EP1836692B1 - Surveillance device and installation in particular for domestic property - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring device adapted to be installed in a property.

It also relates to a surveillance installation capable of comprising several devices according to the invention.

The invention finds its application in the field of the transmission of surveillance information particularly for the security of real estate whether commercial or industrial premises, single-family homes or condominiums.

The invention also has applications that are not particularly secure, in particular with regard to the transmission or reception of operational monitoring information from apparatus or machines.

In the context of installation of alarms, a plurality of detection means (such as infrared detectors, door opening detectors, cameras, etc.) connected to a central unit capable of carrying out the processing of information is traditionally used. received from the detectors and to generate the appropriate reaction.

The central allows the retransmission of detected events via available networks such as the telephone line, GSM (for global system for mobile communication) voice, GSM data, GPRS (for general packet radio service), SMS (for short message service).

The choice of the network is made by successive tests in a predefined sequence.

Thus, according to the current state of the art, all the data from the detectors is concentrated towards the central unit, which carries out all the processing, retransmission and reaction to events.

The disadvantage of such a configuration is that it requires the implementation of a complex plant because it performs many operations.

The design of this plant is expensive and generally not scalable, so it is not easy to add afterwards a new means of specific transmission.

It is then necessary to dismantle the control unit, integrate the new element, reassemble it and re-configure it or even replace the entire plant.

In terms of security, the presence of such a plant makes the system more vulnerable in that said plant is the nerve center of the security installation.

Its neutralization annihilates the entire surveillance installation.

The document DE-A1-19700716 is part of this framework by proposing a very complex alarm station design. To mitigate the unreliability of the previous systems, this document only offers a redundancy of alarm center functions in each of the alarm stations that communicate in a synchronized manner. In fact, this system only multiplies the number of complex elements of the installation which greatly increases the cost.

EP-A1-1244081 also describes a hierarchical conventional system with a master master station and stations. When a transmission between a station and the main station is no longer possible, other elements relay the information. The case only occurs during failure and does not affect the hierarchical operation of the system.

US-A1-2004 / 0224713 finally shows a hierarchical system with a central station and peripherals organized in a network around the power station. This system is highly hierarchical.

The document WO-A1-0021053 discloses a wireless home alarm system. The configuration of the system is traditional since a management center is provided with multiple peripheral devices. Various communication channels exist between the central unit and the peripheral units.

The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of currently known devices.

To this end, it has a new monitoring device provided with a set of networked modules each comprising means for processing the detection data and communication means so as to exchange monitoring data with each other.

The device is thus constituted in a modular manner, that is to say that the functions generally devolved to the central are distributed in various modules.

The set is thus more scalable in that it is sufficient to add or replace a module to change the technical configuration of the entire installation.

Each of the modules used in the network can moreover be of a standardized type, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs and to easily constitute a complete monitoring device by association of different types of standard modules.

In terms of security, it should be noted that even in case of malfunction or disabling of one or more modules, the rest of the module network continues to operate, which ensures continued monitoring.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is however not limiting.

The present invention relates to a monitoring device as defined by claim 1.

• tout ou partie des moyens de réaction sont intégrés chacun à un module.
• tout ou partie des moyens de détection sont intégrés chacun à un module.
• les données de surveillance échangées par les modules comportent :
  • les données de détection d'évènements ;
  • des données de contexte de surveillance renseignant les modules quant aux paramètres de fonctionnement du dispositif.
• les données de surveillance comportent des données relatives à l'historique du fonctionnement du dispositif.
• les données de détection et les données de surveillance sont incorporées dans un flux unique de transmission entre les modules et la transmission dudit flux s'effectue de façon synchrone, à chaque nouvel évènement.
• les moyens de communication interne sont un organe émetteur/récepteur à radiofréquences implanté dans chaque module.
• les moyens de réaction comportent une sirène.
• les moyens de réaction comportent des moyens de transmission d'information d'alarme d'évènements, de contexte ou d'historique reliables à un réseau de communication externe.
• les moyens de traitement comportent un processeur et des moyens de stockage de données d'instructions aptes à traiter les données de détection et les données de surveillance.
• au moins un module comporte un capteur audio ou vidéo et des moyens de transmission de flux vidéo ou audio reliables à un réseau de communication externe.

