Wireless video surveillance system and method with rapid installation

• US 8,253,796 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Smartvue Corp. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Renkis, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US10/955,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20060070109A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,889 Days
• Field of Search: 725/133, 340/500, 348/272, 713/171
• US Class Current: 348/143
• 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: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A surveillance system and method for rapid set up and activating communication between 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, thereby providing a secure surveillance system having wireless communication for monitoring a target environment.

Claims

1. A method for activating communication in a surveillance system, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) or another ICD forming a base system, wherein each ICD directly cross-controls the surveillance settings of other ICDs;

each ICD encased by a housing and each ICD includes at least one sensor and at least one input component for detecting and recording inputs, a processor, a memory, a power source, a power converter; and

a transmitter/receiver, all constructed and configured in electronic connection;

configuring and activating or removing the system components by a single click-select action of a user through an interface within about ten minutes of the installation, the configuration and activation taking minutes after powering up the components;

providing for at least one user accessing the DIR via a user interface either directly or remotely;

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

activating direct cross-communication of surveillance settings between the ICD(s) that provides for data exchange and ICD control including input data relating to the environment under surveillance and direct communication between any of the ICD(s) and the DIR that includes data exchange including input data relating to the environment under surveillance, settings, and inputs captured by the ICD(s), wherein the ICD(s) and DIR are operable to record live inputs and display them immediately following activation of the system, thereby providing a secure surveillance system for a target environment.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of, after activation, the DIR functioning and operating to record live inputs from the ICD in the DIR user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of, after activation, the DIR functioning and operating to display live inputs from the ICD in the DIR user interface and to record live inputs from the ICD on a hard drive of the DIR.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user can search and view prior recorded inputs, including video, and/or the user is able to remotely access the system from any PC with a web browser and Internet connection or web enabled cell phone, and/or motion detection is enabled and when motion is detected video is recorded in the DIR.

5. A method for activating communication in a surveillance system, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) and another ICD forming a base system;

each ICD encased by a housing and each ICD includes at least one sensor and at least one input component for detecting and recording inputs, a processor, a memory, a power source, a power converter; and

a transmitter/receiver, all constructed and configured in electronic connection;

configuring and activating or removing the system components by a single click-select action of a user through an interface within about ten minutes of the installation, the configuration and activation taking minutes after powering up the components;

providing for at least one user accessing the DIR via a user interface either directly or remotely;

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

the ICD(s) activating direct cross-communication of surveillance settings between themselves for control of surveillance;

the ICD(s) providing for data exchange including input data relating to the environment under surveillance and direct communication between any of the ICD(s) and the DIR that includes data exchange including input data relating to the environment under surveillance, settings, and inputs captured by the ICD(s), wherein the ICD(s) and DIR are operable to record live inputs and display them immediately following activation of the system, thereby providing a secure surveillance system for a target environment.

6. A method for activating communication in a surveillance system, comprising the steps of:

providing at least two wireless input capture device ICD(s) and a corresponding digital input recorder (DIR) with a user interface forming a base system;

;

each ICD encased by a housing and each ICD includes at least one sensor and at least one input component for detecting and recording inputs, a processor, a memory, a power source, a power converter; and

a transmitter/receiver, all constructed and configured in electronic connection;

the user interface providing for at least one user accessing the DIR directly or remotely;

the DIR automatically searching for signal from the ICDs and establishing direct communication with them; and

the ICDs activating direct cross-communication of surveillance settings between themselves for control of surveillance;

thereby providing a surveillance system for a target environment.

7. The method of claim 6, the system further providing for activating and configuring the system components by a single click-select action of a user through the interface.