Security and surveillance system

• US 5,398,057 A
• Filed: 01/12/1993
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hollis M Tapp
• Original Assignee: Hollis M Tapp
• Inventors: Tapp, Hollis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US08/003,420
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 348/156, 348/159, 348/565
• US Class Current: 348/154
• 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 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A security and surveillance system (10) uses a processor (40) to generate an infrared coded signal for performing a specific function. A detector (12) monitors a zone of surveillance (A) and generates an activation signal in response to the detection of an intruder in the zone. The activation signal triggers the processor (40) to generate an infrared coded signal to perform a specific function corresponding to the triggered zone of surveillance (A). In a specific application, a camera switcher (38) transmits an appropriate camera signal to a television monitor (36) and infrared coded signals generated by the processor (40) control and command the television monitor (36) to display the images from the video camera (20) in response to an intruder detection.

Claims

1. A security and surveillance system, comprising:

a detector for determining a presence in a zone of surveillance, said detector generating an activation signal in response to said presence;

a processor for generating an infrared code to perform a specific function in response to said activation signal from said detector;

a video camera for generating an image of said zone; and

a television monitor coupled to said video camera, said infrared code controlling said television monitor to perform said specific function to include displaying said image from said video camera, said processor capable of being programmed to generate said infrared code in order to operate any brand of said television monitor.

2. The security and surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said processor includes a timer for controlling an interval of said specific function.

3. The security and surveillance system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of detectors for determining a presence in a plurality of surveillance zones, each detector monitoring a separate surveillance zone;

a plurality of video cameras for generating images and sound from said plurality of surveillance zones, each video camera associated with a separate surveillance zone; and

a camera switcher for controlling said images to said television monitor, said specific function controlling said television monitor to display said images and broadcast said sound from said video cameras.

4. The security and surveillance system of claim 3, wherein said specific function includes simultaneously displaying images from said plurality of video cameras on said television monitor.

5. The security and surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said processor includes an infrared emitter for generating said infrared code corresponding to said activation signal.

6. The security and surveillance system of claim 5, wherein said processor includes an infrared sensor for receiving said infrared code from said infrared emitter.

7. The security and surveillance system of claim 6, further comprising:

an infrared flasher coupled to said infrared sensor of said processor for transmitting said infrared code to perform said specific function.

8. The security and surveillance system of claim 1, wherein said specific function is capable of operating said television monitor other than by tuning said television monitor to a specific channel.

9. The security and surveillance system of claim 8, wherein said specific function is to adjust lighting within said zone of surveillance.

10. The security and surveillance system of claim 8, wherein the specific function includes turning on said television monitor.

11. The security and surveillance system of claim 8, wherein said specific function includes adjusting a sound level of said television monitor to provide an audio warning.

12. A device for monitoring a plurality of zones of surveillance, comprising:

a separate detector corresponding to each zone of surveillance for detecting an undesirable presence, each detector generating an activation signal in response to said undesirable presence;

a separate video camera corresponding to each zone of surveillance for generating images of each zone of surveillance;

a camera switcher for transmitting selected images from said plurality of video cameras;

a television monitor for displaying said selected images from said camera switcher;

a processor for generating an infrared coded signal in response to said activation signal in order to perform a specific function for controlling said television monitor, said infrared code operating said television monitor to perform said specific function other than tuning said television monitor to a specific channel.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said processor is programmable to generate different infrared coded signals for performing different specific functions that control said television monitor such that said processor can interrupt normal viewing behavior or activate said television monitor for displaying an appropriate image of a triggered zone of surveillance.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising:

a separate light assembly corresponding to each zone of surveillance, said processor controlling said light assembly to adjust an amount of light within a zone of surveillance.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said specific function is to display selected images on a picture in picture window of said television monitor.

16. The security and surveillance system of claim 12, wherein the specific function includes turning on said television monitor.

17. The security and surveillance system of claim 12, wherein said specific function includes adjusting a sound level of said television monitor to provide an audio warning.

18. The security and surveillance system of claim 12, wherein said specific function includes simultaneously displaying images from said plurality of video cameras on said television monitor.

19. The device of claim 12, further comprising:

a UHF modulator for converting said selected signals into a UHF signal, wherein said specific function is to display said selected images on a predetermined UHF channel of said television monitor.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein said processor operates in a first, second, and third mode, said first mode disables said processor, said second mode interrupts television viewing upon detection of said undesirable presence, said third mode activates said television monitor during non-viewing periods to display said selected images upon detection of said undesirable presence.