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(11) | EP 2 665 048 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Alarm system with peripheral or single video surveillance |
| (57) The present invention relates to alarm system equipped with mobile or fixed peripheral
or single video surveillance comprising one or more columns containing from 1 to 4
IP network cameras, wherein said network cameras are hidden in a lightening system. The system is suitable for video surveillance of houses, shops, warehouses, and all other places needing security. The system is also very effective against shoplifting. |
[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm system equipped with a mobile or fixed peripheral or single video surveillance comprising one or more columns containing from 1 to 4 IP network cameras, wherein said network cameras are hidden within a lightening system.
[0002] The system is suitable for video surveillance of houses, shops, warehouses, and all other places needing security. The system is also very effective against shoplifting.
[0003] The system is supported by two softwares that can be installed on a single computer or laptop or on multiple computers at the same time depending on the check requirements. One of the software is provided with camcorders and the other is open source. The softwares can be modified and applied to the most sophisticated needs. The most important and fundamental features of the softwares are two:
- managing of the video surveillance with motion recording system
- managing of alarm.
[0004] The alarm software can be provided with a sound file that plays the barking of a watch dog, i.e. a Rottweiler, for a time of 12 seconds when a movement is detected in the monitored areas. The file of the barking of a watch dog plays through loudspeakers positioned inside the places to protect, i.e. home, garage, basement, warehouse etc.. Adjusting volume at an appropriate intensity produces a very real impression that inside the monitored places are one or more watch dogs. The file is repeated for 12 seconds at every detected movement. The software which is specially programmed, detects and stores 10 frames for any detected movement and the file is played back continuously until the intruder leaves the alarm perimeter.
[0005] The audio connection of video cameras can be made with network cable RJ45 cat. C6 where local conditions allow you to slide their cables, or with Wi-Fi wireless encrypted password where the conditions and distances permit, or with powerline system which allows to use the existing electrical system as a cable network.
[0006] In a first preferred embodiment the alarm system object of the present invention is equipped with fixed peripheral or single video surveillance comprising one or more columns containing from 1 to 4 IP network cameras, wherein said network cameras are hidden in a lightening system comprising at its upper end a spherical bowl made of transparent Plexiglas equipped with a lamp with twilight sensor incorporated into the lamp itself.
[0007] The first preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of several parts that will be described below in detail with particular reference to Figure 1.
[0008] The base column is a perforated tube of a weatherproof material in order to resist to ice, water, rust and corrosion by acids, etc.. Said weatherproof material is guaranteed by the manufacturer to be installed under the ground for over 100 years.
[0009] The shape of said tube is cylindrical with a diameter from 10 cm to 20 cm, preferably 16 cm, having a height of 45 cm to 100 cm, preferably 45 cm, with a thickness of 3 mm.
[0010] The height of the base column can vary depending on the type of the ground or surface where it is installed. The base is buried with or without a layer of cement both external and internal, or installed on paving with brackets riveted to the inside and then inlaid to the floor. Preferably the base is out of the ground for a length of from 10 cm to 30 cm that is suitable to facilitate the grafting of the column.
[0011] The diameter is variable depending on the diameter of the column containing the cameras, the base can be motorized to rotate the column containing the cameras back and forth selecting the place from video surveillance depending on the needs, in this case the base can have inside an electric rotor installed on a rack on a thrust bearing to accommodate the pin that is positioned and fixed to the base of the column to rotate according to the commands received by software.
[0012] Examples of materials which can be used for the column are: metal, possibly painted or galvanized, such as steel, copper, brass; PVC, fiberglass, wood, stone, marble, etc.. Column's shape can be round, square, triangular, rectangular, oval.
[0013] At the column's base three holes are practiced. Said holes are superimposed on one another and have diameter of 2.5 cm. Over said holes a sheath is applied and placed underground at a depth of from 30 cm to 90 cm. The network cables for cameras and the 220V cable for the lamp power are placed into the sheath.
[0014] The column holder for cameras is a perforated tube of a weatherproof material in order to resist to ice, water, rust and corrosion by acids, etc.. with the same characteristics of the base column inserted.
