Abstract:
A wireless home security system comprising a camera sized to fit through a conventional door peephole, a camera lens attached to the camera to facilitate capturing an image of the camera field of view, a wi-fi facility for transferring the image to a remote device, and a motion sensor disposed in close proximity to the camera lens for activating the camera and the wi-fi facility in response to detecting a visitor in the camera field of view.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/015,540 filed Jan. 27, 2011 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 61/298,730 filed Jan. 27, 2010, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The methods, systems, and devices described herein relate to electronic security and in particular to Wi-Fi enabled video security. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Security monitoring camera systems typically include a surveillance camera. Wireless home security systems typically include a separate camera and display that is not retrofittable to a conventional door peephole. 
       SUMMARY 
     Oscillating Sweeper 
       [0006]    In an embodiment, the present invention provides an oscillating sweeper that may comprise a plurality of components including a cleaning head, a mop handle, a squirt bottle that may contain a cleaning liquid, a motor, and the like. In an embodiment, the cleaning head may be actuated by the motor and may move rapidly back and forth to provide a scrub like action. In aspect, the motor may be powered by a plurality of rechargeable or non rechargeable alkaline batteries. 
         [0007]    In an aspect, the squirt bottle may use the motor, a nozzle and a clutch to periodically squirt the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned. 
         [0008]    In an aspect, the cleaning head may be mounted on the mop handle by utilizing a mounting mechanism, for example, by means of screwing, Velcro, pouch, and the like. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the cleaning head of the sweeper may be reusable or may be required to be changed after using a number of times. 
       Wi-Fi Peep Hole Camera 
       [0010]    In an embodiment, the present invention describes a door comprising a Wi-Fi peephole system, a Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system, and a Wi-Fi door handle. The systems described herein may be coupled with each other or may function independently in order to alert a user. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the Wi-Fi peephole system provided by the present invention may comprise of a camera  302 , a camera lens  304 , a sensor  308 , and a Wi-Fi facility  310 . The camera and the camera lens included in the door may be a security camera with a miniature fisheye lens. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the sensor  308  may be placed near the camera and may be enabled to sense the presence of a visitor in the field of view of the camera. The sensor thereupon may activate the camera  302  and Wi-Fi facility  310 . The Wi-Fi facility may be coupled with a remote device such as a PDA, iPhone, Droid, and the like or a Wi-Fi router. Upon activation of the sensor the camera may take a picture of the visitor and same may be then transferred to the remote device via the Wi-Fi facility. 
       Wi-Fi Doorbell And Speaker System 
       [0013]    In an embodiment, a Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system may comprise a doorbell, a Wi-Fi facility, a remote device and a speaker. The Wi-Fi facility may be enabled to make a call to the remote device. In an aspect, the Wi-Fi facility may be enabled to communicate with a plurality of remote devices such as a PDA, laptop, home or office computer, and the like in order to alert a user. 
       Wi-Fi Door Handle 
       [0014]    In an embodiment, the Wi-Fi door handle system may comprise of a digital lock pad and dial pad, a lock, a handle, a sensor, and a key lock. In an aspect, a user may be enabled to unlock the door having the Wi-Fi door handle system by utilizing a device such as a PDA, iPhone, and the like. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi door handle may also unlock in case the user himself is in the vicinity of the door locking system. 
       Actual GPS 
       [0016]    In an embodiment, the present invention provides a navigation system that may comprise a camera and a screen. The camera and the screen may be part of a device or may be separate devices such as an external camera and a smart phone, and the like. The navigation system may display an overlay of directions to a destination and information regarding a roadway over an image of the roadway. The navigation system may also provide information regarding nearest landmarks such as a gas station, restaurant, and the like. The present invention may enable the navigation system to provide information regarding the roadway or the destination such as the distance of the user from a pre set destination, estimated trip time to the pre set destination, and the like. In another embodiment, the navigation system may determine and display a preferred route to the destination according to the present traffic on road, a shorter route to the destination, and the like. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment the navigation system may utilize an external camera that may be positioned at different locations within a vehicle to provide different views. For example, an external camera may be positioned at the rear view mirror of a car to provide the images of the traffic behind the car or images of the passengers sitting at the back seat of the car. In an aspect, the external camera may be positioned inside a sphere ball such that the camera may move inside the sphere to certain pre determined positions in order to be pointed towards various locations as desired by the user. 
