Automated, remotely-verified alarm system with intrusion and video surveillance and digital video recording

Abstract

An automated self-monitored alarm verification solution including at least a premises portion, a server portion, and an end user device portion. Alarm verification includes capturing by an image capture device at least one image in response to a detection event, and transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device. The signal processing device transmits a second signal including at least a portion of the image to a remote hosted server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters. After receiving the second signal, the server transmits a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the hosted server to a user device. Using the user device, a user views the image and indicates a validity status of the alarm based at least in part on the content of the image. Based at least upon either the validation status indicated by the user, or upon a failure to receive a message including a validation status from the user within a predetermined duration of time, the server portion may send an alarm signal to an emergency response service.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automated detection and alarm verification method comprising:
 capturing at least one image in response to a detection event at a monitored premise;   transmitting a first data signal including the image to a local signal processing device;   transmitting a second signal including at least a portion of the image from the signal processing device to a remote server according to at least a first set of predetermined parameters; and   transmitting a third signal including at least a portion of the image from the server to a user device.   
     
     
         2 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying at least a portion of the image at a display means of the user device;   inputting a verification status by a user using an input means of the user device;   and transmitting a fourth signal including the verification status from the user device to the server.   
     
     
         3 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , wherein the server transmits an alarm signal to at least one of a public or private emergency response service, the alarm signal including a detection event validity indication, in response to either, (1) failing within a predetermined period of time to receive a fourth signal from the user device in response to the third signal, or (2) upon receiving a fourth signal from the user device wherein the fourth signal includes an indicator that the detection event is valid. 
     
     
         4 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 controlling at least one of an operational function and an operational status of the signal processing device by at least a first set of parameters pre-set by a user using at least one selected from the group including the user device, a local computing device, the server, and an input means of the signal processing device.   
     
     
         5 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 making a digital video recording of the image by one of the local signal processing device or a local computing device.   
     
     
         6 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 altering the operational status of the signal processing device by a portable, wireless, signal transmitting device.   
     
     
         7 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 2 , wherein inputting a verification status includes subjectively determining the validity of a detection event based at least in part upon the content of the image, and indicating the validity determination via the user device. 
     
     
         8 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing the captured image by a storage means of one or more of the signal processing device, the computing device, the server, and the user device.   
     
     
         9 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the second signal, the third signal, the fourth signal and the alarm signal is transmitted at least in part via one of a public network or a private network, and further comprises an SMS message, an MMS message, an email message, an internet message, or a telephone message. 
     
     
         10 . The automated detection and alarm verification method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 remotely controlling an image capture means of the premise using a user device, and viewing substantially real-time images at a display means of the device.   
     
     
         11 . An automated detection and alarm verification system comprising:
 at least one image capture means configured to detect an alarm event, to capture image data and to transmit a first signal including at least the image data;   a local signal processing means configured to receive the first signal and to transmit a second signal including at least the image data according to a first set of transmission parameters;   a remote server portion configured to receive the second signal and to transmit at least a third signal according to a second set of transmission parameters and including at least the image data; and   a user device configured to receive at least the third signal and to transmit at least a fourth signal, and including a display means to visually display at least a portion of the image data as a viewable image.   
     
     
         12 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a signal receiving means of at least one of a public or private emergency response service, the signal receiving means configured to receive at least an alarm signal from the server.   
     
     
         13 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein the image capture means comprises a camera having capabilities for capturing image data selected from the group including motion video images, still images, color images, black and white images, and thermal contrast images. 
     
     
         14 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein the image capture means is coupled with a sensor configured to detect an alarm event selected from the group including motion, sound, interruption of an optical beam, interruption of an electrical circuit, completion of an electrical circuit, a transient thermal differential, and an application of force. 
     
     
         15 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a computing means configured to at least one of receive, process, store, and convey to the signal processing means at least a first set of configuration parameters.   
     
     
         16 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one selected from the group including the local signal processing means, the server portion, the user device, and a data input means comprises a data storage means configured to allow storage and retrieval of the image data. 
     
     
         17 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the signal processing means or the computing means further comprises a digital video recording device. 
     
     
         18 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a portable, wireless signal transmitting means wirelessly coupled in communication with the signal processing means, and configured to transmit a signal capable of remotely altering an activation status of the system.   
     
     
         19 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein the user device further comprises a user input means configured to allow a user to input a user-selected control parameter for transmission as a portion of the fourth signal. 
     
     
         20 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , wherein the remote server portion includes an image data analysis module configured to discriminate a valid alarm event based at least in part on the content of the image data, and further configured to cause the server portion to transmit an alarm signal to an emergency response service based upon the valid alarm event and at least a third set of transmission parameters. 
     
     
         21 . The automated detection and alarm verification system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one alternative power supply configured to provide power to at least a portion of the alarm system upon interruption of a primary power supply.