Security surveillance systems

Abstract

A security surveillance system for securing at least part of a perimeter of premises (100), the premises (100) comprising: an external keypad (110) installed outside the secured perimeter for disarming the system; at least one monitoring device, wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one video camera; and a controller (208) coupled to the external keyboard (110) and the at least one monitoring device, the controller (208) being configured, when the system is armed: (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 on the external keypad indicating an event by: Notifying a remote monitoring center (210) of the event, coupling the at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center (210) and Disarming the system; wherein the at least one video camera (106) is a motion-triggered video camera, and the controller is configured to respond to the input of the second access code by causing the motion-triggered video camera (106) to capture images even in the absence of a motion trigger.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to security surveillance systems for securing at least part of the perimeter of premises and for monitoring premises. background

[0002] Security monitoring systems for monitoring premises, often referred to as alarm systems, typically provide a means of detecting the presence and / or actions of people within the premises and responding to detected events. Such systems often include sensors for detecting the opening and closing of doors and windows to provide a secure perimeter of the premises, creating one or more protected interior spaces, motion detectors for monitoring spaces (both inside and outside buildings) for signs of movement, microphones for detecting sounds such as breaking glass, and image sensors for capturing still or moving images of the monitored zones. Such systems can be standalone with alarm indicators such as sirens and flashing lights that can be activated in the event of an alarm condition being detected.Such installations typically include a control unit (which may also be referred to as a central unit), generally mains-powered, which is coupled to the sensors, detectors, cameras, etc. ("nodes") and processes the received notifications and determines a response. The central unit may be connected to the various nodes via cables, but is increasingly being connected wirelessly instead of via cables, as this facilitates installation and also provides some safeguards against effectively disabling sensors / detectors by disconnecting them from the central unit. Likewise, to simplify installation and improve security, the nodes of such systems typically include an autonomous energy source, such as a battery, as their power supply, rather than being powered by the mains.

[0003] As an alternative to standalone systems, a security monitoring system may involve an installation on premises, whether residential or commercial, connected to a central monitoring station (CMS), where human operators typically manage the required responses to different types of alarms and notifications. In such centrally monitored systems, the central unit in the premises installation typically processes the notifications received from the nodes in the installation and notifies the central monitoring station of only some of them, depending on the system settings and the nature of the detected events. In such a configuration, the central unit in the installation effectively acts as a gateway between the nodes and the central monitoring station.In such installations, the central unit may in turn be connected to the various nodes of the installation via cables or wirelessly, and these nodes are typically battery-powered rather than mains-powered.

[0004] Such security surveillance systems contribute to the safety and well-being of the residents of the protected premises and also secure objects within the protected perimeter - which, of course, does not have to be limited to a simple house or apartment, but can also extend to the grounds of the house, which are protected, for example, by a boundary fence and a gate.

[0005] Unfortunately, conventional security surveillance systems are generally not configured to protect against situations in which an occupant of premises protected by a security surveillance system is threatened upon entering the premises or is coerced into allowing a troublemaker onto the premises. Regrettably, this is a particular problem for women living alone. It is sadly not uncommon for a woman walking home to find she is being followed, possibly by an ex-partner, possibly by a stranger. The woman is then faced with the difficult decision of attempting to enter her home before her pursuer gets inside, or seeking refuge with a neighbor or in a nearby business. If she attempts to enter her home, her pursuer may succeed in following her through the door into the house before she can prevent them.Once inside the house, the troublemaker knows that his actions and movements will not be seen by anyone outside the house.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve the scope of security monitoring systems to address this problem.

[0007] DE102010004762 (A1) discloses an electronic lock for a bank safe or the like. The lock has an input device for supplying an input code to unlock the lock, wherein the lock is designed to be unlockable using another, different code. Just as unlocking the lock, entering the latter code also triggers a silent alarm. The lock can be unlocked using several such codes, and each such code can be assigned a specific alarm signal—so that several different "messages" can be transmitted by selecting the disarming code used. This document also discloses a method for operating such an electronic lock.