       Earbud Cord Stabilizer 
       [0018]    In an embodiment, a weighted device is provided that may comprise a weight and an outer cover. The weight and the outer cover may have a plurality of symmetrical pass through openings to allow a cord of a pair of ear plugs to pass through. The weight may be a metal piece or may be made up of any other similar material providing weight. The outer cover may be made up of rubber, plastic or any other material covers the weight. In an aspect, the plurality of symmetrical pass through openings may be diametrically opposite. The present invention may be utilized with various types of ear plugs or ear phones such as ear plugs that may have a longer right ear cord than the left ear cord and vice versa. In an aspect, when the weighted device is required to be used with ear plugs, the weighted device may be attached to the main cord. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the earbud cord stabilizer may be utilized with an ear plug or ear phone having a Y style cord. In such a case the earbud cord stabilizer may be attached at the joining of the left and the right cords. In another aspect, the earbud cord stabilizer may also be attached a few inches below the intersection of the left and the right cords. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]    The invention and the following detailed description of certain embodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the following figures: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an oscillating sweeper and its various components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates various views of an oscillating sweeper in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates the lateral movement of the mop handle with respect to the cleaning head. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates the rapid back and forth movement of the cleaning head. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a door comprising a Wi-Fi peephole system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a Wi-Fi door handle system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  depicts a navigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  illustrates a weighted device and its components in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows an outer cover and a weight of the weighted device snapped together with a cord passing through the openings in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  depicts a pair of ear plugs including a weighted device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  depicts an application of the earbud cord stabilizer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Oscillating Sweeper 
       [0033]    An oscillating sweeper is a cleaning device that may be used for moping, cleaning and/or dusting various surfaces including floors, ground, and the like.  FIG. 1  illustrates an oscillating sweeper  100  and a plurality of components that may be included in the oscillating sweeper  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The oscillating sweeper  100  may include a cleaning head  102  that may include an absorbent mop  104 , a mop handle  108 , a squirt bottle  110  containing a floor liquid, a motor  112 , a clutch  114 , a tube  116 , and a nozzle  118 . According to various embodiments, the oscillating sweeper may include a mounting mechanism such as screwing, Velcro, pouch, and the like for attaching the cleaning head with the mop handle. The cleaning head  102  of the oscillating sweeper  100  may be activated by the motor  112  to move rapidly back and forth and may provide a scrub like action that may be faster than the motion provided by a human manually. 
         [0034]    The squirt bottle  110  may be connected to the nozzle  118  through a tube  116 . Further, the nozzle  118  may be placed on the top of the cleaning head  102 . In an embodiment, the squirt bottle  110  may be enabled to squirt the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned by using the motor  112 , the nozzle  118  and the clutch  114 . For example, a user may press the clutch  114  to squirt the floor liquid on the floor to clean the surface. In an aspect, the squirting of floor liquid may be automated such that the floor liquid is squirted periodically on the surface. In an embodiment, the squirt bottle  110  may be reusable, for example, floor liquid may be refilled in the squirt bottle  110  once it is empty. In another aspect, the squirt bottle  110  may not be reusable and it may be required to be replaced with a new squirt bottle once it is empty. The floor liquid contained in the squirt bottle  110  may consist of water, a cleaning additive, and the like. The floor liquid may be used for cleaning purposes or may be used to enhance the cleaning action of the oscillating sweeper  100 . 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, the absorbent mop  104  may be reusable. In an aspect, the absorbent mop  104  may be made up of materials such as rubber, paper, plastic, and the like. In another aspect, the body of the oscillating sweeper  100  may be made up materials such as of plastic, aluminum and the like. In an embodiment, the various parts of the oscillating sweeper  100  may be made of different materials. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  represents the side and front view of the oscillating sweeper. In an embodiment, the mop handle  202  may be movable at the joining point  208  with respect to the cleaning head  204  such that the mop handle  202  may incline or decline with respect to the cleaning head  204 . For example, a user may be able to bend the mop handle  202  to make an acute angle at the joining point  208  of the mop handle and the cleaning head  204 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  illustrates movement of the mop handle  302  with respect to the cleaning head  304 . In an embodiment, the mop handle  302  may be enabled to move vertically as well as horizontally with respect to the cleaning head  304  at the joining point  308 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  illustrates the movement and motion of the cleaning head  404 . In an embodiment, the cleaning head  404  of the oscillating sweeper  100  may be actuated by the motor  408  and may move rapidly back and forth to provide an action (e.g., scrubbing.) The thrust or force provided by the motor  408  may enable the cleaning head  404  to move faster than possibly achieved by the human force, thereby, enhancing the cleaning efficiency of the oscillating sweeper  100 . In another aspect, the motor  408  may be powered by a plurality of rechargeable or non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. 
