SECURITY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE

Abstract

A security surveillance system is provided to secure at least part of a perimeter of a premises (100), including the premises (100): an outer enclosure (102) on the secure perimeter giving access to a protected interior space (200) of the premises; an external keypad (110) outside the secure perimeter for disarming the system; at least one surveillance device; and a controller (208) coupled to the external keypad (110), and at least one surveillance device, the controller (208) being configured, when the system is armed, to: (i) respond to the entry on the external keypad of a first access code by disarming the system; (ii) respond to the entry on the external keypad of a second access code, signifying an event: by notifying a remote monitoring station (210) of the event, by coupled the at least one surveillance device to the remote monitoring station (210), and by disarming the system.A corresponding procedure is also provided.

Description

SECURITY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES Technical field The present invention relates to security surveillance systems for securing at least part of the perimeter of a premises and for monitoring premises, and to the procedures performed by the system and by the system controllers. Previous technique Premises security surveillance systems, often referred to as alarm systems, typically provide a means of detecting the presence and / or actions of people on the premises and responding to detected events. These systems usually include sensors to detect the opening and closing of doors and windows to provide a secure perimeter around the premises, creating one or more protected interior spaces; motion detectors to monitor spaces (both inside and outside buildings) for signs of movement; microphones to detect sounds such as breaking glass; and image sensors to record still or moving images of the monitored areas. These systems can be standalone, with alarm indicators such as sirens and flashing lights that can be activated in the event of an alarm.These systems typically include a control unit (also called a central unit), usually mains-powered, which is connected to the sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. (nodes). This unit processes incoming signals and determines a response. While the central unit may be connected to the various nodes via cables, wireless connections are becoming increasingly common. This simplifies installation and can also provide some protection against effectively disabling the sensors / detectors by disconnecting them from the central unit. Furthermore, to simplify installation and enhance security, the nodes in these systems often include an independent power source, such as a battery, rather than being mains-powered. As an alternative to standalone systems, a security surveillance system can include an installation in a premises, whether residential or commercial, that is connected to a Central Monitoring Station (CMS) where, typically, human operators manage the responses required by the different types of alarms and alerts. 238640 In 1796055 of 11 centralized surveillance systems, the central unit at the premises typically processes alerts received from the facility's nodes and notifies the central monitoring station of only some of them, depending on the system configuration and the nature of the detected events. In this type of configuration, the central unit effectively acts as a gateway between the nodes and the central monitoring station. Again, in these types of installations, the central unit can be connected by cables or wirelessly to the various facility nodes, and these nodes are usually battery-powered rather than mains-powered. Security surveillance systems of this type contribute to the safety and well-being of the occupants of the protected premises, as well as to the protection of items located within the protected perimeter, which, of course, is not limited to a house or dwelling, but can also extend to the grounds of the house, protected by a fence and a gate, for example. Unfortunately, conventional security surveillance systems are not typically configured to protect against situations where an occupant of the premises protected by a security system is threatened or coerced into entering by an intruder while entering the premises. Sadly, this is a particular problem for women who live alone. It is not uncommon for a woman to discover she is being followed on her way home, possibly by a former partner, or perhaps by a stranger. The woman then faces a difficult choice: try to get inside her house before her pursuer can enter, seek refuge with a neighbor, or go to a nearby business. If she tries to enter her house, her pursuer may manage to follow her through the door and into the home before she can stop them.Once inside the home, the intruder knows that his actions and movements will not be seen by anyone outside the home. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the scope of security surveillance systems to solve this problem. The embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide improved security surveillance systems, and the corresponding procedures and other implementations that enhance the scope of security surveillance systems to address aspects of this problem, in addition to providing new functionalities and procedures. 