[0008] US patent application US2015 / 221209 (A1) discloses a system including a security system that protects a secured perimeter, a wireless portable device that arms and disarms the security system via a wireless interface, the wireless portable device having a camera, a microphone, and a global positioning system (GPS). A processor of the wireless portable device is operable to detect whether a user disarming the security system using the portable device is under duress. If duress is detected, the processor captures information about the surroundings of the wireless portable device using the device's microphone and / or camera and transmits the captured information to a central monitoring station of the security system via the device's wireless interface.

[0009] WO2021064029 (A1) discloses a security monitoring system for a building or a secured space, wherein the system cooperates with a portable authentication device to allow hands-free disarming of the security monitoring system.

[0010] US patent application US2019 / 304274 (A1) discloses a system and method for facilitating security monitoring by a security monitoring device installed at a location of interest. In some embodiments, the security monitoring device is configured to communicate with a server and / or a central monitoring station and includes an alarm sensor, a user interface, and a doorbell module. The doorbell module may include a camera, a doorbell actuator, a motion detector, a system for enabling two-way communication with a user device, and an identification interrogation device for identifying a person, animal, or object.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide improved security monitoring systems and corresponding methods and other implementations that enhance the applicability of security monitoring systems to address aspects of this problem, as well as to provide new features and methods. Summary of the invention

[0012] A security monitoring system is provided for securing at least a portion of a perimeter of premises, the premises including: an external keypad installed outside the secure perimeter for disarming the system; at least one monitoring device, the at least one monitoring device comprising at least one video camera; and a controller coupled to the external keypad and the at least one monitoring device, the controller being configured to, when the system is armed: (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 indicating an event on the external keypad by: notifying a remote monitoring center of the event, coupling the at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center, and disarming the system, wherein the at least one video camera is a motion-triggered video camera, and the controller is configured to respond to the entry of the second access code by causing the motion-triggered video camera to capture images even in the absence of a motion trigger. Preferably, the at least one monitoring device comprises a two-way audio interface within the protected interior of the premises.

[0013] Optionally, the at least one video camera includes a first video camera configured to capture images that include a region outside the secure perimeter. Optionally, the first video camera is a doorbell camera. Optionally, the at least one monitoring device includes a doorbell camera audio interface.

[0014] Optionally, the at least one video camera includes a second video camera configured to capture images including a region within the secure perimeter.

[0015] Optionally, the security monitoring system of the first aspect further comprises an external closure in the secure perimeter that provides access to a protected interior of the premises; and an electrically controlled lock for the external closure, the lock being coupled to the controller. Optionally, the controller may be configured to cause the electrically controlled lock to unlock, thereby allowing access to the protected interior through the external closure after disarming the system.

[0016] Optionally, the control unit is configured to send a disarming success notification to the external keypad after disarming the system in mode (i) and mode (ii).

[0017] Optionally, the secure perimeter is provided by a fence or other enclosure around a dwelling, and the protected interior is provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the enclosure. Optionally, a further secure perimeter is provided within the protected interior, the further secure perimeter provided by the structure of the dwelling, and a further protected interior is provided within the dwelling. Optionally, a further external keypad is installed outside the further secure perimeter but within the protected interior provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the enclosure for disarming the system and optionally for unlocking an electrically controlled lock of an exterior door of the dwelling to gain access to the further protected interior.Optionally, the control unit is configured to unlock both an electrically controlled external locking device and an electrically controlled lock of the apartment's exterior door when the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the perimeter fence. The control unit can be configured to unlock only an electrically controlled external locking device, but not an electrically controlled lock of the apartment's exterior door, when the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the perimeter fence.

[0018] In principle, a method may also be provided, which, however, is not the subject of this utility model. The method may be performed by a controller of a security monitoring system configured to secure at least part of a perimeter of premises, the premises including: an external keypad installed outside the secure perimeter for disarming the system; at least one monitoring device; and a controller coupled to the external keypad and the at least one monitoring device; wherein the method may comprise the following when the system is armed: (i) Respond to the entry of a first access code on the external keypad by disarming the system; or (ii) Responding to the entry of a second access code indicating an event at the external keypad by: notifying a remote monitoring center of the event, linking the at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center, and disarming the system.