       Wi-Fi Peep Hole Camera 
       [0039]    The present invention describes a door comprising a Wi-Fi peephole system, a Wi-Fi doorbell and a speaker system, and a Wi-Fi door handle. The systems described herein may be coupled with each other in order to alert the user about the presence of a visitor at the door. In an embodiment, the Wi-Fi peephole system, the Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system, and the Wi-Fi door handle may work independent of each other. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a door comprising a Wi-Fi peephole system is illustrated. The door  500  may include a camera  502 , a camera lens  504 , a sensor  508 , and a Wi-Fi facility  510 . The door  500  as described by the present invention may also comprise a plurality of other components according to a user&#39;s requirement. In addition, the door  500  may be of various types such as a hinged door, sliding door, rotating door, and the like. The Wi-Fi peephole may be controlled with a remote device  512  such as a PDA, mobile phone, smart phone, a Wi-Fi router, modem system, and like. The camera  502  included in the door may be a security camera with a lens  504  such as a miniature fisheye lens, and the like. In an embodiment, the camera lens  504  may be a weather resistant camera lens. In another embodiment, the camera lens  504  may include a camera lens cover. 
         [0041]    The Wi-Fi peephole system may be enabled to alert a user in case a visitor comes in proximity of the Wi-Fi peephole system. In an aspect, the sensor  508  may be placed near the camera  502  (reference numeral??). The sensor may be enabled to sense the presence of a visitor in the field of view of the camera and thereupon may activate the camera  502  and Wi-Fi facility  510 . Upon activation, the camera  502  may take a picture or make a video of the visitor. The picture or the video may then be transferred to the remote device  512  by the Wi-Fi facility  510 . For example, the sensor may be activated once a visitor comes within a distance of 3 meters of the door. The sensor may then activate the camera to take a picture of the visitor and may send the same to the PDA of a user located in a remote location. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the camera  502  may be enabled to make a video of the field of view that may then be sent to the remote device. For example, a user may be provided a constant view of the field of view of the camera  502  such as the case of a high security area. 
       Wi-Fi Doorbell and Speaker System 
       [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system  600 . The Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system  600  may include a doorbell  602 , a Wi-Fi facility  604 , and a speaker  608 . The Wi-Fi facility may be coupled with a remote device  610  such as PDA, iPhone, Droid, and the like. The Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system may be enabled to send a doorbell ring to a remote device  610  in order to alert a user in case the doorbell is pressed by a visitor. In an embodiment, The Wi-Fi facility  604  may be enabled to send the doorbell signal to a remote device as a call to a mobile phone that may be answered by the user For example, if a visitor presses the doorbell  602  the Wi-Fi facility  604  may get activated. The Wi-Fi facility may then make a call to the user&#39;s phone. The user in turn may answer the call from the Wi-Fi system as a normal phone call. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi doorbell and speaker system may provide a facility to have a two way communication with a visitor at the door by utilizing the speaker  608 . The Wi-Fi facility  604  may call the user on a remote device  610  when a visitor presses the doorbell  602 . The user may attend to the call as a normal phone call and may talk to the visitor on the remote device  610 . The visitor in turn may be able to hear the user by on the speaker system  608  and may also reply to the user by utilizing the same speaker system. 
