Home security system

• US 20060022816A1
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American Technologies Group Japan Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Technologies Group Japan Inc.
• Inventors: Yukawa, Mitsuhiko
• Application Number:
  US10/909,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022816A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/521
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

The present invention provides a home security system that includes a home security controller for collecting monitor data from various crime prevention and disaster prevention sensors installed in a home via a home network and notifying the portable terminal when a state of emergency occurs. The home security controller also enables devices in the home to be operated through remote control signals via an external network. The home security system further includes a portable terminal capable of connecting to the external network and having fingerprint data inputting means mounted on the body of the portable terminal for inputting fingerprints used for authentication. The fingerprint data inputting means has an assigned ID number. The home security system further includes a security center server having fingerprint authenticating means for receiving fingerprint data from the portable terminal via the external network and authenticating the fingerprint data through comparisons with registered fingerprint data. The fingerprint authenticating means completes authentication by checking the assigned ID number of the fingerprint data inputting means and matching the received fingerprint data with fingerprint data registered in association with the ID number. The security center server allows a connection between the portable terminal and the home security controller and controls bi-directional communications between the two after the security center server has completed authentication, enabling the portable terminal to receive monitor data from and transmit remote control signals to the home security controller via the external network.

Claims

1. A home security system for monitoring conditions in a home through surveillance functions installed therein and for alerting the user of the system when an abnormality has been detected in the home, the system comprising:

monitoring means possessing various crime prevention and disaster prevention sensors installed in the home and connected to a home network;

a home security controller for collecting monitor data from said monitoring means via the home network and determining when a state of emergency occurs, said home security controller possessing a remote control function that allows devices in the home to be operated through a remote control signal via an external network;

a portable terminal capable of connecting to the external network and having fingerprint data inputting means mounted on a body thereof for inputting fingerprint data used for authentication, said fingerprint data inputting means having an assigned ID number; and

a security center server having fingerprint authenticating means for receiving fingerprint data from said portable terminal via the external network and authenticating the fingerprint data through comparisons with registered fingerprint data;

wherein said fingerprint authenticating means completes authentication by checking the assigned ID number of said fingerprint data inputting means and matching the received fingerprint data with fingerprint data registered in association with the ID number;

said security center server allows a connection between said portable terminal and said home security controller and controls bi-directional communications between the two after said security center server has completed authentication, enabling said portable terminal to receive monitor data from and transmit remote control signals to said home security controller via the external network; and

said home security controller notifies said portable terminal by an emergency communication when a state of emergency occurs.

2. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein said fingerprint data inputting means creates and outputs a template indicating characteristic areas of fingerprint data acquired in a scan by a fingerprint scanning sensor that has been irreversibly converted to digital data.

3. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein said fingerprint data inputting means has a unique ID number, is formed in a stick-like shape, and connects to an external connector of said portable terminal in order to transfer data;

and is either a basic type having only a function for scanning the fingerprint data, an authentication type also provided with a circuit on an IC chip for authenticating said fingerprint data, or a built-in type comprising a fingerprint sampling sensor built into said portable terminal itself.

4. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein said home security controller comprises:

a broadband modem supporting a type of broadband from among asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), cable television (CATV), and fiber to the home (FTTH) for performing data communications;

a firewall for managing ports and encoding and decoding data to preserve security on the internet;

a server having transmission and reception programs for exchanging data used to control a Web camera and various sensors between said security center server, a router function for connecting a personal computer to the internet, and the like;

a sensor controller for controlling various sensors;

a TCP/IP controller for controlling the personal computer connected via TCP/IP or a web camera;

a CTI controller for managing telephone calls between said portable terminal and the like; and

a power unit for supplying power from a power source and serving as a battery backup system during power outages.

5. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein the crime prevention sensors managed by said home security controller comprise a combination of at least one of thermal sensors for detecting the intrusion of suspicious individuals, glass-breaking sensors, magnetic window switches for detecting the opening and closing of windows, night-vision cameras, and a keypad locking mechanism;

and the disaster prevention sensors managed by said home security controller comprise a combination of at least one of fire alarms, flood prevention transmitters, pendant transmitters, and cameras with a motion-activated light.

6. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein said home security controller assigns an address to each of the sensors and in-home devices and controls these sensors and devices through a home network configured of a wireless LAN or the like.

7. A home security system according to claim 6, wherein said home security controller has various remote operating functions for locking the system through said keypad locking mechanism, performing camera surveillance, and the like through remote control signals issued from said portable terminal.

8. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein internet communications between said security center server and said portable terminal or between said security center server and said home security controller and the indoor wireless LAN possessed by said home security controller employ a DETPT (Dual Encryption Technology for Packet Telecommunication) for encrypting the order of each data packet according to a special key and modifying the position of data in each packet.

9. A home security system according to claim 1, wherein said emergency communication performed by said home security controller comprises an e-mail communication and a two-way telephone communication.