Interactive wireless surveillance and security system and associated method

• US 20030128113A1
• Filed: 01/09/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
• Inventors: Traeger, William, Chang, Yu-Wen
• Granted Patent: US 6,778,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence

Abstract

A surveillance and security system, adapted to be applicable to a premises, is provided. The system comprises a system component installed on and capable of interacting with the premises. A wireless command unit is configured to communicate with and control the system component from a remotely-disposed location with respect thereto. The system component is configured to perform an examination of the premises and to send a corresponding surveillance signal to the command unit. The command unit is configured to send a broadcast signal to the system component for a corresponding broadcast to the premises. The command unit is thereby capable of two-way audio/video communication with the system component so as to provide remote surveillance and security for the premises. An associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. A surveillance and security system adapted to be applicable to a premises, said system comprising:

a system component installed on and capable of interacting with the premises; and

a wireless command unit configured to communicate with and control the system component from a remotely-disposed location with respect thereto, the system component being configured to perform an examination of the premises and to send a corresponding surveillance signal to the command unit, the command unit also being configured to send a broadcast signal to the system component for a corresponding broadcast to the premises, the command unit thereby being capable of two-way communication with the system component so as to provide remote surveillance and security for the premises.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the command unit is further configured to transmit a command signal to the system component for controlling the system component.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the surveillance signal comprises at least one of an audio signal and a video signal.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the broadcast signal comprises at least one of an audio signal and a video signal.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system component comprises at least one of an intrusion detection device, a hazard detection device, a video capturing device, an audio capturing device, a video broadcast device, and an audio broadcast device.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system component is further configured to perform a surveillance of the premises at a predetermined interval and send a corresponding surveillance signal back to the command unit to thereby provide a periodic check function.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system component is further configured to automatically sense a change in the premises and to send a corresponding surveillance signal to the command unit in response thereto.

8. A system according to claim 7 further comprising a discriminator operably engaged with the system component and configured to apply a threshold criteria to the change in the premises so as to prevent a surveillance signal corresponding to a sub-threshold change in the premises from being sent to the command unit.

9. A system according to claim 7 wherein the command unit is configured to selectively send a broadcast signal to the system component in response to receiving the surveillance signal corresponding to the change in the premises.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the command unit is configured to send a command signal to the system component when selectively actuated, the system component being responsive to the command signal so as to send a surveillance signal back to the command unit and thereby provide an on-demand check function.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the command unit is further configured to send a broadcast signal to the system component to be broadcast thereby when the command unit is approaching the premises and within a predetermined proximity thereof.

12. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of system components, each system component being configured to be individually communicable with the command unit.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein each system component further comprises a unique identifier and the command unit is configured to communicate with a selected system component according to the respective identifier thereof.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system component is configured to record the surveillance signal so as to allow subsequent selective playback.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the command unit is configured to be interfaced with a computer device.

16. A method of providing surveillance and security with a surveillance and security system comprising a system component and a wireless command unit adapted for application to a premises, said method comprising:

sending a surveillance signal from the system component installed on and capable of interacting with the premises to the wireless command unit remotely disposed with respect thereto, the command unit being configured to provide at least one of an audio indicia and a video indicia of the surveillance signal; and

sending at least one of a control signal and a broadcast signal from the command unit to the system component, the system component being responsive to the control signal and being configured to provide at least one of an audio indicia and a video indicia of the broadcast signal to the premises, the system component and the command unit thereby cooperating to provide two-way communication therebetween so as to facilitate remote surveillance and security for the premises.

17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising recording the surveillance signal with the system component in such a manner as to facilitate subsequent selective playback.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the system further comprises a plurality of system components, each system component having a unique identifier, and the method further comprises individually communicating between a selected system component and the command unit according to the respective identifier of the selected system component.

19. A method according to claim 16 further comprising performing a surveillance of the premises at a predetermined interval, prior to sending a corresponding surveillance signal to the command unit, so as to provide a periodic check function.

20. A method according to claim 16 further comprising automatically sensing a change in the premises prior to sending a corresponding surveillance signal to the command unit.

21. A method according to claim 20 further comprising applying a threshold criteria to the sensed change in the premises so as to prevent a surveillance signal corresponding to a sub-threshold change in the premises from being sent to the command unit.

22. A method according to claim 20 further comprising selectively sending a broadcast signal to the system component in response to receiving the surveillance signal corresponding to the change in the premises.

23. A method according to claim 16 further comprising selectively sending a command signal from the command unit to the system component so as to actuate the system component to perform a surveillance of the premises and to send a corresponding surveillance signal back to the command unit so as to provide an on-demand check function.

24. A method according to claim 16 further comprising sending a broadcast signal to the system component to be broadcast thereby when the command unit is approaching the premises and within a predetermined proximity thereof.