Abstract:
A system and method comprising a mobile device in communication with a server, wherein the server is adapted for receiving surveillance data transferred electronically from a surveillance area. At least one camera is positioned at the surveillance area for capturing surveillance data, wherein the surveillance data comprises metadata comprising at least one of audio, video, images, point in time and location of the surveillance area. The surveillance data is transferred from the server to said mobile device and displayed on the mobile device upon a user request. The surveillance data may be transferred automatically using a combination of a radio, a network, or a base station. A motion detection means can be engaged to the system to detect variations in motion measurements and provide global positioning data at the surveillance area. The system provides automatic updates to a user regarding delivery surveillance data corresponding to the user request.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to security systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a mobile surveillance system constructed to provide real time surveillance of a surveillance area to a user&#39;s mobile device, such as a mobile communication device. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     This invention relates to a surveillance system and more particularly to a mobile surveillance system wherein at least one or more digital camera units positioned at a surveillance area are adapted to communicate with each other to provide surveillance of said area. The invention has particular utility in mobile or localized security against intruders and to provide surveillance of designated locations such as a car, a home, a daycare or any identified surveillance area. Security has become widely necessary in modern times as a means of crime prevention and this invention can be utilized as a crime deterrent in a variety of areas because it provides a real time means of surveillance and security. It will be readily evident that the present invention is not limited to this particular application and can be used in many industrial applications. 
     The task of providing security is extremely onerous and sometimes involves providing endless ours of safekeeping by a person being on watch at a surveillance location. Often times this process results in large amounts of finances spent on surveillance that usually does not provide for adequate safety at the desired location. As an alternative or in conjunction with a security person, there are a number of electronic surveillance systems which are known and available in the prior art. Generally such electronic systems include static devices that may include one or more sensors which detect conditions at the surveillance location such as intrusion or fire (smoke or heat) and upon detection of an identified condition at the location, the local device at the location will trigger an alarm. The alarm is desired to alert the proper law enforcement authority and/or cause the nervous intruder to panic and thus leave the premises prematurely and without taking any valuables. These systems may provide notice to the law enforcement agencies and provide an additional obstacle to the intruder; however, they usually require long periods of time to notify authorities and do not provide efficient data regarding the nature of the intrusion. Additionally, these types of systems usually can be easily circumvented by a savvy intruder. 
     More sophisticated electronic surveillance systems are available in the prior art that are able to communicate with base stations at remote locations and report alarm conditions such as intrusion or fire. Although these types of systems are very useful in providing the ability to notify security vehicles through the use of radio. Upon receiving notification, the radio controlled security vehicles mobilized to attend the premises where an alarm condition is detected are often inordinately delayed in reaching the designated premises and this is a major disadvantage of these types of systems. Furthermore, the large number of false alarms which occur with sensitive electronic monitoring devices such as infrared detectors and the like causes a major inefficiency of these ‘base station’ systems. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved mobile surveillance system which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned problems of existing surveillance systems. 
     Thus, the invention provides a mobile surveillance system comprising at least one camera adapted to a surveillance area and in communication with a mobile device to provide real time surveillance to a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved by an illustrative mobile surveillance system comprising a mobile device in communication with a server, wherein the server is adapted for receiving surveillance data transferred electronically from a surveillance area. The mobile surveillance system includes at least one camera positioned at the surveillance area for capturing surveillance data, wherein the surveillance data comprises metadata comprising at least one of audio, video, images, point in time and location of the surveillance area. The surveillance data is transferred from the server to the mobile device and displayed on the mobile device upon a user request. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the mobile surveillance system can provide a motion detection means to detect variations in motion measurements at the surveillance area. The motion detection means may include a global positioning system receiver to provide navigational data comprising a latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate of the surveillance area. Alternatively, the mobile surveillance system may further comprise a radio in communication with the camera and mobile device, wherein the radio includes frequency tuners to enable a user to receive surveillance data transmitted over a predetermined frequency. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the mobile surveillance system may automatically update a user by sending the user a short message service message indicating the delivery of the surveillance data corresponding to the user request. The server of the mobile surveillance system may be in communication with a network and a base station, wherein the server is adapted to receive surveillance data from the base station through the communication with the network. The base station sends a command to the server to transmit surveillance data to the mobile device and the server automatically updates surveillance data to the mobile device by sending surveillance data obtained from the base station to the mobile device. Alternatively, the system can include a software application in communication with the mobile device to synchronize the delivery of surveillance data and corresponding metadata to a display of the mobile device with the associated user request. 
