12 United States Patent
`
`10 Patent No.:
`
`9
`9
`US 7 864 983 B2
`
`Dronge
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`US007864983B2
`
`(54) SECURITY ALARM SYSTENI
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Mark Dronge, 33 KeI1W00d Rd,
`TeI1aflysNJ (US) 07670
`Sub'ect to an disclaimer the term ofthis
`J
`.
`Y
`1
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 47 days.
`
`( * ) Notice‘
`'
`
`6,396,535 B1
`6,532,901 B2
`6,538,689 B1*
`6,546,115 B1*
`6,782,847 B1
`6,864,789 B2
`
`5/2002 Waters
`3/2003 Isley et al.
`3/2003 Chang ...................... .. 348/159
`4/2003 Ito et a1.
`................... .. 382/100
`8/2004 Shemesh et 31'
`3/2005 Wolfe
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/430,463
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 27, 2009
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`DE
`
`10122294
`
`3/2003
`
`US 2009/0225166 A1
`
`Sep. 10, 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/692,430, filed on
`Mar. 28, 2007, now Pat. No. 7,526,105.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/743,894, filed on Mar.
`29, 2006, provisional application No. 60/804,660,
`filed on Jun. 14, 2006.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06K 9/00
`(52) U.s. Cl.
`..................................... .. 382/107; 348/143
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............... .. 382/100,
`382/103,106,107,159,170,181,190,195,
`382/203, 206; 348/142, 143, 152, 155, 159,
`348/169
`See apphcation file for c0mp1ete Search history.
`_
`Referenees Clted
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`4,679,077 A
`5,091,780 A *
`5,283,551 A
`5,473,311 A
`5,576,972 A
`5,748,775 A
`5,864,640 A
`5,963,148 A
`6,069,655 A *
`
`7/1987 Yuasa eta .
`2/1992 Pomerleau ................ .. 348/152
`2/1994 Guscott
`12/1995 Hoseit
`11/1996 Harrison
`5/1998 Tsuchikawa et :11.
`1/1999 Miramonti et al.
`10/1999 Sekine et al.
`5/2000 Seeley et al.
`
`.............. .. 348/154
`
`Motion detector
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“TAC m\IETSeVen Secumyw’ TAC’ Jan’ 2006'
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—Anand Bhatnagar
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brian Roffe
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`.
`.
`Security alarm system for protecting a structure includes
`motion detectors connected to cameras. Each camera has a
`dormant state in which images are not obtained and an active
`state in which images are obtained and is activated into the
`active state when an associated motion detector detects
`motion. A processor is coupled to the camera(s) and arranged
`to control the camera(s) and receive the image obtained
`thereby. A telecommunications module is coupled to the pro-
`cessor. A handheld telecommunications unit transmits com-
`
`mands to the processor via the telecommunications module to
`cause the processor to provide images, obtained from the
`camera(s), to the telecommunications module to be transmit-
`ted to the telecommunications unit.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`14
`
`18
`
`42
`
`16
`
`On-site Computer
`
`Homeowner's
`computer
`
`Policelfrelsecurity
`
`Hand-held
`Telecommunications
`unit
`
`20/
`
`\
`
`Effect
`Countermeasures
`
`POI 1001
`
`1
`
`POI 1001
`
`

`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/2006 Rigney et al.
`6,985,172 B1*
`10/2006 Doyle, 11
`7,128,024 B2
`12/2006 Schnell
`7,149,422 B2
`2003/0202102 A1* 10/2003 Shiota et al.
