Portable handheld security device

• US 20060006995A1
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Catcher Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Catcher Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Sutton, John, Tabankin, Ira J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,209,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19682 Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable handheld security device. The security device comprises a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, and a power supply. The security device further comprises a device for generating ultra wide band ground penetrating radar and/or millimeter wave radar for identifying objects of interest in closed containers. In addition, the transmitting device and the receiving device are ideally capable of selecting between available communication network signals, determining which network signal is the best signal at a given time, and automatically switching between the available signals to maintain optimum reception and transmission quality. The input device has a first set of user-interface controls and a second set of user-interface controls, wherein the first and second sets of user-interface controls are selectively operable by users either independently or simultaneously.

Claims

1. A portable handheld security device comprising:

a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, a power supply, and a device for generating at least one type of radar for locating hidden objects, and producing images of the hidden objects on the video display screen.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein the transmitting device and the receiving device are capable of selecting between available communication network signals, determining which network signal is the best signal at a given time, and automatically switching between the available signals to maintain optimum reception and transmission quality.

3. The security device of claim 1, wherein the input device has a first set of user-interface controls and a second set of user-interface controls, and wherein either the first and/or the second set of user-interface controls is automatically activated based on conscious or unconscious user selection within a predetermined period of time.

4. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device can be used for locating dense objects in luggage bags.

5. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device can be used for identifying objects of interest in closed containers.

6. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device can be used for locating hidden life forms.

7. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device can be used for addressing a security breach.

8. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a security lock-out system.

9. The security device of claim 1, wherein transmitting and receiving occurs over a wireless device capable of operating over a plurality of wireless local area networks.

10. The security device of claim 1, wherein transmitting and receiving occurs over an internet connection.

11. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device operates whether or not the transmitting device and receiving device are enabled.

12. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device meets Military Standard 810F.

13. The security device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is a battery capable of holding a charge for up to 8 hours.

14. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes digital full motion video and still-screen image capture, recording, and processing.

15. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a sound producing device and a sound recording device.

16. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a biometric scanner.

17. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes bar code reading capability.

18. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a radio frequency identification reader and interrogator.

19. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a global positioning system.

20. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device includes a mapping system.

21. The security device of claim 1, wherein the video display screen is a touch screen.

22. The security device of claim 1, wherein the video display screen supports direct free hand drawing input.

23. The security device of claim 1, wherein the security device comprises two digital cameras, at least one camera having the capability for capturing images in infrared light.

24. The security device of claim 1, wherein the radar is ultra wide band ground penetrating radar.

25. The security device of claim 1, wherein the radar is millimeter wave radar.

26. The security device of claim 1, wherein the radar is ultra wide band ground penetrating radar and millimeter wave radar.

27. A portable handheld security device comprising:

a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, and a power supply; and

wherein the transmitting device and the receiving device are capable of selecting between available communication network signals, determining which network signal is the best signal at a given time, and automatically switching between the available signals to maintain optimum reception and transmission quality.

28. The security device of claim 27, wherein the security device includes a security lock-out system.

29. The security device of claim 27, wherein transmitting and receiving occurs over an internet connection.

30. The security device of claim 27, wherein the security device operates whether or not the transmitting device and receiving device are enabled.

31. The security device of claim 27, wherein the security device that is tested to Military Standard 810F.

32. A portable handheld security device comprising:

a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera, a transmitting device, a receiving device, a multi frequency antenna, an input device, and a power supply; and

wherein the input device has a first set of user-interface controls and a second set of user-interface controls, and the first and second sets of user-interface controls are selectively operable by users either independently or simultaneously.

33. The security device of claim 32, wherein the video display screen is a touch screen.

34. The security device of claim 32, wherein the video display screen supports direct free hand drawing input.

35. A method for identifying objects of interest in closed containers, the method comprising:

providing a portable handheld security device having a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, an input device, a power supply and a device for generating ultra wide band ground penetrating radar or millimeter wave radar for locating hidden objects and producing images of the hidden objects on the video display screen;

holding the portable handheld security device over the closed container;

activating the device for generating radar;

displaying the image produced by the device for generating radar on the video display screen; and

reviewing the image for objects of interest.

36. A method for locating hidden life forms, the method comprising:

providing a portable handheld security device having a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera having infrared capability, an input device, and a power supply;

holding the portable handheld security device with the camera facing an area in which a life form may be hiding;

activating the camera'"'"'s infrared capability;

scanning the area with the portable handheld security device to capture infrared images of the area with the camera;

displaying the infrared images on the video display screen; and

reviewing the infrared images for a heat signature produced by a life form.

37. A method for addressing a security breach, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal including images of an individual or item of interest;

providing at least one portable handheld security device having a central processing unit, a memory storage device, a video display screen, a receiving device, an input device, and a power supply;

receiving the signal on each of the portable handheld security devices;

viewing the images on the portable handheld security devices; and

using the images to locate the individual or item of interest.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

using the portable handheld security device to capture a video image of the individual or item of interest; and

transmitting the video image to at least one receiving device to confirm the identity of the individual or item of interest.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

using the portable handheld security device to capture a still-screen image of the individual or item of interest; and

transmitting the still-screen image to at least one receiving devices confirm the identity of the individual or item of interest.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein at least one of the receiving device includes a portable handheld security device.

41. A method for preventing compromise of a portable handheld security device, the method comprising:

providing a network system having a command and control center;

providing a portable handheld security device in communication with the command and control center, the portable handheld security system having a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, at least one camera, a sound recording device, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, a global positioning system, and a power supply;

providing means for logging in to the network system using the portable handheld security device;

applying a time limit to the means for logging in to the network system;

activating the camera for producing images, the sound recording device for recording sounds, and global positioning system for locating the portable handheld security device if the time limit expires before the means for logging in to the network system are satisfied; and

transmitting the images produced by the camera, the sounds recorded by the microphone, and the location of the security device determined using the global positioning system to the command and control center.