Portable security system built into cell phones

• US 8,744,522 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Evanitsky, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): TAYLOR, NATHAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US12/582,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092248A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,686 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.6, 455/556.1, 455/404.1, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/539.25, 340/524, 348/143, 382/103
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264

Abstract

A portable security system includes an image capturing module for capturing one or more images and an image analysis module in operable communication with the image capturing module, the image analysis module configured to (i) recognize, from the one or more images captured, one or more events related to detection of moving objects, (ii) selectively identify a finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects, and (iii) analyze the one or more images within the portable security device to classify the finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to predefined moving object data stored on a data storage unit located within the portable security device. Also, an image transmission module for transmitting the one or more images recognized, selectively identified, and analyzed by the image analysis module to one or more external sources is provided.

Claims

1. A portable security device, comprising:

an image capturing module for capturing one or more images;

an image analysis module in operable communication with the image capturing module, the image analysis module configured to (i) recognize, from the one or more images captured, one or more events related to detection of moving objects, (ii) selectively identify a finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects, (iii) analyze the one or more images within the portable security device to classify the finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to predefined moving object data stored on a data storage unit located within the portable security device, the predefined moving object data corresponding to a type of movement indicative of a particular type of emergency situation, wherein each type of emergency situation includes a specific type of movement associated therewith, wherein the type of movement associated with an emergency situation is determined from the group consisting of an opening door, an opening window, a fire, smoke, a struggle, an approaching animal, and a carjacking; and

an image transmission module for transmitting the one or more images recognized, selectively identified, and analyzed by the image analysis module to one or more external sources in response to a classification of the finite number of spatial relationships of moving objects as indicative of a particular type of emergency situation, wherein the one or more external sources associated with the particular type of emergency situation are automatically contacted in response to the classification indicating the particular type of emergency situation.

2. The portable security device according to claim 1, wherein the portable security device comprises a cell phone.

3. The portable security device according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing module comprises a camera.

4. The portable security device according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission module comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS).

5. The portable security device according to claim 4, wherein the image transmission module relays a location of the security device and an identity of a user of the security device.

6. The portable security device according to claim 4, wherein the image transmission module bidirectionally communicates one or more visual or audible notifications to the one or more external sources.

7. The portable security device according to claim 6, wherein the one or more external sources are pre-configured to respond based on (i) the visual or audio notifications received by the security device and (ii) a user'"'"'s pre-established triggering events.

8. The portable security device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more external sources include one or more of at least a security provider, one or more security services, and one or more people having one or more electronic communication devices.

9. A method for providing security via a portable security device, the method comprising:

capturing one or more images;

recognizing, from the one or more images captured, one or more events related to detection of moving objects;

selectively identifying a finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects;

analyzing the one or more images within the portable security device to classify the finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to predefined moving object data stored on a data storage unit located within the portable security device, the predefined moving object data corresponding to a type of movement;

determining whether the classified finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to the predefined moving object data corresponds to a type of movement associated with a particular type of emergency situation, wherein the type of movement associated with an emergency situation is determined from the group consisting of an opening door, an opening window, a fire, smoke, a struggle, an approaching animal, and a cariackinq; and

transmitting the one or more images recognized, selectively identified, and analyzed to one or more external sources responsive to a determined emergency situation.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the portable security device comprises a cell phone.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising using a camera for the image capturing.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

including a Global Positioning System (GPS); and

relaying a location of the security device and an identity of a user of the security device.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising bidirectionally communicating one or more visual or audible notifications to the one or more external sources.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising pre-configuring the one or more external sources to respond based on (i) the visual or audio notifications received by the security device and (ii) a user'"'"'s pre-established triggering events.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the one or more external sources include one or more of at least a security provider, one or more security services, and one or more people having one or more electronic communication devices.

16. A system for providing security via a portable security device, the system comprising:

a processor;

a computer-readable storage medium in communication with a processor, the computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programming instructions executable by the processor for;

capturing one or more images;

recognizing, from the one or more images captured, one or more events related to detection of moving objects;

selectively identifying a finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects;

analyzing the one or more images within the portable security device to classify the finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to predefined moving object data stored on a data storage unit located within the portable security device, the predefined moving object data corresponding to a type of movement;

determining whether the classified finite number of spatial relationships of the moving objects corresponding to the predefined moving object data corresponds to a type of movement associated with a particular type of emergency situation, wherein each type of emergency situation includes a specific type of movement associated therewith wherein the type of movement associated with an emergency situation is determined from the group consisting of an opening door, an opening window, a fire, smoke, a struggle, an approaching animal, and a carjacking;

contacting one or more external sources corresponding to the particular type of emergency situation associated with the determined specific type of movement; and

transmitting the one or more images recognized, selectively identified, and analyzed to the one or more external sources corresponding to the in accordance with a determined specific emergency situation.

17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising relaying a location of the security device and an identity of a user of the security device.

18. The system according to claim 16, further comprising bidirectionally communicating one or more visual or audible notifications to the one or more external sources.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising pre-configuring the one or more external sources to respond based on (i) the visual or audio notifications received by the security device and (ii) a user'"'"'s pre-established triggering events.