Dual intercom-interfaced smoke/fire detection system and associated method

• US 8,378,808 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2012
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Torrain Gwaltney
• Original Assignee: Torrain Gwaltney
• Inventors: Gwaltney, Torrain
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang, Son M
• Application Number:
  US13/475,119
• Time in Patent Office: 277 Days
• Field of Search: 340500-501, 340/517, 340520-524, 340/519, 340/531, 340/539.25, 340/539.26, 340/286.05, 340/286.06, 340/691.1, 340/691.3, 379 37- 50
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/183 Single detectors using dual technologies G08B13/1672, G08B13/2448, G08B13/2494 take precedence

Abstract

A dual intercom-camera-interfaced smoke/fire detection system and method includes, inter alia, an interactive panoramic camera communication system operatively responsive to real-time emergency signals. The interactive camera service provider communications network independently and communicatively couples panoramic cameras in real-time to authorized peripheral electronic devices (APEDs) such that an emergency event is independently transmitted and directly viewed in real-time at the APEDs. The interactive camera service provider communications network is independently operable from a real-time emergency signal transmitting mechanism and a real-time emergency signal simultaneous transmitting mechanism, respectively. The emergency event is independently viewed at the APEDs while real-time emergency signals are transmitted to a central monitoring station such that the APEDs independently and visually learn the emergency event at least as early as the central monitoring station non-visually learns the emergency event.

Claims

1. A dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system for notifying multiple persons of an emergency event, said dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system comprising:

a plurality of sensors for detecting the emergency event within a building structure, said sensors being positioned in unique portions of the building structure and transmitting real-time emergency signals corresponding to a detected type of the emergency event;

a plurality of remotely located intercom panels positioned in alternate areas of the building structure and being in communication with said sensors;

a remotely located central monitoring station in communication with said intercom panels;

a central controller mounted on an interior of a building structure, said central controller including

means for transmitting said real-time emergency signals to each of said intercom panels during the emergency event, and

means for simultaneously transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring station to thereby allow said central monitoring station to verify the emergency event directly with said intercom panels; and

an interactive panoramic camera communication system being operatively responsive to said real-time emergency signals and including

a plurality of panoramic cameras located within said building structure,

an interactive camera service provider communications network, and

a plurality of authorized peripheral electronic devices (APEDs) located exterior of said building structure;

wherein said interactive camera service provider communications network independently and communicatively couples each of said panoramic cameras in real-time to each of said APEDs such that the emergency event is independently transmitted and directly viewed in real-time at said APEDs;

wherein the emergency event is independently viewed at said APEDs while said real-time emergency signals are transmitted to said central monitoring station such that said APEDs independently and visually learn the emergency event at least as early as said central monitoring station non-visually learns the emergency event.

2. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 1, wherein said real-time emergency signal transmitting means comprises:

a processor housed within said central controller;

an intercom routing interface electrically coupled to said processor and positioned exterior of said central controller; and

a memory electrically coupled to said processor and including software instructions that cause said central controller to transmit said real-time emergency signals directly to said intercom panels, said software instructions including and executing a programmable control logic algorithm including the step of

determining an originating location of said real-time emergency signals,

determining a type of the emergency event by extracting selected data streams from said real-time emergency signals and parsing said data streams into identifiable data segments,

if said identifiable data segments have originated from a unique location and indicate a unique type of emergency event, then generating first and second true control signals, and

if either one of said identifiable data segments has not originated from a unique location or does not indicate a unique type of emergency event, than generating at least one false control signal.

3. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 2, wherein said intercom routing interface comprises:

a logic gate for receiving said control signals, said logic gate generating a true output signal if both of said first and second control signals are true; and

a plurality of switches connected in parallel with each of said intercom panels and said logic gate, said switches being simultaneously closed upon receiving said true output signal from said logic gate such that said intercom routing interface transmits said indefinable data segments to each of said intercom panels to thereby allow each of said intercom panels to receive real-time and continuous information regarding the status of the emergency event.

4. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 3, wherein said real-time emergency signal transmitting means comprises:

a plurality of communication interface modules electrically mated directly to said processor, each of said communication interface modules receiving said real-time emergency signals;

a first communications link established between said communication interface modules and said central monitoring station for transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring such that said central monitoring station receives continuous information regarding the emergency event; and

a second communications link established between said intercom routing interface and said central monitoring station such that said central-monitoring station maintains direct communication with each of said intercom panels during the emergency event.

5. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 2, further comprising:

a transducer electrically mated directly to said processor for transmitting at least one of an audible and visual signal based upon the type of the detected emergency event.

6. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 1, wherein said panoramic cameras are automatically activated upon learning that said real-time emergency signals have been transmitted by said sensors, respectively.

7. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 6, wherein said interactive panoramic camera communication system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory including software instructions that cause said interactive camera service provider communications network to execute a control logic algorithm comprises the steps of;

learning of the emergency event at the building structure;

activating a first one of said cameras at the building structure and thereby causing said first camera to capture and generate a first video signal of the emergency event;

identifying first and second ones of said APEDs to wirelessly receive said first video signal; and

requesting first and second authorization signals from said first and second APEDs.

8. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 7, wherein said control logic algorithm further comprises the steps of:

if said first authorization signal is initially received before said second authorization signal, transmitting said first video signal to said first APED and granting primary control access to said first APED such that said second APED cannot control operation of said first camera;

if said second authorization signal is initially received before said first authorization signal, transmitting said first video signal to said second APED and granting primary control access to said second APED such that said first APED cannot control operation of said first camera;

if said first and second authorization signals are simultaneously received, determining which one of said first and second APEDs has a higher hierarchical status; and

transmitting said first video signal to one of said first and second APEDs having said higher hierarchical status and thereafter granting primary control access thereto.

9. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 8, wherein said control logic algorithm further comprises the steps of:

after a predetermined time period has lapsed from transmission of said first video signal, requesting permission from said one APED having said higher hierarchical status whether said other one of said first and second APEDs having a lower hierarchical status can receive said first video camera;

if permission is granted by said higher hierarchical one of said first and second APEDs, transmitting said first video signal to said lower hierarchical one of said first and second APEDs; and

if permission is not granted by said higher hierarchical one of said first and second APEDs, asking said lower hierarchical one of said first and second APEDs whether it wishes to independently view a second video signal from a second camera located at the emergency event.

10. An dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system for notifying multiple persons of an emergency event, said dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system comprising:

a plurality of sensors for detecting the emergency event within a building structure, said sensors being positioned in unique portions of the building structure and transmitting real-time emergency signals corresponding to a detected type of the emergency event;

a plurality of remotely located intercom panels positioned in alternate areas of the building structure and being in communication with said sensors;

a remotely located central monitoring station in communication with said intercom panels;

a central controller mounted on an interior of a building structure, said central controller including

means for transmitting said real-time emergency signals to each of said intercom panels during the emergency event, and

means for simultaneously transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring station to thereby allow said central monitoring station to verify the emergency event directly with said intercom panels;

a user interface electrically mated directly to said processor, said user interface transmitting a command signal to said processor based upon a user input; and

an interactive panoramic camera communication system being operatively responsive to said real-time emergency signals and including

a plurality of panoramic cameras located within said building structure,

an interactive camera service provider communications network, and

a plurality of authorized peripheral electronic devices (APEDs) located exterior of said building structure;

wherein said interactive camera service provider communications network independently and communicatively couples each of said panoramic cameras in real-time to each of said APEDs such that the emergency event is independently transmitted and directly viewed in real-time at said APEDs;

wherein said interactive camera service provider communications network is independently operable from said real-time emergency signal transmitting means and said real-time emergency signal simultaneous transmitting means, respectively;

wherein the emergency event is independently viewed at said APEDs while said real-time emergency signals are transmitted to said central monitoring station such that said APEDs independently and visually learn the emergency event at least as early as said central monitoring station non-visually learns the emergency event.

11. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 10, wherein said real-time emergency signal transmitting means comprises:

a processor housed within said central controller;

an intercom routing interface electrically coupled to said processor and positioned exterior of said central controller; and

a memory electrically coupled to said processor and including software instructions that cause said central controller to transmit said real-time emergency signals directly to said intercom panels, said software instructions including and executing a programmable control logic algorithm including the step of

determining an originating location of said real-time emergency signals,

determining a type of the emergency event by extracting selected data streams from said real-time emergency signals and parsing said data streams into identifiable data segments,

if said identifiable data segments have originated from a unique location and indicate a unique type of emergency event, then generating first and second true control signals, and

if either one of said identifiable data segments has not originated from a unique location or does not indicate a unique type of emergency event, than generating at least one false control signal.

12. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 11, wherein said intercom routing interface comprises:

a logic gate for receiving said control signals, said logic gate generating a true output signal if both of said first and second control signals are true; and

a plurality of switches connected in parallel with each of said intercom panels and said logic gate, said switches being simultaneously closed upon receiving said true output signal from said logic gate such that said intercom routing interface transmits said indefinable data segments to each of said intercom panels to thereby allow each of said intercom panels to receive real-time and continuous information regarding the status of the emergency event.

13. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 12, wherein said real-time emergency signal transmitting means comprises:

a plurality of communication interface modules electrically mated directly to said processor, each of said communication interface modules receiving said real-time emergency signals;

a first communications link established between said communication interface modules and said central monitoring station for transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring such that said central monitoring station receives continuous information regarding the emergency event; and

a second communications link established between said intercom routing interface and said central monitoring station such that said central-monitoring station maintains direct communication with each of said intercom panels during the emergency event.

14. The dual intercom-camera-interfaced security system of claim 12, further comprising:

a transducer electrically mated directly to said processor for transmitting at least one of an audible and visual signal based upon the type of the detected emergency event.

15. A method of utilizing a dual intercom-camera-interface security system for notifying multiple persons of an emergency event, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of sensors for detecting the emergency event within a building structure, said sensors being positioned in unique portions of the building structure and transmitting real-time emergency signals corresponding to a detected type of the emergency event;

providing a plurality of remotely located intercom panels positioned in alternate areas of the building structure and being in communication with said sensors;

providing a remotely located central monitoring station in communication with said intercom panels;

providing a central controller mounted on an interior of a building structure;

transmitting said real-time emergency signals to each of said intercom panels during the emergency event;

simultaneously transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring station to thereby allow said central monitoring station to verify the emergency event directly with said intercom panels;

providing an interactive panoramic camera communication system operatively responsive to said real-time emergency signals, said interactive panoramic camera communication system including a plurality of panoramic cameras located within said building structure, an interactive camera service provider communications network, and a plurality of authorized peripheral electronic devices (APEDs) located exterior of said building structure;

said interactive camera service provider communications network independently and communicatively coupling each of said panoramic cameras in real-time to each of said APEDs such that the emergency event is independently transmitted and directly viewed in real-time at said APEDs;

independently operating said interactive camera service provider communications network from said real-time emergency signal transmitting means and said real-time emergency signal simultaneous transmitting means, respectively;

independently viewing the emergency event at said APEDs while said real-time emergency signals are transmitted to said central monitoring station such that said APEDs independently and visually learn the emergency event at least as early as said central monitoring station non-visually learns the emergency event; and

simultaneously transmitting said real-time emergency signals to multiple ones of said intercom panels located within the building structure while simultaneously transmitting video signals to multiple ones of APEDs located exterior of the building structure.

16. The method of claim 15, comprises the steps of:

providing a processor housed within said central controller;

electrically coupling an intercom routing interface to said processor;

electrically coupling a memory to said processor and including software instructions that cause said central controller to transmit said real-time emergency signals directly to said intercom panels, said software instructions including and executing a programmable control logic algorithm including the step of

determining an originating location of said real-time emergency signals,

determining a type of the emergency event by extracting selected data streams from said real-time emergency signals and parsing said data streams into identifiable data segments,

if said identifiable data segments have originated from a unique location and indicate a unique type of emergency event, then generating first and second true control signals, and

if either one of said identifiable data segments has not originated from a unique location or does not indicate a unique type of emergency event, than generating at least one false control signal.

17. The method of claim 15, comprises the steps of:

providing a logic gate for receiving said control signals;

said logic gate generating a true output signal if both of said first and second control signals are true;

connecting a plurality of switches in parallel with each of said intercom panels and said logic gate; and

simultaneously closing each of said switches upon receiving said true output signal from said logic gate such that said intercom routing interface transmits said indefinable data segments to each of said intercom panels to thereby allow each of said intercom panels to receive real-time and continuous information regarding the status of the emergency event.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprises the steps of:

providing a plurality of communication interface modules electrically mated directly to said processor, each of said communication interface modules receiving said real-time emergency signals;

establishing a first communications link between said communication interface modules and said central monitoring station for transmitting said real-time emergency signals to said central monitoring such that said central monitoring station receives continuous information regarding the emergency event; and

establishing a second communications link between said intercom routing interface and said central monitoring station such that said central-monitoring station maintains direct communication with each of said intercom panels during the emergency event.