This device can be presented according to the advantageous embodiments set out below:

• all or part of the reaction means are each integrated in a module.
• all or part of the detection means are each integrated into a module.
• the monitoring data exchanged by the modules include:
  • event detection data;
  • monitoring context data informing the modules as to the operating parameters of the device.
• the monitoring data includes data relating to the history of the operation of the device.
• the detection data and the monitoring data are incorporated in a single transmission stream between the modules and the transmission of said stream is carried out synchronously at each new event.
• the internal communication means are a radiofrequency transmitter / receiver unit implanted in each module.
• the reaction means comprise a siren.
• the reaction means comprise means for transmitting alarm information of events, context or history related to an external communication network.
• the processing means comprise a processor and instruction data storage means able to process the detection data and the monitoring data.
• at least one module comprises an audio or video sensor and means for transmitting video or audio streams connected to an external communication network.

The invention also relates to a monitoring installation which comprises at least two devices according to the invention and each module network is connected to a gateway member adapted to connect each module network to an external communication network.

According to a preferred variant, this installation is such that the external communication network is a broad-based computer network or a computer network carried by the electrical network of the movable property.

Advantageously, the modules are transmitted in data asynchronously. The transmission is triggered the occurrence of an event. Communication is thus simpler, more flexible and more reactive.

The attached drawing is given by way of example and is not limiting of the invention. he represents only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand.

The figure 1 presents an example of implementation of an installation according to the invention implementing two monitoring devices of simplified configuration.

As presented at figure 1 , various modules 1, 2, 3, 4 are organized in network 6, in particular by means of internal communication means 9 present in each of the modules and carrying out a data exchange between the modules 1, 2, 3, 4 by radio link.

By means of this inter-module communication, the modules can exchange monitoring data therein, which generally includes data relating to the events detected by detection means and monitoring context data.

This contextual data indicates to the modules the mode of cooperation that they must observe.

They also tell the module what is the history of system actions.

The context informs the module in particular on the operating parameters of the device (such part of the active or inactive installation, value to be given to the operating variables of the system including the time values after which a reaction must be made following the detection of an event etc.).

The modules also exchange the detection data which is the data from detection means that can be made routinely including an audio detector (microphone, video (camera), infrared detector, or any other known detector).

Thus, the different modules are informed of the events produced in the rest of the device even if they are located at a location remote from the detection means having detect the event.

The communication between the modules 1, 2, 3, 4 also ensures, if necessary, data flow traffic which can then be passed on to an external communication network (telephone line, GSM, GPRS, SMS, etc.).

This stream traffic notably allows remote audio and video monitoring.

The flow traffic may be supported by the communication means between the modules or by another link between the modules or some of the modules, particularly by wire.

In the case illustrated in figure 1 , the detection means are integrated in the modules 1, 2, 3, 4.

However, it may also be remote bodies communicating in particular by radio in the form of peripherals with the modules 1, 2, 3, 4.

Several modules 1, 2, 3, 4 can receive in this case the radio message from a detection device.

The cooperation protocol between modules 1, 2, 3 then includes a mechanism for eliminating duplicates.

In addition, a module can process an event received via inter-module exchanges via the communication means even if it has not seen or directly received the detection data from the detection means.

Thus, the modules mutually act as relays.

The modules do not, however, simply relay information from other modules. They share a data flow defining a single operating state common to all modules 1, 2, 3, 4. Each module 1, 2, 3, 4 knows at every moment the complete state of the system, depending on the information received and duplicated.

As indicated above, each module 1, 2, 3, 4 comprises processing means essentially in the form of a processor and a memory (in particular read-only memory and RAM) capable of supporting programmatic instructions for processing the different data and exchange and detection flows.

Each module 1, 2, 3, 4 has its own strategy for handling all events.

This strategy is designed in particular to ensure the transmission of intrusion elements even if the link between the modules 1, 2, 3,4 would be broken.

If this happened, the only risk would be to have several transmissions by different modules of the same event.

It is therefore sufficient to specifically program each module to observe the desired data processing strategy. In order to reduce the occurrence of multiple transmissions, the device may be configured in such a way that one of the modules has priority for the external transmission of events, the other modules only transmitting if the "priority" module transmits them. a request for transmission or if it is no longer linked to the other modules. Thus according to the invention the device is safer than existing systems organized around a central, in the sense that it continues to operate and transmit alarms as at least one of the modules is functional.

