Security system, mobile security device, and methods of operating

• US 8,104,672 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2009
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Robert James Jr., Barnett, Bruce Gordon, Pigna, Ewa Margaret, Bonin, Kerry, Hartman, Michael James, Hershey, John Erik, Miles, Russell, McClure, Timothy, Kolasinski, Marcin
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US12/560,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20110062226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/462.05, 235/376, 235/462.01, 235/487, 235/472.01, 235/382
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/20 Checking timed patrols, e.g. of watchman
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

System, device and methods that provide proximate environmental and security intelligence to a guard making a security tour or round in an installation, as well as that provide for certifying that the guard has visited designated and known checkpoints on or about the times at which the guard is expected at those checkpoints.

Claims

1. A mobile security device, comprising:

a memory;

a display; and

a processor coupled with each of the memory and the display, wherein the memory comprises computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause a map of an area proximate the mobile security device to be shown on the display together with at least a visual representation of one or more installation sensors located within a predefined spatial extent of the mobile security device; and

the mobile security device is configured to wirelessly transmit information regarding a security checkpoint, location of the checkpoint being known to a user of the mobile security device, to a remote server.

2. The mobile security device of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the map to be shown on the display together with an event detected by one or more of the visually represented installation sensors.

3. The mobile security device of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical device coupled with the processor and memory, the optical device configured to capture an image of a barcode display positioned on a fixed security device.

4. The mobile security device of claim 3, further comprising:

a transceiver coupled with the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to output a signal that causes the transceiver to wirelessly transmit at least an informational element of the barcode display to the remote server.

5. The mobile security device of claim 4, wherein the informational element of the barcode display comprises at least one of:

a fixed security station identifier;

a time code; and

a certification informational element.

6. The mobile security device of claim 3, wherein the barcode display comprises one or more light sources.

7. A mobile security device, comprising:

a memory;

a display; and

a processor coupled with each of the memory and the display, wherein the memory comprises computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause a map of an area proximate the mobile security device to be shown on the display together with at least a visual representation of an event detected by one or more installation sensors located within a predefined spatial extent of the mobile security device; and

the mobile security device is configured to wirelessly transmit information regarding a security checkpoint, location of the checkpoint being known to a user of the mobile security device, to a remote server.

8. The mobile security device of claim 7, further comprising:

an optical device coupled with the processor and memory, the optical device configured to capture an image of a barcode display positioned on a fixed security device.

9. The mobile security device of claim 8, further comprising:

a transceiver coupled with the processor,

wherein the processor is configured to output a signal that causes the transceiver to wirelessly transmit at least an informational element of the barcode display to the remote server.

10. The mobile security device of claim 9, wherein the informational element of the barcode display comprises at least one of:

a fixed security station identifier;

a time code; and

a certification informational element.

11. The mobile security device of claim 8, wherein the barcode display comprises one or more light sources.

12. A method, comprising:

locating a mobile security device;

obtaining, from the mobile security device, information regarding security checkpoints, location of the checkpoints being known to a user of the mobile security device;

determining whether location data, most recent direction of movement data and/or most recent orientation data has been received from the mobile security device;

identifying an installation sensor proximate the location of the mobile security device;

retrieving at least sensor location data and/or sensor data for the identified installation sensor; and

transmitting the retrieved sensor location data and/or the retrieved sensor data, together with orientation data, which is data configured to orient a map display of the mobile security device with respect to at least one of the mobile security device'"'"'s location, most recent direction of movement and/or most recent orientation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein if location data, most recent direction of movement data and/or most recent orientation data have not been received from a mobile security device, the method further comprises:

calculating the mobile security device'"'"'s location, most recent direction of movement, and/or most recent orientation from sensor data provided at least by the identified installation sensor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein identifying an installation sensor further comprises:

determining a spatial extent about the mobile security device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a size of the spatial extent varies, and is selected as being appropriate for the mobile security device'"'"'s location.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the spatial extent 302 has a radius that is configurable and adjustable by a user of the mobile security device.

17. A method comprising:

scanning with a mobile security device a barcode display positioned on a security checkpoint device, location of the security checkpoint device being known to a user of the mobile security device; and

transmitting, using a transceiver of the mobile security device, at least a certification informational element to a remote server.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

processing, using a processor of the mobile security device, the scanned barcode display to a smaller data set that retains the certification informational element.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the server is a component of a central security console.

20. A method, comprising:

detecting by an installation sensor a presence of a mobile security device; and

transmitting from the installation sensor at least a certification informational element to the mobile security device, regarding a security checkpoint, location of the security checkpoint being known to a user of the mobile security device.

21. A method, comprising:

detecting by a mobile security device of a presence of a security checkpoint device proximate the mobile security device, location of the security checkpoint device being known to the user of the mobile security device;

receiving at least a certification informational element from the detected security checkpoint device; and

transmitting, using a transceiver of the mobile security device, at least the certification informational element to a remote server.