U.S. patent application number 13/079831 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for self-contained security system including voice and video calls via the internet.
This patent application is currently assigned to Honeywell International Inc.. Invention is credited to Kenneth G. Eskildsen, Robert E. Lee.
Application Number | 20120257615 13/079831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46966090 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120257615 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eskildsen; Kenneth G. ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
Self-Contained Security System Including Voice and Video Calls Via
the Internet
Abstract
A security system is provided. The security system includes a
control panel located within a secured space, a plurality of
sensors coupled to the control panel that detect security events
within the secured space, a user interface within the secured area
coupled to the control panel, a camera located in the user
interface that collects video images in the secured space
surrounding the user interface upon activation of one of the
plurality of sensors, a sound transducer located in the user
interface, a programmed processor within one of the user interface
and the control panel that supports VoIP calls between a called or
calling party and the user interface and a control button on the
user interface that activates a VoIP connection with a called or
calling party through the user interface and control panel.
Inventors: |
Eskildsen; Kenneth G.;
(Great Neck, NY) ; Lee; Robert E.; (Garden City,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Honeywell International
Inc.
Morristown
NJ
|
Family ID: |
46966090 |
Appl. No.: |
13/079831 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 25/014 20130101;
G08B 25/14 20130101; H04M 11/04 20130101; G08B 13/19695 20130101;
G08B 13/19697 20130101; H04N 7/183 20130101; G08B 25/10 20130101;
G06F 3/048 20130101; G08B 25/08 20130101; H04L 65/1069
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/352 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/66 20060101
H04L012/66 |
Claims
1. A security system comprising: a control panel located within a
secured space; a plurality of sensors coupled to the control panel
that detects security events within the secured space; a portable
user interface within the secured area coupled to the control
panel; a camera located in the user interface that collects video
images in the secured space surrounding the user interface upon
activation of one of the plurality of sensors; a sound transducer
located in the user interface; a programmed processor within one of
the user interface and the control panel that supports VoIP calls
between a called or calling party and the user interface; and a
control button on the user interface that activates a VoIP
connection with a called or calling party through the user
interface and control panel.
2. The security system as in claim 1 further comprising the
programmed processor forming a voice and video connection between
the user interface and called or calling party.
3. The security system as in claim 1 wherein the portable user
interface further comprises an integral portion of the control
panel and where the user interface and control panel are integrated
into a single portable unit.
4. The security system as in claim 3 further comprising a wireless
link that connects the integrated portable user interface and
control panel with the called or calling party through an Internet
connection.
5. The security system as in claim 4 wherein the wireless
connection further comprises WiFi.
6. The security system as in claim 1 wherein the control panel is
non-portable and is fixed at a specific location within the secured
space.
7. The security system as in claim 6 further comprising a wireless
link that connects the portable user interface and non-portable
control panel with the called or calling party through an Internet
connection.
8. The security system as in claim 7 wherein the wireless
connection further comprises WiFi.
9. A security system comprising: a portable control panel; a
plurality of sensors coupled to the control panel that detects
security events within a space secured by the portable control
panel; a touchpad located on the control panel; a camera located in
the control panel that collects video images in the secured space
surrounding the control panel upon activation of one of the
plurality of sensors; a sound transducer located in the control
panel; a programmed processor within the control panel that
performs VoIP calls using the camera and sound transducer; and a
button on the control panel that activates a VoIP connection with a
called or calling party through the control panel.
10. The security system as in claim 9 further comprising a wireless
link that couples the control panel to each of the plurality of
intrusion sensors.
11. The security system as in claim 10 wherein the wireless link
further comprises a Bluetooth transceiver.
12. The security system as in claim 9 further comprising a wireless
link that couples the control panel to the called or calling party
through an Internet connection.
13. The security system as in claim 12 further comprising a wired
link where the wired link is an Ethernet connection.
14. The security system as in claim 12 wherein the wireless link
further comprises a cellular connection.
15. The security system as in claim 9 wherein the key further
comprises a first key that activates the VoIP connection and a
second key that establishes a voice and video connection.
16. A security system comprising: a non-portable portable control
panel; a plurality of sensors coupled to the control panel that
detects security events within a space secured by the portable
control panel; a user interface; a data link that couple the user
interface to the control panel; a camera located in the user
interface that collects video images in the secured space
surrounding the user interface upon activation of one of the
plurality of sensors; a sound transducer located in the user
interface; a programmed processor within one of the user interface
and the control panel that performs VoIP calls using the camera and
sound transducer; and a key on the user interface that activates a
VoIP connection with a called or calling party through the data
link and control panel.
17. The security system as in claim 16 further comprising a voice
and video processor within the control panel or user interface that
establishes a voice and video conference in response to activation
of the key.
18. The security system as in claim 16 wherein the data link
further comprises WiFi.
19. The security system as in claim 16 further comprising a wired
connection between the non-portable control panel and each of the
intrusion sensors.
20. The security system as in claim 16 further comprising an
Internet connection that couples the non-portable security panel to
the called or calling party.