`2004/0081338 A1
`4/2004 Takenaka
`2004/0215750 A1
`10/2004 Stilp
`2005/0151851 A1
`7/2005 Schnell
`2005/0179553 A1
`8/2005 Fujie
`
`............. .. 348/149
`
`.............. .. 348/159
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`W0
`
`1388802 A2
`1140396
`5064193
`5323355
`7050325
`2004077350
`9323706
`
`11/2004
`6/1989
`3/1993
`12/1993
`2/1995
`3/2004
`7/1993
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Supplementary European Search Report for EP 07 75 4166 dated
`Oct. 15, 2010
`
`EP
`
`1030188 A1
`
`8/2000
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`Motion detector
`
`10
`
`Camera
`
`FIG. 1 12
`
`14
`
`On— site Computer
`
`Homeowner’ s
`
`computer
`
`18
`
`Po1ice/fire/security
`
`42
`
`Effect
`
`Countermeasures
`
`Hand—he1d
`
`unit
`
`Telecommunications
`
`3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`
`
`24
`
`Derive silhouette of
`
`object in image
`
`Compare derived
`silhouette to stored
`
`silhouettes
`
`FIG. 2
`
`
`22
`
` 26
`
`Sleep Mode
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is derived
`
`silhouette
`
`indicative of a
`
`
`
`threat
`
`
`
`32
`
`
`
`As sign counterrneasure(s)
`based on silhouette
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 4, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`Camera(s) with
`
`motion detecting
`mode and threat/
`identification analysis
`mode
`
`44
`
`14
`
`On—site Computer
`
`Homeowner’ s
`
`computer
`
`18
`
`Police/fire/security
`
`42
`
`Hand-held
`unit
`
`Telecommunications
`
`\
`
`20 /
`
`Effect
`
`Countermeasures
`
`6
`
`

`
`1
`SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 11/692,430 filed Mar. 28, 2007, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 7,526,105, and which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
`60/743,894 filed Mar. 29, 2006, and U.S. provisional patent
`application Ser. No. 60/804,660 filed Jun. 14, 2006, all of
`which are incorporated by reference herein.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to a system and
`method for enabling an individual interested in the integrity
`of a structure to communicate with an alarm system on the
`structure and obtain information about the structure and its
`
`images from cameras mounted on or
`environment, e.g.,
`around the structure.
`
`The present invention also relates generally to an alarm
`system which is designed to determine whether a threat to
`private property exists and more particularly, to an alarm
`system for a house or other structure where the presence of a
`threat is primarily posed by wild animals.
`The present invention also relates to an alarm system for
`determining the presence of a threat posed by wild animals to
`an unoccupied house or other structure and which provides
`for remote activation of security features to reduce or elimi-
`nate the potential threat.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In the prior art, there are numerous alarm systems which
`are installed ir1 connection witl1 houses and other structure for
`
`alerting residents or security personnel to a threat to the house
`or the individuals therein. For example, alarm systems are
`known which generate loud noises when a door is opened
`without authorization or a window is broken, and/or which
`notify security personnel of such conditions to enable such
`personnel to respond to the house.
`Some patents and patent publications that describe such
`security systems include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,697,077 (Yuasa et
`al.), 5,283,551 (Guscott), 5,576,972 (Harrison), 5,825,412
`(Hobson et al.), 5,937,092 (Wootton et al.), 6,069,655 (Seeley
`et al.), 6,400,265 (Saylor et al.), German Patent Publication
`No. DE 10122294, International Patent Publication No. WO
`98/28706 (WO ’706) and Japanese Patent No. JP2004077350
`(JP ’350).
`Guscott describes an intrusion alarm system including a
`triggering sensor and a linear array of sensors triggered to
`sample an area of interest when activated by the triggering
`sensor. Differences in the sample infrared emissions enable a
`determination of the object as a human or a dog.
`Harrison describes a monitoring system including various
`sensors, one of which is an optical sensor, and data from all of
`the sensors is directed to a neural network computer which
`analyzes the data and detects and identifies the objects in the
`sensed area which may be people, animals or objects.
`Hobson et al. describes a video detection system for moni-
`toring railroad crossings wherein a camera views the railroad
`crossing and establishes the presence of objects and the size
`thereof. An alarm is sounded based on the size of the object.
