GB2470822A

GB2470822A - Security system with CCTV internet access for the general public to report crime

Info

Publication number: GB2470822A
Application number: GB1009029A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Clive Morgan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-05
Filing date: 2010-06-01
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Also published as: GB0909677D0; GB201009029D0

Abstract

A security and surveillance system comprising a plurality of networked cameras with a live internet video feed to a plurality of monitors to display the camera images to a plurality of web users, wherein when a user sees an incident on their monitor they can send a signal to a central server which identifies the location of the camera viewed and the user who sent the signal. The internet users may be members of the general public who are registered to the central website and who can view live CCTV footage of a selected business premises, such as a shop, and press a button to send an alert to the appropriate authority using SMS text message and report an incident or crime, such as shoplifting. A still image of the reported incident may accompany the text message to the camera owner. The user may be allowed to view up to four randomly selected camera feeds at any one time.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEMS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to security systems and has for its object the provision of an improved security system.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a security system that is capable of delivering high level 24x7 constant prevention of crime by utilizing the Internet as a feed for surveillance to the general public.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a security system which includes a plurality of surveillance cameras, and a plurality of monitors (PERSONAL PC WITH INTERNET CONNECTION AND WEB BROWSING CAPABILITY) on which the images from the cameras are displayed so that the images can be viewed by users of the system. Communication means interconnecting the users and camera owners through a central server whereby each of the users can send a signal to the server in the event that the user sees an "incident" on their associated monitor. The central server then identifies the source of the original camera feed and allows the user alert to be connected to the appropriate location.

In effect, the users, which may be the general public, become the "eyes" of surveillance and report to the server through the website as an incident is monitored. The central site incorporates media severs, routers and switches and the core database linked to a website which has a unique and bespoke system that immediately reports the crime to the appropriate camera owner and or authorities.

This is achieved by integrating the service into the already installed CCTV infrastructure at the customers' premises. The system then streams their video feeds in H.264 to the servers which repackages these feeds and converts them to Flash so that they can be pushed to the Users. The "user" then views the live CCTV feed and, if a crime is detected, presses an "alert" button that relays an sms message which informs the camera owner instantly if a crime is commencing and, in particular, the exact location of the incident. A still image of what has been seen by the user is also sent to the camera owner simultaneously

Brief Description of the Drawing

The single figure of the drawing is a flow chart illustrating the mode of operation of the security system.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

If a user logs on and views a crime -he or she hits the alert button -the alert button relays information to the database -the database sends all the required information to a predefined telephone number in message format.

Type of data information that will be sent and format: * A predefined number for the system is saved in each customer's phone book to differentiate the system as the sender of the message from standard messages.

* A preset ringtone is used that is different from that of the standard ringtone to differentiate the system as the sender of the message from standard messages.

* Any message sent from the website via SMS to a recipient SMS Compatible Phone Number will be appropriately identified.

The information sent may be the following: Sender = Internet Eyes "This is an urgent message from Internet Eyes Camera No: 012345 Located: rear garden has a possible criminal activity occurring. Your incident number ref is: 012345" Workflow Concept The web-based system will uniquely identify where each camera feed is coming from e.g. Customer Ref. No., Camera No. and location etc. A registered user of the system, e.g. Internet Eyes, will be able to log onto the website, providing their username and password. They will then be able to view up to 4 x random video feeds for up to 20 minutes. The user will not know where these feeds are coming from, although the database will hold this information behind the scenes. If a crime is detected by the user, they will simply press a button which will be located directly below the video they are viewing.

The system will immediately collect all data relating to that video feed: 1. The System will log user data (this identifies which user logged the potential crime) 2. The System will identify which camera the user is referring to and will check the database for the client information (e.g. phone number). It will then immediately send an SMS to the registered customer that owns the camera informing them a crime is commencing.

3. The System (once the alert button has been activated) will then capture a still of the image monitored and simultaneously send this to the customer's control panel.

4. The customer will then log into his control panel and report whether the incident reported is a true crime or was wrongly interpreted.

5. The System will log an incident number against the recording and the potential reported crime.

6. If a crime is successfully reported by a user, that user is given a 3 (or other identifier) against their username to prove they have successfully reported a crime e.g. Joe Bloggs (3) 7. If the user wrongly reports numerous incidents (abuse of the system), their account will be blocked and they will be removed from the website.

8. Once the "alert" button is pressed the system will automatically place the incident number into the customer's inbox on the customer control panel and will place it as status "outstanding". It will remain in "outstanding" status until the customer defines whether it was a successfully reported crime or not. The statuses will be the following: 1. Negative-not a crime and wrongly reported 2. Possible-not a crime but understood why report sent 3. Positive -A crime has been successfully identified.

The website will preferably give people the option to register/login as either a "customer" or "user".

User registration function The user registration function will need to collect the following data: * Full Name * FullAddress * Credit Card Details * Email address * Option to receive monthly newsletter * Set up username (if username exists system wifl prompt for new username) On registration, the user will have to accept a predefined user licence agreement.

Customer registration function The user registration function will need to collect the following data: * Full Name * FullAddress * Credit Card Details * Email address * Option to receive monthly newsletter * SMS compatible Phone Number * Setup username (if username exists system will prompt for new username) On registration, the customer will have to accept the predefined customer licence agreement and pay a registration fee.

User Homepage The user homepage may consist of the following: * Log/table of crimes reported and the username of that user that can be viewed by all users e.g. top crime reporter of the week is "Joe Bloggs" with 2 successfully reported crimes * The table will consist of the username and the highest amount of successfully reported crimes. The table will be in order of the highest amount of reported crimes per user and there may be a search function so that the user can view exactly where they stand in the table.

Customer Homepaqe The customer homepage may consist of the following: * Any outstanding crimes log -When an incident is reported by a user the customer needs to define whether this was a crime or not. The system will prompt the customer to make a decision on whether the incident number is a crime or not.

This is achieved by a simple "tick box" mechanism.

In a typical arrangement, the viewers will receive four camera feeds from the business customers and these will be randomised and delivered directly from the server. This will maintain viewer interest and vigilance through constantly changing images. It will also provide the viewer with a simple interface experience thus keeping them on the site for longer.

On monitoring any suspicious activity from any of the four camera feeds, the viewer can expand any selected image for greater clarity before being prompted as to whether or not they wish to send that image to the camera operator. Once the viewer provides that confirmation, that image is sent directly to the camera owner's customer control panel. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of false alarms and provides the camera owner with hard evidence of the monitored incident.

On confirmation of a viewer's alert, the system will also send an immediate SMS message to the camera owner notifying them of an incident on the relevant camera. This provides a secondary layer of confirmation. In addition, the SMS message can be directed to roaming or shop floor personnel so that the incident can be dealt with almost immediately.

Claims

Claims:- 1. A security system which includes a plurality of surveillance cameras, a plurality of monitors on which the images from the cameras are displayed so that the images can be viewed by users of the system, communcaton means nterconnectng the users and a central site whereby each of the users can send a signal to the central site in the event that the user sees an "incident" on the associated monitor, and means at the central site for identifying the locations from which, or concerning which, signals are received.
2. A security system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the central site is a website having a unique and bespoke system that immediately reports any crime to the appropriate authorities.
3. A security system as claimed in Claim 2, which includes CCTV cameras located in business' premises and using a video feed to relay the video footage back to the website.
4. A security system as claimed in Claim 3, in which the arrangement is such that the "user" views the live CCTV feed and, if a crime is detected, presses a "responder" button that relays a packet of text data which informs the user to tell them instantly if a crime is commencing and, in particular, the exact location of the incident.
5. A security system substantially as hereinbefore described.