GB2184326A - Surveillance system - Google Patents

Abstract

An auditory surveillance system comprising in combination an Inspection and Recording device (2), an Amplifier (3), a Recorder (4) all of which are connected to an Automatic Dialler and line control unit (5), which is connected to a smart terminal (1) to be used in the control-room, and a remote device comprising in combination a line control unit, a delay unit, an amplifier and microphone to be used in the place under surveillance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to surveillance systems The present invention relates to surveillance sys- tems, particularly (bot not excl.usively) to a corn puterised auditory surveillance control and detection system, e.g.to provide an anti theft and burglary system and deviceforstrong rooms, banks, museums, private premises, etc. operating through ordinary telephone lines and (optionally) data dedicated lines.

There are known various othertypes of alarm systems which give warning by means of bells, sirens orthe like. There are also known devices which dial to a certain place in case of an intrusion (silent alarm). All known systems are not full duplex (two way) systems.

They are also not satisfactory since once the alarm is set on (eg. signalled audibly) the burglars might run away or, in case of a false alarm, one has to proceed to the site and set off (switch off) the alarm. Another disadvantage is that the systems may be subject to neutralization and there is no way of showing that the alarm system has been neutralized.

It is therefore desirableto overcome the above mentioned disadvantages and provide a full proof system.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided an auditory surveillance control system and device comprising in combination an inspection and recording device, and amplifier, a recorder, an automatic dialler with a line control unit and a smart video terminal, printer modem and a remote unit.

Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematical plan of an embodiment of a system according to the invention, Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a system according to the invention as complementaryto an existing alarm system, while Fig. 3 illustrates the various parts of an embodiment of a remoteunitordeviceforthesystem of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

Turning firstto Fig 1,the control centre or room is equipped with an Inspection and Recording device 2, an Amplifier 3,a Recorder4which are all connected to an Automatic Dialled 5 which is provided with a Line Control unit which is connected to the places6,6',6" etc. which are under surveillance. Each of said places is equipped with a remote unit7 (to be described), which is connected to thetelephone lineand to the data dedicated line. Dialler 5 is also connected and controlled bya smart (or "intelli-gentbeg. computer controlled) video terminal 1 which is also connected to a printer land a modem 1". Said modem is connected to the remote units 7 via dedicated data line.

I'n:lnspection and Recording device 2 isto record the check h o.ur (checking time of day) at each place (6-6") which sunder surveillance and its corresponding identification code or number. These places are equipped with the remote unit 7 (to which reference will be made below). The amplifier 3 is to transfer the sounds received, via the telephone from the places which are under surveillance, to intensified volume loud speakers (not shown). The recorder4 is to record all information received from the places undersurveillance.

The dialler and line control unit 5 perform the following tasks: Communication with the computerterminal: receiving tasks to perform, sending the status ofthe line control units and the data received from the remote units 7; Dialling the remote units 7 using the automatic dialler 5; Communicating the control units using the public telephone network, sending commands and receiving status (including error detection).

The dialler is interconnected with the Inspection and Recording Unit 2,Amplifier 3 and Recorder4. The dialler is controlled bythesmartvideoterminal 1. The terminal is connected to a high speed printer so as to provide print outs of any event or appropriate other report. Theterminal isfurtherconnected to a modem 1" which is connected via a dedicated data line anda modem to the remote units7 at the place under surveillance.

In Fig. 2the remote unit7 is connected to the existing alarm 8 (optional), a recorded notice 9 and a dialler 10. The latter is connected in parallel with the direct telephone line to the control room. Upon activation ofthe exisiting alarm 8, the dialler 10 dials and, via the remote unit 7, connects the place under surveillance to the control centre.

The remote unit 7 of Fig. 3 comprises, in combination, a line control unit 12to interface the computer terminal to the telephone line and to the data dedicated line, a delay unit 13, an amplifier 14 and a microphone 15. In an embodiment of said remote unit a tone receiver unit is used to activate the device. In a furtherembodimentthesaid remote unit is provided with portstowhich external units, disposed in various locations in the same place, may be connected.

Advantageously the remote unit7 provides a highly sophisticated acoustic detector and listening in device.

The system illustrated functions as follows: The automatic dialler 5 is programmedforthe numbers of all places under surveillance. After all units are switched on, the scanning starts by the automatic diallerwhich will dial tothefirst place 6 in line. All the systems information (code names, numbers etc.) isstored in the computer oron a diskette and might be changed by the security officer. The Inspection and Registration device 2 will record the control hour (checking time of day) and Identification code or number of the corresponding place.After dialling, the delay unit 13 will delay the activation ofthesystem for a predetermined period, of say 50 seconds, to minimize (if notto prevent)the possibility of erroneous activation of the system by a telephone subscriber dialling that number in error. Afterthe system has been activated, the sounds, if any, picked up by the microphone 15 are transmitted to the loud speakers in the control centre so that the control officer can listen.

Listening time is limited to a predetermined period of say three minutes. At the end ofthis period, hearing will be disconnected by the automatic dialler. The automatic diallerwill proceed to the next sequential number ofthe places 6, 6', 6" etc. to be checked, and so on. The scanning schedule may be altered for maximal security.

As can be seen, the scanning of all places under surveillance mighttake qite a considerable time (depending on the number of places under surveillance). In orderto avoid such a long period oftime (50 seconds dialling time plus 3 minutes listing time at each place preferred embodimentofthesystem is equipped with a sound detector atthe places under surveillance. The sound detector will pick up any sound (or any sound above a perdetermined level) and memorize it. The scanning will be computerized to check each placeforsay 20 seconds, only. However at a place where the detector picked up a suspicious sound, the system will stop scanning and the control officer will be able to listen to the sounds fora longer period.

In orderto avoid false activation ofthe system, either by a telephone subscriber or any other way, the system can be equipped with a tone receiver unit whereby the system orthetelephone atthefar end will be activated only after receiving a special tone. A security officer or any other officer present for that matter can dial from any telephone from anywhere to one ofthe places and check the place thus giving the system flexibility of operation.

The remote unit7 can be connected to several telephone lines. The unit is preferably arranged to be activated in case of intrusion or any other noise or disturbancesuchthattheautomaticdiallerl0dialsto the control centre. Furthermore, the unit7 may be provided with ports so as to enable the connection of external remote units which can be placed in various other locations at the same place.

Simultanouslyto the-above described audio scanning, a constant pooling scanning is preferably performed by means of a parallel connection of terminal 1 and remote unit 7via the dedicated data lines.

From the foregoing it will be apparentthat embodiments ofthe invention can provide a complementary system (rather than one substituting the existing system) and that this system enables a two way communication with the protected area.

It will also be apparentthat embodiments ofthe system can enable one to control strong rooms and the like by listening to what is happening inside it from a remote control centre and getting theirstatus code; can enablethe control and monitoring ofthe place being guarded, verification ofthe alarm and transfer of information; can enablethe use and listening from any telephone at any location, just by dialling the numberoftheguarded place; can enablethe remote unit 7 to alert the control centre in case of an intrusion ormalfunction,theremote unitbeingoptionally connected to a plurality of acoustic detectors; can provides additional active checking to the passive action of an exisiting system; can reduce the possibil ity of the alarm system being unknowingly neutralized (thus eliminating the possibility of a break-in without one being aware of it); and/orcan, by providing reliable auditory surveillance, reduce the need to despatch staff to survey various banks thereby saving manpower and preventing unnecessary dangerto life.

It will be appreciated that providing the "Electronic Ears" which can be installed inside the strongroom facilitates obtaining offirst hand information even if the burglars have overcome a guard (if any). In addition to activating an existing alarm, embodiments ofthe invention can provide periodic checks through outthe night by audio scanning (without entering the strongrooms); can provide constant pooling system scanning by means ofthe dedicated data lines; and can provideforunlimited listeningtimeand range- that is, the Control centre can telephone to any bank branch atanytimechosen.

It will also be appreciated that embodiments ofthe system permitthe establishment of one single or several control centres in the country or city, which listen to and monitor what is happening in tens or hundreds of places throughout the country; can be operated bya local security officer in each location; by his dialling from home, or wherever he happens to be, to the specific bank, to curvey it, as required; can be powered bythetelephone line, and does not depend on external power (or, in case a remote unit is used, the unit can be equipped with long lasting batteries); and/orcan permit hearingwhat is happening ata location, to ascertain whether the alarm which has been activated is false or not.

It will be noted thatthe above-described and illustrated system is a multitask system that is capable of scanning the places under surveillance by means of the telephone or a remote unit and simultaneously receiving alarms and handling them in real time, simultaneously to the audio scanning of all locations being effected underthe constant pooling scanning system.

Claims (10)

1. An auditorysurveillancesystem comprising in combination an Inspection and Recording device, an Amplifier, a Recorder all ofwhich are connected to an AutomaticDiallerand line control unit,which is connected toasmartterminal to be used in the control-room, and a remote device comprising in combination a line control unit, a delay unit, an amplifier and microphoneto be used in the place under surveillance.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the terminal is connected to a modem and via a data dedicated line to the remote device.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, whereinthesystem is provided with asound detector.

4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the system is provided with a tone receiving unit.

5. A system substantially as hereinbeforede scribed with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A device for use in a system according to any preceding claim, comprising a microphone, amplifier and line control unit.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein a delay unit is connected between the amplifier and the line control unit

8. A device substantially as herein described with referenceto and/or as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe accompanying drawings.

9. A surveillance method in which a microphone responsive to auditory sounds atthe location to be surveilled is arranged to provide an electric signal to a control room selectively connectable by automatic dialling means and a telephone line to that location.

10. A method according to claim 9 and substantially as herein described.