METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACTIVATING AND DEACTIVATING VIDEO CAMERAS IN A SECURITY SYSTEM

• US 20120013744A1
• Filed: 07/14/2010
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Piel, Kevin G., Romanczyk, Piotr, Babich, Tom, Garavuso, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 9,449,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/153
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A method used a security system monitoring a secure area. The method includes a first processor of the security system providing a status of the security system including an active status output and a disarmed status output signal, a video system monitoring the secured area by capturing and locally saving images, a second processor of the video monitoring system activating one or more video cameras of the video monitoring system monitoring an interior space of the secured area upon receipt of the active status output signal and deactivating the video cameras upon receipt of a disarmed status output signal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

an alarm system monitoring a secure area;

a first processor of the alarm system determining a status of the alarm system where the determined status includes an active status mode and a disarmed status mode;

a video system monitoring the secured area by capturing and saving images to a memory of the secure area; and

a second processor of the video monitoring system activating one or more video cameras of the video monitoring system monitoring an interior space of the secured area based upon the determined active status mode and deactivating the video cameras in the disarmed status mode.

2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising activating an indicator disposed on the one or more cameras to indicate that the one or more cameras is activated.

3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising a status change processor monitoring a control panel for status change requests entered by a user.

4. The method as in claim 3 further comprising the camera control processor activating a camera of the one or more cameras proximate the control panel for a predetermined time period following entry of a status change request by the user.

5. The method as in claim 1 further comprising a duress code processor monitoring a control panel for a duress code entered by a user.

6. The method as in claim 5 further comprising the camera control processor activating a camera of the one or more cameras proximate the control panel for a predetermined time period following entry of a duress code entered by the user.

7. A security system comprising:

a plurality of intrusion sensors that monitor a secured area;

a plurality of cameras that record and save images within the secured area;

a first processor that determines a status of the security system and activates at least some of the plurality of video cameras based upon the status; and

a second processor that forwards images from the cameras to a predetermined destination based upon the determined status.

8. The security apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the secured area further comprises a home.

9. The security apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising a video processor that collects a sequence of images based upon an alarm alert from one of the position sensors or cameras.

10. The security apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising a communication processor that sends the sequence of images to a central monitoring station.

11. The security apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the sequence of images further comprises images collected proximate an entry point to the secured area during a predetermined time period before and after detection of the alarm alert.

12. The security apparatus as in claim 7 further comprising a control panel that receives status change requests.

13. The security apparatus as in claim 12 wherein the status change requests further comprise a personal identification number.

14. The security apparatus as in claim 13 further comprising a mode selection processor that selects a new mode based upon a previous mode and entered personal identification number.

15. The security apparatus as in claim 14 further comprising a video processor that collects a sequence of images based upon the new mode.

16. The security apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a communication processor that sends the sequence of images to a homeowner.

17. The security apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the sequence of images further comprises images collected proximate the control panel during a predetermined time period before and after entry of the personal identification number.

18. An apparatus comprising:

an security system that monitors a secure area;

a first processor of the alarm system that determines a status of the alarm system from a personal identification number entered through a control panel of the security system;

a video system that monitors the secured area by capturing and locally saving images;

a second processor of the video monitoring system that activates one or more video cameras of the video monitoring system monitoring an interior space of the secured area upon the determined status of the security system.

20. The apparatus as in claim 18 further comprising a communication processor that forwards a sequence of images from the one or more video cameras to a homeowner based upon the determined mode.

19. The apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the mode selection processor further comprising a mode file containing a plurality of personal identification numbers and modes associated with each of the personal identification numbers.