Communication and monitoring system

• US 9,554,090 B1
• Filed: 07/04/2016
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SB IP Holdings LLC (Skybell Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eyetalk365, LLC
• Inventors: Carter, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Laekemariam, Yosef K
• Application Number:
  US15/201,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20170048489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 204 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.01, 348/552, 348/E7.078, 348/E7.089, 348/569, 348/739, 348/143, 348/155, 379/142.05, 379/48, 379/433.06, 379/364, 379/88.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/32 in combination with an identity check
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• 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 7/144 camera and display on the same optical axis, e.g. optically multiplexing the camera and display for eye to eye contact
• 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 7/148 Interfacing a video terminal to a particular transmission medium, e.g. ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/10 adapted for application session management, e.g. SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] connection management H04W76/00; arrangements for session management H04L67/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.

Claims

1. A method for receiving a person at an entrance, comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting streaming video data wirelessly using an exterior device associated with a door comprising a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a proximity detector, and a keypad having one or more buttons, after one of the one or more buttons on the keypad is pressed by the person at the entrance;

(b) receiving the streaming video data wirelessly using a software application running on at least one peripheral device which is a cell phone;

(c) displaying the video transmitted wirelessly by the exterior device using the software application running on the at least one peripheral device;

(d) receiving audio data from the person at the entrance by the peripheral device running the software application, which is transmitted wirelessly by the exterior device;

(e) receiving a prompt from the software application running on the peripheral device, which is transmitted wirelessly from the exterior device after pressing one of the one or more buttons on the keypad of the exterior device to a user;

(f) speaking with the person at the entrance through the software application running on the peripheral device and the exterior device associated with the entrance;

(g) authorizing, through the software application executing on the peripheral device, entrance into a business or residence associated with the entrance;

(h) actuating an electronically actuated door lock associated with the door upon receiving an authorization from the peripheral device;

(i) defining a hierarchy of storage of audio and video data associated with the exterior device associated with the door; and

(j) storing the audio and video data per the defined hierarchy of the system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

storing time-stamped video or audio messages received by the exterior module in a database for later viewing; and

sending messages to a plurality of peripheral devices that the person is present at the entrance.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

receiving the video and audio data by a computerized controller for storage.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the computerized controller is a PC computer and is located on the interior of the business or residence.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting live streaming video from a second exterior device to the peripheral device for viewing, the second exterior device comprising a video camera and located on the interior of the business or residence;

storing a network designation of an interior transceiver comprising a touchscreen; and

providing power to the exterior device through the an electrical connection associated with the business or residence.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting live streaming video from an interior transceiver to the peripheral device for viewing through the software application, the interior transceiver comprising a comprising a video camera and located on the interior of the business or residence; and

storing a network designation of the interior transceiver.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting live video from an interior transceiver to the peripheral device for viewing through the software application once motion is detected, the interior transceiver located on the interior of the business or residence and comprising a video camera and a proximity detector for detecting movement; and

storing a network designation of the interior transceiver.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing an alert based upon whether the door associated with an electronically actuated lock is open or closed;

creating a redundant system for storage of the video and audio data;

storing a designation of the exterior device;

storing the location and number of backup devices for storage of the audio and video data;

providing default prompts for interacting with the person at the entrance; and

transmitting streaming video from the exterior device to a wireless router for transmission to the peripheral device.

9. A detection and viewing system associated with a door comprising:

an exterior device associated with the door comprising a camera, a microphone, a speaker, an RF receiver, an RF transmitter, a proximity detector, and a keypad having one or more buttons, which is operable to wirelessly transmit real-time streaming digital video after at least one of the one or more buttons on the keypad is pressed by a person at the door;

a software application running on at least one peripheral device, wherein each of the at least one peripheral device is associated with a respective user;

a computer configured for wireless communication with the exterior device to receive digital video data, wherein the computer is configured for communication with each of the at least one peripheral device to transmit the real-time streaming digital video to the at least one peripheral device,

wherein the at least one peripheral device comprises a cellular phone running the software application, which is configured to display the real-time digital streaming video transmitted wirelessly by the exterior device, receive audio data from the person transmitted wirelessly from the exterior device, receive and display an alert to the user, the alert configured to be transmitted wirelessly from the exterior device after pressing one of the one or more buttons, and wherein the at least one peripheral device allows the user to speak with the person at the door using the software application running on the cellular phone after receiving the alert on the at least one peripheral device, and

wherein an electronically actuated lock is associated with the door and configured to be opened after receiving instructions from the software application running on the at least one peripheral device; and

a database comprising a defined hierarchy of storage for audio and video data received from the exterior device.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the database comprises:

a plurality of access codes for actuating the lock;

privilege levels for one or more persons;

the audio and video data stored pursuant to the defined hierarchy, the audio and video data having a timestamp;

a designation of the exterior device; and

one or more passwords to access the database.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one peripheral device running the software application is configured to unlock the electronically actuated lock associated with the door through a voice generation apparatus.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the system further comprises replications of the database comprising at least one user password to access the database, a network designation of at least one exterior device, and defined privileges of one or more persons,

wherein an interior transceiver comprising a touchscreen display is configured to display video from the exterior device or an interior device comprising a video camera.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the computer comprises a PC computer and is located on the interior of a business or residence where the door is located.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a database application associated with the computer, the database application comprising at least one user password to access the database application, at least one telephone number where the user can be reached, and a camera configured to provide video to the at least one peripheral device.

15. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

an interior transceiver comprising a microphone and a touch screen configured for sending and receiving text to and from the computer respectively, the computer being located remote to the exterior device,

wherein the at least one peripheral device is configured to receive streaming video,

wherein the interior transceiver is configured to allow the user to speak with an emergency person that is located remotely from a business or residence where the door is located through a speaker and the microphone on the interior transceiver, and

wherein the software application is configured to provide an alarm to the at least one peripheral device if the electronically actuated lock is unlocked.

16. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a second exterior device comprising a camera that is configured to provide video data to the software application running on the peripheral device,

wherein the system further comprises replications of the database, at least one user password to access the database, and a network designation of at least one exterior device, and

wherein the system is a redundant system.

17. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a second exterior device comprising a camera that is configured to provide video data to the software application running on the peripheral device; and

an interior transceiver comprising a touchscreen interface, a microphone, and a speaker configured for two-way audio communication with emergency personnel or a private security service,

wherein the database further stores beginning and ending time-stamped video according to the defined storage hierarchy, contains at least one user password to access the database for the data associated with the exterior device, and a network designation of the exterior device, and

wherein the system is a redundant system.

18. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a second exterior device comprising a camera associated with the door, wherein the second exterior device is configured to provide digital video to the software application running on the peripheral device, and

wherein the database further stores time-stamped video according to the defined storage hierarchy, a network designation of the exterior device, and ending all recording of the person detected at the door of a business or residence once the person is out of range of the first exterior device.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a second exterior device comprising a camera associated with a door, wherein the second exterior device is configured to provide real-time streaming digital video to the software application running on the peripheral device,

wherein the database further stores time-stamped video according to the defined storage hierarchy, a network designation of the exterior device, and ending all recording of the person detected at the door of a business or residence once the person is out of range of the first exterior device, and

wherein the peripheral device, through the software application, is configured to selective sort recorded video.

20. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

an interior transceiver comprising a touchscreen interface, a microphone, and a speaker configured for two-way audio communication with emergency personnel or private security service,

wherein an alert is provided to a remote peripheral device when the electronically actuated door lock is unlocked through the software application on the peripheral device, and

wherein text is displayed that is associated with a status of the electronically actuated door lock on the interior transceiver.

21. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

an interior transceiver comprising a touchscreen interface, a microphone, and a speaker configured for two-way audio communication with emergency personnel or private security service; and

a second interior transceiver comprising a video camera and a proximity detector configured for transmitting video data to the peripheral device upon detection of motion at the door.

22. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a second exterior device comprising a keypad with a plurality of buttons wherein an access code is entered on the keypad that unlocks the electronically actuated lock associated with the entrance.

23. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a voice recognition module on the peripheral device configured to unlock the electronically actuated door lock.

24. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a voice recognition module on the peripheral device configured to unlock the electronically actuated door lock,

wherein the database further stores time-stamped video according to the defined hierarchy, and

wherein the peripheral device is configured to display the hierarchy of stored video and a network designation of the exterior device.

25. The system of claim 9 wherein the database comprises a plurality of access codes for actuating the lock, privilege levels associated with one or more persons, the audio and video data stored pursuant to the defined hierarchy having a timestamp, a designation of the exterior device, and one or more passwords to access the database.

26. A method for receiving a person at an entrance, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) executing a software application on a remote peripheral device comprising a cell phone that is configured to display real-time digital streaming video of the person located proximate the entrance, wherein video is transmitted wirelessly by a wireless exterior module associated with the entrance, the wireless exterior module comprising a keypad having one or more buttons, a microphone, a speaker, and a proximity sensor in a self-contained single unit;

(b) receiving an alert from the wireless exterior module after detection of the person at the entrance via the proximity sensor;

(c) providing the software application running on the remote peripheral device that is additionally configured to;

(i) receive the digital streaming video wirelessly on the remote peripheral device from the wireless exterior module associated with the entrance after detection of the person at the entrance via the proximity detector;

(ii) display the real-time streaming digital video from the wireless exterior module;

(iii) transmit digital audio data from the remote peripheral device to the wireless exterior module; and

(iv) actuate an electronically actuated door lock associated with the entrance; and

(d) providing access to a business or residence by unlocking the electronically actuated door lock associated with the entrance of the business or residence after the person associated with the remote peripheral device has actuated the electronically actuated door lock.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of receiving an alert at the peripheral device is based upon whether electronically actuated door lock is unlocked.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of:

using voice recognition through use of a voice recognition module associated with the remote peripheral device to access the wireless exterior module located proximate the entrance.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of:

transmitting the real-time digital streaming video from the wireless exterior module to a wireless router located within the residence or business and transmitting the real-time digital streaming video from the wireless router to the remote peripheral device without having an administrator view the real-time digital streaming video before sending the video to the remote peripheral device.

30. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

providing an alert based upon whether the door associated with the electronically actuated lock is unlocked;

defining a hierarchy of storage for audio and video from the wireless exterior module;

creating a redundant system for storage of the video and audio data from the wireless exterior module based upon the defined hierarchy;

storing a designation of the wireless exterior module device in a database;

storing the location and number of backup devices for storage of the audio and video data in the database; and

providing default prompts for interacting with the person at the entrance on the remote peripheral device upon pressing of the one or more buttons on the wireless exterior module.