SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEM WITH IMAGE COMPARISON OF MONITORED LOCATION

• US 20070132836A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Original Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Inventors: KATZ, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 9,053,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5125 with remote located operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/564 whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 : Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A security monitoring system has a monitoring location and a remote location with at least one monitoring device. A first image from one of the monitoring devices is recorded, and then compared with a second image from the same monitoring device. When the amount of change between the first and second images exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a scrutiny situation signal is generated. The video recorder may be located at either the monitoring location or the remote location. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one portion that is provided by an online computer service. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one wireless portion.

Claims

1. A system in a monitoring system having a monitoring location for monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

an image recorder for recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

a comparison processor for comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and for generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison,

wherein the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one wireless portion.

2. A system in a monitoring system having a monitoring location for monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

an image recorder for recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

a comparison processor for comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and for generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison,

wherein the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one portion that is provided by an online computer service.

3. A system in a monitoring system having a monitoring location for monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

an image recorder for recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

a comparison processor for comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and for generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is located at the monitoring location.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a monitoring device control signal is sent from the monitoring location to the remote location for controlling operation of at least one of the monitoring devices.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the monitoring device control signal controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the at least one of the monitoring devices.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the first video image is delivered to the image recorder via a temporary communication channel.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel is initiated by the remote location.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel is initiated by the monitoring location.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a dial-up connection.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote location includes a dedicated line for supporting the temporary communication channel.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote location includes a wireless facility for supporting the temporary communication channel.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel is provided, at least in part, through a wireless connection.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel is provided at least in part at least in part through an online computer service.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a public communications network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the public communications network is a public switched telephone network.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the public communications network is a digital network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the digital network is according to the ISDN standard.

19. The system of claim 7, wherein the monitoring location has a single communication line facility for the temporary communication channel.

20. The system of claim 7, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a primary communication facility, and further comprising a backup communication interface for providing a backup communication facility when the primary communication facility is malfunctioning.

21. The system of claim 7, further comprising a communication device for establishing the temporary communication channel to the remote location.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the communication device is an autodialer.

23. The system of claim 3, wherein the comparison processor is also for comparing the amount of change between the first and second video images to a predetermined threshold, and wherein the scrutiny situation signal is generated when the amount of change exceeds the predetermined threshold.

24. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images are in digital format.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for converting the first and second video images to digital format.

26. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images represent respective scenes at the remote location.

27. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images are provided in response to a scrutiny selection signal sent from the monitoring location to the remote location.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising

a memory for providing stored graphic information in accordance with which of the monitoring devices at the remote location provided the first and second video images,

a graphic signal generator for generating a graphic signal corresponding to the stored graphic information, and

a display for displaying at least one of the first and second video images and the generated graphic signal.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the stored graphic information is provided from the memory in accordance with the scrutiny selection signal.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a random sequence.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a demand from an operator.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the demand from an operator is in response to awareness of events at the remote location.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the demand from operator in response to a request for a virtual escort at the remote location.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a risk assessment at the remote location.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with an operating schedule at the remote location.

37. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a monitoring command signal from the remote location.

38. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal also specifies a time interval for the selected scrutiny information.

39. The system of claim 27, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a comparison between images at the remote location captured at different times.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the images are digitized video.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the at least one of the images is recorded.

42. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images are provided in response to a special situation sensed at the remote location.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote location includes at least one manually operated switch for indicating that a special situation has been sensed.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the remote location includes a plurality of switches for indicating different types of special situations.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote location includes a detector for detecting that a lens of one of the monitoring devices has been covered.

46. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote location includes a sensor for sensing a special situation.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the sensor is at least one of a sonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a visible light sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a motion detector and a metal detector.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the sensor is for sensing a weapon.

49. The system of claim 42, wherein the special situation is indicated by entry, via a keypad, of a personal identification number at the remote location.

50. The system of claim 42, wherein the remote location includes a communication device for establishing a temporary communication channel to the monitoring location.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the communication device is an autodialer.

52. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a videophone.

53. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a camera.

54. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a television signal generator.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the video data is a full motion video signal generated by the television signal generator at the remote location.

56. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images represent television quality pictures.

57. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images conform to NTSC format.

58. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images are encrypted.

59. The system of claim 3, further comprising

a memory for providing stored graphic information in accordance with which of the monitoring devices at the remote location provided the first and second video images,

a graphic signal generator for generating a graphic signal corresponding to the stored graphic information, and

a display for displaying at least one of the first and second video images, and the generated graphic signal.

60. The system of claim 59, further comprising a video mixer for combining at least one of the first and second video images, and the generated graphic signal, to produce a composite signal supplied to the display.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein at least part of the graphic signal represents a map of the remote location.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the map includes streets.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the map indicates north, south, east and west directions.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the map includes entry/exit points at the remote location.

65. The system of claim 59, wherein the graphic signal includes text relating to the remote location.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the text represents at least one of a telephone number of the remote location, a name of the remote location, an address of the remote location, and a name of a person at the remote location.

67. The system of claim 65, wherein the text represents a nature of the situation at the remote location.

68. The system of claim 65, wherein the text represents a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

69. The system of claim 68, further comprising an autodialer for automatically dialing the telephone number of the police station associated with the remote location.

70. The system of claim 59, wherein the display is for providing image enhancement of the received selected scrutiny information.

71. The system of claim 59, wherein the display is used by one operator at a time at the monitoring location.

72. The system of claim 59, wherein the display is used by multiple operators at the same time at the monitoring location.

73. The system of claim 59, wherein the display comprises multiple screen units.

74. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote location has a video display for displaying video from the monitoring location.

75. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is located at the remote location.

76. The system of claim 3, wherein the monitoring location has a communications interface for sending a generated signal to the remote location based on information received from the remote location.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the generated signal is encrypted.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein the generated signal represents instructions for personnel at the remote location.

79. The system of claim 76, wherein the generated signal represents a prerecorded audio message.

80. The system of claim 76, wherein the generated signal represents a synthesized audio message.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the generated signal represents a spoken audio message.

82. The system of claim 76, wherein the remote location has a speaker for audibly delivering the generated signal.

83. The system of claim 3, further comprising an autodialer for automatically dialing a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

84. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is set to record intermittently.

85. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is set to record continuously.

86. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is set to record a selected frame of video.

87. The system of claim 3, wherein the image recorder is set to record for a specified time interval.

88. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second video images are provided from a switching device at the remote location that sequences information from the monitoring devices.

89. The system of claim 3, further comprising a distributor for distributing the scrutiny situation signal to one of multiple operators.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the distributing is in accordance with availability of the multiple operators.

91. The system of claim 89, wherein the distributing is in accordance with priority status of the scrutiny situation signal.

92. The system of claim 89, wherein the distributing is in accordance with situation status of the scrutiny situation signal and abilities of the multiple operators to handle different types of situations.

93. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote location is one of a bank, a supermarket, a parking structure and a quality control facility.

94. The system of claim 3, further comprising a control panel including at least one of an outgoing audio control, an incoming audio control, an outgoing video control, an incoming video control, an operations control for a selected monitoring device at the remote location, a display sequence control, a display resolution control, an indicator for indicating that a monitoring device has become inoperative, a keypad for selecting control commands, and an activator for establishing a communications connection to a police station.

95. The system of claim 94, wherein the control panel is a keyboard.

96. The system of claim 3, further comprising a billing data memory for recording transactions based on the scrutiny situation signal.

97. The system of claim 3, further comprising a keyboard for entering an operator'"'"'s observations and wherein the memory is also for storing the entered observations.

98. The system of claim 3, wherein the monitoring location has a battery for providing backup power.

99. The system of claim 3, wherein the remote location has a battery for providing backup power.

100. The system of claim 3, wherein there are at least two remote locations.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the at least two remote locations are associated with different business entities.

102. The system of claim 3, wherein there are at least two monitoring devices at the at least one remote location.

103. A method of monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and

generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison,

wherein at least one of (i) the first and second video images, and (ii) the scrutiny situation signal, are sent from the remote location to a monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one wireless portion.

104. A method of monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and

generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison

wherein at least one of (i) the first and second video images, and (ii) the scrutiny situation signal, are sent from the remote location to a monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one portion that is provided by an online computer service.