`Wootton et al. describes a security system in which images
`of a detection area are sensed and compared with previously
`obtained images to determine the presence and movement of
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
`
`50
`
`55
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`60
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`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`2
`
`an intruder in the detection area. In this regard, reference is
`made to Yuasa et al. which is said to describe use of a frame
`
`subtraction technique to derive the presence of an object and
`conveyance ofthis information to a remote location for view-
`ing by a human.
`Seeley et al. describes a security system in which video
`cameras send images from a site control unit (SCU) to a
`central station which may be remote from the SCU. Video
`signals from the cameras are directed to an image processor
`section which determines the presence of an intruder and
`classifies the intruder.
`Saylor et al. describes a security system wherein images
`obtained from a security camera are transmitted over the
`Internet to be seen on a computer. Other ways to be informed
`of the existence of an alarm condition are also mentioned.
`German Patent Publication No. DE 10122294 describes an
`
`alarm system which undertakes different actions based on
`detection of an animal in a detection area.
`
`WO ’706 describes a video detection system in which
`different objects are recognized by comparing a set of shape
`features (e.g., an outline), derived from comparison of an
`instantaneously obtained image to previously obtained
`images, to sets of features of humans and animals.
`JP ’350 describes a technique for determining whether an
`object is a human by comparing the silhouette of the object to
`previously registered silhouette information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An embodiment of an alarm system for protecting a struc-
`ture in accordance with the invention includes at least one
`
`motion detector arranged to have a field of view external of
`the structure and including an area proximate the structure
`and at least one camera associated with and coupled to each
`motion detector and wherein each camera is arranged relative
`to the associated motion detector(s) such that the camera has
`a field of view encompassing at least part of the field of view
`of the associated motion detector(s). Each camera has a dor-
`mant state in which images are not obtained and an active
`state in which images are obtained and is activated into the
`active state when the associated motion detector detects
`
`motion. A processor is coupled to the camera(s) and arranged
`to control the camera(s) and receive the image obtained
`thereby. A telecommunications module is coupled to the pro-
`cessor and capable of communications over a telecommuni-
`cations network. A handheld telecommunications unit is pro-
`vided for transmitting commands to the processor via the
`telecommunications module to cause the processor to provide
`images to the telecommunications module to be transmitted
`to the telecommunications unit. The commands can also
`cause the processor to direct the camera(s) to provide images
`thereto.
`
`A method for protecting a structure in accordance with the
`invention includes arranging a plurality of motion detectors
`on or around the structure, each in a position in which its field
`of view includes an area proximate the structure, arranging a
`plurality of cameras on or around the structure, each camera
`being associated with one or more of the motion detectors
`such that the camera has a field ofview encompassing at least
`part of the field of view of any associated motion detector,
`providing a processor which controls the at least one camera
`and receives the image obtained by the at least one camera,
`coupling a telecommunications module coupled to the pro-
`cessor, the telecommunications module being capable of
`communications over a telecommunications network, and
`transmitting commands from a handheld telecommunica-
`tions unit to the processor via the telecommunications mod-
`
`7
`
`

`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`3
`ule to cause the processor to provide images to the telecom-
`munications module
`to
`be
`transmitted
`to
`the
`
`telecommunications unit. The commands may also cause the
`processor to direct the camera(s) to obtain images.
`The foregoing provides a new and improved system and
`method for enabling an individual interested in the integrity
`of a structure to communicate with an alarm system on the
`structure and obtain information about the structure and its
`
`images from cameras mounted on or
`environment, e.g.,
`around the structure.
`
`10
`
`Another embodiment of a security system in accordance
`with the invention is designed to distinguish or discriminate
`between animals and humans with a view toward accurately
`determining a threat to private property which requires a
`response. The security system includes one or more motion
`detectors connected to one or more cameras which are con-
`
`15
`
`nected to a computer which is connected in turn to a data
`communication or transmission device that can infom1 a
`
`homeowner off premises, the police, fire department and/or
`private security firm ofthe existence of an intrusion condition
`based on the images obtained by the camera.
