Abstract:
A monitoring device for monitoring property includes a plurality of detection sensors that monitor conditions proximate to property using the detection sensors. The monitoring device detects unusual conditions and initiates communication with a user transceiver via a transceiver coupled to the monitoring device. Once communication is established, the user may monitor conditions proximate to the monitoring device. The monitoring device includes a location identifier, such as a tracking transmitter that emits a signal that facilitates locating the monitoring device. The monitoring device further includes a central processing unit to facilitate receiving programming commands from a user through the user transceiver to customize the security parameters of the monitoring device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. The Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for improving security. Specifically, the invention relates to devices, methods, and systems for providing automated information regarding the status and location of fixed or mobile property.  
         [0003]     2. The Relevant Art  
         [0004]     Many personal, corporate, or government property items are vulnerable to theft or vandalism with no effective economical means of protection. Security systems that monitor the premises of a property are usually expensive and typically ineffective. Such monitoring security systems are also typically immobile and slow to respond to trouble. Once informed of stolen or vandalized property, law enforcement personnel are often too busy to investigate such crimes due to their heavy workloads. Thieves and vandals of small items are seldom caught, and the personal property is seldom recovered.  
         [0005]     Currently available security systems typically require the owner to be physically present to activate or deactivate the security system. The requirement of being physically present has proven to be cumbersome for owners, particularly when the security system is placed at a job location, such as a construction site, that might be located far from the owner of the security system. When a security system is activated, the owner may be required to go to the location, and manually reset the system.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, current security systems often notify a security company designated to that security system. Notifying a designated security company often proves to be ineffective in that security companies will automatically notify local authorities whenever the security system is activated. Oftentimes, the notification is a false alarm and the authorities are required to inspect the location, wasting valuable time.  
         [0007]     What is needed is a device for securing property that is portable, simple, inconspicuous, effective, and economical. Such a device could be attached to a property item, and would be highly effective in providing notification directly to the owner of the device regarding disturbances to property. Such a device would inconspicuously protect a wide array of property, including, without limitation, vehicles, power tools, bicycles, trailers, boats, stereos, televisions, and the like. In response to a property disturbance, such a device would be effective to provide instant notification of the disturbance to the owner, provide real time tracking information regarding any movement of the property to enable identification and apprehension of the perpetrator(s), and enable quick recovery of the property. Also such a unit should be programmable to automatically turn off and on at specific times of the day.  
         [0008]     In addition to the aforementioned attributes, what is further needed is a device that may be programmed from any remote location. Such a device could conveniently be programmed at any time from a remote location, and would eliminate the need for an owner to travel to the property and reset or program the various elements contained within the security system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The various elements of the present invention have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available security systems. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved apparatus, method, and system for providing security to property locations and items.  
         [0010]     In one aspect of the present invention, a method for improving security includes attaching a transceiver to a central processing unit, receiving programming commands from a user transceiver, contacting the user transceiver to provide information pertaining to one or more monitoring devices, and transmitting a signal configured to facilitate locating one or more monitoring devices. In one embodiment, the method further includes monitoring the status of property, and sending security related information to a user by way of a user transceiver.  
         [0011]     The method of improving security provides a user, such as a property owner, with security information necessary to take appropriate measures regarding the security of the monitored property. In one embodiment, the security related information provided to a user transceiver includes directions to, distance to, location of, and status of one or more monitoring devices. In a second embodiment, the security related information provided to a user transceiver includes the status information regarding a condition proximate to one or more monitoring devices. The method for improving security empowers a user to respond intelligently to property disturbances.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile monitoring device includes a central processing unit, a transceiver coupled to the central processing unit, and a tracking transmitter configured to facilitate locating the monitoring device. In one embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive programming commands from a user transceiver, and send information to the user transceiver in response to a condition proximate to the monitoring device. The monitoring device interacts with a user, monitors local conditions, and provides security information to the user.  
         [0013]     The monitoring device includes one or more detection sensors configured to monitor a condition proximate to the monitoring device. Examples of detection sensors include but are not limited to a motion sensor, a shock sensor, an audible sensor, a water sensor, a fire sensor, and a detachment sensor. The detection sensors facilitate providing security related information regarding one or more monitoring devices to a user through a user transceiver.  