[0015] The height of the column holder for cameras is comprised from 50 cm to 300 cm having diameter and shape similar to those of the base column. The lower part of the column holder for cameras is flared with increased diameter of a few millimeters to a height of from 10 cm to 20 cm in order to lock the base by way of bayonet previously fixed to the ground. The camera holder column is fixed with screws in stainless steel self-tapping rivets or nails. The upper part of the camera holder column contains from 1 to 4 cameras in a manner that they remain hidden for almost all their dimension, a hole having a diameter of 4.5 cm in the column for each from 1 to 4 cameras depending on the perimeter which can be cover by the cameras lens and an infrared LED to provide daytime and night vision having a visual up to 360° to shoot everything that takes place in the direction in which it is addressed, said hidden cameras remaining slightly visible from the outer edge of the column only by the small lens having the same color of the column. However, when operating at night the glow of the light makes it completely invisible. The camera is fixed with its own metal stand modified and adapted and be applied to the inside of the column through a hole with a diameter of 8 mm with fixing dice outside the column or with U-bracket positioned and riveted within the column itself. The top hole of the column is closed with a plug of the same diameter finned on the outside to better fit the graft in the tunnel of the column then fixed to the sides of the column with self-tapping screws stainless steel nails or rivets, the cap is pierced in the center with a hole having a diameter of 6 mm to slide up within the column the power cable of 220 volt for the lamp, the same cap with rough surface slightly domed makes support for the base of the bowl containing the lamp and such base is fixed to the closure plug of the column through three self-tapping screws made of stainless steel which remain inside the bowl, in some cases the column can be whirling having inside the bottom a pin plug rack to fit in the rotor of the base.
[0016] The lightening system comprises a series of parts comprising a base of the same size of the column with a lamp holder according to CEE and a bowl made of transparent Plexiglas of variable diameter screw-on base with special joints, the lamp can be of various type according to the needs, preferably an energy-saving lamp equipped with a light sensor for automatic switching on and off light having a power consumption of 25 watts equal to 1445 lumens, the lamp is powered by electrical cable passing through the plug hole of the column and grafts to the 220 volt cable line and positioned in the base to the ground, the lamp power cables and connecting cameras can be inspected after removing the top cap from the column by removing the screws blocking or removing rivets, nails or pulling the whole column from the base by removing the screws or nails rivets.
[0017] The cameras can be of various types and forms. Preferably said cameras are network IP cameras with 12 LEDs for night vision. Said cameras can work even without being connected to a computer because they have inside a component that can be programmed to send an email with a photo of the intruder or what moved within the frame or selected and alarmed zones, or it can generate an alarm signal pulse via terminals on the back that can activate an external ringer. Cameras also have an antenna to communicate Wi-Fi wireless if environmental conditions permit, and have supply by a special network adapter at 12 volt and a RJ45 network cable to the wired connection. Said cameras are preferably supported by two very dynamic programs installed on personal computers or customizable laptops depending on the imagination of the programmer thus increasing the potential of the security of areas and places where they are installed.
[0018] These softwares can be installed on personal computers or laptop and can be customized depending on the imagination of the programmer thus increasing the potential for the security of areas and places where they are installed. One of the novelties of the present invention is the possibility to create an audio file with the barking of a watch dog, i.e a Rottweiler. The software specifically programmed for each camera is activated when an intruder breaks the protected areas. Protection zones means that if the camera is placed in a point at a distance of about 10 meters from the place to be monitored and frames the entire facade of the place to be monitored and a virtual square is placed by the programming software that comprises only the door and leaves free the lower part of the door at approximately 50 cm or more, all that is interposed in said virtual square can be protected avoiding to alarm the system in the case of movements of dogs and cats, taking into account during the programming phase that the height of animals has not to interpose in said virtual square.
[0019] In another preferred embodiment the alarm system object of the present invention is equipped with mobile peripheral or single video surveillance comprising 1 or more columns containing one IP network camera, wherein said network camera is hidden in a lightening system comprising a lightening column made of transparent acrylic polycarbonate (PMMA) satin or opal white having a height of preferably 2000 mm with a round base for support on the ground made of brushed stainless steel. The camera is hidden inside the flange/cap at the upper end and is a micro surveillance IP network camera of Sony technology. The entire column is illuminated on the inside for its entire length in a very homogeneous way with a strip of adhesive led in the back with respect to the lens of camera. Normally both the LEDs and the group of video surveillance have supply of 220 volts or in some cases, the column can also contain one or more batteries at 12 volt 7.2 Ah which supply in an autonomous way for many hours both the video surveillance system and the lighting LED.