[0019] Preferably, the method may further comprise transmitting audio captured by at least one monitoring device within the protected interior of the premises to the remote monitoring center. The method may further comprise transmitting images captured by at least one video camera to the remote monitoring center. The images transmitted to the remote monitoring center may include images that include a region outside the secure perimeter. The method may further comprise capturing images with a doorbell camera and transmitting them to the remote monitoring center.

[0020] The method may further include recording audio with an audio interface of the doorbell camera and transmitting it to the remote monitoring center.

[0021] The method may further comprise capturing images with a video camera located within the protected interior of the premises, the images including a region within the secure perimeter.

[0022] The premises may have an exterior lock within the secure perimeter providing access to a protected interior of the premises, and the method may further comprise unlocking an electrically controlled lock for the exterior lock, thereby allowing access to the protected interior through the exterior lock after disarming the system. Description of the characters

[0023] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a front view of a stylized building and an outdoor area monitored by a security monitoring system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic partial plan view of the premises protected by a security monitoring system, together with other elements of the system; Fig. 3 shows a timeline of a first operating mode according to an aspect of the invention; and Fig. 4 shows a timeline of a second operating mode according to an aspect of the invention. Special description

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a front view of premises 100 protected by a security surveillance system according to one aspect of the present invention. The premises, here in the form of a house, have an exterior door, here an entrance 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 for the premises 100, and the door forming an exterior closure 102 in the secure perimeter, providing access to a protected interior space of the premises. A lock 104 on the exterior door may be electrically controlled so that it can be locked and unlocked remotely. A first video camera may be provided on the side of the door, on the facade of the house, and may be in the form of a video doorbell 106.The video doorbell can face outward from the facade of the premises so that anyone approaching the door via path 108 can be seen, and especially if they are standing at the door, their face should be clearly visible. The video doorbell includes an actuator, such as a push button, that a visitor can use to indicate their presence at the closure. The video doorbell also preferably includes an audio interface to enable two-way audio communication with a visitor at the closure 102. The video doorbell may also include an infrared light source to illuminate whatever is in front of the video doorbell.

[0025] The facade of the house supports an external keypad 110, which allows a user to disarm the security surveillance system and, if present, unlock the electrically controlled lock 104. Also shown is an optional second video camera 112 coupled to a motion detector, such as a PIR sensor 114, which can be arranged to record video of the front of the house and the private area, e.g., the garden, in front of the house when the security surveillance system is armed. As with the doorbell camera, the second video camera is preferably provided with an audio interface 116 to enable two-way audio communication with anyone being monitored by the second video camera.

[0026] Optionally, the house 100 may be enclosed by a perimeter fence 140, as shown, which fence includes a security gate 142, optionally with a further electrically controlled lock 144. The security monitoring system may also be used to secure this perimeter, with the gate forming an external closure within the secure perimeter, providing access to a protected interior of the premises, and wherein a further external keypad 150 and optionally a further video doorbell may be provided, as shown, with which a user can disarm the security monitoring system and optionally unlock a lock securing the gate, thereby gaining access to the protected grounds of the house. As will be further described below, the system may be configured so that the external keypad 150 on the gate 142 can also be used to unlock the electrically controlled lock 104 (if present) on the door 102 of the house 100.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic partial plan view of a premises or house 100 protected by a security monitoring system according to one aspect of the invention, together with other elements of the system generally corresponding to the premises of Fig. 1. The entrance door 102, with the optional electrically controlled lock 104, leads into the protected interior 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 a central unit 208 of the security monitoring system. If one of the sensors 206 is triggered while the system is armed, a signal is sent to the central unit 208, which in turn can report an alarm event to a central monitoring station 210, depending on the system settings and the location / type of the triggered sensor. The central unit 208 is connected to the central monitoring station 210 via the internet 212, either via a wired or wireless connection.Also wirelessly coupled to the central unit 208, if present, are the video doorbell 106, the electrically controlled lock 104 and the second video camera 112, its associated motion sensor 114 (although the latter may be integrated with the second video camera 112), and the audio interface 116, along with the corresponding system components, if present, on the gate 142. These elements and the sensors 206 are preferably coupled to the central unit 208 by means of transceivers operating on the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bandwidths, for example, a sub-gigahertz bandwidth such as 868 MHz, and the communication is preferably encrypted using shared secret keys.The security monitoring system may also include other sensors within the protected interior, such as an interior video camera 214 and an associated motion detector 216 (which may in turn be integrated with 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. In . Fig. 2 also shows a user device 220, preferably loaded with a suitable app, and a public mobile network (PLMN) through which the central monitoring station 210 and the central unit 208 can communicate with the user device 220.

