by the processing device is stored audio information.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an interior of the vehicle.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an exterior of the vehicle.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus provides a communication link between the communication device and at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone is located at the vehicle.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus provides video conferencing between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the vehicle via a video conferencing device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing device at least one of receives video information from any number of at least one of video recording devices and cameras, receives audio information from any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and receives video conferencing information from any number of video conferencing devices, and further wherein the processing device transmits at least one of the video information from the any number of at least one of video recording devices and cameras, the audio information from the any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and the video conferencing information from the any number of video conferencing devices, to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing device transmits video information from two or more video recording devices or cameras to the communication device, and further wherein the video information is received by the communication device in at least one of a split-screen format or a multiple screen format.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing device at least one of transmits a control signal to the at least one of a video recording device and a camera to control an operation of the at least one of a video recording device and a camera, transmits a control signal to at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, to control an operation of the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, transmits a control signal to at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone to control an operation of the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, and transmits a control signal to a video conferencing device to control an operation of the video conferencing device.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a motor vehicle, an automobile, a mass transportation vehicle, a truck, a tractor trailer, a bus, a school bus, a commercial vehicle, commercial equipment, industrial equipment, a military vehicle, a snowmobile, a jetski, a scooter, a motorcycle, a minibike, a go-cart, a moped, and an unmanned vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a train and a subway train.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of an aircraft, an airplane, a jet, a helicopter, a glider, a spacecraft, a space shuttle, a satellite, an unmanned aircraft, a commercial aircraft, and a military aircraft.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a boat, a marine vessel, a marine vehicle, a motor boat, a sailboat, a ship, a cruise ship, a commercial boat, a military boat, an unmanned boat, and a submarine.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is at least one of a computer, a personal computer, a home computer, a telephone, a digital telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a processing device, a personal processing device, a personal digital assistant, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal communications device, a personal communications services device, a display telephone, a video telephone, and a watch.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is utilized at least one of to select the at least one of a video recording device and a camera from which the video information is obtained, to select at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, from which audio information is obtained, and to select a video conferencing device from which video conferencing information is obtained.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is programmed for at least one of automatic activation, self-activation, and programmed activation.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a wireless device.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is associated with a web site.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is associated with at least one of a central security office, a security service, and a law enforcement office or agency.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video information is transmitted to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

27. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

28. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

a processing device, wherein the processing device receives video information recorded by at least one of a video recording device and a camera, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at a premises, and wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the premises,

wherein the processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the premises, wherein the video information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device in response to the signal, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an interior of the premises.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an exterior of the premises.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the video information is real-time video information or live video information.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera further comprises a storage medium for storing video information, wherein the video information received by the processing device is stored video information.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processing device receives audio information recorded by at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, located at the premises, and further wherein the processing device transmits the audio information to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the audio information is real-time audio information or live audio information.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an interior of the premises.

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an exterior of the premises.

37. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus provides a communication link between the communication device and at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone is located at the premises.

38. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus provides video conferencing between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the premises via a video conferencing device.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processing device at least one of receives video information from any number of at least one of video recording devices or cameras, receives audio information from any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and receives video conferencing information from any number of video conferencing devices, and further wherein the processing device transmits at least one of the video information from the any number of at least one of video recording devices and cameras, the audio information from the any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and the video conferencing information from the any number of video conferencing devices, to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processing device transmits video information from two or more video recording devices or cameras to the communication device, and further wherein the video information is received by the communication device in at least one of a split-screen format or a multiple screen format.

41. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processing device at least one of transmits a control signal to the at least one of a video recording device and a camera to control an operation of the at least one of a video recording device and a camera, transmits a control signal to at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, to control an operation of the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, transmits a control signal to at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone to control an operation of the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, and transmits a control signal to a video conferencing device to control an operation of the video conferencing device.

42. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the premises is at least one of a residential premises, a residential building, and a home.

43. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the premises is at least one of a commercial premises, a commercial building, and a commercial office.

44. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the premises is at least one of a commercial structure, a commercial equipment, an industrial facility, an industrial structure, a manufacturing facility, a manufacturing equipment, a manufacturing machine, a drilling platform, a drilling rig, an oil drilling platform, an off-shore drilling platform, an off-shore drilling rig, an excavation equipment, a construction equipment, a mining platform, a mining equipment, an assembly facility, an assembly line, an assembly line equipment, an assembly equipment, an industrial robotic equipment, a mass production facility, and a production facility.

45. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the communication device is at least one of a computer, a personal computer, a home computer, a telephone, a digital telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a processing device, a personal processing device, a personal digital assistant, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal communications device, a personal communications services device, a display telephone, a video telephone, and a watch.

46. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the communication device is utilized at least one of to select the at least one of a video recording device and a camera from which the video information is obtained, to select at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, from which audio information is obtained, and to select a video conferencing device from which video conferencing information is obtained.

47. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is programmed for at least one of automatic activation, self-activation, and programmed activation.

48. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the communication device is a wireless device.

49. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is associated with a web site.

50. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is associated with at least one of a central security office, a security service, and a law enforcement office or agency.

51. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the video information is transmitted from the at least one of a video recording device to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

52. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

53. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, further comprises a storage medium for storing audio information, wherein the audio information received by the processing device is stored audio information.

54. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

at least one of a video recording device and a camera, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at a vehicle, and further wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera records video information; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the video information to a processing device, wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the vehicle, and further wherein the video information is received by the processing device,

wherein the processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the vehicle, wherein the processing device transmits the video information to the communication device in response to the signal, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an interior of the vehicle.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an exterior of the vehicle.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera further comprises:

a storage medium for storing video information.

58. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the video information is real-time video information or live video information.

59. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the video information transmitted to the processing device is stored video information.

60. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is at least one of pivotable, moveable, and moveable along at least one of a track and a guiding device.

61. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising:

at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, located at the vehicle, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, records audio information, wherein the apparatus transmits the audio information to the processing device, and further wherein the audio information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the audio information is real-time audio information or live audio information.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an interior of the vehicle.

64. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an exterior of the vehicle.

65. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is at least one of pivotable, moveable, and moveable along at least one of a track and a guiding device.

66. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising:

at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone is located at the vehicle, and further wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, is utilized to facilitate communication between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the vehicle.

67. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising:

a video conferencing device located at the vehicle, wherein the video conferencing device is utilized to facilitate a video conference between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the vehicle.

68. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the apparatus transmits at least one of the video information, audio information, and video conferencing information, to the processing device on any number of communication channels on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

69. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the apparatus at least one of transmits video information from any number of video recording devices or cameras, transmits audio information from any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and transmits video conferencing information from any number of video conferencing devices.

70. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the apparatus transmits video information from two or more video recording devices or cameras to the processing device in at least one of a split-screen format or a multiple screen format.

71. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein an operation of at least one of the at least one of a video recording device and a camera, at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, and a video conferencing device, is controlled by a control signal transmitted to the apparatus from the processing device.

72. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a motor vehicle, an automobile, a mass transportation vehicle, a truck, a tractor trailer, a bus, a school bus, a commercial vehicle, commercial equipment, industrial equipment, a military vehicle, a snowmobile, a jetski, a scooter, a motorcycle, a minibike, a go-cart, a moped, and an unmanned vehicle.

73. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a train and a subway train.

74. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the vehicle is at least one of an aircraft, an airplane, a jet, a helicopter, a glider, a spacecraft, a space shuttle, a satellite, an unmanned aircraft, a commercial aircraft, and a military aircraft.

75. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a boat, a marine vessel, a marine vehicle, a motor boat, a sailboat, a ship, a cruise ship, a commercial boat, a military boat, an unmanned boat, and a submarine.

76. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the apparatus is programmed for at least one of automatic activation, self-activation, and programmed activation.

77. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the video information is transmitted from the transmitter to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

78. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

79. A monitoring apparatus, comprising:

at least one of a video recording device and a camera, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at a premises, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera records video information; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the video information to a processing device, wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the premises, and further wherein the video information is received by the processing device,

wherein the processing device receives a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the premises, wherein the processing device transmits the video information to the communication device in response to the signal, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an interior of the premises.

81. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is located at an exterior of the premises.

82. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera further comprises:

a storage medium for storing video information.

83. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the video information is real-time video information or live video information.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the video information transmitted to the processing device is stored video information.

85. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera is at least one of pivotable, moveable, and moveable along at least one of a track and a guiding device.

86. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising:

at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, located at the premises, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, records audio information, wherein the apparatus transmits the audio information to the processing device, and further wherein the audio information is transmitted from the processing device to the communication device, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the audio information is real-time audio information or live audio information.

88. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an interior of the premises.

89. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is located at an exterior of the premises.

90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, is at least one of pivotable, moveable, and moveable along at least one of a track and a guiding device.

91. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising:

at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone is located at the premises, and further wherein the at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, is utilized to facilitate communication between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the premises.

92. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising:

a video conferencing device located at the premises, wherein the video conferencing device is utilized to facilitate a video conference between a user of the communication device and an individual located at the premises.

93. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus transmits at least one of the video information, audio information, and video conferencing information, to the processing device on any number of communication channels on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

94. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus at least one of transmits video information from any number of video recording devices or cameras, transmits audio information from any number of at least one of audio recording devices, microphones, and tape recorders, and transmits video conferencing information from any number of video conferencing devices.

95. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus transmits video information from two or more video recording devices or cameras to the processing device in at least one of a split-screen format or a multiple screen format.

96. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein an operation of at least one of the at least one of a video recording device and a camera, at least one of an audio recording device, a microphone, and a tape recorder, at least one of an intercom system or device and a telephone, and a video conferencing device, is controlled by a control signal transmitted to the apparatus from the processing device.

97. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the premises is at least one of a residential premises, a residential building, and a home.

98. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the premises is at least one of a commercial premises, a commercial building, and a commercial office.

99. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the premises is at least one of a commercial structure, a commercial equipment, an industrial facility, an industrial structure, a manufacturing facility, a manufacturing equipment, a manufacturing machine, a drilling platform, a drilling rig, an oil drilling platform, an off-shore drilling platform, an off-shore drilling rig, an excavation equipment, a construction equipment, a mining platform, a mining equipment, an assembly facility, an assembly line, an assembly line equipment, an assembly equipment, an industrial robotic equipment, a mass production facility, and a production facility.

100. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the apparatus is programmed for at least one of automatic activation, self-activation, and programmed activation.

101. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the video information is transmitted from the transmitter to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

102. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the audio information is transmitted to the processing device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

103. A monitoring method, comprising:

receiving video information with a processing device, wherein the video information is recorded by at least one of a video recording device and a camera, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the processing device from a transmitter, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera and the transmitter are located at a vehicle, and further wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the vehicle;

receiving a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the signal is received by the processing device, and further wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the vehicle; and

transmitting the video information from the processing device to the communication device in response to the signal, wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.

104. A monitoring method, comprising:

receiving video information with a processing device, wherein the video information is recorded by at least one of a video recording device and a camera, and further wherein the video information is transmitted to the processing device from a transmitter, wherein the at least one of a video recording device and a camera and the transmitter are located at a premises, and further wherein the processing device is located at a location remote from the premises;

receiving a signal transmitted from a communication device, wherein the signal is received by the processing device, and further wherein the communication device is located at a location remote from the processing device and remote from the premises; and

transmitting the video information from the processing device to the communication device in response to the signal, wherein the video information is transmitted to the communication device on or over at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.