EP1363256A1 - Security and monitoring device and operating method of such device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises, on one part, a central management and control module, and on the other part, a peripheral video-camera unit coupled to a detector, the central module (1) and each peripheral unit (4) having an autonomous feed (7,7'). The central module and each peripheral unit of the camera (5)/detector (6) type, includes units (8,9) for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency for the synchronous bi-directional transmission between themselves of data or/and control signals, and in that each peripheral unit has a radiofrequency emitter (10) and the central module of the radiofrequency receiver (11), adapted for the preferentially intermittent unidirectional transmission of a video signal or images, a digital code, or an analogue authentication means being transmitted on a sub-carrier destined to transport the audio component of this video signal, this, in parallel with each flow of video transmitted towards the module (1).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of the protection of goods and persons, and relates to a monitoring and intrusion security, as well as a method of operating such an device.

There are already many types of electronic monitoring of sites or industrial and residential premises.

These systems are mainly divided into two categories, wire systems, in which the different components of the system are interconnected by physical lines, and the systems wireless, in particular radiofrequency, in which the different components communicate by wireless transmissions.

Although systems in the second category are safer and easier to install, they are not flexible, nor safe, because they put in unidirectional transmission between detectors or sensors and the power plant.

They can thus be falsified data collected, particularly in the case of systems integrating CCTV by substituting video signals transmitted to the central alarm.

In addition, said detectors or sensors generate a transmission to the central station at each request, without coherence between the transmissions different devices and without them being informed of the status of said central unit (activated or deactivated).

The main object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Secondly, it is also intended to propose a device of the aforementioned type, that is wireless, with a consumption optimized, easily scalable in terms of the number of components functional and strengthened against attempts at damage and out of order.

For this purpose, the present invention has for its main object a intrusion monitoring and security device comprising, of a on the other hand, a central management and control module, integrating means of data processing and management, memory means programmable and transmission / reception means for transmissions two-way radio-frequency or wired remote transmission and, on the other on the other hand, at least one video camera peripheral unit coupled to a detector, the central module and each peripheral unit having a autonomous power supply, characterized in that the module central and each peripheral unit of the camera / detector type include radiofrequency transmitting / receiving means for the intermittent synchronous bidirectional transmission between them of data and / or control, and in that each peripheral unit includes a radiofrequency transmitter and the central module a receiver radio frequency, suitable for unidirectional transmission, preferentially intermittent, of video signals or images, a coding digital or analogous means of authentication being transmitted on a subcarrier for carrying the audio component of said video signals, this in parallel with each video stream transmitted to the module.

La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un dispositif selon l'invention ;

La figure 2 est un schéma synoptique fonctionnel du module central faisant partie du dispositif de la figure 1 ;

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe et en élévation latérale du boítier renfermant le module central de la figure 2, et,

La figure 4 est une vue partielle en perspective et partiellement écorchée du boítier renfermant le module central.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which refers to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the central module forming part of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in section and in side elevation of the housing enclosing the central module of FIG. 2, and,

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view and partially cut away of the housing enclosing the central module.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the surveillance and security intrusion device comprises, on the one hand, a central management and control module 1, integrating, in particular, means 2, 2 'of data processing and management, means of programmable memory 14, 14 ', 14 "and transmission / reception means 3 for bidirectional radio-frequency remote transmissions or wired and, secondly, at least one peripheral unit 4 of video camera 5 coupled to a detector 6.

The programmable memory means may for example include a RAM 14, a programmable logic 14 'and a so-called "flash" memory 14 ".

The implementation of a programmable logic 14 'serving to the acquisition of the images (by writing the pixels in the memory 14) will facilitate the manufacture and operation of the central module 1.

According to the invention, the central module 1 and each peripheral unit 4 has a self-contained power supply 7, 7 'which is what the central module 1 and each peripheral unit 4 of the camera type 5 / detector 6 comprise transmission / reception means 8, 9 radiofrequency for synchronous bidirectional transmission between them data and / or control signals, and each peripheral unit 4 comprises a radiofrequency transmitter 10 and the central module 1 a receiver radio frequency 11, adapted for unidirectional transmission, preferentially intermittent, of video signals or images, a coding digital or analogous means of authentication being transmitted on a subcarrier for carrying the audio component of said video signals, this in parallel with each video stream transmitted to the module 1.

In order to limit consumption at the level of the unit (s) devices 4, the activation, for a predetermined duration, of the camera video 5 of each peripheral unit 4 and the acquisition and transmission consecutive images of one or more image (s) to the central module 1 are triggered, directly or indirectly, by the detector 6, for example as a presence or motion detector, the unit device 4, if applicable after validation by the module central 1.