[0020] In the bottom of the column there is a flange/closing cap which also serves to anchor the column to the steel pedestal, in said flange/closing cap a power supply is inserted which converts the voltage from 220 volts to 12 volts, the system of cameras within the column communicates with the controller/router using Wi-Fi.
[0021] The lightening column object of the present invention being completely waterproof can also operate in outer locations exposed to rain, moisture or low temperatures. The self-powered version has no cables or external constraints and offers surprisingly versatility and independence, providing a mobile video surveillance and anti-intruder alarm easy to move if necessary at any time from one point to another both external and internal to a place in which one wants to operate.
[0022] Turning on itself the column resting on its base on the ground, the angle of video surveillance can easily be changed in a suitable direction to control or alarm, or in the version with 220 volt power supply, by removing the plug from the mains and moving the entire column at another point the control system can be changed at any time.
[0023] The mobile video surveillance system object of the present invention is projected to defend fast and immediately everything that does not allow a fixed installation.
[0024] The columns can be used individually for video surveillance and alarm in a single zone or in a single entry or coupled to other columns with the same characteristics to create an internal or external perimeter surveillance system.
[0025] The system is supported by two softwares that can be installed on a single computer or laptop on multiple computers at the same time depending on the requirement. One of the software is provided with camcorders and the other is open source. The softwares can be modified and applied to the most sophisticated demands. The most important and fundamental features of the softwares are two:
- managing of the video surveillance with motion recording system
- managing of alarm.
[0026] The alarm software can be provided with a sound file that plays the barking of a watch dog, i.e. a Rottweiler, for a time of 12 seconds when a movement is detected in the monitored areas. The file of the barking of a watch dog plays through loudspeakers positioned inside the places to protect, i.e. home, garage, basement, warehouse etc.. Adjusting volume at an appropriate intensity produces a very real impression that inside the monitored places are one or more watch dogs. The file is repeated for 12 seconds at every detected movement. The software which is specially programmed, detects and stores 10 frames for any detected movement and the file is played back continuously until the intruder leaves the alarm perimeter.
[0027] Preferably the lightening column made of transparent acrylic polycarbonate (PMMA) satin or opal white having cylindrical shape with a diameter of from 80 mm to 200 mm preferably 160 mm, having a height from 50 mm to 300 mm, preferably of from 100mm to 200 mm, with a thickness of 3 mm. The base of support on the ground is square or triangular or round preferably round with a diameter of 320 mm and a thickness of 10 mm.
[0028] The column is preferably made of transparent acrylic polycarbonate satin or opal white which may also be metal, possibly painted or galvanized, such as steel, copper, brass; PVC, fiberglass, turned wood, stone, marble, etc..
[0029] The shape of the column is square, triangular, rectangular, oval, cubic or cylindrical, preferably cylindrical
[0030] The video surveillance system is composed of an optical unit and an integrated board with sensor Sony. An IP network Wi-Fi system is placed in the upper flange of the column which also serves to cover the hole. Said IP components can operate even without being connected to a computer because can be programmed to send an email with a photo of the intruder or what moved within the frame or selected and alarmed zones or can generate an alarm signal by terminals on the back of cameras.
[0031] Cameras also have an antenna to communicate by Wi-Fi with router control unit. This communications are managed by two very dynamic softwares installed on personal computer or laptops and is customizable depending on the imagination of the programmer thus increasing the potential for the security of areas and places where they are installed.
[0032] The alarm software can be provided with a sound file that plays the barking of a watch dog, i.e. a Rottweiler, when a movement is detected in the monitored areas. The file of the barking of a watch dog plays through loudspeakers positioned inside the places to protect, i.e. home, garage, basement, warehouse etc.. Adjusting volume at an appropriate intensity produces a very real impression that inside the monitored places are one or more watch dogs.
Detailed description of the figures
[0033]
Figure 1
Figure 1 represents the two main parts, camera holder column (A) and base column (B),
constituting the column of the alarm system with video surveillance according to the
present invention.
