Abstract:
A security alarm system that provides secure, realtime video of a secured location to one or more emergency response agencies over a high-speed communications link, such as an Internet link. Realtime video information is therefore placed directly into the hands of those who are called upon and trained to respond to a potential emergency. As such, the emergency response agencies and their personnel are better informed. This, in turn, allows the personnel to be better prepared in their response to the potential emergency, saving manpower, money, lives and reducing the number of false alarms.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 60/393,942 which was filed on Jul. 8, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention is directed to security alarm systems, including residential and commercial security alarm systems. More particularly, the present invention involves enhancing security alarm systems through the use of realtime video.  
           [0004]    2. Background Information  
           [0005]    Security alarm systems are widely used to protect property as well as personal safety. Typically, these systems do so by generating an alarm in response to any number of events, such as unauthorized entry, fire, a medical emergency or manual alarm activation. Some systems provide a service which remotely monitors the status of the security alarm system. Thus, if the security alarm system generates an alarm, an alarm notification signal is transmitted via a hardwire and/or wireless communications link to a central station. Upon receiving the alarm notification signal, security service personnel at the central station may attempt to contact the client (i.e., the party at the secured location) to verify the alarm. If it is appropriate to do so, the security service personnel may, upon confirmation of the alarm, contact an emergency response agency (e.g., the police department, the fire department or an emergency medical team).  
           [0006]    More recently, security services have added video capability to their security alarm systems. Thus, in addition to transmitting an alarm notification signal, the security alarm system also transmits a video signal to the central station. Like the alarm notification signal, the video signal is transmitted from the secured location to the central station over a hardwire and/or wireless connection. While video does provide additional information, the value of that additional information is of limited value if it is not available to the appropriate emergency response agency or agencies and their highly trained professional emergency response personnel.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention enhances security alarm systems and services by providing secure, realtime video for the appropriate emergency response agency, or agencies. This enhancement places realtime video information directly into the hands of those who are called upon and trained to respond to potential emergencies. These agencies and their personnel are then better informed. This, in turn, allows them to be better prepared in their response to such emergencies.  
           [0008]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an enhanced security alarm system with realtime video capability.  
           [0009]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide the appropriate emergency response agency or agencies with realtime video so emergency response agency personnel are better informed with respect to a potential emergency.  
           [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide the appropriate emergency response agency or agencies with realtime video so emergency response agency personnel can better assess a potential emergency and make proper decisions regarding response strategies, manpower and equipment.  
           [0011]    In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned and other objectives are achieved through a security alarm system that includes a video camera and an alarm sensor. The video camera and the alarm sensor are positioned at a secured location. The security alarm system also includes a central station with means for processing and displaying realtime video generated by the video camera and received over a communications link. The security alarm system further includes an emergency response agency with means for processing and displaying realtime video generated by the video camera and received over a communications link.  
           [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned and other objectives are achieved through a security alarm system that includes a video camera and one or more alarm sensors, which are positioned at a secured location. The security alarm system also includes a video server with means for receiving realtime video from the video camera and for receiving an alarm signal from an alarm sensor. The security alarm system further includes a central station with means for processing and displaying the realtime video which is received from the video server over an Internet connection. Finally, the system includes a mobile emergency response unit with mobile means for processing and displaying the realtime video over an Internet connection.  
           [0013]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned and other objectives are achieved through a method which provides realtime video in a security alarm system. The method involves generating a realtime video signal at a secured location and transmitting that video in realtime from the secured location to an emergency response agency over a communications link. The method also involves displaying the realtime video at the emergency response agency.  
           [0014]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned and other objectives are achieved through a method for obtaining realtime video of a secured location. The method involves establishing an Internet link between a first IP address and a second IP address, where the second IP address corresponds with the secured location. The method also involves activating a video camera at the secured location, where the video camera is associated with a security alarm system. Realtime video is then transmitted from the video camera to the communications device at the first IP address, where it is displayed.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional security alarm system with video capability.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a security alarm system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a security alarm system providing realtime video for one or more emergency response agencies and emergency response personnel, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is flowchart illustrating a method for providing secure, realtime video of a secured location to an emergency response agency, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting one or more cameras which provide realtime video for use in a security alarm system, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to a “secured location. ” It will be understood that the term “secured location” refers to a residence, a commercial location or any other location, outside or inside, which is protected by a security alarm system according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be understood that the term “alarm” refers to any type of alarm, unless otherwise specified, such as an alarm which is activated in response to a forced/unauthorized entry, smoke/fire, a medical emergency or manual alarm activation.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional security alarm system  100  which has a video capability. As shown, the system  100  includes at least one camera and one or more alarm sensors (i.e., transducers) positioned at a number of secured locations  101 - 105 . The security system  100  also includes a central monitoring station  107  which is typically staffed by personnel employed by a security service. At the central station  107 , there is equipment  109  including computer hardware and software that is capable of receiving, processing and displaying the video information which is transmitted from one or more secured locations.  
