System for surveillance of and communication with residential entryway from remote location using existing telephone lines

• US 7,012,523 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chornenky O. Joseph
• Original Assignee: John C. Stuart
• Inventors: Stuart, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/402,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/541, 340/545.1, 340/545.2, 340/545.3, 340/545.6, 340/545.7, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 348/155, 348/156, 348/360
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

A surveillance system for the entryway of a residence utilizes an existing peephole in a door to install a camera and utilizes the existing telephones in a residence to communicate from within the residence with an individual standing in the entryway.

Claims

1. A surveillance system for a residence including an inside area and an outer area, the outer area including an entryway to access the inside area, said system comprising

(a) a peephole opening at said entryway;

(b) a lens mounted in said peephole;

(c) a camera operatively associated with said lens and at least partially positioned in the inside area, said camera including

(i) a viewfinder for an individual in the inside area to view at least a portion of the entryway, and

(ii) a transmitter to transmit a signal including data defining the portion of the entryway viewed through the viewfinder;

(d) a rechargeable battery to operate said camera;

(e) a telephone;

(f) a telephone line operatively connected to said telephone to carry voice signals to and from said telephone and including electricity flowing through said phone line; and

,

(g) a system for providing electricity from said telephone line to trickle charge said battery.

2. A surveillance system for a residence including an inside area and an outer area, the outer area including an entryway to access the inside area, said system comprising

(a) a peephole opening at said entryway;

(b) a lens mounted in said peephole;

(c) a camera operatively associated with said lens and at least partially positioned in the inside area, said camera including

(i) a viewfinder for an individual in the inside area to view at least a portion of the entryway, and

(ii) a transmitter to transmit a signal including data defining the portion of the entryway viewed through the viewfinder,

d) a remote unit to receive said signal and activate an electrically powered unit operatively associated with said surveillance system; and

,

e) a telephone;

f) a telephone line operatively connected to said telephone to carry voice signals to and from said telephone and including electricity flowing through said phone line; and

,

g) a system for providing electricity from said telephone line to trickle charge said electrically powered unit.