238640 1796055 of 11 Summary of the invention According to the first aspect, a security surveillance system is provided to secure at least part of the perimeter of the premises, including the premises: an external keypad outside the secure perimeter to deactivate the system; at least one surveillance device; and a controller coupled to the external keypad and at least one surveillance device, the controller being configured, when the system is activated, to: i) respond to the entry of a first access code on the external keyboard by deactivating the system; (ii) respond to the entry of a second access code, which signifies an event, on the external keypad: by notifying a remote monitoring center of the event, attaching at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center and deactivating the system. Preferably, at least one surveillance device comprises a two-way audio interface within the protected interior space of the premises. Preferably, the at least one surveillance device comprises at least one video camera. Optionally, the at least one video camera includes a first video camera configured to record images that include a region outside the security perimeter. Optionally, the first video camera is a doorbell video camera. Optionally, the at least one surveillance device comprises an audio interface for the doorbell video camera. Optionally, the at least one video camera includes a second video camera configured to record images that include a region within the secure perimeter. Optionally, at least one video camera is a motion-activated video camera. Optionally, the controller is configured to respond to the entry of the second access code, causing the motion-activated video camera to capture images even in the absence of a motion trigger. 238640 1796055 of 11 Optionally, the security surveillance system for the first aspect also includes an outer perimeter fence providing access to a protected interior space within the premises; and an electrically controlled lock for the outer fence, with the lock connected to the controller. Optionally, the controller can be configured to unlock the electrically controlled lock, allowing access to the protected interior space through the outer fence, when the system is deactivated. Optionally, the controller is configured to send a successful shutdown indication to the external keyboard when the system is powered off, in both mode (i) and mode (ii). Optionally, the security perimeter is provided by a fence or other enclosure around a dwelling, and a protected interior space is provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the enclosure. Optionally, an additional security perimeter is provided within the protected interior space, with the additional security perimeter being provided by the structure of the dwelling, thus providing an additional protected interior space within the dwelling. Optionally, outside the additional security perimeter but within the protected interior space provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the enclosure, an additional external keypad is provided to deactivate the system and, optionally, to unlock an electrically controlled lock on an external door of the dwelling to gain access to the additional protected interior space.Optionally, the controller is configured, if the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the premises, to unlock both an electrically controlled lock for the exterior gate and an electrically controlled lock on the exterior door of the dwelling. Alternatively, the controller can be configured, if the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the premises, to unlock only an electrically controlled lock for the exterior gate but not an electrically controlled lock on the exterior door of the dwelling. According to a second aspect, a procedure is provided for a controller of a security surveillance system configured to secure at least part of a perimeter of the premises, including: an external keypad outside the secure perimeter to deactivate the system; at least one surveillance device; and a controller 238640 1796055 of 11 coupled to the external keyboard and at least one monitoring device; understanding the procedure, when the system is activated: (i) respond to the entry of a first access code on the external keypad by deactivating the system; or (ii) respond to the entry of a second access code, which signifies an event, on the external keypad: by notifying a remote monitoring center of the event, attaching at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center and deactivating the system. Preferably, the procedure also includes transmitting to the remote monitoring center the audio recorded by at least one monitoring device within the protected interior of the premises. The procedure may also include transmitting to the remote monitoring center images recorded by at least one video camera. The images transmitted to the remote monitoring center may include images that encompass a region outside the security perimeter. The procedure may further include recording with a doorbell video camera the images that are transmitted to the remote monitoring center. The procedure may also include recording, using an audio interface of the doorbell video camera, the audio transmitted to the remote monitoring center. The procedure may also include recording, with a video camera located in the protected interior space of the premises, images that include a region within the secure perimeter. The premises may have an outer closure on the security perimeter that gives access to a protected interior space of the premises, and the procedure may further include unlocking an electrically controlled lock for the outer closure, allowing access to the protected interior space through the outer closure, by deactivating the system. Description of the figures The embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 238640 1796055 of 11 Figure 1 is a schematic drawing showing a front elevation of a stylized building with an exterior space that is monitored by a security surveillance system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a premises protected by a security surveillance system, along with other elements of the system; Figure 3 shows a timing diagram of a first mode of operation according to one aspect of the invention; and Figure 4 shows a timing diagram of a second mode of operation according to an aspect of the invention. Specific description Figure 1 shows a view of the facade of a premises 100 protected by a security surveillance system according to an aspect of the present invention. The premises, which here is in the form of a house, has an exterior door, in this case a front door, 102. The door provides access to a protected interior space. The security surveillance system is operative to secure at least part of a perimeter of the premises, optionally providing a secure perimeter to the premises 100, and the door constitutes an outer closure 102 in the secure perimeter that provides access to a protected interior space of the premises. A lock 104 on the exterior door can be electrically