Abstract:
A new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector is disclosed. The security system also enables an occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. A remote unit allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity. The inventive device includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a video monitor operably coupled to the video camera, a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the proximity detector wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the video monitor through a video recording and playback device and wherein the microcontroller further includes firmware for activating the video camera and the video recording and playback device in response to the first signal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to security systems and more particularly pertains to a new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of security systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, security systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art security systems include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,843,461; 4,355,329; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,973; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,524,384; and 4,581,634. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new security system. The inventive device includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal. 
     In these respects, the security system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system. The security system also enables the occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. A remote unit also allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of security systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new security system construction wherein the same can be utilized for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new security system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the security systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new security system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art security systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new security system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the security systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new security system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art security systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new security system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new security system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such security system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector and for providing remote control of the security system. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system which includes a video camera for generating a video signal, a means for displaying video signals operably coupled to the video camera, a means for detecting motion such as a proximity detector for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera, a microcontroller operably coupled to the means for detecting motion wherein the microcontroller is further operably coupled to the video camera and to the means for displaying video signals through a means for recording and playing back video signals and wherein the microcontroller further comprises a means for activating the video camera and the means for recording and playing back video signals in response to the first signal. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system that enables an occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new security system that includes remote unit that allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the door unit o the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the remote unit of present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a door and adjoining wall having the new security system installed thereon. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the door having the new security system installed thereon. 
     FIG. 5 is front elevational view of the outside portion of the door unit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the control panel of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is side elevational view of the door unit. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the remote control unit of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 8 thereof, a new security system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
     With reference to FIG. 1 there is schematically shown the door unit including a video camera  16  for generating a video signal. The video camera  16  is preferably a charge coupled device video camera of the kind well know in the art. The video camera  16  is shown operably coupled to a means for displaying video signals  15  through a video switch  13 , the function of which will be described further hereinafter. The means for displaying video signals  15  is preferably a liquid crystal display selected for space economy. 
     The video camera  16  is preferably mounted within a door  80  or other threshold of a structure such as a residence or office in such manner so as not to be prone to shaking and further in such manner that the lens  101  of the video camera  16  faces the outside of the structure and thereby is positioned to capture activity outside the door  80  or other threshold. The means for displaying video signals  15  is preferably mounted upon an inside surface of a wall or other structure adjacent the door  80  or other threshold. In this manner a person inside the structure can view the activity outside the door without endangering themselves by being positioned in front of the door  80 , as would be the situation if the person were using a peep hole. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 1, a means for detecting motion  29 , such as a proximity detector or motion detector, is shown operably coupled to a microcontroller  12 . The means for detecting motion  29  is designed for generating a first signal representative of motion proximate the video camera  16 . The microcontroller  12  is further shown operatively coupled to the video camera  16  and to the means for displaying video signals  15  through a means for recording and playing back video signals  27 . The means for recording and playing back video signals  27  is preferably a video cassette recorder of the type well know in the art. The microcontroller  12  includes means for activating the video camera  16  and the means for recording and playing back video signals  27  in response to the first signal. 
     As is well known in the art, a video cassette recorder includes a means for simultaneously recording audio signals. An outside microphone  20  is shown operably coupled to the video cassette recorder  27  and is preferably disposed proximate the video camera  16  on an outside surface of the door  80 . The outside microphone  20  generates a first audio signal which is recorded by the video cassette recorder  27  upon the activation of the video cassette recorder  27 . 
     An inside speaker  26  is shown and is preferably disposed proximate the means for displaying video signals  15 . The inside speaker  26  is shown operably coupled to the outside microphone  20  through a first amplifier  25  having a volume control. The first amplifier  25  receives the first audio signal and generates a first amplifier output signal which is received by the inside speaker  26 . In this manner a person outside may communicate with the person inside the structure. 
     An inside microphone  24  is shown and is preferably disposed proximate the means for displaying video signals  15 . The inside microphone  24  is shown operably coupled to audio mixers  22  and  63  through a second amplifier  23 . The inside microphone  24  generates a second audio signal which is received by the second amplifier  25 . The second amplifier  25  generates a second amplifier output signal which is coupled to the audio mixers  63  and  22 . The audio mixers  63  and  22  passes the second amplifier output signal to an outside speaker  21 . In this manner the person inside the structure can communicate with a person outside the structure. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a radio frequency (RF) audio/video transmitter operably coupled to the microcontroller  12  through the means for recording and playing back video signals  27 . The RF audio/video transmitter  17  receives the video signal and the first audio signal and generates an audio/video signal which is transmissible through a first antenna  34  operably coupled to the RF audio/video transmitter  17  through a first duplexer  35 . 
     The microcontroller  12  is further shown having an alarm interface  31  operably coupled thereto. The microcontroller  12  preferably includes firmware implementing a means for generating an alarm signal for activating an alarm means. Also shown operably coupled to the microcontroller  12  is a control panel  30 . The microcontroller  12  includes means for programmably controlling the various capabilities of the means for recording and playing back video signals  27 . Further the microcontroller  12  is programmable to accomplish functions as described hereinafter. The control panel  30  provides a means for a user interface to the microcontroller  12 . 