Preferably, in case of detection of presence or movement in its field, the detector 6 of a peripheral unit 4 in first informs the central module 1, which analyzes the information communicated by said detector 6, then possibly sends a signal or an activation message of the corresponding video camera.

These provisions make it possible to avoid the transmission of images unjustified and allow interference-free management of the different video cameras of the device.

In addition, each of these units 4 may comprise means 4, the irradiation zone of which coincides substantially with the zone of acquisition of the video camera 5 of the unit concerned 4, the activation said lighting means 12 being synchronized with periods effective image acquisition by said corresponding video camera.

These lighting means 12 will emit visible light in the general case, and in particular in case of implementation of video cameras 5 color, but may also emit in the infrared (radiation invisible) when the video cameras 5 are black and white.

In addition, the antenna of the transmitter 10 can be oriented in direction of the central module 1 so as to increase the scope.

The transmission / reception means may for example use a frequency band around 868 MHz and the transmitter 10 a band around 2.4 GHz.

To reduce image processing consumption video received by the central module 1, the latter may include means of specific treatment and limit the amount of information to treat.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 of the attached drawings, the processing and management means are constituted by a microprocessor 2 and a microprocessor 2 'signal processing, connected by a data bus 13 and an address bus 13 'to different memories of 14, 14 ", a programmable logic 14 ', and a decoder 15 of video signals, the image or at least one of the images received from the device (s) 4 being reduced in resolution and compared to a corresponding reference image previously stored by by means of said processing means 2, 2 'and management, the latter possibly, in case of detection of a difference between two images compared or an anomaly, a confirmatory verification in performing a new comparison of said images with one another increased resolution, before triggering an alert procedure.

Preferably, said at least one received image is compared, after reduction in resolution, to a stored reference image in one of the working memories 14 and corresponding to a situation normal (detection of an abnormal presence).

Moreover, in the case of the transmission of a sequence of several successive images, the comparison after reduction in resolution is performed, possibly repetitively, between two images of said sequence, where appropriate depending on the result of a first comparison of the first image of the sequence in question with a stored reference image (followed by a displacement of a presence).

These measures lead to a reduction of the calculation time and automatic filtering of noise and small details.

According to one characteristic of the invention, allowing a fast transmission of different information and data describing the state the intrusion surveillance and security system and the situation at the monitored premises, the central module 1 advantageously integrates software means for digital compression of video files and establishment of a communication interface with the supervisor of communication (eg Internet), as well as a software modem and means of audio synthesis.

To ensure the most comprehensive protection possible, allowing the identification of incidents and anomalies of different natures, the device according to the invention may furthermore comprise as module (s) additional device (s), at least one detector 16 selected in the group formed by motion detectors, opening detectors, glass break detectors and different types of detectors of domestic anomalies or malfunction, each detector 16 being equipped with radiofrequency transmitting / receiving means 16 'for a synchronous bidirectional communication with the central module 1.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said device also includes, as other peripheral modules, the less a keyboard 19 for control and programming, especially adapted for wall mounting and, where appropriate, at least one remote siren 17 and / or at least one remote control 18, each of these peripheral modules 17, 18, 19 being equipped with radiofrequency transmitting / receiving means 17 ', 18', 19 'for bidirectional communication with the central module 1.

The siren 17 may, alternatively, also be integrated into the structure of the central module 1.

To allow easy identification of an authorized user, said keyboard 19 may be provided with an identification badge reader 20 without contact, implementing an electromagnetic interrogation field, said reader 20 being activated, for a determined period of time, by a sensor proximity 21, for example of the infrared type.

The proximity sensor 21 can operate either cyclical to minimize consumption, either continues to shorten reaction times.

The badge reader 20 may for example be of the type of the described in the French patent application filed today in the name of the applicant and concerning a recognition unit for a badge or analogous and a method using such a unit.

In addition, to increase the operating autonomy of remote control 8, the latter is automatically switched to sleep in the event of a break in its link with central module 1 and is not reactivated only after pressing any key by the user and consecutive restoration of said link with the central module 1.

So when this remote 18 will come out of the perimeter covered by the transmission / reception means 8, it will be deactivated and when of its reactivation by pressing a key, a recovery of the communication is achieved by means of asynchronous exchanges between the remote control 18 and the central module 1, this by scanning different radio frequency channels used and / or time slots.

In addition, by providing a buzzer at the level of the said remote control 18, it is possible to use the latter, via of the communication channel in return, as a portable warning (mobile paging terminal).

In order to ensure good physical protection for the central module 1, the latter is mounted in a housing 22 closed, which is consisting of two complementary half-shells, one of which is 22 ' form the base of attachment and the other upper 22 "form cover, and comprises a contact 23 for detecting the opening and / or separation of half-shells 22 ', 22 ", the latter being connected by columns of transmission of forces 24, intended to ensure the support of said half-shell upper 22 "and keeping it at a distance from the half-shell lower 22 '.