[0028] Further aspects of systems according to embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 described.

[0029] Fig. Figure 3 is a timeline of a first operating mode. The security monitoring system is in an armed away state, meaning that the monitoring system is "listening" to the sensors of the protected perimeter of the premises, such as door and window sensors 206, along with internal sensors such as those on interior doors 218 and motion sensor 216. This is thus the state the security monitoring system is typically placed in when the occupants of the premises arm the system when they all leave the premises. Upon returning home, a user approaches one of the external keypads, 110, 150, and enters her normal access code—which in this case is 1234—in step 302.The keypad transmits the passcode in step 304 to the central unit 208 of the security monitoring system in a message that includes the identity of the keypad (which is relevant if there is more than one keypad and more than one associated locking device, e.g., a gate or door). In step 306, the central unit 208 changes the status of the security monitoring system to disarmed and, preferably in step 308, sends a disarming success signal to the corresponding keypad, with the message for the keypad again including the corresponding keypad identity. The external keypad then provides either audible and / or visual confirmation to the user, so that the user knows they have successfully disarmed the system and, optionally, unlocked the corresponding locking device. They then open the corresponding locking device and enter the premises.

[0030] Fig. Figure 4 is a timeline of the second mode of operation, a counterpart to the first mode, which is invoked when the user is frightened, feels threatened, or is under duress. In this mode, the user enters a second passcode, which she uses only under these circumstances. Conveniently, the second passcode is chosen to be a variant of the first passcode because it is much easier to remember—for example, it differs from the first passcode only in that it has a final digit that is only one higher than the final digit of the first passcode. As a result, in this example, at step 402, she enters the passcode 1235 instead of her normal code 1234. As before, the external keypad transmits the passcode, along with the identity of the corresponding keypad, to the central unit 208.The central unit 208 recognizes the access code as the duress access code and transmits a duress alarm 406 to the central monitoring station 210. The central unit also activates at 408 at least one monitoring device, preferably including an internal audio interface 214' (which may be integrated into a video camera, such as device 214, a device used to control the security monitoring system, or a standalone interface device) that includes at least one microphone, but preferably supports two-way communication.

[0031] Other monitoring devices, if present, may also be activated at this time: e.g., an external video camera, such as the doorbell camera 106, an internal video camera, e.g., 214, an external audio interface (which may be part of the video doorbell, but may also be a separate unit associated with a different video camera, such as the one shown in Fig.2), which is indicated by the dashed arrows from the central unit. The corresponding units then supply the central unit 208 with video and / or audio signals, which the central unit then streams to the central monitoring station 210. This enables a human operator in the central monitoring station to observe what is happening in the premises, with the relevant signals being continuously recorded in the central monitoring station or in the cloud. The operator has a microphone through which they can communicate with the premises, but if attention is first drawn to a duress event, the microphone in the central monitoring station is muted.In step 424, the central unit updates the security monitoring system status to disarmed and optionally transmits an unlock command to the corresponding smart lock(s), if present. Preferably, the central unit 208 retransmits a disarm success message 428 to the corresponding external keypad so that the keypad can provide positive confirmation of disarm success to the user as usual. The user then knows that someone at the central monitoring station is aware of what is happening on the premises via at least one monitoring device. If the installation includes an electrically controlled lock and the system is so arranged, the user can open the door / gate to enter the premises without further delay.If she is able to enter the protected interior of the premises and close the door / gate behind her, the video cameras will continue to send signals to the central monitoring station until the user feels safe enough to speak to the operator at the central monitoring station and confirm that she is no longer threatened. On the other hand, if the user is unable to enter the premises alone, so that her possible assailant, the source of her threat, enters the premises with her, the operator at the central monitoring station can observe how events develop. If necessary, the operator can contact the local police and explain the situation so that they can attend the premises if necessary.Alternatively, under certain circumstances, the operator can intervene by unmuting their microphone and speaking directly to the intruder, warning them that their actions are being videotaped and that the police have been notified. More often, it is appropriate for the operator to remain silent—at least as long as the user's life and safety are not seriously threatened. Instead, the user knows that the system is capturing evidence in the form of video and audio recordings of the event and the intruder's behavior. These recordings, stored in the cloud as well as on servers at the central monitoring station, can subsequently be used by the user in legal proceedings against the intruder.Additionally, the presence of such a recording of the intruder's behavior may encourage the user to report to the authorities what may be domestic violence, which may include physical threats and / or physical attacks against the user and / or her children. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102010004762 (A1