21. The security system as in claim 1 further comprising a
pushbutton at the central monitoring station that activates a VoIP
connection between the central station and protected premises
through the user interface and control panel.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The field relates to security systems and more particularly
to communication through security systems.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Security systems for homes are generally known. Such systems
are typically based upon the use of a number of intrusion sensors
distributed throughout the home that are, in turn, connected to a
control panel.
[0003] The control panel monitors the sensors for activation and
upon detecting activation of one of the sensors, activates a local
audible alarm. The control panel may also transmit an alarm message
to a central monitoring station.
[0004] Associated with the control panel may be a keypad or
touchpad and display (user interface) used to control the
functionality of the control panel. In this regard, a controller
within the security panel monitors the touchpad for arm and disarm
commands and displays a status indicator on the display. In this
regard, a user may be required to enter a password or other
identifier in order change the status of the system.
[0005] In the event of a change in status, the controller will
access a local connection to a public communication network and
send the message to a central monitoring station. The message
(e.g., an alarm message) would include a communication system
identifier of the central monitoring station as well as an
identifier of the security system. An identifier of the sensor or
zone from which the alarm originated is also typically included
within the alarm message.
[0006] While the controllers of some security systems communicate
with central monitoring stations through plain old telephone
service (POTS) lines, other newer systems are connected through the
Internet. Because of the importance of such systems, a need exists
for added flexibility in the way user interfaces are used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a security system
shown generally in accordance with an illustrated embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0008] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an alarm system 10
shown generally in accordance with an illustrated embodiment.
Included within the security system 10 may be a control panel 12
coupled to a number of intrusion sensors 18, 20 within a secured
area (e.g., a home) 14. The intrusion sensors 18, 20 may be any of
a number of different types of devices (e.g., door or window
switches, PIR motion detectors, video motion detectors, etc.) that
detect intruders.
[0009] The control panel 12 may be portable with a user interface
16 built into a housing of the control panel 12. Alternatively, the
control panel 12 may be stationary (i.e., fixed in location by
screws, bolts, etc.) and coupled to a portable user interface
18.
[0010] In use, the control panel 12 may monitor the intrusion
detectors 18, 20 for activation by an intruder. In the event of
activation by an intruder, the control panel 12 may compose and
send an alarm message to a central monitoring station 22. The
central monitoring station 22 may respond to the alarm message by
dispatching the police to the home 14.
[0011] Included within the control panel 12 may be a number of
processors 24, 26 programmed with one or more software programs 28,
30 loaded from a non-transitory computer readable medium (memory)
32. It should be noted in this regard that reference made below to
any step or operation performed by the security system 10 also
refers to the respective programmed processor 24, 26 that performed
that step or operation.
[0012] Included within each of the user interfaces 16, 18 may be a
keypad (touchpad) or keyboard 34 and a display 36. While shown
separately in FIG. 1, the keyboard 34 and display 36 may be
combined into a single interactive display device.
[0013] The display 36 may be used to display to a user (homeowner),
the current status of the security system 10. In the event of an
alarm, the display 36 may also an identifier of any activated
sensors 18, 20.
[0014] The keyboard 34 may be used by the homeowner to arm and
disarm the system 10. In this regard, a status processor 24, 26
within the panel 12 may monitor the keyboard 34 for information
from the user. If the user should enter a personal identification
number (PIN) and activate a button labeled "ARMED AWAY", then the
system 10 may enter an armed state. Similarly, if the user should
enter a personal identification number (PIN) and activate a button
labeled "ALARM OFF", then the system 10 may enter a disarmed
state.
[0015] The control panel 12 may be coupled to the intrusion sensors
18, 20 and to the central monitoring station 22 via either a wired
or wireless connection. If connected wirelessly, the control panel
12 may be provided with a radio frequency (RF) transceiver (e.g.,
WiFi, a GSM transceiver, etc.) 38 to provide complete portability
within the secured area 14. In this regard, the RF transceiver 38
may operate under a first transmission format (e.g., Bluetooth) to
communicate with the intrusion sensors 18, 20 and a second
transmission format (e.g., a control channel of a local cellular
base station) to communicate with the central monitoring station 22
through the Internet 46.
[0016] The control panel 12 may also be coupled to the intrusion
sensors 18, 20 via a wired connection to provide a tethered
portability within the secured area 14. In this case, the control
panel 12 and intrusion sensors 18, 20 may each plug into and
exchange messages via a home communication system (e.g., the
Ethernet, VPLEX, twisted pair of wires, etc.) via an appropriate
plug and socket arrangement (e.g., RJ45 plugs and receptacles). As
above, the control panel 12 may communicate with the central
monitoring station through the local communication system, a
broadband connection 52 and the Internet 46.
[0017] Where the control panel 12 is portable, the control panel 12
is provided with the capability of establishing a voice and video
or simply a voice connection with virtually any other party 48
having an Internet connection or who is connected to the public
switch telephone network (PSTN). In this regard, the control panel
12 is provided with a VoIP processor 24, 26 controlled through the
user interface 16 physically located on the housing of the control
panel 12. In this regard, one or more externally accessible
VOICE/VIDEO CALL pushbuttons 40 is provided on the control panel 12
that may be activated to make or receive voice or video calls.