105. A method of monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, comprising:

recording a first video image captured at a first time by one of the monitoring devices at the remote location,

comparing the recorded first video image with a second video image captured at a second time by the one monitoring device at the remote location, and

generating a scrutiny situation signal in accordance with the comparison.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is located at the monitoring location.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein a monitoring device control signal is sent from the monitoring location to the remote location for controlling operation of at least one of the monitoring devices.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein the monitoring device control signal controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the at least one of the monitoring devices.

109. The method of claim 105, wherein the first video image is delivered to the image recorder via a temporary communication channel.

110. The method of claim 105, wherein the temporary communication channel is initiated by the remote location.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel is initiated by the monitoring location.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a dial-up connection.

113. The method of claim 109, wherein the remote location includes a dedicated line for supporting the temporary communication channel.

114. The method of claim 109, wherein the remote location includes a wireless facility for supporting the temporary communication channel.

115. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel is provided, at least in part, through a wireless connection.

116. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel is provided at least in part at least in part through an online computer service.

117. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a public communications network.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the public communications network is a public switched telephone network.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein the public communications network is a digital network.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the digital network is according to the ISDN standard.

121. The method of claim 109, wherein the monitoring location has a single communication line facility for the temporary communication channel.

122. The method of claim 109, wherein the temporary communication channel uses a primary communication facility, and further comprising providing a backup communication facility when the primary communication facility is malfunctioning.

123. The method of claim 109, further comprising establishing the temporary communication channel to the remote location.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein the temporary communication channel is established using an autodialer.

125. The method of claim 105, further comprising comparing the amount of change between the first and second video images to a predetermined threshold, and wherein the scrutiny situation signal is generated when the amount of change exceeds the predetermined threshold.

126. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images are in digital format.

127. The method of claim 126, further comprising converting the first and second video images to digital format.

128. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images represent respective scenes at the remote location.

129. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images are provided in response to a scrutiny selection signal sent from the monitoring location to the remote location.

130. The method of claim 129, further comprising

providing stored graphic information in accordance with which of the monitoring devices at the remote location provided the first and second video images,

generating a graphic signal corresponding to the stored graphic information, and

displaying at least one of the first and second video images and the generated graphic signal.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein the stored graphic information is provided from the memory in accordance with the scrutiny selection signal.

132. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

133. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a random sequence.

134. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a demand from an operator.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein the demand from an operator is in response to awareness of events at the remote location.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein the demand from operator in response to a request for a virtual escort at the remote location.

137. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a risk assessment at the remote location.

138. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with an operating schedule at the remote location.

139. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a monitoring command signal from the remote location.

140. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal also specifies a time interval for the selected scrutiny information.

141. The method of claim 129, wherein the scrutiny selection signal is in accordance with a comparison between images at the remote location captured at different times.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein the images are digitized video.

143. The method of claim 141, wherein the at least one of the images is recorded.

144. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images are provided in response to a special situation sensed at the remote location.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein the remote location includes at least one manually operated switch for indicating that a special situation has been sensed.

146. The method of claim 145, wherein the remote location includes a plurality of switches for indicating different types of special situations.

147. The method of claim 144, wherein the remote location includes a detector for detecting that a lens of one of the monitoring devices has been covered.

148. The method of claim 144, wherein the remote location includes a sensor for sensing a special situation.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the sensor is at least one of a sonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a visible light sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a motion detector and a metal detector.

150. The method of claim 148, wherein the sensor is for sensing a weapon.

151. The method of claim 144, wherein the special situation is indicated by entry, via a keypad, of a personal identification number at the remote location.

152. The method of claim 144, wherein the remote location includes a communication device for establishing a temporary communication channel to the monitoring location.

153. The method of claim 152, wherein the communication device is an autodialer.

154. The method of claim 105, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a videophone.

155. The method of claim 105, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a camera.

156. The method of claim 105, wherein at least one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is a television signal generator.

158. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images represent television quality pictures.

159. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images conform to NTSC format.

160. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images are encrypted.