`In use, a motion detector detects motion in the field ofview
`of an associated camera which then obtains one or more
`
`images, which presumably include the cause ofthe motion. A
`processor connected with the camera derives a silhouette of
`the object that triggered the motion from the obtained image
`(s), through image comparison with images taken without the
`object therein. A processor analyzes the silhouettes by coin-
`paring them to previously obtained silhouettes, such as those
`ofvarious animals and humans having different sizes. A clas-
`sification of the silhouette is obtained and depending on what
`object the silhouette is determined to correspond to, i.e., its
`identification, further action or countermeasures is taken.
`This further action may be: the object is classified as “no
`threat” and the system stays in stand-by or the object is
`classified as “hostile” or a threat and a message or warning is
`sent to a distant computer, the property’ s owner’s homepage,
`the police and/or a private security firm.
`More specifically, one embodiment of an alarm system for
`protecting a structure in accordance with the invention
`includes at least one motion detector arranged to have a field
`of view external of the structure and including an area proxi-
`mate the structure, and at least one camera associated with
`each motion detector, each camera being arranged relative to
`the associated motion detector such that it has a field of view
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`encompassing at least part of the field of view of the associ-
`ated motion detector. Each camera has a dormant state in
`
`which images are not obtained and an active state in which
`images are obtained and being activated into the active state
`when the associated motion detector detects motion such that
`
`50
`
`that camera obtains an image of the source of the motion
`detected by the associated motion detector. A processor is
`coupled to each camera and arranged to receive the image
`obtained thereby, derive a silhouette of any objects in the
`image, compare the silhouettes to a library of stored silhou-
`ettes having associated object identification to determine an
`exact or closest match of the derived silhouette to one of the
`
`stored silhouettes and retrieve the object identification asso-
`ciated with the exact or closest match. The processor reacts to
`the detection of motion by the motion detector based on the
`object identification.
`Various associations of the cameras and motion detectors
`
`are possible. There may be a one-to-one correspondence or
`association between motion detectors a11d cameras, i.e., each
`motion detector has a single and exclusive camera whose field
`of view encompasses the field of view of the motion detector.
`There may be an overlapping camera arrangement wherein
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`each motion detector is associated with two or more cameras
`
`(preferably located at different positions) whose field ofview
`partly or entirely encompasses the field of view ofthe motion
`detector. In this manner, two images including the source of
`motion are obtained and independently analyzed in the man-
`ner described above. Different rules of object identification
`can be formulated for situations where the object identifica-
`tion is different. For each motion detector, there may be an
`exclusive set of two or more cameras, or alternatively, each
`camera can be associated with more than one motion detector
`
`so that it obtains an image when any of its associated motion
`detectors detects motion.
`
`When two or more cameras obtain images of or containing
`the same object, which may arise in a situation where these
`cameras have an overlapping field of view relative to a single
`motion detector and are all activated by motion detected by
`that motion detector, images from cameras containing the
`object may be analyzed by the processor to obtain depth
`information about the object. This is similar to a stereo-vision
`concept and various techniques to derive depth information
`about an object contained in two or more images from differ-
`ent imaging devices or cameras are known to those skilled in
`the art. The depth information can be used to aid the processor
`in the object identification task, i.e., the object classification.
`This aspect of using multiple cameras to obtain images con-
`taining a common object, derive depth information about the
`object and use the depth information to obtain an identifica-
`tion of the object may be applied independent ofthe presence
`and particular arrangement of motion detectors and cameras
`described above. However, the presence of motion detectors
`to activate the cameras would be beneficial. Thus, one
`embodiment of the invention contemplates multiple cameras
`associated with each of at least one motion detector and
`
`arranged to be activated to obtain images of an object whose
`motion is detected by those cameras. These images can be
`analyzed to obtain depth information about the object, i.e., the
`distance from a known object to this moving object, and also
`to obtain identification information about this object for the
`purpose of determining whether this identified object at the
`determined distance is a threat.
