Security system having event detectors and keypads with integral monitor

• US 6,163,257 A
• Filed: 10/29/1997
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (IKUSI - Angel Iglesias SA)
• Original Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc. (IKUSI - Angel Iglesias SA)
• Inventors: Tracy, Lawrence Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US08/958,591
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 340/517, 340/524, 340/525, 340/531, 340/541, 340/565, 340/691, 340/825.06, 340/825.31, 348/143, 348/149, 348/150, 348/154, 348/155, 348/152, 379/37, 379/43, 379/44
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• 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: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system

Abstract

A security system includes cameras disposed for activation by components of the system to record images of activity detected by the components. The system responds to a keypad and/or communications from a public switched telephone network to present the images for viewing. A system according to the invention supports visual verification of false alarms, tracking of arrivals and departures and recording those who arm and disarm the system. Visual verification also can be used in connection with remote notifications or authorizations of entry to the secured area.

Claims

1. A security system including a control panel and multiple components linked within a protected region for communicating with said panel, said components including an activity detector and a local keypad within the protected region for arming and disarming the system, characterized in that:

a camera is disposed for activation by said activity detector to capture an image of activity in the vicinity of said detector;

at least a respective one of said multiple components and control panel includes memory recording said captured image; and

,

an image display is associated with said local keypad and controlled through said keypad to display said recorded image for viewing at said keypad.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said activity detector and said camera are in one housing and wherein said keypad and said display are in another housing.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said system is linked for communication with a public switched telephone network and responds to communications from said network to transmit said stored image on said network.

4. A security system in a protected facility and including in said facility a control panel, an activity detector linked for communicating with said panel and a local communications pad for arming and disarming said system, said detector having an effective range for detecting activity, characterized in that:

said activity detector includes a camera disposed for capturing images from within said effective detection range;

said camera is activated to capture said images by said activity detector detecting activity;

said panel includes memory for storing said captured images;

said local communications pad includes a display presenting said captured images for viewing at said pad; and

,

said display is controlled through said local pad for displaying said captured images on demand from said local pad.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said local communications pad includes said activity detector and said camera responds to signals initiated by said activity detector to capture said images in response to detection of activity in the vicinity of said local communications pad.

6. The invention of claim 4, wherein said activity detector is an intruder detector.

7. The invention of claim 4, wherein said at least one activity detector is a fire detector.

8. The invention of claim 4, wherein said system is linked for communication with a public switched telephone network and responds to communications from said network to transmit said images on said network.

9. The invention of claim 4, wherein said activity detector and said camera are in one housing and wherein said local communications pad and said display are in another housing.

10. A security system comprising:

a control panel;

a communication link for communicating with said panel;

a plurality of event detectors using said communication link to report events to said panel;

a local keypad using said communication link for controlling said system and displaying system status, said local keypad having;

an integral housing supporting a presence detector detecting human presence approaching said local keypad;

a camera activated by said presence detector to capture an image of approaching human presence; and

,

an image display;

said system having a control responding to said local keypad to present said captured image on said display.

11. The invention of claim 10, wherein said local keypad communicates said captured images to said control panel in response to said presence detector detecting said approaching human presence.

12. A security system defining a protected region and comprising:

a control panel within said protected region;

a communication link within said protected region for communicating with said panel;

a plurality of event detectors coupled to said communication link, said event detectors selected from a group comprising fire event detectors and intrusion event detectors;

at least one of said event detectors having a housing supporting a camera activated by said at least one event detector and disposed for capturing an image of an event detected by said at least one event detector; and

a communications pad within said protected region and coupled to said communication link for controlling said system and displaying system status;

said communications pad having an image display and said system having a control for responding to said communications pad to present said captured images on said display.

13. The invention of claim 12, wherein said at least on event detector activates said camera to store said captured image in response to event detection by said event detector.

14. The invention of claim 12, wherein said system further includes a communications link communicating with a public network to transmit said images on said network.

15. A security system keypad for use in a security system;

said keypad comprising;

a housing;

a presence detector supported by said housing and detecting human approach to said housing;

input keys supported by said housing and actuatable to generate control signals for the security system;

a display supported by said housing and responding to security system signals to present system status information;

a camera supported by said housing and operative to capture images from the viewpoint of said housing, said presence detector operating said camera to capture said images in response to said human approach; and

,

a control operated by said input keys for presenting on said display said images captured by said camera.