         [0023]    The security alarm system  100  depicted in FIG. 1 works in the following manner. When one or more of the alarm sensors positioned, for example, at the secured location  103  detect an alarm condition, an alarm notification signal is transmitted from the secured location  103  to the central station  107 , along with a video signal. The video signal is then processed and displayed for security service personnel, who may proceed by placing a telephone call to the secured location  103  to verify the alarm. If the alarm is confirmed, the security service personnel will typically call the local 911 operator, who then relays the information (i.e., the alarm notification) to the appropriate emergency response agency. The emergency response agency, based solely on the telephone call from the 911 operator, then dispatches their own personnel, with little or no additional information which might have been otherwise provided by the video.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a security alarm system  200  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, there is a central monitoring station  201  which is connected to a number of secured locations  203 - 207  via a high-speed communications link  209  (e.g., a high-speed telephone or cable connection). At each secured location  203 - 207 , there is at least one video camera and one or more alarm sensors. The central station  201  is also connected via a high-speed communications link to one or more emergency response agencies  211 - 215 .  
         [0025]    If an alarm sensor positioned at secured location  203 , for example, detects an alarm condition, an alarm notification signal and a realtime video signal are transmitted to the central monitoring station  201  over the high-speed communications link  209 . At the central station  201 , the realtime video is received, processed and displayed using the computer system  217 . This provides the security service personnel at the central station  201  with realtime video of the secured location  203 .  
         [0026]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the video signal is simultaneously transmitted from the central station  201  to the one or more emergency response agencies  211 - 215 . Computer systems located at each of the emergency response agencies  211 - 215 , similar to the computer system  217  maintained at the central station  201 , are employed to receive, process and display the realtime video. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the video would only be displayable at an emergency response agency upon entry of a valid password, thus preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing the video. By providing realtime video to the emergency response agencies  211 - 215 , the trained personnel at these agencies are better equipped to assess a potential emergency in realtime, as they have been trained to do, and make more timely and informed decisions regarding the way in which they respond.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3 illustrates, in greater detail, a security alarm system  300  for a given secured location  301 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, there is at least one camera and one or more alarm sensors positioned at the secured location  301 . The at least one camera and the one or more alarm sensors communicate with a video server  303  over a hardwired and/or wireless connection.  
         [0028]    The security alarm system  300  includes a computer system  307  located at the central monitoring station  305 . The computer system  307 , which comprises hardware and software, is configured to communicate with the video server  303  over a high-speed communications link  304 . In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the communications link  304  is achieved over the Internet, using hardwire (e.g., high-speed telephone or cable lines) and/or wireless technology. The computer system  307  is also configured to communicate with computer systems, including hardware and software, located at each of a number of emergency response agencies  309 - 313  over a high-speed communications link.  
         [0029]    The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 shows that the realtime video may also be transmitted to various mobile emergency response units  315 - 319 . In the case of the police department, a mobile emergency response unit may consist of one or more police officers in a police vehicle. In the case of the fire department, a mobile emergency response unit may consist of fire fighting personnel in a fire truck. In the case of an emergency medical team, the mobile response unit may consist of emergency medical technicians in an ambulance. As these emergency response units are mobile, the high-speed communications link between a corresponding emergency response agency, for example, emergency response agency  309  and mobile emergency response unit  315 , is achieved, at least in part, by a wireless connection. As one skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the mobile equipment employed by the emergency response units  315 - 319  to receive, process and display the video might take the form of a laptop computer, a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant, or any other type of portable communications device that is capable of receiving, processing and displaying video over a high-speed communications link, such as an Internet link. By placing the video directly into the hands of the emergency response units, those who are specifically charged with responding to a potential emergency now have a great deal more information to assist them in assessing and responding to the emergency situation.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method of providing realtime video for various emergency response agencies over high-speed communications links in conjunction with a security alarm system, such as the security alarm system  300  in FIG. 3. It will be understood that this method is exemplary and that other methods employing steps similar to those described below may be used to achieve similar results. It will be further understood that this method may be implemented through a combination of computer hardware and software associated with the video server  303  at the secured location  301 , the computer systems located at the central station  305  and the one or more emergency response agencies  309 - 313  and, if applicable, the communications devices associated with the mobile emergency response units  315 - 319 .  
         [0031]    Referring first to step  401 , the video server  303 , following a power-on and initialization process, monitors the status of the one or more sensors positioned at the secured location  301 . This step may involve, for example, repeatedly determining the value of a multi-bit data register, where each bit reflects the status of a corresponding alarm sensor. If, in accordance with the “NO” path out of decision step  403 , it is determined that the status of the one or more alarm sensors has not changed (i.e., that there is no indication of an alarm situation), the video server  303  will continue to monitor the status of the sensors. If, however, the video server  303  detects a change in the status of one or more alarm sensors, in accordance with the “YES” path out of decision step  403 , the video server  303  initiates the process of establishing an Internet connection with the computer system  307  located at central station  305  using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the video server  303  and the IP address of the computer system  307 , as shown by step  405 . As soon as the connection is established, the video server  303  transmits an alarm notification signal to the computer system  307 , as well as a realtime video signal associated with one or more cameras positioned at the secured location  301 , per step  407 .  
         [0032]    Upon receiving the alarm notification signal at the central station  305 , the realtime video information associated with the realtime video signal is displayed using computer system  307 , as indicated by step  409 . In a preferred embodiment, information identifying the secured location  301  (e.g., a name or postal address associated with the secured location) is simultaneously displayed along with any other pertinent information that might be of assistance to the security service personnel at the central station  305 .  
         [0033]    Upon receiving the alarm notification signal at the central station  305 , a number of emergency response agencies associated with the secured location  301  are identified, as shown in step  411 . The process of identifying and, for that matter, selecting these agencies may be achieved by maintaining the identity (e.g., the IP address) of all possible emergency response agencies in a memory associated with the computer system  307 . The selection and identification of specific agencies, from amongst the list of all possible agencies, will depend on a number of factors. One factor may be the type of alarm generated at the secured location  301 . For this to be a factor, the alarm notification signal transmitted by the video server  303  must identify the type of alarm which triggered the transmission of the alarm notification and realtime video signals. Moreover, the computer system  307  must be capable of distinguishing or extracting that information from the alarm notification signal. Another factor may be the address (i.e., the postal address) of the secured location. Thus, for example, if the video server  303  transmits an alarm notification signal indicating an unauthorized entry at 115 East Main Street, the police department or, if appropriate, a particular police precinct responsible for the geographical region covering 115 East Main Street would be identified and selected as a result of step  411 . If, on the other hand, the alarm notification signal indicated a fire at 115 East Main Street, the fire department would be identified and selected as a result of step  411 .  
         [0034]    In accordance with step  413 , once the appropriate emergency response agency (or agencies) has been identified and selected, an Internet connection is established between the computer system  307  and the computer system located at the identified and selected emergency response agency, for example, emergency response agency  309 . Again, the Internet connection would be based on the IP address of computer system  307  and the IP address of the computer system at the emergency response agency  309 . Then, in accordance with a preferred embodiment and step  415 , the computer system  307  begins transmitting the realtime video signal to the computer system located at the emergency response agency  309  via the Internet connection.  
         [0035]    In order to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the realtime video signal, the computer system at the emergency response agency  309  prompts the operator to enter a secure password, as shown in step  417 . If the operator does not enter a valid password, in accordance with the “NO” path out of decision step  419 , the computer system at the emergency response agency  309  will reprompt the operator. After a number of unsuccessful attempts to enter a valid password, the connection between the computer system  307  and the computer at emergency response agency  309  may be terminated. In an alternative embodiment, the computer system  307  may, after the establishment of the Internet connection with the computer system located at emergency response agency  309 , require that a valid password be entered before transmitting the realtime video signal to the emergency response agency  309 . In either case, the entry of a valid password, in accordance with the “YES” path out of decision step  419  results in realtime video being simultaneously displayed on the computer equipment located at the central station  305  and the emergency response agency  309 , per method steps  409  and  421 .  