       Wi-Fi Door Handle 
       [0045]    The Wi-Fi door handle system is a digital locking system that may be remotely locked and/or unlocked.  FIG. 7  illustrates a Wi-Fi door handle system  700  that may include a digital lock pad and dial pad  702 , a lock  704 , a handle  708 , a sensor  710 , a key lock  712 , a remote device  714 , and a Wi-Fi facility. The Wi-Fi door handle system may enable a user to remotely lock/unlock a lock  704  through a remote device  714 . In an embodiment, a user may allow a visitor to open the lock  704  by utilizing the remote device  714  such as a PDA, iPhone, and the like. For example, the user upon confirming the visitor&#39;s identity may activate the lock  704  by entering a secret code or confirmation key on the remote device that may allow the visitor to open the door. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi door handle may also allow a user to unlock a door in case the user is within a particular range of the door locking system. The sensor  710  may detect the remote device  714  and upon recognizing the authorized remote device may unlock the door. For example, a user standing near the door with his configured mobile phone may be able to unlock the locking system by sending an automatic personal distinct signal via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with a special software. 
         [0047]    In an embodiment, the Wi-Fi door handle may also allow a user to enter a secret code or password by the digital lock pad and dial pad  702 . For example, a user without the remote device  714  may be allowed to unlock the door by entering a pre set password. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment, the Wi-Fi door handle may allow a user to lock or unlock the door by using a key lock  712 . The user may enter a key in the key lock  712  and may open the door by using the handle  708 . 
       Actual GPS 
       [0049]    The present invention describes a navigation system enabling the user to navigate through roadways. The navigation system may be implemented on a device such as a PDA, iPhone, Droid, and the like. The navigation system may utilize the camera of the device in order to display or extract the image of the roadway. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system  800  may display an overlay  802  on an image or video of a roadway  804  that may be provided by a camera on a screen such as the screen of a smartphone. The overlay may provide the user with directions by displaying arrows over the image or video of the roadway and/or providing names of the landmarks where next turn may be required to be taken. For example, the user while driving may utilize the navigation system to get directions to a pre-set location. The navigation system may direct the user to the pre-set location by displaying arrows over the image of the roadway. The arrows may be straight arrows guiding the user to drive straight or 90 degree bent arrows guiding the user to take a turn. 
         [0051]    The navigation system may be able to determine and display a preferred route to a destination. For example, the navigation system may be enabled to determine a route on which there may be less traffic. In another example, the navigation system may be able to determine a shorter route to the destination. 
         [0052]    The navigation system may also provide the user the direction to the next landmark such as a gas station, a restaurant, and the like. For example, the user may require the direction to the next available gas station while reaching a pre-set destination. The navigation system may guide the user to the nearest gas station that may be on the way to the destination. 
         [0053]    The navigation system may provide an overlay that may display on the overlay  802  and automatically update the information regarding the destination such as the distance of the user from the destination, countdown to the destination, estimated trip time, arrival time, and the like. For example, the navigation system may be able to display the distance to a destination from the user&#39;s current location on the overlay  802  and the distance displayed may decrease as the user comes nearer to the destination. 
         [0054]    In an embodiment, the navigation system may utilize external cameras that may be connected to a device such as a smart phone and the like via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi or any other similar technology. Such external cameras may be mounted in various positions in and around a car or any other vehicle to provide different views. For example, external camera may be mounted near rear view mirror to record a video or to provide a view of various locations. In another example, the system may enable a user to view kids sitting at the back seat as the user speaks with them. The device enabled by the present invention may be able to control the external camera to point to various locations. In another example, the navigational system may enable a device to record the journey taken by the user from various angles as the present system is provided with external cameras. Such an external camera may be powered by a battery such as the battery of the car. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment, the external camera may be positioned in a sphere ball such that the user may not be able to see the camera. Such a camera may be enabled to travel within the sphere ball to preset locations by a motor system. For example, the camera may be allowed to travel within the sphere to the preset locations in order to view various locations inside as well as outside the car giving the user a 360 degree view of the car surrounding. 