161. The method of claim 105, further comprising

providing stored graphic information in accordance with which of the monitoring devices at the remote location provided the first and second video images,

generating a graphic signal corresponding to the stored graphic information, and

displaying at least one of the first and second video images, and the generated graphic signal.

162. The method of claim 161, further comprising combining at least one of the first and second video images, and the generated graphic signal, to produce a composite signal supplied to the display.

163. The method of claim 161, wherein at least part of the graphic signal represents a map of the remote location.

164. The method of claim 163, wherein the map includes streets.

165. The method of claim 163, wherein the map indicates north, south, east and west directions.

166. The method of claim 163, wherein the map includes entry/exit points at the remote location.

167. The method of claim 161, wherein the graphic signal includes text relating to the remote location.

168. The method of claim 167, wherein the text represents at least one of a telephone number of the remote location, a name of the remote location, an address of the remote location, and a name of a person at the remote location.

169. The method of claim 167, wherein the text represents a nature of the situation at the remote location.

170. The method of claim 167, wherein the text represents a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

171. The method of claim 170, further comprising automatically dialing the telephone number of the police station associated with the remote location.

172. The method of claim 161, further comprising providing image enhancement of the received selected scrutiny information.

173. The method of claim 161, wherein the at least one of the first and second video images and the generated graphic signal are viewed by one operator at a time at the monitoring location.

174. The method of claim 161, wherein the at least one of the first and second video images and the generated graphic signal are viewed by multiple operators at the same time at the monitoring location.

175. The method of claim 161, wherein at least one of the first and second video images and the generated graphic signal are displayed on multiple screen units.

176. The method of claim 105, wherein the remote location has a video display for displaying video from the monitoring location.

177. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is located at the remote location.

178. The method of claim 105, wherein the monitoring location has a communications interface for sending a generated signal to the remote location based on information received from the remote location.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein the generated signal is encrypted.

180. The method of claim 178, wherein the generated signal represents instructions for personnel at the remote location.

181. The method of claim 178, wherein the generated signal represents a prerecorded audio message.

182. The method of claim 178, wherein the generated signal represents a synthesized audio message.

183. The method of claim 178, wherein the generated signal represents a spoken audio message.

184. The method of claim 178, wherein the remote location has a speaker for audibly delivering the generated signal.

185. The method of claim 105, further comprising automatically dialing a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

186. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is set to record intermittently.

187. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is set to record continuously.

188. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is set to record a selected frame of video.

189. The method of claim 105, wherein the image recorder is set to record for a specified time interval.

190. The method of claim 105, wherein the first and second video images are provided from a switching device at the remote location that sequences information from the monitoring devices.

191. The method of claim 105, further comprising distributing the scrutiny situation signal to one of multiple operators.

192. The method of claim 191, wherein the distributing is in accordance with availability of the multiple operators.

193. The method of claim 191, wherein the distributing is in accordance with priority status of the scrutiny situation signal.

194. The method of claim 191, wherein the distributing is in accordance with situation status of the scrutiny situation signal and abilities of the multiple operators to handle different types of situations.

195. The method of claim 105, wherein the remote location is one of a bank, a supermarket, a parking structure and a quality control facility.

196. The method of claim 105, further comprising providing a control panel including at least one of an outgoing audio control, an incoming audio control, an outgoing video control, an incoming video control, an operations control for a selected monitoring device at the remote location, a display sequence control, a display resolution control, an indicator for indicating that a monitoring device has become inoperative, a keypad for selecting control commands, and an activator for establishing a communications connection to a police station.

197. The method of claim 196, wherein the control panel is a keyboard.

198. The method of claim 105, further comprising recording transactions based on the scrutiny situation signal.

199. The method of claim 105, further comprising entering an operator'"'"'s observations and storing the entered observations.

200. The method of claim 105, wherein the monitoring location has a battery for providing backup power.

201. The method of claim 105, wherein the remote location has a battery for providing backup power.

202. The method of claim 105, wherein there are at least two remote locations.

203. The method of claim 202, wherein the at least two remote locations are associated with different business entities.

204. The method of claim 105, wherein there are at least two monitoring devices at the at least one remote location.

157. The method of claim 157, wherein the video data is a full motion video signal generated by the television signal generator at the remote location.