         [0014]     In selected embodiments, the monitoring device further includes a voice module configured to record and play a message pertaining to the monitoring device, or a condition proximate to the monitoring device. In one embodiment, the voice module includes a microphone, speakers, and the like. Monitoring devices may reside at construction sites, houses, stores, or the like. Other monitoring devices may include still or video cameras. In certain embodiments, the transceiver within a monitoring device comprises a cellular telephone that enables a user to contact, or be contacted by, the monitoring device through a user transceiver. In one embodiment, the user transceiver may be a telephone, computer terminal, PDA, or the like. Once connection between the user transceiver and one or more monitoring devices has been established, a user may receive security information and provide programming commands to the monitoring device. Programming commands may be used to activate sirens, strobe lights, speakers, etc.  
         [0015]     Various elements of the present invention are combined into a system for improving security. In one embodiment, the system includes a central processing unit and a transceiver coupled to the central processing unit. The transceiver is preferably configured to receive programmable commands from a user transceiver and to contact the user transceiver in response to a condition proximate to one or more monitoring devices. The system may further include a tracking transmitter configured to transmit a tracking signal locatable by a user, a detection sensor configured to monitor a condition proximate to one or more monitoring devices, a camera configured to collect still or video photo info, a timing module configured to automatically enable one or more monitoring devices, and a microphone configured to collect audible information proximate to one or more monitoring devices.  
         [0016]     The present invention facilitates providing information to a user such as the location of, status of, and directions to a monitoring device. The present invention also provides a user with the option of providing programming commands to a monitoring device that activates the various options or features.  
         [0017]     The various elements and aspects of the present invention provide information regarding the status of one or more monitoring devices placed to monitor property and conditions proximate to the property. The present invention increases security by providing information necessary to take appropriate measures to ensure the security of the physical property. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     In order that the manner in which the advantages and objects of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a security system of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a monitoring device of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a programming method of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a monitoring method of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a security system in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.  
         [0025]     Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.  
         [0026]     Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile security system  100  addresses many of the problems and issues inherent in the prior art security systems as discussed in the background section. The security system  100  includes one or more monitoring devices  102 , and one or more transceivers  104 . As depicted, the monitoring devices  102  and the transceivers  104  communicate by way of a communications medium such as a mobile communications network  106 . The depicted security system  100  provides information to a user  108  pertaining to a condition of one or more monitoring devices  102 .  
         [0028]     The depicted monitoring devices  102  are configured to monitor conditions relating to real property or equipment, and provide information regarding those conditions to a user with the use of one or more transceivers  104 . The monitoring devices  102  may, for example, monitor construction sites and equipment commonly found at construction sites. In so doing, the monitoring devices  102  may detect fires, floods, movement, and other disturbances caused by people, nature, animals, or the like.  
         [0029]     The monitoring devices  102  may establish communication with one or more transceivers  104  by way of the communications network  106 . In one embodiment, the monitoring devices  102  establish communication with one or more transceivers  104  upon detecting movement at or near a construction site. The transceivers  104  are configured to interact with a user  108  and may include telephones, computer terminals, PDA&#39;s, televisions, radios, speakers, or the like. The monitoring devices  102  monitor events such as the location and status of the property being monitored and communicate information regarding the events through the transceivers  104 .  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, a transceiver  104  interacts with a user  108  using verbal communication. The verbal communication may include directions to and the location of the property being monitored. The verbal communication may further include real-time or deferred audio or video information gathered by one or more monitoring devices  102 . Additionally, audio information may be used to allow a user  108  to listen to sounds in the environment of the property being monitored. Indeed, the very conversations of thieves may be monitored with this feature without the thieves being aware of any surveillance.  
         [0031]     In one example of operation, a monitoring device  102  may monitor the area of a construction site and the equipment found thereon. Upon detecting a disturbance, one or more monitoring devices  102  may initiate communication with one or more transceivers  104  by way of the communication network  106 . A user  108  may then access the transceiver  104  and be provided with information such as the location of, and directions to, the construction site. Further, the monitoring devices  102  may provide real-time or deferred audio or video information to the transceiver  104 . The audio or video information enables a user  108  to monitor conditions at the construction site by way of the transceiver  104 . A user  108  may then proceed to take appropriate action to secure the construction site and the equipment stored at the construction site.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram further illustrating specific elements of one embodiment of the security system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The security system  100  improves the security of property by providing information to a user  108  pertaining to the location and status of the property being monitored by the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0033]     The depicted monitoring device  102  includes a transceiver  200 , a controller  202 , a battery monitor  204 , a tracking device  205 , a plurality of sensing devices  206 , and a plurality of interface devices  208 . The various elements of the monitoring device  102  may communicate on a central bus  210 . The transceiver  200  may be a cellular telephone that facilitates communication between the monitoring device  102  and a user  108 . One example of a cellular telephone that may be used as the transceiver  200  is the Nokia  5165  cellular telephone, though any cellular telephone, hardwired, or wireless device may be used. Communications may also be conducted over the Internet. The communication may include verbal, tactile, and visual interaction.  