The camera holder column (A) is constituted by:
- 1. Transparent bowl in Plexiglas
- 2. Energy Saving Lamp
- 3. Lamp-holder and holder for bowl
- 4. PVC cap column
- 5. Front side of camera
- 6. Left side view camera
- 7. Right side of camera
- 8. Back side of camera
- 9. Perimeter camera holder column
10. Lamp 220 volt power cable
11. Network cable
12. Base holder of column
13. Holes passing sheath
14. Loom
15. Excavation for underground base
The main features and advantages of the fixed surveillance system object of the present invention are the following.- a) The lightening column with hidden cameras installed on the ground, one for each corner of the place to monitor at such a distance at which it is possible to view the entire front of the place to monitor so as to form a total perimeter control; the height of the column varies from 50 cm to 300 cm depending on the needs and circumstances.
- b) The audio file with the barking of the watchdog that is played at the moment that one of the cameras detects motion in areas previously planned and alarmed.
- c) The simplified power of all cameras. The cable RJ45 category 6 has an internal 4 pairs of copper wires twisted in pairs rigid blocks from each screening for a total of 8 individual cables. For the operation of audio/video of the camera 4 cables are used and the remaining 4 free cables are joined together by couple to increase the section of the copper and the corresponding amperage in case the route of the cable that connects the camera to the switch and to the main UPS internal to the place to monitor has an average length of about 100/150 meters or more, thus having two pairs for each free end that move in the same network cable for powering the cameras with 12 volts supply power adapter to the camera, the spinet that is cut in the manner of bayonet coupling is connected to the camera and is connected to the free cable end of the cable network in which is inserted to the camera with the provided RJ45 spinet. The power supply is separated from the spinet and is connected to the cable at the other end of the cable that coincides with the switch port near UPS in order to power the camera from a distance, by grouping all the power supplies of all installed cameras in one place and giving way to use a single UPS to protect the functioning of the system in the event of tampering with the electric meter and to save the cost of additional power cables or other UPS.
- d) A light bulb on top of the column so that the glow of light exercises at night to prevent to see the lens and the red glow of light of 12 LED infrared cameras hidden inside the column, and provide a suitable lightening of the surrounding place where the column is placed thus making the whole system much more similar to a lighting system and not to a system of protection and surveillance, thus ensuring greater safety about tampering.
- 1- For a single house: at each corner of the house is put a column at a distance from the house that can frame the entire facade of the house, with only one camera inside that viewing a single side of the house can see also column of the opposite corner of the house so as to form a circle of protection in one direction.
- 2- For a single house: everything as in step 1, with the difference that each column has 2 cameras inside that viewing both sides of the house and can see both columns, the right one and the left one on the corners of the house so as to form a circle of protection double sense.
- 3- For a single house: as in the step 2 with the addition of a UPS where all the cables of the cameras converge and are supplied by UPS which also supplies the switch and the router and the pc that manages the alarm which starts the audio file, in the case of tampering maintaining the safety of the system.
Figure 2
Figure 2 represents the column (A), which forms an element of the mobile alarm system
with video surveillance according to the present invention.
The surveillance lightening column (A) is constituted by:
- 1) Upper cap/flange;
- 2) Cap/flange with internal accommodation for the optical unit;
- 3) Hole for optical surveillance 14 mm;
- 4) Column polycarbonate acrylic PMMA satin or white opal;
- 5) Flange for holder of power supply for LED and optical unit and blocking group of the column to the base:
- 6) Locking screws at the base of the column;
- 7) Stainless steel base round diameter 320 mm.
- a) A mobile column of LED lighting technology with digital IP video surveillance hidden inside the column which can be placed on the ground outside or inside. Said mobile column can operate as a single unit or coupled to other columns with no limit on the number, or can be placed at each corner of a building along the perimeter at a distance such as to be able to view all sides of the building so as to form a total perimeter control.
- b) The audio file with the bark of a watchdog that is played at the moment that one of the columns detects motion in alarmed areas which can be used for house, companies, offices, warehouses, etc.
- c) The use of a copper band within the LED strip applied on the inside of the column to the hole on the back of the headlight assembly to provide the power of video surveillance components placed in the flange/cap placed upwards with respect to the power supply 12 volt place in the flange/cap placed at the bottom, to avoid having mobile cables within the column, and so that the LED lighting placed over the entire length of the column is homogeneous without shadows.
1- For a single house: at each corner of the house is put a column at a distance from the house that can frame the entire facade of the house, with only one camera inside that viewing a single side of the house can see also column of the opposite corner of the house so as to form a circle of protection in one direction.
