Wireless video surveillance system and method with emergency video access

• US 7,719,567 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Smartvue Corp. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Renkis, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Tung
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLDER, ANNER N
• Application Number:
  US10/949,609
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,062 Days
• Field of Search: 348/158
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

A surveillance system and method for activating emergency communication between a third party and a system having at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and/or another ICD, including the steps of providing base system; at least one user accessing the DIR via user interface either directly or remotely; the DIR and/or ICD searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them, wherein the emergency access is operable following a trigger event, thereby providing a secure surveillance system with emergency access having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment.

Claims

1. A method for activating communication between at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) or another ICD forming a base system to provide for emergency access by a third party to the system, comprising the steps of:

providing the base system;

at least one user accessing the wireless DIR or ICD(s) via a user interface either directly or remotely without coupling through a remote server computer;

the DIR or ICD(s) searching for signal from the ICD(s) and establishing communication with them;

activating communication between the ICD(s) and DIR;

the system having settings providing for a trigger event;

the system identifying the trigger event occurrence and permitting a third party to access the system thereafter, including the system providing for third party communication and/or data exchange with the DIR and ICD(s) directly;

wherein third party permissions include zoom, pan, tilt, and other functions that manipulate video stream inputs;

thereby providing a secure surveillance system for a target environment that also permits emergency access.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the settings include a first emergency system setting that provides for the trigger event to occur at a predetermined event.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined event includes time and date settings, motion detection settings, audio detection settings, chemical/biological/radiation detection settings, and combinations thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger event occurrence is followed by the third party having predetermined permissions.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined permissions include reviewing ICD inputs.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the ICD inputs include a live video stream or a recorded video.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party access occurs automatically following the trigger event.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party access is permitted for an unlimited time following the trigger event.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party access is permitted for a limited time following the trigger event.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party access is permitted at predetermined dates and times following the trigger event.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party permissions further include record video stream on command;

download recorded video stream on demand;

view pre-recorded video using search function;

change system settings and/or alarm settings; and

combinations thereof.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third party is selected by the authorized user.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the DIR, ICD, and/or remote server computer (RSC) initiates communication with the third party.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the communication includes e-mail text, e-mail with image, cell phone text message, cell phone image, and combinations thereof.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication is wireless.

16. A method for activating communication between at least one wireless digital input capture device (ICD(s)) and a corresponding wireless digital input recorder (DIR) forming a wireless surveillance system comprising the steps of:

a) providing the wireless surveillance system having at least one ICD constructed and configured for wireless digital communication with a corresponding wireless DIR and/or other ICD(s), including communication for adjustment of ICD settings and controls, without coupling through a remote server computer, wherein the DIR and/or ICD(s) has a memory and a data processor for running software to be operable for transmitting instructions to and receiving and recording data inputs from the ICD(s);

b) at least one user interfacing with the DIR and establishing or adjusting settings, including a trigger event;

c) the DIR and/or ICD(s) searching for signal from other ICD(s) and establishing communication therewith;

d) the trigger event occurring;

e) a third party accessing the system, including the system providing for third party communication and/or data exchange with the DIR and ICD (s) directly;

wherein access includes the ability to zoom, pan, tilt, and other functions that manipulate video stream inputs;

thereby providing a method for the surveillance system to provide emergency communication with the third party following the trigger event.

17. A method for activating communication between at least two wireless input capture device ICD(s) capable of wireless cross-communication, including communication for adjustment of ICD settings and controls, the ICDs forming a base system, comprising the steps of:

providing the base system;

at least one user accessing the at least one wireless ICD via a user interface;

the ICD(s) and establishing communication with each other without coupling through a remote server computer;

a trigger event occurring;

a third party having access to the system following the trigger event, including the system providing for third party communication and/or data exchange with the DIR and ICD(s) directly;

wherein access includes the ability to zoom, pan, tilt, and other functions that manipulate video stream inputs;

thereby providing emergency access to a secure wireless surveillance system for a target environment.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the base system further includes a wireless digital input recorder (DIR) operable for wireless communication with the ICD(s).

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the user is capable of accessing the ICDs via a user interface either directly or remotely.

20. A surveillance system for wireless communication between components comprising:

a base system including at least two wireless input capture devices ICD(s), the ICDs having at least one sensor and at least one input component for detecting and recording inputs, a processor, a memory, a transmitter/receiver, all constructed and configured in electronic connection;

wherein the ICDs are operable for wireless cross-communication with each other, including communication for adjustment of ICD settings and controls, without coupling through a remote server computer;

wherein a third party is permitted access to ICD inputs following a trigger event, including the system providing for third party communication and/or data exchange with the DIR and ICD(s) directly; and

wherein third party permissions include zoom, pan, tilt, and other functions that manipulate video stream inputs.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the cross-communication of ICDs includes data exchange, wherein the data exchange includes information about the surveillance environment, settings, inputs, and combinations thereof.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the settings include a first emergency system setting that provides for the trigger event to occur at a predetermined event.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined event includes time and date settings, motion detection settings, audio detection settings, chemical/biological/radiation detection settings, and combinations thereof.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the trigger event occurrence is followed by the third party having predetermined permissions.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the predetermined permissions include reviewing ICD inputs.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the ICD inputs include a live video stream or a recorded video.

27. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party access occurs automatically following the trigger event.

28. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party access is permitted for an unlimited time following the trigger event.

29. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party access is permitted for a limited time following the trigger event.

30. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party access is permitted at predetermined dates and times following the trigger event.

31. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party permissions further include record video stream on command;

download recorded video stream on demand;

view pre-recorded video using search functions;

change system settings and/or alarm settings; and

combinations thereof.

32. The system according to claim 20, wherein the third party is selected by the authorized user.

33. The system according to claim 20, wherein the DIR, ICD, and/or remote server computer (RSC) initiates communication with the third party.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the communication includes e-mail text, e-mail with image, cell phone text message, cell phone image, and combinations thereof.

35. The system according to claim 33, wherein the communication is wireless.