         [0034]     The controller  202  is a microprocessor that interacts with the transceiver  200  to provide information regarding the additional elements of the monitoring device  102 , such as the power status of the battery, the status of the sensing devices  206 , the status of the tracking device  205 , and the status of the interface devices  208  to a user  108 . The controller  202  may also interact with the transceiver  200  to provide programming commands to the additional elements of the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0035]     The additional elements within the monitoring device  102  may provide information to a user  108  by way of the transceiver  200 , as previously explained. The battery monitor  204  provides information regarding the power supply of the monitoring device  102  to a user  108 . The tracking device  205  provides information regarding the location of the monitoring device  102  to a user  108 . In one embodiment, the tracking device  205  is a GPS device that provides the geographical coordinates of the monitoring device  102  to a user  108 . In a second embodiment, the tracking device  205  is an RF transmitter that transmits radio frequency waves in order to enable a user  108  to locate the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0036]     As depicted, the monitoring device  102  includes a plurality of sensing devices  206  that provide information regarding the status of the property being monitored by the monitoring device  102  to a user  108 . The information provided by the sensing devices  206  to a user  108  may also include information pertaining to the status of the monitoring device  102 . The sensing devices  206  include, but are not limited to, magnetic sensors, shock sensors, motion sensors, temperature sensors, water sensors, sound sensors, smoke sensors, video sensors, and the like.  
         [0037]     The interface devices  208  facilitate interfacing between the monitoring device  102  and a user  108 . In one embodiment, the interface devices  208  include a voice module. The voice module provides audible information to a user  108  regarding the monitoring device  102  and the property being monitored by the monitoring device  102 . The interface devices  208  may also include devices for interfacing with other equipment such as recording devices, on-site alarm systems, and the like.  
         [0038]     The monitoring device  102  interacts with a user  108  to provide information regarding the monitoring device  102  and the property being monitored by the monitoring device  102 . In one embodiment, the battery monitor  204  interacts with the controller  202  when the power supply of the battery has reached a pre-determined low power threshold value. The controller  202  interacts with the transceiver  200  to provide a command to contact a user transceiver  104 . The transceiver  200  interacts with a user  108  by initiating a telephone call to a user transceiver  104 . The controller  202  may also interact with the interface devices  208 , such as a voice module, by providing a command to provide audible information to a user transceiver  104  through the transceiver  200  regarding the status of the battery power supply being monitored by the battery monitor  204 . Providing information regarding the status of the battery power supply informs a user  108  as to when recharging the battery of the monitoring device  102  is necessary.  
         [0039]     A sensing device  206  may interact with the controller  202  when that particular sensing device  206  is activated. For example, a monitoring device  102  may be placed at a typical construction site. A sensing device  206 , such as a motion sensor may be activated by moving an object proximate to the monitoring device  102 , or by moving the actual monitoring device  102 . The sensing devices  206  interact with the controller  202  to provide information regarding conditions proximate to the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0040]     The controller  202  interacts with the tracking device  205  by providing a command to initiate transmitting signals that enable a user  108  to locate the monitoring device  102 . For example, the controller  202  may interact with the transceiver  200  to provide a command to initiate a telephone call to a user transceiver  104 . The transceiver  200  initiates a telephone call to a user transceiver  104  and a user  108  is able to obtain information regarding the status and location of the monitoring device  102  and the status of the property being monitored by the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0041]     In one embodiment, the monitoring device  102  is programmable to automatically turn on and off at selected times. An internal timing circuit or other clock device may be used to trigger the automatic functions. The programming may be conducted locally, by hand, or remotely. Thus, in one embodiment, the user may program the unit to turn itself off (sleep mode) automatically during working hours and automatically back on (alarm active mode) during night and weekend hours.  
         [0042]     During sleep mode, when the unit is not active, one or more sensors may still be programmed to recognize an unauthorized tampering, removal of the unit, or attempted destruction of the unit. The sensors may be magnetic or shock sensors. When the sensor recognizes an unauthorized tampering, it activates the unit and initiate a call to the owner alerting him or her of the unauthorized tampering or attempted removal or destruction of the unit.  FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a security system programming method  300  of the present invention. The security system programming method  300  facilitates providing programming commands to one or more monitoring devices  102  of the security system  100 .  
