Video security system with motion sensor override, wireless interconnection, and mobile cameras

• US 5,448,290 A
• Filed: 08/23/1991
• Issued: 09/05/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sensory Science Corporation (SONICblue Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: GO-Video Incorporated (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: VanZeeland, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/749,552
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 358/108, 358/210, 358/229, 358/103
• US Class Current: 348/153
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

This invention provides a family of improvements to video security systems. In a first embodiment, a television set employed for normal television viewing is switched to be the monitor of the security system only upon the happening of a security violation event as sensed by a sensor. I one variation thereof, the switching capability is built into a dual-deck VCR along with the ability to reset the system to normal television watching by means of the remote control for the VCR. In another embodiment, the video cameras of the system are made easily adjustable and relocateable by the use of a bi-directional wireless transmission system linking the cameras to the base station and monitor. Video is sent from the cameras and control signals to adjust the field of view of the cameras are sent without the need for connecting cables. In another variation and improvement on the latter embodiment, a video camera is mounted on a mobile platform so as to be moveable and guidable to locations within a security monitoring area.

Claims

1. In a video security system employing a plurality of cameras monitoring individual fields of view in a security area and including adjustment means for adjusting a field of view of respective ones of the cameras, a monitor for viewing individual fields of view from the cameras, and switching means for selectively switching between respective ones of the cameras to provide a single signal input to the monitor for viewing, the improvement to provide ease of camera placement and relocation comprising:

a) a plurality of first transmitter/receiver means located at respective ones of the cameras, each of said first transmitter/receiver means comprising,

a1) first receiver means connected to an associated adjustment means for receiving wirelessly broadcast control signals and inputting them to the adjustment means, and

a2) first transmitter means connected to a signal output of an associated camera for wirelessly broadcasting video signals from the camera;

b) second transmitter/receiver means located at the monitor in conjunction with the switching means comprising,

b1) second receiver means for receiving wirelessly broadcast video signals from a said first transmitter means and for outputting a video signal to the monitor, and

b2) second transmitter means for wirelessly broadcasting control signals to a said first receiver means whereby to adjust the field of view of an associated camera; and

,

c) the switching means including means for selectively activating said first transmitter means and said first receiver means associated with only one camera at a time.

2. The improvement to a video security system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the cameras is a mobile camera mounted on a mobile platform.

3. The improvement to a video security system of claim 2 wherein:

the adjustment means for adjusting a field of view of said mobile camera includes means for directing motion of said mobile platform to point said mobile camera in different directions and move said mobile camera to different observation points whereby to adjust said field of view.

4. The improvement to a video security system of claim 3 wherein:

a) said mobile platform is on wheels; and

,

b) said means for directing motion of said mobile platform comprises means for driving at least one of said wheels and means for steering at least one of said wheels.

5. The improvement to a video security system of claim 4 wherein:

said adjustment means for adjusting a field of view of said mobile camera further includes means for raising and lowering a direction in which said mobile camera is pointed.

6. The improvement to a video security system of claim 4 wherein:

a) said means for directing motion of said mobile platform additionally comprises guide means for guiding said mobile platform to a target position in response to control signals received by said first receiver means thereof; and

additionally comprising,

b) control console means for a human operator to input control commands to said second transmitter means for transmission as said control signals.

7. The improvement to a video security system of claim 4 wherein:

said means for directing motion of said mobile platform additionally comprises guide means for automatically guiding said mobile platform to a target position in response to a control signal received by said first receiver means thereof.

8. The improvement to a video security system of claim 7 and additionally comprising:

sensor means carried by said mobile platform for sensing a present position of said mobile platform and for providing said guide means with positional information whereby said guide means can direct said mobile platform to said target position.