       Earbud StayNear 
       [0056]    The present invention describes a earbud cord stabilizer to hold cords or cables for ear plugs, ear buds, or ear phones, and the like such that the ear plugs stay in the ear and the cable of the ear plugs does not come in the way of various activities carried out by a user and therefore may help a user lead an active lifestyle. The device may support an earbud set that includes a main cord, a left cord that connects to the left ear bud, and a right cord that connects to the right ear bud. The main cord may be longer and heavier than the other two cords (i.e. left and right cords) and the left cord may be longer than the right cord or vice versa. The main cord may contain a microphone and other controls such as play, pause, answer phone, skip, play back and other features located within easy reach of the user on the main cord. Further, a earbud cord stabilizer may be provided as a counterbalance along with the user&#39;s shoulder as a pivoting point to offset the weight of the longer and heavier main cord. 
         [0057]    In an embodiment, the earbud cord stabilizer described by the instant invention may be a weighted device that may hold all types of cords of earbuds and earphones in place such that the earbuds are held in the ear and the weighted device may provide stability to the earbud cords. Moreover, the earbud cord stabilizer may also help a user to organize the cord of the earbuds that may prevent the cord from twisting and getting tangled. 
         [0058]    The earbud cord stabilizer may act as a weight to counter balance the long thicker and heavier portion of the cord of an earbud, and the like that connects to a music player, cell phone or other hear enabled devices. 
         [0059]    The thicker and longer main cable may weigh more than the left and the right ear cables. The large weight difference between the main cable and the left and the right part may tend to pull downward the ear plugs while the user is moving or running when the arms of the user may hit the cable that may in turn pull the ear plugs off. The earbud cord stabilizer may provide an arrangement such that the weight of the heavier cable is managed in such a manner that the ear plugs do not come out of the user&#39;s ears. 
         [0060]    The present invention may provide an arrangement such that the weight of the cable may go slightly down at the back of the shoulder area and the main cable may be connected to the longer of the two ear cables to act as a counter weight holding the heavier main cable in place. A weight may be provided in the earbud cord stabilizer that may be of a heavy metal, and the like. The earbud cord stabilizer may be a small flat disc or may be of any other shape that may stay smooth in comfort and may have a surface that may stick slightly to the skin or clothing of the user such that the cable does not flip around. 
         [0061]    In an aspect, the cable may be placed under the clothes of a user in order to remain stable during a rigorous movement such as running and the like. 
         [0062]    The earbud cord stabilizer as described may be built into a cord and may slide along cord or stay fixed on the cord of the earbuds, in-earbuds, ear sound speaker devices and the like. 
         [0063]    In an embodiment, the earbud cord stabilizer may also be used for regular ‘Y’ style cord wherein the cord for left and right ear are symmetrical and join at a point to create the main cord that may be thicker than the other two cords as it combines two thin cords. In such a case the earbud cord stabilizer as described in the above paragraphs may be attached to the main cord near the joining of the left and the right cords or a few inches below the intersection of the two thin cords. The user may wear the earbud cord stabilizer inside the shirt. The earbud cord stabilizer may use a shirt collar to hold the weight of the cord and the collar may act as a pivoting point and the earbud cord stabilizer may act as a counterbalance weight. Therefore, the present invention may be utilized for any type of cord. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a weight  900  such as brass, steel, and the like that may act as a counter balance. An outer cover  902  has been shown that may be a type of cover over the weight metal. The outer cover  902  may be made of rubber, plastic and the like such that the cover snaps over the weight  900 . Both the outer cover and the weight metal contain pass through openings  904  such that the main cord may pass through the grooves of the outer cover into the grooves of the weight metal. Such an arrangement may also slide along the cord in order to adjust the balance of the cord in accordance with user&#39;s convenience. 
         [0065]      FIG. 10  shows the outer cover and the weight snapped together with the cord wire passing through the openings. Generally, the openings may be diametrically opposite to each other in order to maintain balance. 
         [0066]      FIG. 11  illustrates a cord having a weighted device in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0067]      FIG. 12  illustrates an application of the earbud cord stabilizer  1202  on a user.