         [0043]     In the depicted embodiment, the security system programming method  300  includes a contact step  302 , a request password step  304 , a communication test  306 , a provide information step  308 , a command test  310 , an execute step  312 , a confirmation step  314 , and a disconnect test  316 .  
         [0044]     The method begins by contacting  302  the transceiver  200 . In one embodiment, contacting  302  the transceiver  200  is conducted by a user transceiver  104  which includes, but is not limited to, a telephone, radio, computer terminal, modem, and the like. In response to reception of a contact request from a user transceiver  104 , the method  300  proceeds to request a password  304 . Requesting a password  304  facilitates a user  108  to enter a password specific to the transceiver  200  within the monitoring device  102  being contacted. If the password entered is correct, the method  300  proceeds to determine if communication  306  has been established between the user transceiver  104  and the transceiver  200 . If the password entered is incorrect, the method  300  returns to request a password  304 .  
         [0045]     After communication between the transceiver  200  of the monitoring device  102  and a user transceiver  104  has been established, the method  300  proceeds to provide information  308  to a user transceiver  104  regarding the monitoring device  102 . The information may include status information such as the status of the battery being monitored by the battery monitor  204 , location information provided by the tracking device  205 , and condition information provided by the sensing devices  206 . The interface devices  208 , such as a voice module, may provide the information audibly to a user  108  through the user transceiver  104 .  
         [0046]     Providing information  308  informs a user  108  as to the status of the various elements of one or more monitoring devices  102 , the location of one or more monitoring devices  102 , and condition information regarding conditions proximate to one or more monitoring devices  102 . Furthermore, providing information  308  may include providing instructions to a user  108  regarding programming commands supported by one or more monitoring devices  102 .  
         [0047]     The method  300  proceeds to the command test  310 . The command test  310  ascertains whether a programming command has been provided by the user  108  through the user transceiver  104 . If a programming command has been provided the security system programming method  300  proceeds to execute  312  the command. In one embodiment, the programming commands are received and executed  312  by the transceiver  200 . In a second embodiment, the programming commands are received by the transceiver  200  and executed  312  by the controller  202 . The programming commands may include activating or deactivating one or more monitoring devices  102  of the security system  100  at specific times as programmed by a user  108 . If a user  108  does not provide a programming command, the method  300  jumps to the disconnect test  316 .  
         [0048]     In a further embodiment, programming commands are provided to activate or deactivate the various elements contained within one or more monitoring devices  102 , such as the battery monitor  204 , the tracking device  205 , the sensing devices  206 , and the interface devices  208 . For example, a user  108  may provide programming commands through a user transceiver  104  to activate or deactivate the various sensing devices  206  of the monitoring device  102 . A user  108  may also provide programming commands to one or more interface devices  208 , such as a voice module, to facilitate recording information to be played back to a user  108  regarding the status of one or more monitoring devices  102 .  
         [0049]     Once the programming commands have been executed  312 , the method  300  proceeds to confirm  314  that the programming commands provided by a user  108  have been executed  312 . In one embodiment, the interface devices  208 , such as a voice module, provide audio confirmation that the programming commands provided by a user  108  have been executed. In a second embodiment, text confirmation is provided to a user transceiver  104  by sending text messages by way of the transceiver  200 . Confirming  314  facilitates a user  108  to become aware if programming commands have been received at the command test  310 , and if the programming commands have been executed  312 .  
         [0050]     The method  300  continues to the disconnect test  316 . If a user such as the user  108  chooses to disconnect  316  with the transceiver  200  of one or more monitoring device  102 , the method  300  ends. If a user does not disconnect  316  with the transceiver  200 , the method  300  loops to provide information  308  and repeats the aforementioned sequence beginning at step  308 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a monitoring method  400  in accordance with the present invention. The monitoring method  400  may be conducted in conjunction with one or more monitoring devices  102  of the security system  100  of the present invention. The monitoring method  400  facilitates one or more monitoring devices  102  providing information such as status, condition, and location information to a user.  
         [0052]     In the depicted embodiment, the monitor method  400  includes a monitor step  402 , a detection test  404 , a tracking step  406 , a contact step  408 , a communication test  410 , a provide information step  412 , a review test  414 , a command test  416 , an execute step  418 , a confirmation step  420 , and a disconnect test  422 .  