     Other systems of the present invention provide a server comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is configured to store surveillance data and the processor is configured to transfer surveillance data to the mobile device. Additionally, the mobile device may also include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is configured to store surveillance data and the processor is configured to deliver surveillance data to a display of the mobile device. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a mobile surveillance system includes a mobile device in communication with a server, wherein the server is adapted for receiving surveillance data transferred electronically from a surveillance area. The surveillance data may include metadata comprising at least one of audio, video, images, point in time and location of the surveillance area. The system also provides at least one camera positioned at the surveillance area for capturing surveillance data and a motion detection mechanism operably engaged to the camera, wherein the server comprises a processor that signals the server to transfer surveillance data to the mobile device when the motion detection mechanism obtains a motion detection measurement that exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating to a user that the surveillance area is unsecure. The surveillance data is delivered to a display of the mobile device when the motion detection mechanism obtains a motion detection measurement that exceeds the predetermined threshold of the user. Alternatively, the processor signals the server to retain the stored surveillance data when the motion detection mechanism obtains a motion detection measurement that reaches a predetermined threshold indicating to the user that the surveillance area is not secure. In this type of mobile surveillance system the motion detection means can also provide a global positioning system receiver to provide navigational data comprising a latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate of the surveillance area. In addition, the system may automatically update a user by sending the user a short message service message indicating the delivery of the surveillance data corresponding to the user request. In an alternate embodiment of this system, the server may be in communication with a network and a base station, wherein the server is adapted to receive surveillance data from the base station through the communication with the network. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of delivering surveillance data to a mobile device includes the steps of providing a mobile device in communication with a server, wherein the server is adapted for receiving surveillance data transferred electronically from a surveillance area. The method also includes the steps of providing at least one camera positioned at the surveillance area for capturing surveillance data. Subsequently, the method includes the steps of transferring surveillance data to the server comprising a memory configured to store surveillance data and a processor configured to transfer surveillance data to the mobile device. The method further includes the steps of transferring surveillance data from the server to the mobile device comprising a memory configured to store surveillance data and a processor configured to associate the surveillance data to a user request. In addition, the method includes the step of displaying the surveillance data on the mobile device upon a user request. 
     It has also been contemplated that more than one camera may be used at anytime. For example, two or more cameras may be engaged to the surveillance area. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the user may request varying types of data to be displayed to the mobile device based on predetermined user requests. 
     These and other advantages, as well as the invention itself, will become apparent in the details of construction and operation as more fully described below. Moreover, it should be appreciated that several aspects of the invention can be used with other types of mobile surveillance systems used for providing security surveillance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile surveillance system, wherein the system comprises a mobile device in communication with a server. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile surveillance system, wherein the system comprises mobile device in communication with a server and a radio. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile device. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile surveillance system, wherein the system comprises a mobile device in communication with a base station via a network and a server. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of a method of delivering surveillance data from a surveillance area to a mobile device upon request of a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention are not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional fabrication and assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a mobile surveillance system  10  is shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, a camera  20  is connected to a surveillance area  30 , such as a motor vehicle, wherein a user can transmit a surveillance request using a mobile device  50 , thereby initiating a real time surveillance update. The mobile surveillance system  10  also comprises a server  40  that is in communication with the mobile device  50 . When the user sends a surveillance request, the mobile device  50  is updated with real time surveillance data recorded from the camera  20  located at the surveillance area  30 . The surveillance data may be comprised of at least one of video, audio and image data of the surveillance area  30 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device  50  may be automatically updated with at least one type of surveillance data captured from the surveillance area  30  being monitored and recorded. 
