Integrated intercom and security system

• US 7,123,142 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unitone
• Original Assignee: Unitone
• Inventors: Bohbot, Lucien, Doilidov, Andrei
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/796,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20050001717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.14, 340/539.16, 340/541, 340/542, 340/549, 340/286.01, 340/285.05, 340/286.06, 340/5.64, 379/37, 700/19, 700/20, 348/14.11
• US Class Current: 340/539.14
• 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 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19682 Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/008 Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/085 using central distribution transmission lines

Abstract

An integrated intercom and security system including a local integrated intercom and security system and a remote communication in communication with the local intercom and security system via a globally accessible communication network.

Claims

1. An integrated intercom and security system comprising:

a local integrated intercom and security system, said local system including,

a first plurality of user interfaces each user interface associated with a dwelling and including a two-way audio communication system and a visual display;

a second plurality of user interfaces each user interface associated with a dwelling and including a two-way audio communication system and a visual display;

a first riser connecting said first plurality of user interfaces;

a second riser connecting said second plurality of user interfaces;

a central communication station operatively connected to said first and second risers and in communication with all of said user interfaces;

wherein said central communication station is capable of sending text message to one, to all or to a selected group of said user interfaces; and

a remote communication unit in real time communication with said local system via a globally accessible communication network.

2. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, wherein said remote communication unit is capable of communicating with said local system for the purpose of performing diagnostics.

3. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, wherein said remote communication unit is capable of sending messages to said user interfaces.

4. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 3, wherein said remote communication unit is capable of sending messages to a selected one of said user interfaces.

5. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 3, wherein said remote communication unit is capable of sending messages to a selected number of said user interfaces.

6. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, wherein each user interface includes a feature for storing messages.

7. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, wherein said messages are textual.

8. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, wherein each said user interface is capable of sending a message to said central communication unit.

9. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 8, wherein said message is an audio message.

10. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 8, wherein said message is a textual message.

11. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 8, wherein said message includes a request for a service.

12. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 8, wherein each said user interface includes a feature for sending an emergency message to said central communication unit, and further comprising a feature for sending auxiliary information along with said emergency message.

13. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 12, wherein said auxiliary information includes a name of a contact person.

14. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one peripheral device in communication with each of said user interfaces.

15. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 14, wherein said peripheral device is a smoke detector.

16. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 15, wherein said central communication unit is adapted to receive a message from each smoke detector associated with each user interface.

17. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 14, wherein said peripheral device is an intrusion alarm.

18. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 17, wherein said central communication unit is adapted to receive a message from each intrusion associated with each user interface.

19. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 1, further comprising a feature for video messaging.

20. An integrated intercom and security system comprising:

a first plurality of user interfaces each user interface associated with a residential unit, and each said user interface including a two-way audio communication system and a visual display;

a second plurality of user interfaces each user interface associated with a residential unit, and each said user interface including a two-way audio communication system and a visual display;

a first riser connecting said first plurality of user interfaces;

a second riser connecting said second plurality of user interfaces;

a security system operatively connected to each of said user interface, said security system including, a plurality of cameras, each camera being disposed to capture images from a distinct zone;

a remote door lock, said door being adapted to open upon receiving a message from a user interface; and

an electronic directory, said electronic directory including a public display feature for displaying information, wherein said information displayable by said public display is limited to names associated with each unit;

wherein each user interface is operatively connected to each of said cameras to receive images from each said zone.

21. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 20, wherein each visual display in each user interface is capable of displaying images from more than one zone.

22. An integrated intercom and security system according to claim 20, wherein each visual display in each user interface is capable of displaying images from up to four zones.