Security monitoring system with combined video and graphics display

• US 8,836,749 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Original Assignee: Telebuyer LLC
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US11/675,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20070132844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,771 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 379 37- 45, 379/106.01, 379/106.02
• US Class Current: 348/14.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19658 Telephone systems used to communicate with a camera, e.g. PSTN, GSM, POTS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2281 Call monitoring, e.g. for law enforcement purposes; Call tracing; Detection or prevention of malicious calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5125 with remote located operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5158 in combination with automated outdialling systems devices for signalling identity of wanted subscriber H04M1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/564 whereby the feature is a sub-conference
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/565 relating to time schedule aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 : Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 : Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/152 : Multipoint control units therefor

Abstract

A remote location having at least one monitoring device is monitored via a temporary communication channel so that an image from the remote location is displayed at a monitoring location along with a graphic signal that depends on the source of the image. Scrutiny information is sent from the remote location to the monitoring location, including the image. The graphic signal may represent a map of the remote location, and may include text providing helpful information relating to the remote location. In some cases, the temporary communication channel is provided at least in part through an online computer service. In some cases, the communications interface is a wireless communications interface.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a remote location having at least one second electronic device, comprising:

one of a plurality of control computers for receiving, from a first electronic device at a monitoring location, one or more commands relating to an initiation of communication with at least one second electronic device having at least video display capability at the remote location, the one of the plurality of control computers having at least a capability to;

receive, from multiple electronic devices, commands relating to initiation of communication with multiple other electronic devices; and

facilitate communication with one or more of the other electronic devices;

a memory associated with the one of the plurality of control computers for providing information relating to the remote location;

a communications interface for facilitating communication, under control of one or more of the plurality of control computers, with the at least one second electronic device;

a data processing capability configured to facilitate a video display at the first electronic device of selected information obtained from the at least one second electronic device at the remote location, the selected information including information representing video data intended for display to a human and representing at least certain color video information that is generated by the at least one second electronic device at the remote location and that represents an image at the remote location;

a graphics processing capability configured to facilitate display of graphic information at the first electronic device relating to the at least one second electronic device at the remote location; and

a control capability at the first electronic device configured to facilitate transmission of control data to the at least one second electronic device at the remote location, at least certain of the control data causing manipulation of the at least one second electronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected information also includes control data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected information also includes audio information.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising an audio playback capability for audibly playing the audio information.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the audio playback capability is a speakerphone.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control data controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the at least one second electronic device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected information is selected in response to a selection signal sent from the monitoring location to the remote location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the graphic information is provided from the memory in accordance with the selection signal.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a random sequence.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a demand from an operator.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the demand from the operator is in response to awareness of events at the remote location.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the demand from the operator is in response to a request at the remote location.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a risk assessment at the remote location.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with an operating schedule at the remote location.

16. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a command signal from the remote location.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal also specifies a time interval for the selected information.

18. The system of claim 7, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a comparison between images at the remote location captured at different times.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the images are digitized video.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the images is recorded.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote location has a video display for displaying video from the monitoring location.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising a backup communication interface for providing a backup communication facility when a primary communication facility is malfunctioning.

23. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distributor for distributing the selected information to one of multiple operators.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the distributing is in accordance with availability of the multiple operators.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the distributing is in accordance with priority status of the selected information.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the distributing is in accordance with situation status of the selected information and abilities of the multiple operators to handle different types of situations.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard for entering an operator'"'"'s observations and wherein the memory is also for storing the entered observations.

28. The system of claim 1 further comprising an image comparison capability that transmits to the first electronic device data based on a comparison of an image at the remote location at a first time with an image at the remote location at a second time.

102. The system of claim 2 further comprising an image comparison capability that transmits to the first electronic device data based on a comparison of an image at the remote location at a first time with an image at the remote location at a second time.

29. A system for monitoring a remote location having at least one second electronic device, comprising:

one of a plurality of control computers for receiving, from a first electronic device at a monitoring location, one or more commands relating to an initiation of communication with a plurality of second electronic devices having at least video display and computer functionality at each of a plurality of distributed remote locations, the one of the plurality of control computers each having at least a capability to;

receive, from multiple electronic devices, commands relating to initiation of communication with multiple other electronic devices; and

facilitate communication with one or more of the other electronic devices;

a memory associated with the one of the plurality of control computers for providing information relating to the plurality of distributed remote locations;

a communications interface for facilitating communication, under control of one or more of the plurality of control computers, with the plurality of second electronic devices;

a data processing capability configured to facilitate a video display at the first electronic device of selected information obtained from a particular second electronic device at one of the remote locations, the selected information including information representing video data intended for display to a human and representing at least certain color video information that is generated by the particular second electronic device at the remote location and that represents an image at the remote location;

a graphics processing capability configured to facilitate the display of graphic information at the first electronic device relating to the particular second electronic device at the remote location; and

a control capability at the first electronic device configured to facilitate transmission of control data to the particular second electronic device at the remote location, at least certain of the control data causing manipulation of the particular second electronic device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information also includes control data.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein at least part of the control data is indicated by dialed number identification signals (DNIS).

