Security system for mass transit and mass transportation

• US 20070040672A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Chinigo
• Original Assignee: Andrew Chinigo
• Inventors: Chinigo, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,880,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.220
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19697 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/22 for communication related to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/24 for communication related to weapons
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/226 Selection of non-jammed channel for communication spectrum sharing arrangements H04W16/14; selection of wireless resources by user or terminal H04W72/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/28 with jamming and anti-jamming mechanisms both included in a same device or system, e.g. wherein anti-jamming includes prevention of undesired self-jamming resulting from jamming
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/41 characterized by the control of the jamming activation or deactivation time control of jamming activation and deactivation time only for the purpose of alternating between jamming mode and target monitoring mode H04K3/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/45 characterized by including monitoring of the target or target signal, e.g. in reactive jammers or follower jammers for example by means of an alternation of jamming phases and monitoring phases, called "look-through mode"

Abstract

A security system and method for mass transit and mass transportation whereby high capacity mobile vehicles such as ships, buses, planes, trains and subways transporting large numbers of passengers or cargo, are continuously monitored and secured. Sensors are utilized to detect and alert the presence of radioactive or explosive materials on board as well as within close proximity of the vehicle. Sensors are also used to identify and track cargo and people, such as drivers, operators, employees, crew, and passengers, and provide continuous location and tracking thereof from the point of initial entry to the final point of exit. Additionally, a global positioning system (GPS) provides location data, and wireless data and telecommunications link provides two-way data and voice communication with any designated remote location by using one of several modes of wireless telecommunication. Cameras provide visual observation within designated viewable areas, and may be activated by any detection of motion, and are infrared or night vision capable allowing viewing even in extremely poor light conditions. DVR recording allow a huge amount of video content from the cameras to be digitally recorded, then played back later for further analysis. Finally, the Security System may optionally have an Internet Protocol (IP) address thereby allowing authorized persons to access the system from secured Internet connection.

Claims

1. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, whereby a substantial number of passengers and/or cargo items are transported by an inter-modal transportation vehicle, such as a bus, ship, train, subway, or aircraft, and comprising:

a) a vehicle that transports substantial cargo and/or passengers, including a plurality of seats for crew and/or passengers, and a cargo hold whereby cargo is stored for transit, and said vehicle having at least one seat for a driver, pilot or operator, and said vehicle having at least one door or entry point through which people and/or cargo enter and exit;

b) a first sensor and associated at each doorway and other predetermined points within the vehicle for sensing and outputting a first signal regarding the identity and presence of any identification media passing within detectable proximity of said first sensor;

c) a second sensor mounted on the vehicle for sensing and outputting a second signal indicative of radioactive, explosive and/or bio-hazardous material located in the interior of the vehicle or in close outer proximity to the vehicle;

d) a third sensor associated with each designated operator and passenger seat, for sensing and outputting a third signal indicative of a person occupying the associated seat;

e) a fourth sensor associated with each seat belt associated with each seat for sensing and outputting a fourth signal indicative of a person seated in the associated seat and buckled in;

f) an alarm actuated responsive to a predetermined signal;

g) a display located within the vision of the vehicle operator for displaying collected data and information specifically correlated with the respective occupancy of seats and other conditions about the vehicle, and said display comprised of one or more selectable screens available to an operator with manual control by the operator of input and screen selection;

h) means for indicating and displaying the identification and presence and location of each cargo item or person in the vehicle in response to the first signals received, and for comparing to any preloaded manifest in memory for generating a first difference signal;

i) means for indicating and displaying all designated seating positions within the vehicle including information regarding the status of occupancy and seat belt use in accordance with the third and fourth signals;

j) means for indicating and displaying any alarm within the system;

k) a computer system for controlling the security system including an I/O for generating an input signal by a driver, operator, or authorized person, a memory and a processor to receive the signals and to initiate an alarm responsive thereto, said memory being enabled to store collected and collated data concerning the signals, the status of sensors and the status of the display, data including manifests and itinerary downloads;

l) three modes of communication including i) a wireless dedicated communication network, ii) a conventional cellular wireless protocol, and iii) a satellite transceiver for satellite based communication outside modes i) and ii);

m) a cellular wireless jamming device responsive to a signal generated by the processor;

n) means for inputting information into the memory via the processor from hard-wired and wireless sources;

o) whereby said processor is enabled to compare the identification of cargo or persons within the vehicle as received from the first sensor to relevant data stored into memory with information such as a passenger or cargo manifest, and to identify expected, permitted, or disallowed passengers or cargo, and responsive to a mismatch, initiate the predetermined signal to activate the appropriate alarm, and additionally, enables selection of differing methods of communication, and responsive to a predetermined alarm signal initiated from a sensor, to select or de-select a mode of communication to a remote location, and, in addition to the activate the cellular wireless jamming device.

2. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including a motion sensor for providing an output signal indicating motion within or about the vehicle and infrared or night vision cameras coupled to the processor operable and responsive to an output signal from a motion sensor for visually monitoring an area being sensed by the motion sensor, even in low light conditions, and providing an output.

3. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 2 wherein the display is coupled via the processor to visually area(s) being covered by the cameras.

4. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 wherein a camera is triggered in response to the output of the second signal, and the camera is directed to view the area where the material has been detected.

5. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 4 wherein, the display will display a visual warning(s) responsive of the camera view and predetermined information related thereto.

6. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 wherein the memory is enabled for storing downloaded itinerary data for future retrieval.

7. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 whereupon the alarm will be triggered responsive to the first or third signal, and the processor will immediately initiate a report of the alarm to be displayed on the display and additionally to be transmitted via the wireless data and communications link to a predetermined remote location.

8. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including a manual controllable means, operable by the operator or driver while normally operating the vehicle, for initiating the wireless data and communication link between the vehicle and a remote location and sending a message.

9. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including a global positioning means coupled to the wireless data and communication link for providing location data to a predetermined remote location.

10. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including telematic means for sensing the location, motion, direction and speed of the vehicle.

11. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 wherein the DVR digitally records video content and the memory memorializes alarms and events sensed, both for future retrieval.

12. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including digital cameras for viewing the interior and exterior, and sending signals via wireless data and communications link to a remote location.

13. A security system for mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 1 further including means for conducting a self-test program controlled by the processor for checking the sensors, displays, and cameras.

14. A method for ensuring the security of mass transit and mass transportation, whereby a substantial number of passengers and/or cargo items are transported by an inter-modal transportation vehicle, such as a bus, ship, train, subway, or aircraft, and comprising the steps of:

a) providing a vehicle that transports substantial cargo and/or passengers, including a plurality of seats for crew and/or passengers, and a cargo hold whereby cargo is stored for transit, and said vehicle having at least one seat for a driver, pilot or operator, and said vehicle having at least one door or entry point through which people and/or cargo enter and exit;

b) sensing doorways and other predetermined points within the vehicle for outputting a first signal regarding the identity and presence of any identification tag passing within detectable proximity of said first sensor;

c) sensing and outputting a second signal indicative of explosive and/or bio-hazardous material located in the interior of the vehicle or in close outer proximity to the vehicle;

d) sensing and outputting a third signal indicative of a person occupying a seat;

e) sensing and outputting a fourth signal indicative of a person seated in a seat and buckled in;

f) actuating an alarm responsive to a predetermined signal;

g) displaying within the vision of the vehicle operator one or more selectable screens available to the operator collected data and information specifically correlated with the respective occupancy of seats and other conditions about the vehicle,

h) providing the operator with manual control of input and screen selection;

i) indicating and displaying the identification and presence and location of each cargo item or person in the vehicle in response to the first signals received, and comparing to any preloaded manifest in memory for generating a first difference signal;

j) indicating and displaying all designated seating positions within the vehicle including information regarding the status of occupancy and seat belt use in accordance with the third and fourth signals;

k) indicating and displaying any alarm within the system;

l) controlling the security by a computer system including an I/O for generating an input signal by a driver, operator, or authorized person, a memory and a processor to receive the signals and to initiate an alarm responsive thereto, said memory being enabled to store collected and collated data concerning the signals, the status of sensors and the status of the display, data including manifests and itinerary downloads;

m) providing three modes of communication including i) a wireless dedicated communication network, ii) a conventional cellular wireless protocol, and iii) a satellite transceiver for satellite based telecommunication outside modes i) and ii);

n) providing a cellular wireless jamming device responsive to a signal generated by the processor;

o) inputting information into the memory via the processor from hard-wired and wireless sources;

p) whereby said processor is enabled to compare the identification of cargo or persons within the vehicle as received from the first sensor to relevant data stored into memory with information such as a passenger or cargo manifest, and to identify expected, permitted, or disallowed passengers or cargo, and responsive to a mismatch, initiate the predetermined signal to activate the appropriate alarm, and additionally, enables selection of differing methods of communication, and responsive to a predetermined alarm signal initiated from a sensor, to select or de-select a mode of communication to a remote location, and, in addition to the activate the cellular wireless jamming device.

15. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the step of providing infrared or night vision capable security cameras responsive to an input signal and providing an output of video feed information.

16. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the further step of communicating between the vehicle, vessel or craft and a remote location.

17. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the further step of communicating global positioning of the vehicle to a remote station.

18. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the further step of digitally recording video and events sensed.

19. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the further steps of digitally viewing the interior of the vehicle, and sending corresponding digital signals via a data and communications link to a remote station.

20. A method for securing mass transit and mass transportation, according to claim 14 including the further step of programming the processor to conduct a self test program for checking safety equipments on board.