`
`As to the processor’s reaction to the object identification, it
`can be programmed to assign a classification of “no threat” or
`“hostile” based on the object identification. The library of
`stored silhouettes preferably includes silhouettes of large and
`small animals and large and small humans in which case, the
`processor can be programmed to assign the hostile classifi-
`cation to large animals and humans and the no threat classi-
`fication to small animals and humans. Other possible differ-
`entiations of classifications may be based on size. When a
`hostile classification is generated, the processor also prefer-
`ably activates countermeasures based on the object identifi-
`cation. For example, the processor can command the alarm
`system to generate the audible and/or visual alarm in prox-
`imity to the structure and/or command a communication sys-
`tem to generate a communication about the condition of the
`structure and forward the communication to the remote des-
`
`tination, e.g., a police station, a fire station, a terminal moni-
`tored by an owner of the structure, or a private security sta-
`tion. The communication can include one or more images
`obtained by the camera(s) or one or more images derived
`from the images obtained by the camera(s).
`An exemplifying method for protecting a structure in
`accordance with the invention includes arranging a plurality
`of motion detectors on or around the structure, each in a
`position in which its field of view includes an area proximate
`the structure, and arranging a plurality of cameras on or
`around the structure, each camera being associated with one
`
`8
`
`

`
`US 7,864,983 B2
`
`5
`or more ofthe motion detector such that the camera has a field
`
`of view encompassing at least part of the field of view of any
`associated motion detector. The cameras have a dormant state
`
`in which images are not obtained and an active state in which
`images are obtained and are activated into the active state
`when an associated motion detector detects motion such that
`
`5
`
`the camera then obtains an image of the source of the motion
`detected by the associated motion detector. A processor is
`provided which receives images obtained by the cameras,
`derives a silhouette of any objects in the image, compares the
`silhouettes to a library of stored silhouettes having associated
`object identification to determine an exact or closest match of
`the derived silhouette to one of the stored silhouettes and
`
`10
`
`retrieves the object identification associated with the exact or
`closest match. One or more countermeasures to the detection
`
`15
`
`of motion by the motion detectors are generated based on the
`object identification when the object is identified as a poten-
`tial threat to the structure.
`
`A classification of “no threat” or “hostile” can be assigned
`by the processor based on the object identification, in which
`case, the countermeasure can be generated only when the
`classification is hostile. Countermeasures can include gener-
`ating an audible and/or visual alarm in proximity to the struc-
`ture and/or generating at least one communication about the
`condition of the structure based on the object identification
`and forwarding the communication to the remote destination,
`e.g., a police station, a fire station, a terminal monitored by an
`owner of the structure, or a private security station. The coin-
`munication can include one or more images obtained from the
`cameras and/or one or more images derived from the images
`obtained from the cameras in the communication being for-
`warded to the remote destination.
`
`Another method for monitoring a premises in accordance
`with the invention includes arranging an alarm system in
`connection with the premises, integrating a telecommunica-
`tions module in connection with a computer of the alarm
`system, the telecommunications module being capable of
`communications over a telecommunications network, and
`programming the telecommunications module to receive
`commands from a handheld telecommunications unit over
`the telecommunications network to enable activation and
`
`deactivation of the alarm system using the telecommunica-
`tions unit. The alarm system may include video cameras
`which obtain images of the premises, in which case, the
`images of the premises obtained by the video cameras can be
`transmitted upon receiving a command from the handheld
`telecommunications unit.
`
`When the telecommunications unit is a cellular telephone,
`it can transmit a code number to the telecommunications
`
`module to control activation, deactivation and adjustment of
`the alarm system. When the telecommunications unit is a
`messaging device, it can transmit a message to the telecom-
`munications module to control activation, deactivation and
`adjustment of the alarm system. When the telecommunica-
`tions unit is a camera telephone and the alarm system includes
`video cameras which obtain images of the premises, the
`images of the premises obtained by the video cameras can be
`transmitted to the camera telephone upon satisfaction of
`threat conditions as determined by the alarm system.
