Security alarm system
First Claim
1. An alarm system for protecting a structure, comprising:
- at least one motion detector arranged to have a field of view external of the structure and including an area proximate the structure;
at least one camera associated with and coupled to each of said at least one motion detector, each of said at least one camera being arranged relative to the associated one of said at least one motion detector such that said camera has a field of view encompassing at least part of the field of view of the associated one of said at least one motion detector, each of said at least one camera having a dormant state in which imaging by said camera is not performed and images are not obtained and an active state in which images are obtained and being automatically activated from the dormant state into the active state when the associated one of said at least one motion detector detects motion in its field of view such that said at least one camera obtains an image of the source of the motion detected by the associated one of said at least one motion detector; and
a processor coupled to said at least one camera and arranged to receive the image obtained by said at least one camera, derive a silhouette of any objects in the image, compare the silhouettes to a library of stored silhouettes having associated object identification to determine an exact or closest match of the derived silhouette to one of the stored silhouettes and retrieve the object identification associated with the exact or closest match, said processor being arranged to react to the detection of motion by said at least one motion detector based on the object identification.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Security system which includes motion detectors connected to cameras which are connected to a computer which is connected to a data communication device that informs a homeowner off-premises, the police, fire department and/or private security firm of the existence of an intrusion condition based on the images obtained by the camera. The motion detector detects motion in the field of view of an associated camera which then obtains images. A processor connected with the camera derives a silhouette of an object that triggered the motion from the obtained image(s). The silhouettes are compared to previously obtained silhouettes, such as those of various animals and humans having different sizes. A classification of the silhouette is obtained and depending on what object the silhouette is determined to correspond to, i.e., its identification, further action or countermeasures is taken. Control of the security system may be via a handheld telecommunications device.
23 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An alarm system for protecting a structure, comprising:
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at least one motion detector arranged to have a field of view external of the structure and including an area proximate the structure; at least one camera associated with and coupled to each of said at least one motion detector, each of said at least one camera being arranged relative to the associated one of said at least one motion detector such that said camera has a field of view encompassing at least part of the field of view of the associated one of said at least one motion detector, each of said at least one camera having a dormant state in which imaging by said camera is not performed and images are not obtained and an active state in which images are obtained and being automatically activated from the dormant state into the active state when the associated one of said at least one motion detector detects motion in its field of view such that said at least one camera obtains an image of the source of the motion detected by the associated one of said at least one motion detector; and a processor coupled to said at least one camera and arranged to receive the image obtained by said at least one camera, derive a silhouette of any objects in the image, compare the silhouettes to a library of stored silhouettes having associated object identification to determine an exact or closest match of the derived silhouette to one of the stored silhouettes and retrieve the object identification associated with the exact or closest match, said processor being arranged to react to the detection of motion by said at least one motion detector based on the object identification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for protecting a structure, comprising:
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arranging a plurality of motion detectors on or around the structure, each in a position in which its field of view includes an area proximate the structure; arranging a plurality of cameras on or around the structure, each camera being associated with one or more of the motion detectors such that the camera has a field of view encompassing at least part of the field of view of any associated motion detector, each of the cameras having a dormant state in which imaging by said camera is not performed and images are not obtained and an active state in which images are obtained and being automatically activated from the dormant state into the active state when an associated motion detector detects motion in its field of view such that the camera then obtains an image of the source of the motion detected by the associated motion detector; providing a processor which receives images obtained by the cameras, derives a silhouette of any objects in the image, compares the silhouettes to a library of stored silhouettes having associated object identification to determine an exact or closest match of the derived silhouette to one of the stored silhouettes and retrieves the object identification associated with the exact or closest match; and generating a countermeasure to the detection of motion by the motion detectors based on the object identification when the object is identified as a potential threat to the structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification