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(11) | EP 1 471 478 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises |
| (57) The system is an economical security means applicable to small-sized communal garages
or other premises, being designed to capture information and dissuade possible delinquents.
The system comprises presence detection sensors (1), a control (4) for activating
the premises lighting system (5), cameras (6) for capturing images, and an acoustic
device (8), all combined in such a way that not only the lighting system (5) but also
the cameras (6) and the acoustic device (8) are all activated instantly at the same
time when the sensors (1) with their associated timer (3) set the system into operation,
and the respective signals of the images captured by the cameras (6) are sent to a
storage server (12), either directly via an output (14) or else by way of a controller
chip (13). The information of images captured enables them to be displayed at any
time, while activation of the acoustic device (8) puts out an informative message
warning the possible offender that he is being recorded and identified. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to an identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises, which is not designed to be a surveillance system as such, but to be able to carry out an identification for subsequent use of this information and at the same time as a dissuasive system for possible delinquents, which will provide the user with increased security.
[0002] The system is based on a combination of lighting, sounds and image collection and transmission, which will in short form an economic security system to fill a gap in the current supply of unattended surveillance for garages and similar premises, in order to achieve a higher level of security to meet the rising crime rate, particular insofar as the infringement of private property is concerned, either by delinquents or authorized but ill-intentioned persons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Surveillance and security systems and devices for garages are already known and, amongst these, we may mention French patent number 2700046 referring to a device for transmitting images of a protected place and the likewise French patent number 2551240, the latter referring to a surveillance, security and similar device with simultaneous image, sound and remote order transmission. Although they are efficient devices and make up a surveillance system appropriate for transmitting images to a telephone, they are designed for large-sized garages or other similar premises, wherein the system as a whole proves complex and, in short, of high cost, so its application would hardly be feasible in small garages or ones with few users.
[0004] Something similar may be said of the United States patents 2002/0118107 and 6433683, the former referring to a security video system using Internet® technology, and the latter to a wireless videosurveillance device system, both of which use advanced technology systems that likewise prove too expensive for their application in small-sized garages.
[0005] In short, providing a permanent surveillance system in communal garages that are not large-sized proves very expensive for the users, either because of the high cost of the equipment or because it is not economic to maintain personnel engaged solely in surveillance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The system advocated is designed so that by means of combining separate lighting, sound and image capture systems and their respective data transmission, an economic security system is achieved to fill the present gap in the supply of unattended surveillance.
[0007] More specifically, the system of the invention comprises a series of sensors covering both the access areas and the whole of the premises. These sensors are associated with the respective presence detection input and with a timer, which will proceed to switch the main system off if no movement is detected within a pre-set interval of time, whereas if they detect movement, they will forward the respective signal to activate simultaneously the image capture cameras, suitably spread around the premises, a lighting control device for simultaneously switching on the lighting, and means for activating an acoustic device, so that the signals provided or captured by the cameras are sent to a control server with sufficient storage capacity to be able to receive the information and file it in compressed form by locations, dates and times so as to be able to supply the images to identify persons and events occurred, at the request of a subscriber to the system.
[0008] The images captured may be sent continuously to the control server, so that permanent transmission is maintained, either directly via an output with the respective TCP/IP, UDP, TELNET, HTTP or similar protocol or else by way of a system controller chip, which will enable the signals or images captured to be transmitted gradually in order not to saturate the data output at peak hours.
[0009] The system detects the presence of movement, records images and transmits a sound, which, instead of being an alarm, is an informative message, referring to the person or persons moving inside the garage, who are being recorded at that time.
[0010] The overall system may be configured with a controller card which may incorporate not only the controller chip, but also the video inputs of the respective image capture cameras, as well as the outputs relating to the sound device, the network input/output connection and control, with the feature that both this controller card and, failing this, the actual cameras or even the control chip and the data storage server may be connected by cable to the network and, if this were not possible, by means of a simple ADSL system, telephone, radio broadband or even new UMTS technology.