The cooperation protocol between the modules 1, 2, 3, 4 is conveyed by the communication means here preferably in the form of radio links.

As far as the transmission of data to the outside of the device is concerned, it is advantageous to use alarm information transmission means which are connectable to an external communications network which can take various common forms.

The transmission means are implemented in a module so as to maintain the modular aspect of the assembly.

Thus, the module 1 comprises transmission means GPRS 12 able to retransmit data from the device to the conventional external network.

Similarly, the module 2 comprises a modem-type transmission means (modulator / demodulator) for retransmission to the switched telephone network (PSTN) via a telephone interface 17.

Still as an example, the module 3 comprises GSM transmission means for retransmitting the data to this network.

As for the module 4, it comprises a communication bus 19 communicating with an external communication network 7 in particular in the form of a wide-ranging network of the internet type.

Of course, other transmission means may be provided in other modules.

On the contrary, it is not necessary to have all the means of transmission represented in figure 1 for the system to work.

In particular, a simple GSM link can be implemented.

In addition, some modules may not have transmission means.

During the operation of the device, it is the module 1, 2, 3, 4 which is responsible for the transmission to the outside which becomes the flow manager exchanged between the modules.

Only one module can be a flow manager at a given time.

However, this role can be reassigned dynamically to another module depending on the detection history.

In general, the modules 1, 2, 3, 4 have a battery 13 enabling them to operate autonomously.

Depending on the nature of the on-board electrical and electronic equipment and the power supply required, a mains supply can also be provided via a power supply 10.

In the case illustrated in figure 1 two devices are formed.

One of the devices comprises the network of modules 1, 2, 3, 4.

The other device is formed of or comprises the module 5.

Each device is assigned to the surveillance of a property, for example two apartments of the same building.

In this context, the devices constituting the installation of the complete building share the same network 7, for example of Ethernet type or wide extension of the Internet type.

In the illustrated case, each apartment comprises a module (4, 5) providing the gateway function among other functions.

In particular, the module 5 comprises, in addition to the processing means 8, the communication means 9, a battery 13 and a siren 20.

This way you can achieve a simplified installation for several lots of apartments in a building.

Indeed, they share the same external network 7.

An example of event management in the context of a device of the type illustrated in the modules 1, 2, 3, 4 is described below.

• un ensemble d'évènements dont la durée de vie est limitée. A chaque évènement sont associés un cycle de vie et des qualificateurs c'est-à-dire des données décrivant des attributs de l'évènement. Par exemple, l'un de ces qualificateurs est l'étape dans le cycle de vie.
• un ensemble de contextes (les contextes sont des données persistantes).
  • un historique ou journal commun avec une datation uniforme.

In this context, the modules share:

• a set of events whose life is limited. Each event is associated with a life cycle and qualifiers, ie data describing attributes of the event. For example, one of these qualifiers is the stage in the life cycle.
• a set of contexts (the contexts are persistent data).
  • a history or common log with a uniform dating.

• l'ensemble des événements issus d'un même périphérique
• l'ensemble des événements de même signification : défaut pile, auto-protection, intrusion, demande de mise en service, etc.
• lorsqu'un périphérique cumule plusieurs fonctions, l'ensemble des événements de ce périphérique propres à cette fonction.
• etc.

In addition, each event belongs to one or more event groups, independent of the context of the installation. In particular groups are:

• all events from the same device
• all events with the same meaning: fault stack, self-protection, intrusion, commissioning request, etc.
• when a device accumulates several functions, all the events of this device specific to this function.
• etc.

Each module holds, for each event, a treatment scenario. This scenario includes, for each stage of the event's life cycle, a processing script linking elementary actions.

One of the basic actions is the proposal of a next step for the event. When all the modules present have finished their scripts for the current step, the event is requalified with the highest value of the steps proposed by the set of scripts as a step.