       FIG. 1  depicts the camera  20  connected to the surveillance area  30 , wherein the camera  20  captures surveillance data from the surveillance area  30 . This surveillance data can be stored or transferred via the server  40  for future use of the system  10 . The camera  20  includes a control apparatus which directs the recording of the surveillance data supplied by the camera  20 . The starting and stopping of the recording and transfer of the recording surveillance data from the surveillance area  30  can be controlled via the mobile device  50 . Thus, the user can control the activation of the mobile surveillance system  10  from any location. The camera  20  can be attached to any portion of the surveillance area  30 . For example, in a motor vehicle, the camera  20  can be attached to the interior or exterior of the vehicle thereby allowing any intruders to be recorded and any captured audio and video data of any activity to be stored. The user can program the camera  20  to start and stop recording at designated times of day utilizing his mobile device  50 . For instance, during periods of vacation where a surveillance area is left unsecured, the user may send a request to capture and record surveillance data using the camera  20  only during the night hours, such as 8 pm to 8 am. In addition, the mobile device  50  of the user can be connected with the camera  20  to synchronize the displaying of audio, video and image data recorded with the camera  20 . This allows the user to obtain real time surveillance data of the surveillance area  30  at any given time. Alternatively, the user may request that surveillance data be updated intermittently at set time intervals. For example, the user may request at least one type of surveillance data to be uploaded and displayed to the mobile device every hour. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the surveillance data may be stored on the mobile device  50  and transferred directly to the mobile device  50  from the surveillance area  30 . However, as a result of the limited storage capacity of the mobile device  50 , the amount of surveillance data that can be stored is limited. As such, surveillance data may be accessed and updated by the mobile device  50  at the occurrence of an event, such as a predetermined time, motion detection, or similarly associated event. For example, surveillance data of an intruder at a vehicle can be captured as video data and displayed on the mobile device, while simultaneously listening to audio data of the intruder at the surveillance area at a specific time. In another example, wherein the mobile surveillance system  10  is utilized in a daycare facility, surveillance data of a baby at a daycare can be captured as video data and displayed on the mobile device  50  of a parent user, while the user is simultaneously listening to audio data of the baby captured during activities according to a specific time or event, such as feeding, playing, or a similar event required motion. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a mobile monitoring system  100  is shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the camera  20  is adapted to the surveillance area  30 , and is in communication with a radio  90 . The surveillance data captured from the surveillance  30  area is transmitted from the surveillance area  30  to the radio  90  for processing. The radio  90  can include frequency tuners associated with each camera  20  to enable a user to receive surveillance data transmitted over a particular frequency via a transmitter linked with the camera  60 . This surveillance data may be subsequently transmitted from the radio  90  to the server  40  before being transferred to the mobile device  50  of the user. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the data may be transferred directly from the radio  90  to the mobile device  50  of the user. Additionally, the radio  90  may be engaged to at least one camera  20  to capture surveillance data for transmission to the mobile device  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of the mobile device  50  is depicted wherein the mobile device  50  is configured to receive surveillance data at a predetermined time or occurrence according to one embodiment of the present invention. The mobile device  50  can include any type of wireless communications device such as a cellular phone or PDA device. The mobile device  50  comprises a processor  56  in communication with a software application  60  or similar computer-readable medium, and surveillance data storage  62 . The mobile device  50  can further comprise computer-readable code that is executable by the processor  56 , which is in communication with the software application  60 . The processor  56  can communicate with a plurality of other mobile device components to provide for the transfer of surveillance data at a predetermined time or event, such as upon motion detection. Upon processing of the surveillance data, the captured surveillance data is transferred from the surveillance area  30  and subsequently delivered as at least one of audio, video and image data to the mobile device  50 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard  54  or other graphical user interface of the mobile device  50  permits a user to store, retrieve and manipulate surveillance data. The software application  60  may be in communication with the mobile device  50  to allow the user to communicate with the software application  60  and display any data upon user request using the display  52  and keypad  54  of the mobile device  50 . The software application  60  can output data to the display  52  and allow the user to interact with the mobile device  50  via the keypad  54 . 
