Security monitoring and enforcement system

• US 20040246131A1
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ian Hodgkinson
• Original Assignee: Ian Hodgkinson
• Inventors: Hodgkinson, Ian
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0039 by electrical shock
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0042 by spraying or injecting chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0053 using visual equipment, e.g. cameras
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/85 for launching hypodermic projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0025 for remote electrical discharge via conducting wires, e.g. via wire-tethered electrodes shot at a target
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/00 Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives

Abstract

A security monitoring and enforcement system is provided for monitoring and enforcing control in a secure environment, such as an aircraft. The system includes a security monitoring and enforcement unit (SMEU) (1) having visual surveillance means (2) and audio surveillance and communication means (3). The visual surveillance means (2) is mounted to an enforcement means (4) and house in a ceiling (6) of an aircraft. The SMEU is remotely operated and monitored by remote control means (28) located on the ground. The system is operable continuously or when a security breach is detected. The enforcement means (4) is activated and fired to expel immobilising means (5) to subdue a suspect.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and enforcing control in an environment where security is desired, said system comprising:

means for monitoring the status of said environment;

means for expelling means for immobilizing at a target to immobilize said target; and

means for remotely controlling the activation of the means for expelling if a security breach is detected in said environment.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for expelling includes a stun gun and the means for immobilizing comprises stun cartridges expelled from a barrel of said stun gun, to immobilize the target with high electric charge.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said means for immobilizing comprises tranquillizer darts, conventional arrows or gas pellets.

4. The system according to claim 2 wherein the stun gun is adjustably mounted in a housing in said environment.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said system includes means for receiving remote control signals from said means for remotely controlling to operate the means for monitoring and the means for expelling.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the means for monitoring comprises means for visual and audio surveillance.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein said means for visual and audio surveillance comprises at least one video camera adjustably mounted to the stun gun in said housing and coupled to a transmitter for transmitting video signals to said means for remotely controlling.

8. The system according to claim 6 wherein said means for visual and audio surveillance comprises a microphone and a speaker coupled to a transmitter, mounted in said housing to provide two-way communication with said means for remotely controlling.

9. The system according to claim 7 wherein said video camera is rotated with the stun gun to enable aiming and zooming at said target.

10. The system according to claim 7 wherein said video camera is remotely activated periodically or when a security breach is detected.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein said means for remotely controlling wirelessly controls the means for monitoring and the means for expelling.

12. The system according to claim 5 wherein said means for remotely controlling comprises a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to said means for receiving.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the control signal is a coded signal, which is decoded in said means for receiving.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein said transmitter is a radio transmitter transmitting said coded signal to control the operation of said means for monitoring and the means for expelling.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein means for processing operable by a human operator provides command signals which are transmitted to said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

16. A security monitoring and enforcement system for use on an aircraft, said system comprising:

means for monitoring the security status of said aircraft;

means for expelling means for immobilizing at a target to immobilize said target, said means for expelling being fitted to said aircraft; and

means for remotely controlling the activation of the means for expelling if a security breach is detected in said aircraft.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein a plurality of said means for monitoring and said means for expelling is mounted in the aircraft.

18. The system according to claim 16 wherein said means for expelling includes a stun gun having one or more barrels.

19. The system according to claim 16 wherein said means for immobilizing comprises stun cartridges which are expelled from a barrel of said stun gun to immobilize a target with high electric charge.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein said means for expelling is mounted on a rotating carriage so that said stun gun may be rotated to aim at said target.

21. The system according to claim 18 wherein said system includes means for receiving remote control signals from said means for remotely controlling to operate said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

22. The system according to claim 20 wherein an aperture formed between said carriage and a mounting plate attached to a surface of the aircraft allows the stun gun to fire into a passenger compartment without interference.

23. The system according to claim 22 wherein said aperture is provided with sensors to indicate if the aperture is blocked or tampered with.

24. The system according to claim 16 wherein said means for monitoring comprises means for visual and audio surveillance.

25. The system according to claim 24 wherein said means for visual and audio surveillance is remotely controlled and operated, by said means for remotely controlling, periodically or when security is breached in said aircraft.

26. The system according to claim 24 wherein said means for visual and audio surveillance comprises at least one video camera, a microphone and a speaker coupled to a transmitter.

27. The system according to claim 26 wherein said video camera is mounted to rotated with the stun gun to enable aiming and zooming at a target.

28. The system according to claim 16 wherein said means for remotely controlling wirelessly controls the means for monitoring and the means for expelling.

29. The system according to claim 16 or 28 wherein said fete control means for remotely controlling includes a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to said means for monitoring and enforcement said means for expelling.

30. The system according to claim 29 wherein said control signal is a coded signal.

31. The system according to claims 30 wherein said transmitter is a ground station radio transmitter transmitting said coded signal to control the operation of said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

32. The system according to claim 31 wherein a means for processing operable by a law enforcement operator generates command signals which are transmitted to said ground station radio transmitter for uplink to said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

34. The system according to claim 26 wherein said video camera is mounted to rotate with the stun gun to enable aiming and zooming at a target.

35. The system according to claim 28 wherein said means for remotely controlling comprises a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

36. The system according to claim 30 wherein said transmitter is a ground station radio transmitter transmitting said coded signal to control the operation of said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

33. A remotely operated stun gun for use with a security system, said stun gun comprising:

at least one barrel for housing an means for immobilizing;

means for expelling said means for immobilizing at a target to immobilize said target; and

remote control means remotely controlling the actuation of said actuation means for expelling.

37. A system for monitoring and enforcing control in an environment where security is desired, said system comprising:

means for monitoring the status of said environment;

means for expelling means for immobilizing at a target to immobilize said target; and

means for enabling remote human control of one or more said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.

38. A security monitoring and enforcement system for use on an aircraft, said system comprising:

means for monitoring the security status of said aircraft;

means for expelling means for immobilizing at a target to immobilize said target, the means for expelling being fitted to said aircraft; and

means for enabling remote human control of one or more said means for monitoring and said means for expelling.