controlled so that it can be locked and unlocked remotely. On one side of the door, on the facade of the house, there can be a first video camera, which can be in the form of a doorbell camera 106. The doorbell camera can be oriented outwards from the outside of the house.The doorbell camera may be oriented towards the facade of the premises so that anyone approaching the door via path 108 can be seen, and particularly when they stop at the door, their face must be clearly visible. The doorbell camera includes an actuator, for example, a push button, to allow a visitor to indicate their presence at the enclosure. The doorbell camera also preferably includes an audio interface to enable two-way audio communication with a visitor at enclosure 102. The doorbell camera may also include an infrared light source to illuminate whatever is in front of the camera. The facade of the house has an external keypad 110 with which a user can deactivate the security surveillance system and, if present, unlock the electrically controlled lock 104. A second, optional video camera 112 is also shown, which is coupled to a motion detector, such as a PIR sensor 114. 238640 1796055 of 11 states that, when the security surveillance system is activated, it can be configured to record video of the house facade and the private area, for example, the garden, in front of the house. Like the doorbell camera, the second video camera is preferably equipped with an audio interface to allow two-way audio communication with anyone being observed by the second video camera. Optionally, as shown, the house 100 can be surrounded by a perimeter fence 140, which includes a security gate 142, optionally with another electrically controlled lock 144. The security surveillance system can also be used to secure this perimeter, the gate forming an outer closure in the secure perimeter which gives access to a protected interior space of the premises, and another external keypad 150, and optionally an additional doorbell video camera can be provided, as shown, with which a user can disable the security surveillance system, and optionally unlock a lock that secures the gate, and thus gain admission to the protected grounds of the house.As will be described later, the system can be configured in such a way that the external keypad 150 of door 142 can also be used to unlock the electrically controlled lock 104 (if present) on door 102 of house 100. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a premises or house 100 protected by a security surveillance system according to one aspect of the invention, along with other system elements, generally corresponding to the premises in Figure 1. The front door 102, with the optional electrically controlled lock 104, leads to the protected interior space 200 of the premises. Each of the windows 202 and the rear door 204 are preferably equipped with a sensor 206 to detect when they are opened. Each of the sensors 206 includes a radio transceiver to report events to a controller or the central unit 208 of the security surveillance system. If one of the sensors 206 is activated when the system is armed, a signal is sent to the central unit 208, which, in turn, depending on the system settings and the location or type of sensor that was activated, may communicate an alarm event to a central monitoring station 210.The central unit 208 is connected to the central monitoring station 210 via the Internet 212, either by means of a wired or a wireless connection. Also wirelessly connected to the central unit 208, if present, are the doorbell camera 106, the electrically controlled lock 104, and the second video camera 112 and its associated motion sensor 114 (although the latter may be an integral part of the second video camera 112), and the audio interface 7. 238640 1796055 of 11 116, together with the corresponding system components if present at door 142. These elements, and the sensors 206, are preferably coupled to the central unit 208 by means of transceivers operating at industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bandwidths, for example, a sub-gigahertz bandwidth such as 868 MHz, and communications are preferably encrypted using shared secret keys. The security surveillance system may also include other sensors within the protected interior space, such as an interior video camera 214 and an associated motion detector 216 (which again may be an integral part of the camera 214), and each of the interior doors 218 may also be provided with a sensor 206 to detect the opening / closing of the door.Figure 2 also shows a user device 220, preferably loaded with a suitable application, and a public land mobile network (PLMN) through which the central surveillance station 210 and the central unit 208 can communicate with the user device 220. Other aspects of the procedures and systems according to the embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a timing diagram of a first operating mode. The security surveillance system is in an armed state, meaning it is listening to sensors on the protected perimeter of the premises, such as the door and window sensors 206, along with internal sensors, such as the interior door sensors 218 and the motion sensor 216. This is the state the security surveillance system is typically in when the occupants of the premises arm the system as they leave. Upon returning home, a user approaches one of the external keypads, 110, 150, and at step 302 enters their normal access code, which in this case is 1234.In step 304, the keypad transmits the access code to the central unit 208 of the security monitoring system in a message that includes the keypad's identity (which is relevant if there is more than one keypad and more than one associated lock, such as a gate or door). In step 306, the central unit 208 changes the security monitoring system's status to deactivated and, preferably in step 308, sends a deactivation signal to the corresponding keypad, again including the keypad's identity in the message. The external keypad then provides audible or visual confirmation to the user, letting them know that the system has been successfully deactivated. 