• WAIT(T)
  Attendre un temps donné
• SEND_ALERT (COMM_PARAMS,LABEL)
  faire une tentative de transmission et passer à une autre action en cas d'échec
• RAISE (EVT)
  créer un nouvel événement
• TEST_QUALIFIER(CONDITION, LABEL)
  TEST_CONTEXT(CONDITION, LABEL)
  passer à une autre action du script selon un qualificateur ou un contexte
• SET_CONTEXT(CONTEXT, VALUE)
  positionner une variable partagée du contexte
• RECORD_LOG(LOGLINE)
  enregistrer une ligne de journal
• DRIVE(OUT_LINE)
  commander un actionneur (sera effectivement traitée par le gestionnaire des flux du constituant adressé)
• WAIT_EVENT(T,EVENT,LABEL)
  attendre un autre événement (ou groupe) pendant un temps maximum
• WAIT_QUALIFIER(T, STEP)
  WAIT_CONTEXT(T,CONDITION,LABEL)
  attendre une condition pendant un temps maximum
• PROPOSE_STEP(STEP)
  proposer une prochaine étape. C'est la proposition ayant la valeur la plus élevée qui sera retenue à l'issue de l'exécution de tous les scripts.

The following commands are typical elementary actions:

• WAIT (T)
  Wait a given time
• SEND_ALERT (COMM_PARAMS, LABEL)
  make an attempt to transmit and move to another action in case of failure
• RAISE (EVT)
  create a new event
• TEST_QUALIFIER (CONDITION, LABEL)
  TEST_CONTEXT (CONDITION, LABEL)
  move to another script action based on a qualifier or context
• SET_CONTEXT (CONTEXT, VALUE)
  set a shared variable of the context
• RECORD_LOG (logline)
  save a journal line
• DRIVE (OUT_LINE)
  order an actuator (will actually be processed by the flow manager of the addressed constituent)
• WAIT_EVENT (T, EVENT, LABEL)
  wait for another event (or group) for a maximum time
• WAIT_QUALIFIER (T, STEP)
  WAIT_CONTEXT (T, CONDITION, LABEL)
  wait for a condition for a maximum time
• PROPOSE_STEP (STEP)
  propose a next step. This is the highest value proposition that will be retained after all scripts run.

Employment case - delayed detector

It is a detector whose detection will cause a transmission after 20 seconds if the zone of the surveillance network to which it belongs is not disarmed in the meantime.

In this example, there will be, if the transmission of the alert fails, a second attempt to another phone number. <b> Table 1 </ b> Step MODULE 1 TEST_CONTEXT (Armed Zone, Detection) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Detection: SET_CONTEXT (Input tempo) PROPOSE_STEP (2) 2 WAIT_CONTEXT (20 seconds, Zone disarmed, Intrusion) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Intrusion: PROPOSE_STEP (3) 3 SEND ALERT (Phone Number 1, Fail) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Fail: PROPOSE_STEP (4) 4 SEND ALERT (Phone number 2, Fail) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Fail: PROPOSE_STEP (5) 5 DONE

Employment Case - Mixed Detector

It is a detector whose detection causes an immediate transmission if it is excited first, and a delayed transmission if it is excited after a delayed detector. <b> Table 2 </ b> Step MODULE 1 TEST_CONTEXT (Entry delay, Deferred) PROPOSE_STEP (3) Deferred: TEST_CONTEXT (Armed Zone, Inactive) PROPOSE_STEP (2) Inactive: PROPOSE_STEP (4) 2 WAIT_CONTEXT (20 seconds, Triggered Zone, disarmed) PROPOSE_STEP (3) Disarmed: PROPOSE_STEP (4) 3 SEND ALERT (Phone number, Fail) PROPOSE_STEP (4) Made : PROPOSE_STEP (4) 4 DONE

Use case - Timed detector with image and sound

It is a motion detector with integrated camera, located in the entrance. After it is triggered, the user has 20 seconds to disarm the zone. If not, the alarm is transmitted, followed by GPRS image transfer and telephone line listening.

The system comprises:

• a motion detector module / GPRS camera / transmitter
• a telephone transmitter module

1. 1. Décision de prise en compte ⇒ 2 ou 6
2. 2. Attente de désarmement ⇒ 3 ou 6
3. 3. Transmission de l'alerte par GPRS ⇒ 4 ou 5
4. 4. Transmission de l'alerte par RTC ⇒ 5 ou 6
5. 5. Transmission de l'image par GPRS et de l'audio par RTC
6. 6. Fin de traitement

The initial event is detection by the motion detector. Its life cycle is as follows:

1. 1. Decision to take into account ⇒ 2 or 6
2. 2. Waiting for disarmament ⇒ 3 or 6
3. 3. Transmission of the alert by GPRS ⇒ 4 or 5
4. 4. Transmission of the alert by BTI ⇒ 5 or 6
5. 5. Transmission of the image by GPRS and audio by RTC
6. 6. End of treatment