Said contact 23 may for example detect a depression of the cover 22 "(violent impact hammer type), but also a forced separation (for example by cutting the side walls) into several parts of said lid 22.

In order to obtain a reinforced protection of the central module 1, the housing 22 comprises an intermediate shell 22 "'of protection, extending between the base 22 'and the cover 22 "and covering the circuit printed or card 26 attached to the base 22 'and carrying the components functional electronic and electrical systems 2, 2 ', 13, 14, 14', 14 ", 15 central module 1 and in that each column of transmission of efforts 24 is constituted, on the one hand, by a rigid tube portion 28 formed of a single holding with the intermediate hull 22 "'and extending towards the base 22 ', on the other hand, by a bearing pad 29 receiving the base of the portion of rigid tube 28 and finally by a sleeve 30 formed on the face inside the cover 22 'and intended to bear on the hull intermediate 22 "'with interposition of a washer 31 of a material resilient and / or elastic (Figures 3 and 4).

To avoid any attempt to neutralize the siren 7, this last is housed in a housing 25 independent, substantially similar, externally, the housing 22 enclosing the central module 1, the module 17 " of restitution of the warning sound signal of said siren 17 being mounted moving on a compression trigger contact, normally disabled.

The internal walls of the housing 25 enclosing the siren can be arranged and shaped in such a way that in case of injection of expansive foam (neutralization of the vibratory organ of the siren), the dilation of said foam is directed to said triggering contact the siren for activation.

If necessary, a siren can also be mounted in the housing 22 enclosing the central module 1.

Finally, the device according to the invention can, especially when a elderly person and / or patient is present in the supervised premises, integrate possibly at least one portable medallion of assistance, autonomous power supply, equipped in particular with transmission means / radiofrequency reception for the establishment of a communication with the central module 1.

In case of triggering an alert, said locket 26 will achieve a heart rate measurement using at least two keys mounted on the housing of said medallion and whose surface is conductive, these two keys being arranged so as to be accessible only through the fingers of a person (and not by the palm).

Witnesses (sound or light) of said medallion will indicate respectively that the measure is not finalized and that the measurement is completed. The result of the measurement made is sent to a remote listening center through the supervisor of communication (Internet). However, said center may be alerted means of a first recall, as soon as the alert is triggered or the beginning of the fingertips on the keys concerned.

The subject of the invention is also a method of operation of a monitoring device as described above.

This process essentially consists, in case of detection of a incident or anomaly by any of the modules 16 or units devices 4, to be constituted at the level of the central module 1 a mail describing the incident or anomaly based on the data and / or provided by Module 16 and / or Unit 4 (s) concerned, then to make at least one call to one or more pre-recorded number (s) to announce the sending of the email and, finally, to send then the electronic mail consisting of a descriptive message accompanied, if applicable, an attached file, for example of the audio and / or video type as a series of images, to one or more address (es) preprogrammed (s).

The device according to the invention may also be used to view remote live images provided by video cameras 5 4. This operation may, for example, be made by the user by calling home from outside, via a line telephone, and by providing instructions adapted to the central module 1 after verification of his identity.

In an initialization phase of the monitoring device according to the invention, a first list of phone numbers (callers) with fixed access (predetermined distinct functionality) to the central module 1, to realize remote interventions and interrogations.

A second list of phone numbers, as well as Internet transmission addresses (URLs), is stored in as hierarchical recipients of voice calls and letters reports of incidents and / or anomalies supervised premises.

Communication management and synchronization between different modules constituting the device according to the present invention, same as the functioning of the latter, may for example be based on on the process described in French Patent Application No. 02 05747 of May 7, 2002 in the name of the plaintiff.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the mode of embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without going out for as much of the field of protection of the invention.

Claims (14)