32. The system of claim 30, wherein at least part of the control data is indicated by automatic number identification (ANI).

33. The system of claim 30, wherein at least part of the control data indicates a status at the remote location.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein at least part of the control data identifies the remote location.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein at least part of the control data is identifying data identifying the second electronic device that produced the image.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the identifying data is used to select graphic information from the memory.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the identifying data is a number that facilitates communication with the particular second electronic device.

38. The system of claim 29, wherein the control data controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the particular second electronic device.

39. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is selected in response to a special situation sensed at the remote location.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the remote location includes at least one manually operated switch for indicating that a special situation has been sensed.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the remote location includes a plurality of switches for indicating different types of special situations.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the remote location includes a detector for detecting that a lens of one of the monitoring devices has been covered.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein the remote location includes a sensor for sensing a special situation.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the sensor is at least one of a sonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a visible light sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a motion detector and a metal detector.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the sensor is for sensing a weapon.

46. The system of claim 39, wherein the special situation is indicated by entry, via a keypad, of an identification number at the remote location.

47. The system of claim 39, wherein the remote location includes a communication device for establishing a communication channel to the monitoring location.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the communication device is an autodialer.

49. The system of claim 39, wherein the special situation is indicated by a change exceeding a predetermined threshold between images of a location captured at different times.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the images are digitized video.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein at least one of the images is recorded.

52. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the second electronic devices at the remote location is a videophone.

53. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the second electronic devices at the remote location is a camera.

54. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the second electronic devices at the remote location is a video signal generator.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the information representing video data is a full motion video signal generated by the video signal generator at the remote location.

56. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information includes a full motion video signal.

57. The system of claim 29, wherein the information representing video data represents television quality pictures.

58. The system of claim 29, wherein the information representing video data conforms to NTSC format.

59. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is encrypted.

60. The system of claim 29, wherein at least part of the graphic information includes a graphical representation of at least a portion of the remote location.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the graphical representation is a map that includes streets.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the map indicates north, south, east and west directions.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the map includes entry/exit points at the remote location.

64. The system of claim 29, wherein the graphic information includes text relating to the remote location.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the text represents at least one of a telephone number of the remote location, a name of the remote location, an address of the remote location, and a name of a person at the remote location.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein the text represents a nature of a situation at the remote location.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein the text represents a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

68. The system of claim 67, further comprising an autodialer for automatically dialing the telephone number of the police station associated with the remote location.

69. The system of claim 29, wherein the data processing capability facilitates image enhancement of the selected information.

70. The system of claim 29, wherein the data processing capability facilitates video display on a display screen used by one operator at a time at the monitoring location.

71. The system of claim 29, wherein multiple data processing capabilities facilitate video displays on display screens used by multiple operators at the same time at the monitoring location.

72. The system of claim 29, wherein the remote location has a recording device for recording video from at least one of the second electronic devices.

73. The system of claim 29, wherein the communications interface is also for sending a generated signal to the remote location based, at least in part, on the selected information obtained from the remote location.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal is encrypted.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal is for controlling operation of one of the second electronic devices.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the generated signal controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of at least one of the second electronic devices.

77. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal represents instructions for personnel at the remote location.

78. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal represents a prerecorded audio message.

79. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal represents a synthesized audio message.

80. The system of claim 73, wherein the generated signal represents a spoken audio message.

81. The system of claim 73, wherein the remote location has a speaker for audibly delivering the generated signal.

82. The system of claim 29, further comprising an autodialer for automatically dialing a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

83. The system of claim 29, further comprising a video recorder for recording the selected information.

84. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is obtained from a device having video recording capability at the remote location.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record intermittently.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record continuously.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record a selected frame of video.

88. The system of claim 84, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record for a specified time interval.

89. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is also recorded at the remote location.

90. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is also printed at the remote location.

