Wireless motion sensor using infrared illuminator and camera integrated with wireless telephone

• US 20040130624A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Tischler, Ralph, Ryley, Gordon
• Granted Patent: US 7,339,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/155
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0208 Combination with audio or video communication, e.g. combination with "baby phone" function

Abstract

An integrated camera, motion detector and cordless telephone system. A wireless camera operates to detect motion and then alerts a user to the motion via a base station/cordless handset. In one embodiment, the camera then also transmits still or streaming video to the base station/cordless telephone. Accordingly, a user can monitor image(s) via a cordless telephone handset and/or be alerted of motion within the camera'"'"'s field of view.

Claims

1. A monitoring system, comprising:

a camera unit;

a video cordless telephone handset; and

a base unit,

the base unit being operable to be in, at least periodic, communication with the camera unit and the video handset unit, and the camera unit being operable to detect motion and automatically transmit one of (i) a signal to cause the video cordless telephone handset to indicate that motion has been detected, (ii) a still image, and (iii) streaming video to at least one of the base unit and video handset.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises a cordless telephone transceiver.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises a CMOS camera.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit further comprises a means for illuminating with non-visible radiation.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cameral unit further comprises an infrared illuminator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera unit comprises a video processor for detecting motion.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the handset communicates directly with the camera unit wirelessly.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the handset comprises an auxiliary connector.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary connector comprises a USB connector.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the handset comprises a video receiver.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the handset comprises a video receiver.

11. A monitoring system, comprising:

a camera unit including a video processor, the video processor being operable to compare successive images captured by the camera unit and determine whether motion has occurred; and

a cordless telephone handset including a viewing screen being operable to receive a transmission from the camera unit subsequent to a determination by the camera unit that motion has occurred, wherein the transmission is in the form of at least one of (i) a notification alert and (ii) a video image.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera unit comprises an illuminator that illuminates with non-visible light.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera unit comprises a cordless telephone transceiver.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera unit comprises a CMOS camera.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the camera unit comprises a video processor for detecting motion.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the handset communicates directly with the camera unit wirelessly.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the handset comprises an auxiliary connector.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the auxiliary connector comprises a USB connector.

20. A monitoring system, comprising:

a wireless camera unit that includes an infrared illuminator and an imaging sensor capable of capturing infrared light, the wireless camera unit being operable to capture and transmit images;

a base unit that is operable to wirelessly communicate with the wireless camera unit; and

a cordless handset capable of receiving images transmitted from at least one of the wireless camera unit and the base unit.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the camera unit comprises a cordless telephone transceiver.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the camera unit comprises a CMOS camera.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the camera unit comprises a video processor for detecting motion.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the handset communicates directly with the camera unit wirelessly.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the handset comprises an auxiliary connector.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the auxiliary connector comprises a USB connector.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the handset comprises a video receiver.