CA2557747A1

CA2557747A1 - Video doorbell

Info

Publication number: CA2557747A1
Application number: CA 2557747
Authority: CA
Inventors: Peter Bernhard Kristjansen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-23
Filing date: 2006-08-23
Publication date: 2008-02-23

Abstract

This invention provides an improved video doorbell security system consisting of a doorbell unit containing a ring button, a colour video camera and microphone. This outdoor unit is connected through a small hole in the door to a battery-operated wireless transmitter inside the door. Pressing the ring button activates a timer relay circuit in the transmitter which then sends wireless signals to an indoor receiver connected to a television set or other video monitor. On receipt of these signals, the receiver emits a ring tone and relays audio and video signals from the camera and microphone to the television set. The timer automatically turns OFF the transmitter after approximately one minute. This period of time is adequate for the homeowner, after hearing the doorbell ring, to go to the TV set, turn the set ON and to view and to hear the visitor.

Description

SPECIFICATION
GENERAL - WIRELESS VIDEO DOORBELL

This invention relates to a security system encompassing a doorbell apparatus containing a video camera, a microphone and a ring button. The apparatus is connected to a battery-operated wireless transmitter inside the door that sends audio and video signals to one or more receivers. These receivers may be connected to any TV set or other monitor so that the person ringing the doorbell can be seen and heard on such TV set or monitor.
BACKGROUND

Wireless video camera systems have been widely used for security purposes, but virtually all such devices require the camera and transmission units to be hard-wired to a power source.
This limitation requires the user to run wiring from an electrical outlet in the home to the camera unit and often requires special tools or major reconstruction.
In cases where the video unit can operate on batteries, the batteries are usually contained in the unit on the outside of the home or apartment. This limitation exposes the batteries to the effects of inclement weather and they are subject to impairment or destruction by freezing.
In cases where the batteries are impervious to freezing or inclement weather, their life is severely limited due to the continuous power drain demanding by conventional video transmitters.
A further limitation of conventional methods of affixing video devices to an exterior door or wall is that the exterior unit must be mounted with screws, nails, glues or other semi-permanent means that will leave unsightly holes or residues when the unit is removed for any reason.
Wireless surveillance camera systems usually include a separate video monitor, whereas, this system can be viewed on any household television set, computer or other monitor devices capable of processing video input signals.

INVENTIVE IDEAS

This invention provides an improved colour video security observation system that overcomes the limitations of existing video camera security devices detailed in the paragraph entitled "BACKGROUND".
The door unit of this invention can be powered by a standard 9 volt battery or any other combination of batteries or, if desired, by a voltage adapter. Also, the device may contain a circuit so that rechargeable batteries may be used and recharged by inserting a charging unit power plug into the indoor transmitter case for recharging. This property of the invention overcomes the limitation of having to hard-wire the unit to an electrical power source in the home or building.
The batteries that power the door unit are installed inside the door and are protected from impairment by temperature extremes or the effects of inclement weather.
The battery-operated transmitter circuit contains a timer relay that turns OFF
the circuit in a fixed time so that there is not a large power demand that will quickly drain the battery.
The system can be easily installed through an existing peephole in a standard household or apartment door or by drilling one small hole through the door of any home, apartment or building. When the occupant moves from the home or apartment, the doorbell device can be removed from the door and the hole filled by an inexpensive standard peephole viewing device.
This device enables the occupant to view who is ringing the doorbell on an conventional TV
set or other monitor capable of processing video signals without having to go to the door.

EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the invention are in colour or gray scale to better illustrate the system. They are explained in detail on each drawing and are as follows:
Figure 1 a on page 6 is a representation of how the outdoor video camera and ringer unit is attached to the indoor transmitter.

Figure 1 b on page 6 shows a method of installing through thick doors or walls.

Figures 2 and 3 on page 7 illustrate a typical installation of the unit through the hole left by removal of an existing peephole viewer or through a hole drilled through the door.

Figure 4 on page 8 illustrates the transmitter unit inside the door.

Figures 5 and 6 on page 9 illustrate the indoor receiver which is connected to the TV set or any other monitor.

Figure 7 on page 10 illustrates several suggested installation positions on different types of doors.

Figure 8 on page 11 illustrates a timer circuit with a relay that will turn ON
the transmitter and then turn it OFF after 70 seconds to preserve battery power.

Claims

1. a video doorbell containing a colour video camera, a microphone and a ring button imbedded in a unit attached to the outside of a door or wall and connected through the door or wall to an indoor battery-operated wireless transmitter,

2. a method of mounting the video doorbell on the exterior of a door or wall in such a manner that the unit may be removed and a standard inexpensive peephole viewer may be substituted to maintain an unblemished appearance to the door or wall,

3. an indoor transmitter that is activated by the pressing of the ring button on the outdoor unit,

4. a battery-operated transmission circuit controlled by a relay and a timer that permits the circuit to remain open for at least one minute to allow the user to go to the TV set or monitor, turn the set ON and to view and to hear the person ringing the doorbell. The circuit automatically shuts down the transmitter after the allotted time to preserve battery power so that the transmitter can be operated solely on a battery for in excess of 30 days,

5. a method of installing the system through doors and walls of any thickness,

6. an indoor transmitter that sends a wireless colour video signal and an audio signal from the doorbell camera to the receiver connected to a TV set or other monitor,

7. a circuit in the transmitter that transmits a radio frequency signal to the indoor receiver that causes the receiver to emit a pleasant "ding dong" ringing sound when the doorbell button is pressed,

8. an adjustable doorbell ring volume control on the receiver,

9. the option of including infrared capability in the camera device for night vision,

10. a plurality of channels for transmitting and receiving video signals to avoid interference from other devices transmitting in the same frequency range,

11. the capability of receiving signals from the transmitter by an unlimited number of receivers so that every TV set, DVD player, computer or any other monitor in the home or building is able to display the caller at the door.