91. The system of claim 29, wherein the selected information is obtained from a switching device at the remote location that sequences information from the at least one second electronic device.

92. The system of claim 29, wherein the remote location is one of a bank, a supermarket, a parking structure and a quality control facility.

93. The system of claim 29, further comprising a control panel including at least one of an outgoing audio control, an incoming audio control, an outgoing video control, an incoming video control, an operations control for a selected monitoring device at the remote location, a display sequence control, a display resolution control, an indicator for indicating that a monitoring device has become inoperative, a keypad for selecting control commands, and an activator for establishing a communications connection to a police station.

94. The system of claim 93, wherein the control capability is utilized via a keyboard.

95. The system of claim 29, wherein the data processing capability includes a video mixer for combining the received selected information and the graphic information to produce a composite signal supplied to a display screen.

96. The system of claim 29, further comprising a billing data memory for recording transactions based on the selected information.

97. The system of claim 29, further comprising a battery for providing backup power at the monitoring location.

98. The system of claim 29, wherein the remote location has a battery for providing backup power.

99. The system of claim 29, wherein there are at least two remote locations.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the at least two remote locations are associated with different business entities.

101. The system of claim 29, wherein there are at least two second electronic devices at the remote location.

103. A method of monitoring a remote location from a first location, comprising:

receiving at one of a plurality of control computers, from a first electronic device having at least video display capability at the first location, one or more commands relating to an initiation of communication with a second electronic device having at least video display and data communication capability at the remote location;

accessing a memory associated with the one of the plurality of control computers to obtain information relating to the remote location, the one of the plurality of control computers having at least a capability to;

receive, from multiple electronic devices, commands relating to an initiation of communication with multiple other electronic devices; and

facilitate communication with one or more of the other electronic devices;

facilitating, via the one of the plurality of control computers, communication with the second electronic device at the remote location;

displaying, at the first electronic device, selected information obtained from the second electronic device at the remote location, the selected information including information representing video data intended for display to a human and representing at least certain color video information that is generated by the second electronic device at the remote location and that represents an image at the remote location;

displaying, at the first electronic device, graphic information relating to the second electronic device at the remote location; and

transmitting control data from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, at least certain of the control data causing manipulation of the second electronic device.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the selected information also includes control data.

105. The method of claim 103, wherein the selected information also includes audio information.

106. The method of claim 105, further comprising audibly playing the audio information.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein the audio information is played on a speakerphone.

108. The method of claim 103, wherein the selected information is selected in response to a selection signal sent from the first electronic device to the second electronic device.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein the graphic information is provided in accordance with the selection signal.

110. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

111. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a random sequence.

112. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a demand from an operator.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein the demand from the operator is in response to awareness of events at the remote location.

114. The method of claim 112, wherein the demand from the operator is in response to a request at the remote location.

115. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a risk assessment at the remote location.

116. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with an operating schedule at the remote location.

117. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a command signal from the remote location.

118. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal also specifies a time interval for the selected information.

119. The method of claim 108, wherein the selection signal is in accordance with a comparison between images at the remote location captured at different times.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the images are digitized video.

121. The method of claim 119, wherein at least one of the images is recorded.

122. The method of claim 103, wherein the control data controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the second electronic device.

123. The method of claim 103, wherein the remote location has a video display for displaying video from the first location.

124. The method of claim 103, further comprising providing a backup communication facility when a primary communication facility is malfunctioning.

125. The method of claim 103, further comprising distributing the selected information to one of multiple operators.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein the distributing is in accordance with availability of the multiple operators.

127. The method of claim 125, wherein the distributing is in accordance with priority status of the selected information.

128. The method of claim 125, wherein the distributing is in accordance with situation status of the selected information and abilities of the multiple operators to handle different types of situations.

129. The method of claim 103, further comprising entering an operator'"'"'s observations using a keyboard and storing the entered observations.

130. The method of claim 103 further comprising:

facilitating interactive data sharing by at least a form of concurrent sharing of at least some information between the first electronic device at the first location and the second electronic device at the remote location.

131. The method according to claim 103 further comprising:

transmitting, to the first electronic device, data based on a comparison of an image at the remote location at a first time with an image at the remote location at a second time.

132. The method of claim 103 wherein the control data facilitates interactive communication between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

133. The method of claim 132 wherein at least certain of the control data to facilitate interactive communication between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is input with a mouse at the first location.