         [0036]    If, as shown in FIG. 3, the realtime video signal is forwarded from the computer system located at the emergency response agency  309  to communications equipment associated with one or more mobile response units  315 - 319 , method steps  413 - 421  depicted in FIG. 4, or substantially similar steps would be executed. The result would include the establishment of an Internet connection between the computer system located at the emergency response agency  309  and the communications equipment associated with one or more mobile response units  315 - 319 , based on the IP address of the computer system at the emergency response agency  309  and the present mobile IP address of communications equipment associated with each of the one or more mobile response units  315 - 319 , where it will be understood that mobile IP addresses may change during the existence of the Internet connection depending upon the geographical location of the corresponding mobile response unit and the strength of the network signal over which the mobile unit is communicating.  
         [0037]    In another embodiment of the present invention, an Internet connection may be established between the video server  303  at the secured location and a computer system located at one or more emergency response agencies  309 - 313 . As such, realtime video would be transmitted from the video server  303  directly to the one or more emergency response agencies. However, there are advantages associated with routing the realtime video signal through the security service central station  305 . One important advantage is, the security service personnel at the central station  305  may be able to prevent the transmission, or terminate the transmission, if it is determined that the alarm is false, before the emergency response agency expends time and manpower responding to the alarm.  
         [0038]    In still another alternative embodiment, the video server  303 , as mentioned above, may transmit a video signal that includes video from multiple cameras positioned at the secured location  301 . If this is the case, the computer system  307  located at the central station  305  will distinguish video information associated with one camera from video information associated with another camera. This may, for example, be accomplished by including an identification code in the header portion of each video packet transmitted from the video server  303 , where the identification code identifies the video information contained in the corresponding video packet as being associated with a specific one of the multiple cameras. Further in accordance with this alternative embodiment, the central station  305 , by virtue of its ability to distinguish one stream of video information from another, the computer system  307  at the central station  305  can display the video associated with each of the multiple cameras either separately, simultaneously, selectively or in a repetitive, cyclical sequence.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method that may be employed to handle the selection and display of video from multiple cameras positioned at a secured location. As shown in step  501 , the operator at the central station  305 , and/or the operator at the emergency response agency  309  selects single camera or, if applicable, multiple camera mode. If the operator selects the single camera mode, in accordance with the “YES” path out of decision step  503 , the operator then selects the camera or particular video stream of interest, per step  505 . Step  505  may be achieved by displaying a list of cameras from which the operator may select. If there is only one camera positioned at the secured location  301 , step  505  may be accomplished automatically, without the need for the operator to make a selection. The video associated with the selected camera would then be displayed, per method step  507  and the “NO” path out of decision step  509 , until the process is terminated according to the “YES” path out of decision step  509 .  
         [0040]    If the operator selects the multiple camera mode, in accordance with the “NO” path out of decision step  503 , the operator then selects the cameras or video streams of interest, as shown in step  511 . The operator then selects the display option according to step  513 . As stated, the various display options may include simultaneously displaying each of the multiple video streams, for example, on a split screen or multiple screens, or by displaying each on a full screen in a repeating sequence. The video would then be displayed, according to step  515 , based on the operator selections, until the process is terminated per the “YES” path out of decision step  509 .  
         [0041]    Thus far, the present invention has been described in terms of a security alarm system in which realtime video information is transmitted from a video server at a secured location to an appropriate emergency response agency, and possibly, to appropriate mobile emergency response units via a security service central station over high-speed communications links. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other uses for the present invention. One such alternative use is the ability for a homeowner or business owner (herein “the client”) to periodically check on the secured location. Assuming the high-speed communications link is, once again, implemented over the Internet, the client connects to a web-site associated with the security service central station. Then, through selectable on-screen options, the client establishes a connection with the video server at his or her place of residence or business. Realtime video would then be transmitted to the client, who could then display the video on a desktop or mobile communication device, including an Internet capable mobile telephone or personal digital assistant. Thus, for example, a homeowner would be able to check on things at home, an anxious parent would be able to check on a child, and a business owner would be able to make sure things were secure at his or her place of business.  
         [0042]    Since numerous additional modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description, the above description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details of the present invention described above may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the exclusive use of any modification which comes within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.