     A telephone line interface  28  is also shown operably coupled to the microcontroller  12 . The telephone line interface  28  essentially comprises a modem, a relay, and a dialer. The microcontroller  12  preferably includes firmware for generating a telephone signal capable of dialing a telephone and for sending data messages. The microcontroller  12  is further shown operably coupled to a video digitizer  60 . The video digitizer  60  comprises essentially an analog to digital converter having a memory for storing frames of data representative of the video images captured by the video camera  16  and the infrared camera  14  described hereinbelow. The microcontroller  12  is programmable to either send data messages either by means of a data transceiver  32  operably coupled thereto or by means of the telephone line interface  28 . 
     An infrared video camera  14  is also shown in FIG.  1 . The infrared video camera  14  generates a third video signal and is mountable within the door in such manner that a lens thereof faces the outside of the structure. The infrared video camera  14  is shown operably coupled to the means for displaying video signals  15  through the video switch  13 . The video switch  13  is responsive to a light sensor  18  shown operably coupled thereto. In the event of low light, the video switch  13  connects the infrared video camera  14  and disconnects the video camera  16 . 
     With continued reference to FIG. 1 an outgoing message player/recorder  81  is shown operably coupled to the microcontroller  12  and to the outside speaker  21 . When the proximity detector  29  generates the first signal, the microcontroller  12  signals the outgoing message player/recorder  81  to play a pre-recorded message. 
     A light emitting diode  62  is shown operably coupled to the microcontroller  12  through a resistor R. The light emitting diode  62  is activated upon the generation of the first signal by the proximity detector  29 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown the remote unit  40 . The remote unit  40  includes a remote microphone  46  operably coupled to an audio transmitter  48 . The audio transmitter  48  generates a remote audio signal which is transmissible through a second antenna  53 . The remote audio signal is receivable by the first antenna  34  which is operably coupled to an audio receiver  36  through the first duplexer  35 . The audio receiver  36  is shown operably coupled to the mixer  22 . In this manner the person in possession of the remote unit  40  can communicate to the person outside the structure. 
     With continued reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a RF audio/video receiver  49  operably coupled to a second means for displaying video signals  50  and a remote speaker  47 . The RF audio/video receiver  49  receives the audio video signal transmitted by the RF audio/video transmitter  17  and generates a third audio signal receivable by the remote speaker  47  and a second video signal receivable by the second means for displaying video signals  50 , which preferably includes a liquid crystal display. 
     The remote unit  40  further includes a first data transceiver  42  operably coupled to a means for generating data, such as, control panel  43 . The data transceiver  42  generates a data signal transmissible through a first control antenna  45  operably coupled thereto. The data signal is receivable by a second control antenna  33  which is shown operably coupled to a second data transceiver  32  operably coupled to the microcontroller  12 . By means of the control panel  43  a user can access the microcontroller  12  to implement functions such as transmitting the video/audio signal, generating the alarm signal, and the functions of the video cassette recorder  27 . 
     With continued reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a means for generating an audible signal  44  operably coupled to the first data transceiver  42 . The means for generating an audible signal  44  preferably includes an audible alarm of the type well know in the art. 
     A cellular telephone transceiver  71  is shown operably coupled to a second microcontroller  74  through a modem  70 . In the case where the remote unit  40  is disposed away from the door unit, the microcontroller  12  is enabled to transmit the video frames generated by the video digitizer  60  through the telephone line interface  28 . When the modem  70  senses a certain carrier frequency (2600 Hz or higher) and amplitude, the audio functions of the remote unit  40  are muted by the second microcontroller  74  and the video frame is demodulated by the modem  70 . The second means for displaying video signals  50  is shown operably coupled to the second microcontroller  74  through a video circuit  75 . The video circuit  75  essentially comprises a video controller chip including a digital to analog converter and memory to hold the video frames. The second microcontroller  74  includes firmware to enable a user to request a new video frame which is then displayed by the second means for displaying video signals  50 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown a door  80  including an inside surface  81  and an outside surface  82 . The door unit  100  is shown disposed in the door  80  at approximately eye level. A flexible cable  81  connects the door unit  100  to the control panel  30  which is shown in FIG.  6 . The control panel  30  is shown including an LCD video monitor  15  and a plurality of buttons operable to program the microcontroller  12 . Also shown are the inside speaker  26  and the inside microphone  24 . 
     With reference to FIG. 5 an outside portion  102  of the door unit  100  is shown including the video camera lens  101 , the outside microphone  20 , the outside speaker  21 , the motion detector  29  and the light sensor  18 . 
     With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown the door unit  100  including the outside portion  102  connected to a locking portion  103  by means of an intermediate portion  104  which is closely received in an aperture formed in the door  80 . The locking portion  103  is designed to lock the outside portion  102  is place. 
     With reference to FIG. 8 the remote control panel  43  is shown including the second LCD video monitor  50 . A plurality of buttons operable to program and control the second microcontroller  74 . The remote speaker  47  and the remote microphone  46  are also shown. 
     As to a discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.