134. The method of claim 103 further wherein at least certain of the control data is input through a keyboard.

135. The method according to claim 134 wherein the keyboard is part of a control panel.

136. The method of claim 103 wherein the information representing video data intended for display to a human can be manipulated to zoom in on a portion of a display.

137. The method of claim 103 wherein each of the electronic devices has video codec capabilities via which the information representing video data intended for display to a human is communicated.

138. The method of claim 103 wherein the initiation of communication with the second electronic device is facilitated by electronic mail capability.

139. The method of claim 103 wherein communication with the second electronic device is via an online service.

140. The method of claim 139 wherein the online service is an online computer service.

141. The method of claim 103, wherein the information representing video data and the graphic information are combined to facilitate display, at the first electronic device, of a video image based on both the information representing video data and the graphic information.

142. The method of claim 103, wherein each of the electronic devices has multiple video codec capabilities.

143. A method of monitoring, comprising:

receiving at one of a plurality of control computers, from a first electronic device having at least video display and computer functionality at a first location, one or more commands relating to an initiation of communication with at least one electronic device having at least video display and computer functionality at each of a plurality of distributed remote locations;

accessing a memory associated with the one of the plurality of control computers to obtain information relating to the plurality of distributed remote locations, the one of the plurality of control computers having at least a capability to;

receive, from multiple electronic devices, commands relating to an initiation of communication with multiple other electronic devices; and

facilitate communication with one or more of the other electronic devices;

facilitating, via the one of the plurality of control computers, communication with a second electronic device at a remote location;

displaying, at the first electronic device, selected information obtained from a the second electronic device at the remote location, the selected information including information representing video data intended for display to a human and representing at least certain color video information that is generated by the second electronic device at the remote location and that represents an image at the remote location;

displaying, at the first electronic device, graphic information relating to the second electronic device at the remote location; and

transmitting control data from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, at least certain of the control data causing manipulation of the second electronic device.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information also includes control data.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein at least part of the control data is indicated by dialed number identification signals (DNIS).

146. The method of claim 144, wherein at least part of the control data is indicated by automatic number identification (ANI).

147. The method of claim 144, wherein at least part of the control data indicates a status at the remote location.

148. The method of claim 144, wherein at least part of the control data identifies the remote location.

149. The method of claim 144, wherein at least part of the control data or the graphic information is identifying data identifying the second electronic device that generated the color video information.

150. The method of claim 149, wherein at least part of the identifying data is a number that facilitates communication with the second electronic device.

151. The method of claim 143, wherein the control data controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the second electronic device.

152. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information is selected in response to a special situation sensed at the remote location.

153. The method of claim 152, wherein the remote location includes at least one manually operated switch for indicating that a special situation has been sensed.

154. The method of claim 153, wherein the remote location includes a plurality of switches for indicating different types of special situations.

155. The method of claim 152, wherein the remote location includes a detector for detecting that a lens of the second electronic device has been covered.

156. The method of claim 152, wherein the remote location includes a sensor for sensing a special situation.

157. The method of claim 156, wherein the sensor is at least one of a sonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a visible light sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a motion detector and a metal detector.

158. The method of claim 156, wherein the sensor is for sensing a weapon.

159. The method of claim 152, wherein the special situation is indicated by entry, via a keypad, of an identification number at the remote location.

160. The method of claim 152, wherein the remote location includes a communication device for establishing a temporary communication channel to the first location.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein the communication device is an autodialer.

162. The method of claim 152, wherein the special situation is indicated by a change exceeding a predetermined threshold between images of a location captured at different times.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein the images are digitized video.

164. The method of claim 162, wherein at least one of the images is recorded.

165. The method of claim 143, wherein the second electronic device at the remote location is a videophone.

166. The method of claim 143, wherein the second electronic device at the remote location includes a camera.

167. The method of claim 143, wherein the second electronic device at the remote location includes a video signal generator.

168. The method of claim 167, wherein the information representing video data is a full motion video signal generated by the video signal generator at the remote location.

169. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information includes a full motion video signal.

170. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data represents television quality pictures.

171. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data conforms to NTSC format.

172. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information is encrypted.

173. The method of claim 143, wherein at least part of the graphic information represents a graphical representation of the remote location.

174. The method of claim 173, wherein the graphical representation is a map that includes streets.

175. The method of claim 174, wherein the map indicates north, south, east and west directions.

176. The method of claim 174, wherein the map includes entry/exit points at the remote location.

177. The method of claim 143, wherein the graphic information includes text relating to the remote location.

178. The method of claim 177, wherein the text represents at least one of a telephone number of the remote location, a name of the remote location, an address of the remote location, and a name of a person at the remote location.