2- For business industry: one or more columns can be placed in any commercial studio, notary, doctor, bank, psychologist, dentist, insurance etc.. in a few minutes it is possible to have to have a mobile control of everything that happens in places of interest without having the problem for passing cables to install a traditional video surveillance system, the present invention results not invasive for customers and the environment where it is placed. The mobile surveillance system according to the present invention allows simply to connect the controller/router to a 220 volt socket, place one or more columns to the chosen places, configure computer where the management software is installed and after a few seconds the entire mobile system surveillance is ready to operate; management software can also be installed on multiple computers at the same time thus having more control points and recording, also the whole system is compatible with latest mobile phones like Apple or Android.
If needed it is possible to pull the various components out of power and reconnect the components to the new site. No cost to fixed installations occurs.The mobile wireless video surveillance system object of the present invention can also cover large sizes of 1000 m2 and over, or used for the surveillance of distances of about 5 Km using Wi-Fi antennas omni-directional or directives.
1. An alarm system equipped with mobile or fixed peripheral or single video surveillance
comprising 1 or more columns containing from 1 to 4 IP network cameras, wherein said
network cameras are hidden within a lightening system.
2. An alarm system according to claim1 characterized by (a) a base column comprising a perforated tube inside with a length ranging from
45 cm to 100 cm, its diameter ranging from 10 cm to 20 cm, three holes are made at
its base one another superimposed of 2.5 cm diameter where the bush is inserted and
it is laid underground at a depth ranging from 30 cm to 90 cm wherein network lines
for video cameras and electric line 220 that powered the lamp are placed, the said
base sticks out from the ground from 10 cm to 30 cm length; (b) a camera holder column
comprising a perforated tube inside with a length ranging from 50 cm to 300 cm with
the same diameter of the base column, the lower portion of the column is countersunk
with an increased diameter of some millimeters for an height ranging from 10 cm to
20 cm; (c) at least a camera placed in the upper portion inside the column so that
it remains hidden for almost all its size, a hole of 4.5 diameter in the column of
every cameras ranging from a minimum of one up to a maximum of four per column and
the related infrared led for the daytime and night vision with a protection up to
360°, said camera with its own given metal support that is modified and adjusted for
hang it on and to be fixed inside the column through a hole of 8 mm diameter with
a fixing dice outwards the column or with a U-square applied and riveted inside the
same column; said hole being closed with a cap of the same diameter, finned in the
outer part to better adjust it to the clutch in the tunnel of the column then fixed
to the sides of the same with three self-tapping stainless steel screws or with riveted
spikes to prevent disassemblage, the cap being perforated in the center with a hole
of 6 mm diameter to slide inside the column the powered line of 220 volt of the lamp,
the same cap with a raw surface slightly rounded is used as a support for the sphere
holder base and its relative threaded socket in order to contain the lamp, such base
is fixed to the column closure cap through three self tapping stainless steel screws
that subsequently remain inside the sphere; (d) a file audio with the barking of a
watch dog that is played each time a camera identifies a violation of the protection
area; (e) a management software that allows the programming of the protection areas
inside the frame area by each camera.
3. An alarm system according to claim 2 wherein the camera holder column contains a rotating
videocamera.
4. An alarm system according to claim 1 equipped with mobile peripheral or single video
surveillance mobile system with a single or peripheral for indoor and outdoor characterized by:
(a) a polycarbonate acrylic PMMA column, preferably clear satin or white opal or of various colors having a cylindrical shape with a diameter ranging from 60 mm to 200 mm, preferably 160 mm and from 50 mm to 300 mm high, preferably 100 mm or 200 mm with a satin stainless steel, round shape base support with a diameter ranging from 300 mm to 450 mm, preferably 320 mm;
(b) at least an optical IP Wi-Fi video watch group placed in the upper portion of the column inside the flange/cup which covers the hole of the column so that it remains completely hidden, a hole with a 14 mm diameter placed in the column PMMA that slightly reveals the small lens,
(c) at least a led lighting technology band placed with a suitable adhesive strip inside the internal column behind the video watch hole for all its length so that it creates a uniform and homogeneous light effect with a soft filtered effect which can vary from white to hot white, red, green, blue etc... depending on the environment or with a multicolor effect in sequence,
(d) one or more 12v 7.2 Ah batteries inside the column to power the lighting led and video watch group for many hours;
(e) a file audio with the barking of a watch dog that is played each time a camera identifies a violation of the protection area;
(f) a management software that allows the programming of the protection areas inside the frame area by each camera.