[0011] Finally, we should mention that if the system were needed on different storeys, it could be arranged even with a single card controlling the whole system, in connection with the cameras, lighting system and sound devices located on every floor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] To complete the description being offered and in order to assist a clearer understanding of the features of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of embodiment thereof, a sheet of drawings is accompanied as an integral part of this description, wherein the different blocks involved in the identification and dissuasion system that is the object of the invention are represented in diagrammatic form.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] In the light of the above-mentioned figure it may be observed that the system of the invention comprises, first of all, a series of sensors (1) for detecting presence and movement, which will be deployed at the accesses and at suitable points around the premises or garage where the system is applied. These sensors (1) are provided with the respective presence detection input (2) and a timer (3), on which a given interval of time will be set, so that it will proceed to switch off the main system if no movement is detected.
[0014] When a person or vehicle enters the premises, as the sensors (1) and the main system are activated, at the same time a lighting control device (4) is activated that automatically switches on the premises lighting system (5) and also activates a series of image capture cameras (6) distributed appropriately around different places or areas of the premises. These cameras (6), which will preferably be fixed and associated with their respective inputs (7), cover the maximum angle possible and the space and/or objects to be surveyed, capturing images as long as activity is detected.
[0015] Not only are the image capturing cameras (6) and the lighting system (5) activated, but also an acoustic device (8) is switched on consisting of speakers, with an amplifier (9), which may either be amplified automatically or not, depending on quality, price and performance, by enhancing the sound from a preferably digital support (10), which may also be incorporated into a controller card (11) that will be activated at the same time and by the same system as the lighting, combining the effect of the lighting with a sound recording, which will consist of a warning message to be repeated every short space of time over the acoustic device speakers (8). This message will be of an informative non-repressive nature, as it is aimed at the user of the service, whom it should reassure, while at the same time warning the possible offender or delinquent that he is going to be identified if he acts against private property.
[0016] The instant activation of the image capturing cameras (6) and the instant immediate transmission mean that, even though these cameras may be damaged, what has already been recorded, i.e. the images obtained and transmitted previously, cannot be destroyed.
[0017] The images captured by the cameras (6) may be transmitted directly to a server (12) with sufficient storage capacity and dedicated to receiving information, filing it in compressed form by locations, dates and times, with a view to setting up a permanent connection and continuous data transmission or even for the data to be transmitted via a system controller chip (13), which will enable them to be forwarded gradually in analog format in order not to saturate the data output at peak hours. In any case, transmission takes place via the output (14) with the respective TCP/IP, UDP, TELNET, HTTP or similar protocol.
[0018] As already mentioned, transmission may be by cable, ADSL system, telephone, etc., so that, depending on the number of simultaneous surveillance points installed, it would be necessary to contract the suitable broadband for the proper flow of information between the different devices and/or means and the actual server (12) or even via radio broadband or new UMTS technologies.
1. An identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises, characterised in that it consists of a combination of functions corresponding to lighting, sound and images
with the respective data transmission; comprising sensors (1) for detecting the presence
of movement, situated not only at the entrance or entrances but also throughout the
premises where the system is applied, combined with the respective presence detection
input (2) and a cycle controller timer (3), to forward the respective signal to activate
at the same time the means for controlling the activation (4) of the premises lighting
system (5), as well as cameras (6) with their respective video inputs (7) for capturing
images, and an acoustic device (8) associated with an amplifier (9) for enhancing
the sound from a support (10), there being provided a server (12) for storing the
information received by the cameras (6), either directly by way of an outlet (14)
with the respective protocol, or else via a controller block or chip (13), to which
are also connected the sensors (1), the lighting system activation control (4), the
means (9) and (10) corresponding to the acoustic device (8) and the actual cameras
(6) with their video inputs (7).
2. An identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises, according
to claim 1, characterised in that it is provided with a controller card (11) incorporating both the control block (13)
and the video inputs (7), the sound output support (10), the acoustic device (8) amplifier
(9) and the output (14), as well as the actual lighting control (4).
3. An identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises, according
to the previous claims, characterised in that both the controller card (11) and, failing this, the cameras (6) or the control block
(13) and the actual server (12) will be connected by cable to the corresponding network,
or else by means of an ADSL system or even by telephone.
4. An identification and dissuasion system for garages and similar premises, according
to the previous claims, characterised in that in the application on more than one storey it includes a single controller card (11)
in connection with the image capturing cameras (6), lighting control (4) and speakers
(8) located on each floor.