An intrusion surveillance and security device comprising, on the one hand, a central management and control module, in particular integrating data processing and management means, programmable memory means and transmission / reception means for bidirectional transmissions remotely through radiofrequency or cable and on the other hand, at least one video camera peripheral unit coupled to a detector, the central module and each peripheral unit having their own autonomous power supply, a device characterized in that the central module (1) and each peripheral unit (4) of the camera (5) / detector (6) type comprise radio frequency transmission / reception means (8, 9) for the intermittent synchronous bidirectional transmission, between them, of data and / or control, and in that each peripheral unit (4) comprises a radiofrequency transmitter (10) and the central module (1) a receiver radio frequency converter (11), adapted for unidirectional, preferably intermittent, transmission of video signals or images, digital coding or similar authentication means being transmitted on a sub-carrier for transporting the audio component of said video signals in parallel with each video stream transmitted to said module (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the activation, for a predetermined duration, of the video camera (5) of each peripheral unit (4) and the consecutive acquisition and transmission of one or more images (s) ) to the central module (1) are triggered directly or indirectly by the detector (6), for example in the form of a presence or movement detector, of the peripheral unit (4) concerned, if necessary after validation by the module central (1). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each peripheral unit (4) further comprises lighting means (12), whose irradiation zone substantially coincides with the acquisition zone of the video camera (5) of the concerned unit (4), the activation of said lighting means (12) being synchronized with periods of effective image acquisition by said corresponding video camera (5). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the processing and management means consist of a main microprocessor (2) and a microprocessor (2 ') for signal processing connected by a bus of data (13) and an address bus (13 ') to different working memories (14, 14 "), to a programmable logic (14'), as well as to a decoder (15) of video signals, the image or at least one of the images received from the at least one peripheral unit (s) (4) being reduced in resolution and compared with a corresponding previously stored reference image via said means (2, 2 ') of processing and management, the latter optionally performing, in case of detection of a difference between the two compared images or of an anomaly, a confirmatory verification by performing a new comparison of said images with each other with an increased resolution, before starting a pro warning procedure. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least one received image is compared, after reduction in resolution, to a reference image stored in one of the working memories (14) and corresponding to a normal situation. Device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that , in the case of the transmission of a sequence of several successive images, the comparison after reduction in resolution is performed, possibly repetitively, between two images of said sequence , if necessary depending on the result of a first comparison of the first image of the sequence in question with a stored reference image. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central module (1) integrates software means for digital compression of video files and for constituting a communication interface with the communication supervisor, as well as for a software modem and audio synthesis means. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises, as peripheral module (s), at least one detector (16) chosen from the group formed by the motion detectors, the opening detectors, the glass break detectors and the various types of domestic anomaly or malfunction detectors, each detector (16) being equipped with radiofrequency transmission / reception means (16 ') for a synchronous bidirectional communication with the central module (1). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it also comprises, as other peripheral modules, at least one keyboard (19) for control and programming, adapted in particular for wall mounting and, where appropriate where appropriate, at least one remote siren (17) and / or at least one remote control (18), each of these peripheral modules (17, 18, 19) being equipped with own radiofrequency transmission / reception means (17 ', 18') , 19 ') for bidirectional communication with the central module (1). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the keyboard (19) is provided with a contactless identification card reader (20), implementing an electromagnetic interrogation field, said reader (20) being activated, during a determined period of time, by a proximity sensor (21), for example of the infrared type, and in that the remote control (18) is automatically switched to sleep mode in the event of a break in its connection with the central module (1) and is reactivated only after pressing any key by the user and subsequent recovery of said link with the central module (1). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the central module (1) is mounted in a housing (22) closed, which consists of two complementary half-shells, one bottom (22 ' ) form fixing base and the other upper (22 ") form cover, and comprises a contact (23) opening detection and / or separation of the half-shells (22 ', 22"), the latter being connected by power transmission columns (24), intended to provide support for said upper half-shell (22 ") and keeping it at a distance from the lower half-shell (22 '). Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing (22) comprises an intermediate shell (22 "') of protection, extending between the base (22') and the cover (22") and covering the printed circuit or the card (26) attached to the base (22 ') and carrying the functional electronic and electrical components (2, 2', 13, 14, 14 ', 14 ", 15) of the central module (1) and in that each load transmitting column (24) consists, on the one hand, by a portion of rigid tube (28) formed integrally with the intermediate shell (22 "') and extending in the direction of the base (22 '), on the other hand, by a bearing pad (29) receiving the base of the rigid tube portion (28) and, finally, by a sleeve (30) formed on the inner face of the cover (22 ') and intended to bear on the intermediate shell (22 "') with the interposition of a washer (31) made of a resilient and / or elastic material. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the siren (17) is housed in a substantially similar independent housing (25) externally to the housing (22) enclosing the central module (1), the module (17 ") for restoring the alert sound signal of said siren (17) being movably mounted on a compression trigger contact (17"'), normally deactivated. Operating method of a monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it consists, in case of detection of an incident or an anomaly by any one of the modules (16) or peripheral units (4) to be constituted at the level of the central module (1) an electronic mail describing the incident or the anomaly on the basis of the data and / or information provided by the module (16) and / or the unit (4) concerned (s), then to make at least one call to one or more number (s) pre-registered to announce the sending of said email and, finally, to then send the mail electronic message consisting of a descriptive message accompanied, if necessary, by an attached file, for example of the audio and / or video type or in the form of a series of images, to one or more preprogrammed address (es) ).

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