238640 1796055 of 11 optionally, which has unlocked the corresponding lock. Next, open the corresponding lock and enter the premises. Figure 4 is a timing diagram of the second operating mode, analogous to the first, which is used if the user feels frightened, threatened, or is under duress. In this mode, the user enters a second access code, which is used only in these circumstances. Conveniently, because it is much easier to remember, the second access code is chosen to be a variant of the first access code—for example, differing from the first access code only by having a final digit value that is just one higher than the final digit value of the first access code. Thus, in this example, at step 402, the person enters the access code 1235, instead of their normal code of 1234. As before, the external keypad transmits the access code to the central unit 208, along with the corresponding keypad ID.The central unit 208 recognizes that the access code is the duress access code, and transmits a duress alert 406 to the receiving central unit 210. The central unit also activates at least one surveillance device in 408, which preferably includes an internal audio interface 214' (which may be incorporated into a video camera, such as device 214, an interface device used to control the security surveillance system, or independent) which includes at least one microphone, but which preferably supports two-way communication. At this point, other surveillance devices can also be activated, such as an external video camera, like the doorbell camera 106, an internal video camera, such as the 214, or an external audio interface (which may be part of the doorbell camera or a separate unit associated with a different video camera, such as the camera 112 shown in Figure 2), indicated by the dotted arrows from the central unit. The corresponding units then provide the central unit 208 with video and / or audio signals, which the central unit transmits to the central monitoring station 210. This allows a human operator at the central monitoring station to observe what is happening on the premises, and the relevant signals are continuously recorded at the central monitoring station or in the cloud.The operator has a microphone with which they could communicate with the premises, but when a duress event is first detected, the microphone at the central monitoring station is muted. In step 424, the central unit updates the security monitoring system status to deactivated and, optionally, transmits an unlock command to the relevant smart lock(s). 238640 1796055 of 11 if present. Preferably, the central unit 208 retransmits a successful deactivation message 428 to the corresponding external keypad, so that the keypad can, as usual, provide the user with positive confirmation of successful deactivation. The user then knows that someone at the monitoring station will be aware, via at least one monitoring device, of what is happening on the premises. If the premises include an electrically controlled lock, and if the system is configured accordingly, the user can open the door / gate to enter the premises without further delay. If they manage to enter the protected interior of the premises and close the door / gate behind them, the video cameras will continue to send signals to the monitoring station until the user feels safe enough to speak to the monitoring station operator, confirming that they no longer feel threatened.On the other hand, if the user cannot enter the premises alone, and their potential attacker—the source of their threat—enters with them, the monitoring center operator can observe how things unfold. If necessary, the operator can contact the local police, explaining the situation so they can respond to the premises if needed. Alternatively, in some circumstances, the operator can intervene by muting their microphone and speaking directly to the intruder, warning them that their actions are being recorded and that the police have been notified. More often than not, the operator remains silent, at least as long as the user's life and safety are not seriously threatened. However, the user is aware that the system is capturing evidence, in the form of video and audio recordings, of the incident and the intruder's behavior.These recordings, which will be stored in the cloud as well as on the central monitoring station's servers, can later be used by the user in legal proceedings against the intruder. Furthermore, the presence of these recordings of the intruder's behavior may encourage a user to report what could be domestic violence to the authorities, including physical threats and / or physical assaults against the user and / or her children. 238640 1796055 of 11 20225952036 CRISTIAN DANIEL BITTEL - 20225952036 Digitally signed by PORTALTRAM ITES - INPI Date: 2022.05.13 15:10:11 -03:00 Reason: Digitally Signed by the INPI Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina 1796055

Claims

1. A security surveillance system for securing at least part of a perimeter of a premises (100), wherein the premises (100) includes: an external keypad (110) outside the security perimeter for disarming the system; at least one surveillance device; and a controller (208) coupled to the external keypad (110) and at least one surveillance device, the controller (208) being configured, when the system is armed, to: (i) respond to the entry of a first access code on the external keypad by disarming the system; (ii) respond to the entry of a second access code, signifying an event, on the external keypad by: notifying a remote monitoring center (210) of the event, coupled the at least one surveillance device to the remote monitoring center (210), and disarming the system,The security surveillance system is characterized in that at least one surveillance device comprises a two-way audio interface within the protected interior space of the premises, wherein the at least one surveillance device is configured to supply the controller (208) with video and / or audio signals which the controller (208) is configured to transmit to the remote surveillance center (210), so that a human operator at the remote surveillance center (210) can observe the premises (100), and wherein an audio output using the two-way audio interface within the remote surveillance center (210) is initially muted when the second access code is entered. 22 Claims follow.