`A system for monitoring a premises in accordance with the
`invention includes an alarm system arranged in connection
`with the premises and including various sensors, cameras and
`the like for detecting a threat to the premises and a telecom-
`munications module in connection with the sensors or a con-
`
`trol component thereof. The telecommunications module is
`capable of communications over a telecommunications net-
`work. A handheld telecommunications unit is provided for
`
`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
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`
`60
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`
`9
`
`6
`transmitting commands to the telecommunications module to
`activate, deactivate and adjust the alarm system. The telecom-
`munications unit may be an existing unit owned by the home-
`owner or alarm system monitor, such as a cellular telephone,
`iPod, PDA, laptop computer or desktop computer and the
`like.
`
`When the alarm system includes video cameras which
`obtain images of the premises, it can transmit still-frame or
`motion picture images of the premises obtained by the video
`cameras upon receiving a command from the telecommuni-
`cations unit. When the telecommunications unit is a cellular
`telephone, it can transmit a code number to the telecommu-
`nications module to control activation, deactivation and
`adjustment of the alarm system. When the telecommunica-
`tions unit is a messaging device, it can transmit a message to
`the telecommunications module to control activation, deacti-
`vation and adjustment of the alarm system. When the tele-
`communications unit is a camera telephone and the alarm
`system includes video cameras which obtain images of the
`premises, the alarm system can transmit still-frame or motion
`picture images ofthe premises obtained by the video cameras
`to the camera telephone upon satisfaction ofthreat conditions
`as determined by the alarm system.
`Other and further objects, advantages and features of the
`present invention will be understood by reference to the fol-
`lowing specification in conjunction with the armexed draw-
`ings, wherein like parts have been given like numbers.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention, together with further objects and advan-
`tages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
`following description taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify
`like elements.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of an alarm
`
`system in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the manner in which an object is
`classified in the alarm system in accordance with the inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 3 is an overview of a house equipped with the alarm
`system in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a second embodiment of an alarm
`system in accordance with the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a
`schematic of one exemplifying embodiment of an alarm sys-
`tem in accordance with the invention which includes, at the
`site at which the alarm system is installed, one or more motion
`detectors 10, one or more cameras 12 and an on-site computer
`14.
`
`Each motion detector 10 is mounted to the house, apart-
`ment or other premises or structure being monitored, herein-
`after referred to as a house for simplicity sake, or on a struc-
`ture around the house which could be dedicated to the
`
`mounting of the motion detector 10. For example, a motion
`detector could be mounted to the exterior wall ofthe house, to
`a post around the house, to a tree around the house, or to the
`roof of the house. The premises or structure being monitored
`may be any type of premises or structure which is typically
`monitored for security purposes, including but not limited to,
`a warehouse, a boatyard, a business, a boat, or a land vehicle
`such as one with a locating system.
`Each motion detector 10 is mounted such that its field of
`view, i.e., the field in which it detects motion, is around the
`
`9
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`US 7,864,983 B2
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`7
`house in which an intruder could approach the house. For
`example, a motion detector 10 could be arranged to have a
`field of View in a path leading to the house, a field of View
`encompassing a length of a fence around the house or a field
`or a field of View adjacent the house, e.g., adjacent one or
`more windows of the house.
`
`With reference to FIG. 3 wherein the outline of a generic
`house 34 is shown, there are four motion detectors 10A, 10B,
`10C, 10D mounted to the house 34 at its comers so as to
`provide overlapping fields of View. Each field of View 36A,
`36B, 36C and 36D extends over an approximate 180 degree
`range a sufficient distance from the house, the exact distance
`depending on the type and construction ofthe motion detector
`installed in the alarm system. Of course, the number, place-
`ment and coverage area of the motion detectors will usually
`Vary depending on such factors as the plan outline of the
`house, the location ofdoors and windows and the surrounding
`area.
`
`Motion detectors 10 can be standard, off-the-shelf compo-
`nents which provide a signal indicative of the presence of
`motion above a threshold. In this case, small objects which
`might be blown aloft by wind, such as leaves, would not
`trigger the motion detector to provide an output signal. Fur-
`ther, the particular motion detectors selected could be those
`which only detect animate objects, e.g., humans or animals.