     The software application  60  may also communicate other information and surveillance data to the mobile device  50  at the command of the user. The mobile device  50  may also include a microprocessor, memory unit, display or any additional interface components. The mobile device  50  can also include a datebook, wherein the datebook depicts a month of dates associated with a time of day and/or event. These dates and times may be synchronized with the software application  60  of the mobile device  50  to permit the user to activate software to control the underlying recording of surveillance data associated with specific events and/or times at the surveillance area  30 . The user keypad  54  may be adapted to the display  52  to permit the user to access and manipulate the mobile device  50  for a particular purpose, such as, for example, viewing images on display  52 . Additionally, the system may be used in conjunction with any web applications, such as a downloadable I-PHONE application or the like, that will provide the user the ability to interact with the software application  60  and other mobile components to manage and operate the mobile surveillance system  10 . For example, the user may also set-up a website in connection with an Internet Service Provider that will enable user to route surveillance data uploads to the website accordingly. Those skilled in the art recognize that user interface may be implemented as a touch screen user interface. In addition, the mobile device  50  may comprise a speaker or similar components to generate sounds and other audio information associated with surveillance data transmitted to the mobile device  50  from the surveillance area  30 . 
     The surveillance data storage  62  may operate in combination with the software application  60  to allow the user to access stored surveillance data. The software application  60  may communicate with the surveillance data storage  62  through the processor  56  to obtain stored surveillance data transferred to the mobile device  50 . The mobile device may include a memory  58  that communicates with the software application  60  and the surveillance data storage  62 . In addition, the processor  56  may comprise a transmitter or receiver to allow the user to communicate wirelessly with a network. This allows the user to communicate wirelessly with calls, or short message service (SMS) messages with the software application to control the mobile surveillance system  10 . For example, the user may transmit instructions, such as voice signals or SMS messages, from the mobile device components to the communications network to start and stop surveillance at the surveillance area  30 . Additionally, the user may transfer and receive surveillance data intermittently through the use of the mobile device  50 . The mobile device  50  may also include a power supply to provide power to the mobile device  50 . For instance, a battery or similar rechargeable device can be used to provide power. 
     The mobile device  50  may be programmed to activate at a predetermined time or at the occurrence of motion or movement at the surveillance area  30 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the mobile device  50  may be programmed to transmit multiple combinations of surveillance data, such as either audio and/or or video data, from the server  40  to the display screen of the mobile device  50  at a predetermined time or upon the detection of motion. For instance, the audio data can be transferred to the mobile device  50  at a predetermined time, wherein the video data can be transferred upon the detection of motion at the surveillance area  30 . The software application  60  can be used to synchronize the delivery of the audio and video data to the display  52  of the mobile device  50 . 
     The motion detection can be configured to function with the camera device and software application  60 . Specifically, the motion detection device provides a means to detect movement within the recorded surveillance data or at the surveillance area  30 . The motion detection means can also be configured to detect variations in audio motion. For instance, the motion detection means may detect a change in audio using an audio sensor or similar device. Changes may be detected at different times at the surveillance area or based on identified sound variations at the surveillance area. 