[0007] US 2015 / 221209

[0008] WO 2021064029 (A1

[0009] US 2019 / 304274

[0010]

Claims

[1] A security surveillance system for securing at least part of a perimeter of premises (100), the premises (100) including: an external keypad (110) installed outside the secured perimeter for disarming the system; at least one monitoring device, wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises at least one video camera; and a controller (208) coupled to the external keyboard (110) and the at least one monitoring device, the controller (208) being configured, when the system is armed: (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 on the external keypad indicating an event by: Notifying a remote monitoring center (210) of the event, coupling the at least one monitoring device to the remote monitoring center (210) and Disarming the system; wherein the at least one video camera (106) is a motion-triggered video camera, and the controller is configured to respond to the input of the second access code by causing the motion-triggered video camera (106) to capture images even in the absence of a motion trigger. [2] The security monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises a two-way audio interface within the protected interior of the premises. [3] The security surveillance system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one video camera includes a first video camera (106, 112) configured to capture images including a region outside the secure perimeter. [4] The security surveillance system of claim 3, wherein the first video camera (106) is a doorbell camera. [5] The security monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the at least one monitoring device comprises an audio interface of the doorbell camera (106). [6] A security surveillance system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one video camera includes a second video camera (214) configured to capture images including a region within the secure perimeter. [7] A security monitoring system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer closure (102) in the secure perimeter providing access to a protected interior (200) of the premises, and an electrically controlled lock (104) for the outer closure (102), the lock being coupled to the controller. [8] The security monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the controller (208) is configured to cause the electrically controlled lock to unlock, thereby allowing access to the protected interior (200) through the exterior closure when the system is disarmed. [9] A security monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (208) is configured to send a disarming success indication to the external keypad upon disarming the system in both mode (i) and mode (ii). [10] A security monitoring system according to any preceding claim, wherein the secure perimeter includes at least one door / window sensor (206) for detecting the opening of an associated door / window (102, 204, 206), the or each door / window sensor (206) including a radio transceiver for reporting the opening of an associated door / window to the controller (208). [11] A security surveillance system according to any preceding claim, wherein the secure perimeter is provided by a fence or other enclosure around a dwelling and the protected interior space is provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the enclosure. [12] A security monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein a further secure perimeter is provided within the protected interior space, wherein the further secure perimeter is provided by the structure of the dwelling, wherein a further protected interior space is provided within the dwelling. [13] A security monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein a further external keypad (110) is installed outside the further secure perimeter but within the protected interior space provided between the exterior of the dwelling and the perimeter fence for disarming the system and optionally unlocking an electrically controlled lock of an exterior door of the dwelling to gain access to the further protected interior space (200). [14] The security monitoring system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to unlock both an electrically controlled lock (104) for the exterior closure (102) and an electrically controlled lock of the exterior door of the residence in the event that the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the perimeter fence. [15] The security monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to unlock only an electrically controlled lock (104) for the exterior closure (102) but not an electrically controlled lock of the exterior door of the residence in the event that the second access code is entered on the external keypad outside the perimeter fence.

Images