`In this case, if a fence post in a field of View of a motion
`detector 10 is being tilted by the wind, it would also not cause
`the motion detector to provide an output signal.
`Each camera 12 is mounted to the house or on a structure
`
`around the house which could be dedicated to the mounting of
`the camera 12. For example, a camera could be mounted to the
`exterior wall of the house, to a post around the house, to a tree
`around the house, or to the roof of the house.
`The mounting location of each camera 12 is selected in
`dependence on its field of View and the field of View of the
`motion detector 10 or motion detectors 12 with which it is
`
`associated. That is, in a preferred embodiment, each camera
`12 is triggered to obtain an image only when its associated
`motion detector 10 detects motion in the field of View of the
`
`motion detector 10. Since it is this motion (or the cause
`thereof) for which an image is sought, one or more of the
`cameras 12 must be positioned to be able to obtain an image
`of the portion of the field of View of the motion detector 10 in
`which motion is detected thereby. In some situations, a single
`camera 12 can be associated with each motion detector 10 and
`
`have substantially overlapping fields ofView so that when the
`motion detector 10 detects motion in its field of the View, the
`camera 12 is triggered to obtain an image which will neces-
`sarily encompass the source or cause of that motion. In other
`situations, two or more cameras 12 can be associated with
`each motion detector 10 and be spaced apart from one
`another. Each camera 12 would have a substantially overlap-
`ping field ofView with the motion detector 1 0 so that when the
`motion detector 10 detects motion in its field ofthe View, both
`cameras 12 are triggered to obtain images which will neces-
`sarily encompass the source or cause of that motion. The use
`ofmultiple cameras for each motion detector 10 will aid in the
`subsequent image processing routine, discussed more fully
`below.
`
`It is also possible that a single camera 12 has a field ofView
`which encompasses the field of View of multiple motion
`detectors 10. In this case, when any of a plurality of motion
`detectors 10 detects motion, that camera 12 will be triggered
`to obtain an image.
`With reference to FIG. 3, eight cameras 12A, 12B, 12C,
`12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, 12H are shown mounted to the house 34
`along its outer wall so as to provide overlapping fields ofView.
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`Each field ofview 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H
`extends over an approximate 180 degree range a sufficient
`distance from the house, the exact distance depending on the
`type and construction of the cameras installed in the alarm
`system. As shown in FIG. 3, each field ofView 36A, 36B, 36C
`and 36D of the motion detectors 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D
`overlaps with a plurality of fields of View 38A, 38B, 38C,
`38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H of cameras 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D,
`12E, 12F, 12G, 12H. Thus, when motion is detector by one of
`the motion detectors 10, several cameras 12 will be triggered
`to obtain images. For example, when motion is detected by
`motion detector 10A, cameras 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D will
`obtain images.
`Cameras can also be provided to Visualize the house, or
`parts thereof, e.g., a camera can be mounted on a post distant
`from the door and directed toward the door to obtain an image
`of the house including the door. The same would also be
`applicable for images of the windows.
`Of course, the number, placement and coverage area ofthe
`cameras will usually Vary depending on such factors as the
`location ofthe motion detectors, the plan outline ofthe house,
`the location of doors and windows and the surrounding area.
`Cameras 12 can be standard, off-the-shelf components
`which obtain images in individual frames and as in some
`conventional cameras, can be equipped with a light which is
`triggered when the ambient light is less than a threshold.
`Cameras can also be used which are infrared cameras which
`obtain infrared images. This is possible since, as discussed
`below, only the outline of the object causing the motion is
`needed for image processing.
`The on-site computer 14 is connected to all of the cameras
`12. On-site computer 14 can also be connected to the motion
`detectors 10 and control the cameras 12, i.e., the image-taking
`step, based on signals provided by the motion detectors.
`Alternatively, the cameras 12 are directly connected to the
`associated motion detector(s) 10 and take an image without
`involvement of the on-site computer 14.
`An advantage of coupling the cameras 12 to