[0018] A video camera 42 is also provided that captures images in
the secured area 14 directly adjacent the touch pad 16. Similarly,
a voice transducer (e.g., a microphone and speaker combination) 44
is provided for exchanging sound between the user and the other
party.
[0019] To make a voice call, the homeowner may simply activate the
VOICE CALL pushbutton 40 and enter a destination (called party)
telephone number through the keyboard 34. The VoIP processor 24, 26
may detect activation of the VOICE CALL pushbutton 40, receive the
telephone number from the keyboard 34 and proceed to set of a voice
connection with the other party 48 using an appropriate Internet
VoIP resource (e.g., AOL, YAHOO, GOOGLE, SKYPE, etc.).
[0020] Once the voice connection has been set up, the user may
converse with the other party 48 in a conventional manner. At the
end of the conversation, the user may simply activate the
pushbutton 40 a second time to terminate the connection.
[0021] Incoming voice calls may be handled in a similar manner. In
this case, the user simply registers his/her system identifier
(e.g., telephone number, IP address, etc.) with the Internet VoIP
resource and calls are routed appropriately. As VoIP calls arrive
through the panel 12, the user simply activates the pushbutton 40
to accept calls. The main advantage of this feature is that a user
doesn't have to be at their PC.
[0022] A video and voice connection may be established in a similar
manner. In this case, the user may activate a VOICE AND VIDEO
pushbutton 40 and enter a destination identifier (e.g., IP address,
telephone number, etc.) of the other party 48 through the keyboard
34. A voice and video processor 24, 26 may detect activation of the
pushbutton 40 and destination identifier and set up the voice and
video connection in a known manner. Once established, the voice and
video connection may also operate in a conventional manner.
Incoming voice and video calls may be handled in conventional
manner. At the end of the voice and video call, the user may simply
activate the pushbutton 40 to terminate the connection.
[0023] The ability of the control panel 12 to establish VoIP or
voice and video connections with other parties 48 offer
functionality not available by simply combining a voice and video
conferencing device with a security system. For example, the
availability of the camera 42 and voice transducer 44 within the
portable control panel 12 also allows an alarm processor 24, 26 to
activate the camera 42 and to record video directly proximate the
control panel 12 in cases where the system 10 is armed and an
intrusion sensor 18, 20 indicates to an alarm processor 24, 26 that
an intruder is present within the secured area 14. This allows
images of the intruder to be captured and saved in memory 32 for
later analysis or sent to the central monitoring station 22 in real
time as the intrusion is occurring. Alternatively, the camera 42
may be used by the central station in the event of an alarm to
verify that a person in the secured area 14 is an authorized user
or homeowner. In this case, the central station 22 may be provided
with a pushbutton (similar to the pushbutton 40) that activates a
voice and video connection between the secured area 14 and central
station 22.
[0024] Moreover, the camera 42 and voice transducer 44 on the
portable control panel 12 allows a situation to be evaluated in
cases where an ambush alarm on the keyboard 34 of the security
system 10 is activated. In this case, personnel at the central
monitoring station 22 may activate the camera 42 and/or voice
transducer 44 via a monitoring processor 24, 26 based upon
instructions sent from the central monitoring station 22. This
ability allows security personnel to use the user interface 16 as
an intercom, to identify hostage situations within the home 14 or
otherwise identify a situation where the alarm has been activated
accidentally (e.g., by children playing with keyboard 34). Other
situations may include recognizing that one of the people present
has a knife (hostage situation), that all the faces are unfamiliar
(probable intruders), or that the faces are familiar (match photo
in database). When the faces are familiar, security personnel at
the central station 22 may assume that the alarm has been activated
inadvertently and take less aggressive steps (e.g., call or send a
message to the homeowner notifying the homeowner of the
activation).
[0025] In an alternate embodiment, a non-portable control panel 12
may be provided where the control panel 12 is located in some
secure space (e.g., a closet or basement) and where the security
system 10 is controlled via a portable user interface 18. The
non-portable control panel 12 may be fixed or otherwise attached
within the secure space by some appropriate mechanism (e.g.,
screws, bolts, locks, etc.). In this embodiment, the user interface
18 includes the touchpad 34, the display 36, the camera 42 and the
voice transducer 44. This may be important in order to prevent an
intruder from disabling the security system 10 by destroying the
control panel 12.
[0026] In this case, the portable user interface 18 may include a
wired or wireless connection to the control panel 12. Similar to
the portable control panel 12 (discussed above), the portable user
interface 18 may be coupled to the control panel 12 via a wireless
link 50 using wireless transceiver 38 (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.)
or if wired via a plug and connector arrangement (e.g., RJ45
connectors). The portable interface 18, in other aspects, may
operate in a similar manner to the portable control panel 12.
[0027] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic
flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order
shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other
steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the
described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed
from, the described systems. Other embodiments may be within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *