System for surveillance of and communication with residential entryway from remote location using existing telephone lines

• US 20040085450A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chornenky O. Joseph
• Original Assignee: John C. Stuart
• Inventors: Stuart, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,012,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/156
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/186 Video door telephones

Abstract

A surveillance system for the entryway of a residence utilizes an existing peephole in a door to install a camera and utilizes the existing telephones in a residence to communicate from within the residence with an individual standing in the entryway.

Claims

1. A surveillance system for a residence including an inside area and an outer area, the outer area including an entryway to access the inside area, said system comprising

(a) a peephole opening at said entryway;

(b) a lens mounted in said peephole;

(c) a camera operatively associated with said lens and at least partially positioned in the inside area, said camera including

(i) a viewfinder for an individual in the inside area to view at least a portion of the entryway, and

(ii) a transmitter to transmit a signal including data defining the portion of the entryway viewed through the viewfinder.

2. The surveillance system of claim 1 including a telephone.

3. The surveillance system of claim 1 including a battery to operate said camera.

4. The surveillance system of claim 1 including a remote unit to receive said signal and store data in the signal.

5. The surveillance system of claim 1 including a remote unit to receive said signal and activate an electrically powered unit operatively associated with said surveillance system.

6. The surveillance system of claim 3 including a system to provide electricity from a phone line to charge said battery.

7. The surveillance system of claim 5 including a system to provide electricity from a phone line to power said electrically powered unit.