The scenarios for both modules are: <b> Table 3 </ b> Step RTC Transmitter GPRS Transmitter 1 TEST_CONTEXT (Armed Zone, Detection) TEST_CONTEXT (Armed Zone, Detection) PROPOSE_STEP (6) PROPOSE_STEP (6) Detection: Detection: SET_CONTEXT (Input tempo) SET_CONTEXT (Input tempo) PROPOSE_STEP (2) PROPOSE_STEP (2) 2 WAIT_CONTEXT WAIT_CONTEXT (20 seconds, Zone disarmed, Intrusion) (20, Disarmed Area, Intrusion) PROPOSE_STEP (6) PROPOSE_STEP (6) Intrusion: Intrusion: PROPOSE_STEP (3) PROPOSE_STEP (3) 3 PROPOSE_STEP (4) SEND_ALERT (IP address, Fail) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Fail: PROPOSE_STEP (4) 4 SEND_ALERT (Phone number, Fail) PROPOSE_STEP (5) PROPOSE_STEP (5) Fail: PROPOSE_STEP (6) 5 OPEN_STREAM (Phone number, Audio) OPEN_STREAM (IP Address, Images) WAIT_EVENT (Hooked on, 3 minutes) PROPOSE_STEP (6) WAIT_EVENT (Hooked on, 2 minutes) PROPOSE_STEP (6) 6 DONE DONE

The preceding cases indicate different examples of configuration of the module network, the exchange of product information between the modules as well as the processing of the detection data.

It is thus clearly noted that the modules are both able to operate a treatment and an autonomous reaction following an event detection and information sharing to consider other reactions (transmission, siren, etc.) with other modules.

The whole is thus both collective but preserves an individual management within the modules ...

REFERENCES

• 1, 2, 3, 4. Modules
• 5. Module
• 6. Network
• 7. External communication network
• 8. Means of treatment
• 9. Means of communication
• 10. Food
• 11. Camera
• 12. GPRS transmission medium
• 13. Battery
• 14. Infrared detector
• 15. GSM transmission medium
• 16. Modem transmission medium
• 17. Telephone interface
• 18. Audio detector
• 19. Communication bus
• 20. Siren

Claims (11)

1. Surveillance device for installation in a domestic property, comprising event detection means and processing means for generating commands for at least one event reaction device, comprising a network (6) of cooperating non-hierarchical modules (1, 2, 3, 4) each comprising detection data processing means (8) and internal communication means (9) configured for exchange of surveillance data between the modules, device wherein

   - the surveillance data exchanged by the modules (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises the event detection data, with surveillance context data feeding the modules with regards to the operating parameters of the device,

   - the detection data and the surveillance data are incorporated into a single transmission flow between all of the modules and the transmission of said flow is carried out asynchronously, at each new event,

   - and the processing means (8) comprise a processor and instructions data storage means able to process the detection data and the surveillance data, with the instructions data of each module (1, 2, 3, 4) implementing a processing strategy of all of the events which is specific to each module.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that all or a portion of the means of reaction are each integrated into a module (1, 2, 3, 4).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterised by the fact that all or a portion of the detection means are each integrated into a module (1, 2, 3, 4).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that the surveillance data comprises data concerning the history of the operation of the device.
5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised by the fact that the internal communication means (9) are an radiofrequency emitting/receiving device installed in each module (1, 2, 3, 4).
6. Device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised by the fact that the means of reaction comprise a siren.
7. Device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised by the fact that the means of reaction comprise means for transmitting alarm information, events, context or history that can be linked to an external communication network (7).
8. Device according to claim 7 wherein at least one module (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises the means for transmitting information, alarms, events, context or history that can be linked to an external communication network (7), said module (1, 2, 3, 4) being configured to be the manager of the single transmission flow between the modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised by the fact that at least one module (1, 2, 3, 4) comprises an audio or video sensor and means for transmitting video or audio flow that can be linked to an external communication network.
10. Installation de surveillance characterised by the fact that it comprises at least two devices according to any of claims 1 to 9 and that each network of modules (1, 2, 3, 4; 5) is connected to a device member able to connect each network of modules to an external communication network.
11. Installation according to claim 10 characterised by the fact that the external communication network is a wide area computer network or a computer network carried by the electrical network of the domestic property.

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