Portable handheld security device

• US 7,209,035 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Catcher Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Catcher, Inc. (Catcher Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sutton, John, Tabankin, Ira J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/885,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20060006995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 304/505, 304/539.22, 304/539.25, 304/539.24
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• 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 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable handheld security device. The security device comprises a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, a video display screen, at least one camera, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, and a power supply. The security device further comprises a device for generating ultra wide band ground penetrating radar and/or millimeter wave radar for identifying objects of interest in closed containers. In addition, the transmitting device and the receiving device are ideally capable of selecting between available communication network signals, determining which network signal is the best signal at a given time, and automatically switching between the available signals to maintain optimum reception and transmission quality. The input device has a first set of user-interface controls and a second set of user-interface controls, wherein the first and second sets of user-interface controls are selectively operable by users either independently or simultaneously.

Claims

1. A portable handheld security device comprising:

a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device.

a video display screen,

at least one camera,

a transmitting device,

a receiving device,

an input device,

a power supply, and

a device for generating at least one type of radar to locate hidden objects, and to produce images of the hidden objects on the video display screen,

wherein the input device has a first set of user- interface controls and a second set of user-interface controls, and wherein either the first and/or the second set of user-interface controls is automatically activated based on conscious or unconscious user selection within a predetermined period of time.

2. A method for preventing compromise of a portable handheld security device, the method comprising:

providing a network system having a command and control center;

providing a portable handheld security device in communication with the command and control center, the portable handheld security system having a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, at least one camera, a sound recording device, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, a global positioning system, and a power supply;

providing means for logging in to the network system using the portable handheld security device;

applying a time limit to the means for logging in to the network system;

activating the camera for producing images, the sound recording device for recording sounds, and global positioning system for locating the portable handheld security device if the time limit expires before the means for logging in to the network system are satisfied; and

transmitting the images produced by the camera, the sounds recorded by the microphone, and the location of the security device determined using the global positioning system to the command and control center.

3. A method for preventing compromise of a portable handheld security device, the method comprising:

providing a network system having a command and control center;

providing a portable handheld security device in communication with the command and control center, the portable handheld security system having a central processing unit in communication with a memory storage device, at least one camera, a sound recording device, a transmitting device, a receiving device, an input device, a global positioning system, and a power supply;

logging in to the network system using the portable handheld security device;

applying a time limit to the logging in to the network system;

activating the camera for producing images, the sound recording device for recording sounds, and global positioning system for locating the portable handheld security device if the time limit expires before the means for logging in to the network system are satisfied; and

transmitting the images produced by the camera, the sounds recorded by the microphone, and the location of the security device determined using the global positioning system to the command and control center.