         [0053]     The method  400  begins, and one or more monitoring devices  102  of the security system  100  monitor  402  property. In one embodiment, the property being monitored  402  is a construction site. For example, one or more monitoring devices  102  may be dispersed throughout various locations within a construction site to facilitate monitoring  402  the area for possible intruders, animals, natural disasters such as floods, fires, and the like. One or more monitoring devices  102  may also be placed near or attached to moveable property such as equipment and tools typically found at a construction site.  
         [0054]     The method proceeds to detect  404  whether a disturbance or similar event has occurred. If no disturbance or similar event has occurred, the method loops to monitor  402  the property by way of the monitoring devices  102 . If a disturbance or similar event has occurred, the method proceeds to initiate tracking signals  406 . In one embodiment, initiating tracking signals  406  includes activating the tracking device  205  which begins to transmit radio frequency waves that facilitate locating the monitoring device  102  by the user  108  or the like. In a second embodiment, the tracking device  205  is a GPS device and transmits the geographical coordinates of the monitoring device  102  to a user transceiver  104  such as a PDA, computer, GPS receiver, cell phone, or the like.  
         [0055]     In response to initiating tracking  406 , the method  400  continues by contacting  408  the user transceiver  104  by way of the transceiver  200 . The communication test  410  ascertains whether communication has been established, for example between the transceiver  200  of the monitoring device  102  and the user transceiver  104 . If communication has not been established, the method continues to attempt to establish communications by contacting  408  the user transceiver  104 .  
         [0056]     In one embodiment, contacting  408  the user transceiver involves automatically dialing a preprogrammed list of telephone numbers stored in memory. If communication is not established by dialing the first preprogrammed telephone number, the method loops from the communication test  410  and continues to attempt to contact  408  the user transceiver  104  by dialing the next available preprogrammed telephone number stored in memory. The process is repeated until communication has been established, for example between the transceiver  200  and the user transceiver  104 .  
         [0057]     In response to establishing communication, the method  400  proceeds by providing information  412  such as status, location, and condition information collected by one or more monitoring devices  102  to the party with which communication has been established. In one embodiment, a password is verified previous to providing  412  the collected information.  
         [0058]     The information provided to a user transceiver  104  may be audio information pertaining to the property being monitored. For example, a user transceiver  104  may include a telephone that facilitates a user  108  to listen to audio information proximate to a monitoring device  102 . The audio information may be also collected from an interface device  208  such as a microphone. The audio information may further be processed by the controller  202  and transmitted by the transceiver  200  to a user transceiver  104  such as a telephone. The audio information enables a user  108  to listen to the status surrounding the property being monitored by one or more monitoring devices  102 . The information provided to a user transceiver  104  may also be information regarding the location of the monitoring device  102 .  
         [0059]     The review information test  414  ascertains whether a user  108  requests to review the information provided to the user transceiver  104  regarding the monitoring device  102 . If a user  108  selects to review the information, the method proceeds to provide information  412 . If the user  108  does not request to review the information, the method  400  proceeds to the command test  416 .  
         [0060]     The command test  416  ascertains whether the user  108  or the like has issued a programming command. If no programming command has been issued, the disconnect test  422  ascertains whether communication between the transceiver  200  of the monitoring device  102  and the user transceiver  104  has been disconnected. If communication has not been disconnected, the method  400  loops to the review information test  414  to determine if a user  108  has selected to review information provided  412  by the monitoring device  102 . If communication between the transceiver  200  and the user transceiver  104  has been disconnected, the method  400  ends.  
         [0061]     In one embodiment, if the command test  416  ascertains that a user  108  or the like has issued a programming command, such as a command to turn on speakers, a strobe light, sirens, or the like, the command is executed  418  by the monitoring device  102 . Upon execution of the programming command, a confirmation is sent  420  to a user  108  or the like.  
         [0062]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a security system  500  in accordance with the present invention. The depicted security system  500  is one example of a system useful for conducting the monitoring method  400  described in  FIG. 4 . As depicted, the security system  500  includes the monitoring device  102 , a communications tower  514 , and a user transceiver  104 . In the depicted embodiment, the user transceiver  104  is a telephone. In the depicted embodiment, the monitoring device  102  is placed to monitor a typical construction site. In one embodiment, the construction site includes a tool bench  502 , and typical construction tools  504 ,  506 , and  508 . The depicted block diagram further illustrates a possible intruder  510 . In one embodiment, one or more monitoring devices  102  are dispersed throughout various locations within the construction site. In the depicted embodiment, the monitoring device  102  is attached inconspicuously to the tool bench  502 . Additional monitoring devices  102  may also be placed in various locations throughout the construction site. In the depicted embodiment, the monitoring device  102  monitors the area proximate to the construction tools  504 ,  506 , and  508 . As previously explained, a user  108  interacts with the monitoring device  102  by way of the user transceiver  104 .  