179. The method of claim 177, wherein the text represents a nature of a situation at the remote location.

180. The method of claim 177, wherein the text represents a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location.

181. The method of claim 180, further comprising automatically dialing the telephone number of the police station associated with the remote location when the information representing video data indicates a situation meriting police notification.

182. The method of claim 143, further comprising providing image enhancement of the selected information.

183. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data and the graphic information are viewed by one operator at a time at the first location.

184. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data and the graphic information are viewed by multiple operators at a same time at the first location.

185. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data and the graphic information are displayed on multiple screen units.

186. The method of claim 143, wherein a communications interface is for sending a generated signal to the remote location based, at least in part, on the selected information obtained from the remote location.

187. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal is encoded.

188. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal is for controlling an operation of the second electronic device.

189. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal controls at least one of pan, zoom, view, tilt, freeze frame, and field of vision change of the second electronic device.

190. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal represents instructions for personnel at the remote location.

191. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal represents a prerecorded audio message.

192. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal represents a synthesized audio message.

193. The method of claim 186, wherein the generated signal represents a spoken audio message.

194. The method of claim 186, wherein the remote location has a speaker for audibly delivering the generated signal.

195. The method of claim 143, further comprising automatically dialing a telephone number of a police station associated with the remote location when the information representing video data indicates a situation meriting police notification.

196. The method of claim 143, further comprising recording the selected information.

197. The method of claim 143, wherein at least part of the selected information is obtained from a portion of the second electronic device having video recording capability at the remote location.

198. The method of claim 197, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record intermittently.

199. The method of claim 197, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record continuously.

200. The method of claim 197, wherein the device having video recording capability is set to record a selected frame of video.

201. The method of claim 197, wherein the video recording capability is set to record for a specified time interval.

202. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information at least in part is also recorded at the remote location.

203. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information is also printed at the remote location.

204. The method of claim 143, wherein the selected information is obtained from a switching device at the remote location that sequences information from the second electronic device.

205. The method of claim 143, wherein the remote location is one of a bank, a supermarket, a parking structure and a quality control facility.

206. The method of claim 143, further comprising using a control panel including at least one of an outgoing audio control, an incoming audio control, an outgoing video control, an incoming video control, an operations control for the second electronic device at the remote location, a display sequence control, a display resolution control, an indicator for indicating that the second electronic device has become inoperative, a keypad for selecting control commands, and an activator for establishing a communications connection to a police station.

207. The method of claim 206, wherein the control panel is a keyboard.

208. The method of claim 143, further comprising combining the selected information and the graphic information to produce a composite signal that is displayed.

209. The method of claim 143, further comprising recording transactions based on the selected information in a billing data memory.

210. The method of claim 143, further comprising providing backup power at the first location.

211. The method of claim 143, wherein the remote location has a battery for providing backup power.

212. The method of claim 143, wherein there are at least two remote locations.

213. The method of claim 212, wherein the at least two remote locations are associated with different business entities.

214. The method of claim 143, wherein there are at least two electronic devices at the remote location.

215. The method of claim 143 further comprising:

facilitating interactive data sharing by at least a form of concurrent sharing of at least some information between the first electronic device at the first location and the second electronic device at the remote location.

216. The method according to claim 143 further comprising:

transmitting, to the first electronic device, data based on a comparison of an image at the remote location at a first time with an image at the remote location at a second time.

217. The method of claim 143 wherein control data facilitates concurrent sharing of at least certain data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

218. The method of claim 217 wherein at least certain of the control data is input with a mouse at the first location.

219. The method of claim 143 further wherein at least certain of the control data is input through a keyboard.

220. The method according to claim 219 wherein the keyboard is part of a control panel.

221. The method of claim 143 wherein the information representing video data intended for display to a human can be manipulated to zoom in on a portion of a display.

222. The method of claim 143 wherein each of the electronic devices has video codec capabilities via which the information representing video data intended for display to a human is communicated.

223. The method of claim 143 wherein the initiation of communication with the second electronic device is facilitated by electronic mail capability.

224. The method of claim 143 wherein communication with the second electronic device is via an online service.

225. The method of claim 224 wherein the online service is an online computer service.

226. The method of claim 143, wherein the information representing video data and the graphic information are combined to facilitate display, at the first electronic device, of a video image based on both the information representing video data and the graphic information.

227. The method of claim 143, wherein each of the electronic devices has multiple video codec capabilities.