     Alternatively, the motion detection means may be engaged to a tracking system configured to the surveillance area. For example, where the surveillance area is a vehicle, a tracking device may be connected to the system to provide tracking satellites in communication with a wireless network and the mobile device. Therefore, upon detection of motion, the tracking device can provide navigational data that can be updated to the mobile device of the user. Types of tracking devices can include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and the tracking satellites. In addition, the navigational data can include GPS coordinates such as a latitude coordinate, a longitude coordinate and an altitude coordinate. Those with skill in the art will appreciate that additional alternative methods and designs for motion detection may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     The mobile device  50  may be automatically updated with additional audio and video data stored on the server  40 . The additional surveillance data may be updated upon a user request, predetermined time intervals or upon the occurrence of an event, such as the detection of motion at the surveillance area  30 . The newly received surveillance data may be stored into the mobile device  50  or restored in place of the preceding surveillance data received and delivered to the surveillance data storage  62  of the mobile device  50 , so that the memory  58  of the mobile device  50  maintains the most recently transferred surveillance data. Alternatively, the surveillance data may also be stored at the server  40 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the mobile surveillance system  200 , wherein a wireless network  70  and a base station  80  are in communication with the server  40 . In this embodiment, surveillance data captured by the camera  20  may be transferred to the wireless network  70 . The network  70  then retransmits the surveillance data, at the request of authorized users of the mobile device  50 . This surveillance data is subsequently received by the mobile device  50  through its transmitter or receiver adapted to the mobile device  50 . The network  70  may be configured to transfer surveillance data between a plurality of devices. For instance, the network  70  may comprise a wireless communications terminal that communicates wirelessly with the mobile device  50  and wirelessly or through wires to a public switched phone network, wide area network, local area network, or otherwise, that is connected to the server  40 . The network  70  may also communicate with the mobile device  50  over wires. For example, the mobile device  50  may be connected to a computer system via a universal serial bus (USB) port, or otherwise, and the computer system may be connected to a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), public switched telephone network (PSTN), or otherwise. The LAN, WAN, PSTN, or otherwise, may communicate directly to the server  40  or through additional networks. 
     The server  40  is in communication with the network  70  and comprises a processor  42  and a memory  44 . The memory  44  includes a software application  46 , surveillance data storage  48 , and a base/control station  80 . The software application  46  may include computer readable software and a server engine for causing the server  40  to communicate with the mobile device  50  and base/control station  80 . 
     The base station  80  transmits surveillance data to the surveillance data storage  48  and communicates to the server  40  when the surveillance data should be transmitted to the mobile device  50 . The server  40  is thereby adapted to receive surveillance data from the base station  80 . The server  30  automatically updates the audio data and/or video data to the mobile device  50  by sending surveillance data obtained from the base station  80  to the mobile device  50 . The base station  80  provides a radio receiver/transmitter that serves as the control of the local wireless network  70 , and may also provide a gateway between a wired network and the wireless network  70 . For example, the base station  80  may be a computer system that uploads files including the surveillance data associating the surveillance data with a predetermined time or similar user event to the server  40  and surveillance data storage  48 . The computer system may also send to the server  40  a command to transmit the stored surveillance data to the mobile device  50 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the surveillance data may be displayed as streaming surveillance data within the display  52  area of the mobile device  50  or stored in the surveillance data storage  62  within the mobile device  50  to be viewed later by the user. Those with skill in the art will understand that the network of the mobile device  50  may also be configured to utilize Bluetooth or other similar technology. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart of the steps  300  of a method of delivering surveillance data to a mobile device, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method is initiated, as depicted at block  302 . As shown next at block  304 , a user activates at least one camera in communication with a mobile device, such as the mobile device shown in  FIG. 1 . A plurality of cameras may be adapted to the surveillance area and in communication with the mobile device in support of other embodiments of the present invention. The camera is configured to capture surveillance data at the surveillance area at block  306  and may be linked and transmitted utilizing a wireless gateway or wireless network. As illustrated at block  308 , captured surveillance data is transferred from the camera to a server in control of the camera(s) or the transmitter associated with the camera. Surveillance data is subsequently transferred to the mobile device in response to a user request, as depicted at block  310 . 
     The surveillance data can be processed by a software application in communication with the mobile device wherein the surveillance data is linked with the user request, as illustrated at block  312 . Alternatively, the surveillance data may be associated with a predetermined time or event, such as motion detection, associated with the user request. As illustrated thereafter at block  314 , the surveillance data captured by the camera is displayed on a display of the mobile device. For example, the display  52  of  FIG. 3  is capable of displaying surveillance data according to a user request. The steps may be initiated from the beginning upon an additional request of the user. 
     The above figures and disclosures are intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such variations and alternatives are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognized other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to encompass by the attached claims. Moreover, the use of this invention on a wire guide is not a limitation of the claims. Use of this device with other tubing and elongate medical devices used in medical procedures and the like is understood to be within the scope of the claims. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.