         [0063]     The user  108  may provide programming commands to activate or deactivate the various elements or features within the monitoring device  102  such as the battery monitor  204 , the tracking device  205 , the sensing devices  206 , and the interface devices  208 . The programming commands are transmitted from the user transceiver  104  to the monitoring device  102  by way of a communications medium such as the communications tower  514 . In one embodiment, the communications tower  514  includes a cellular telephone tower. Transmission of the programming commands facilitate a user  108  to remotely provide custom programming commands specific to each monitoring device  102  placed at a given location, such as a construction site.  
         [0064]     After a user  108  has provided the desired programming commands, and the monitoring device  102  is activated, the monitoring device  102  monitors the construction site and the construction tools  504 ,  506 , and  508 . In one embodiment, the sensing devices  206  within the monitoring device  102  are activated. For example, a sensing device  206  such as a motion detection sensor, detects motion from the possible intruder  510 . Upon activation of the sensing devices  206  the tracking device  205  is activated, and the monitoring device  102  proceeds to initiate contact with the user transceiver  104  as discussed in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0065]     Furthermore, a monitoring device  102  may be attached to one or more specific construction tool  504 ,  506 , and  508 . In one embodiment, the intruder  510  moves the specific construction tool  504 ,  506 , and  508  to which the monitoring device  102  is attached, the tracking device  205  within the monitoring device  102  is activated, and the monitoring device  102  initiates contact with the user transceiver  104 . Activation of the tracking device  205  enables signals to be transmitted that facilitate a user  108  to locate the monitoring device  102 . Contacting a user by way of the transceiver  104  enables the user  108  to receive information regarding the status of the monitoring device  102  that initiated the contact.  
         [0066]     For example, the information may be audio information collected from an interface device  208  such as a microphone, or from an internal microphone of the transceiver  200  within the monitoring device  102 . The user  108  is able to hear the status of the property proximate to the monitoring device  102 . The information provided to the user  108  may also be the location of the monitoring device  102  that initiated the contact. The user  108  is provided with information necessary to take appropriate measures such as contacting local authorities. If the user  108  determines the contact from the monitoring device  102  to be a false alarm, the user  108  may provide programming commands from the user transceiver  104  to one or more monitoring devices  102  such commands to reset the tracking device  205 , deactivate a sensing device  206 , and deactivate an interface device  208 , or the like. If the alarm is not a false alarm, the user  108  may choose to enter commands to turn on sirens, lights, speakers, etc. This may be conducted in one embodiment using buttons of a cell phone or conventional phone.  
         [0067]     The depicted security system  500  enables a user to provide programming commands to one or more monitoring devices  102  from a user transceiver  104  which may be at a remote location. The security system  500  also provides information to one or more user transceivers  104  through one or more monitoring devices  102  regarding the status of a property being monitored by one or more monitoring devices  102 .  
         [0068]     In a further embodiment, the monitoring device  102  can operate from a remote site and maintain contact with satellite units  516 . The satellite units maybe attached to the tools  504 ,  506 ,  508 . Each satellite unit  516  preferably communicates with the monitoring device  102  and maintains this communication so that the monitoring device  102  can detect any change in the condition of the satellite unit  516 . For instance, the satellite unit  516  may use an infrared or radio wave or other type of communicating medium to keep in contact with the monitoring device  102 . When the satellite device  516  undergoes a change in condition, whether by flood, fire, theft, etc., that communication is interrupted, thereby notifying the monitoring device  102  that the condition has changed. The monitoring device  102  then contacts the user in the method described above. The satellite device  516  may also be remotely programmed through the monitoring device  102 . Indeed, a plurality of such satellite devices  516  may be thus programmed, activated, deactivated, etc. with a single phone call or other contact to the centralized monitoring device  102 . The satellite devices  516  may be provided with tracking units to notify either the centralized monitoring device  102 , or the user directory, of its location or change of status. Indeed, any of the functions discussed above for the monitoring device  102  may be incorporated into the satellite device  516 .  
         [0069]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.