20090322853 | SECURITY MONITORING SYSTEM WITH FLEXIBLE MONITORING SEQUENCE - From a monitoring location for monitoring at least two remote locations, each remote location having at least one monitoring device, a scrutiny selection signal is sent to the remote locations to control transmission of selected scrutiny information, from the at least one monitoring device at each of the remote locations, to the monitoring location. Via a temporary communication channel and in accordance with the scrutiny selection signal, the selected scrutiny information is received from the monitoring devices at the remote locations, the selected scrutiny information including video data intended for display to a human and representing the remote location being monitored. The received scrutiny information is displayed. At a monitoring location for monitoring at least one remote location having at least one monitoring device, selected scrutiny information from one of the monitoring devices at the remote location is received, the selected scrutiny information including video data intended for display to a human and representing the remote location being monitored, and the received video data is displayed. The remote location also has at least one manually operated device for indicating that a special situation has been sensed, and the selected scrutiny information is sent to the monitoring location in response to actuation of the manually operated device. | 12-31-2009 |
20090015652 | VIDEOPHONE SYSTEM FOR SCRUTINY MONITORING WITH COMPUTER CONTROL - In conjunction with the dial-up public telephone system, voice quality lines carry videophone signals for monitoring a multitude of locations from at least one central station for use in a variety of applications, such as for security, surveillance, quality control and inspection, regulation of food and/or other standards in food-related and other facilities, market research, remote monitoring of deposit and withdrawal of funds at bank vaults, grocery chains, convenience stores, and the like. At the central station, telephonic interface apparatus is actuated by a control unit to selectively accomplish a telephonic connection with a remote location. Displays include the scene at the remote location and related graphic data. During routine operation, remote locations are displayed in sequence to at least one operator. Such operation may be interrupted either from a remote location or central station in the event of an urgency. In such an event, the concerned scrutiny location is displayed for further communication involving status, camera selection, camera configuration, audio, video and so on. Incoming calls from scrutiny stations imply an urgent situation for immediate display. The called number, by dialed number identification system (DNIS) may indicate the status while the calling number identifies the location by automatic number identification (ANI) signals. Alternative signaling and code techniques afford flexible operation as with respect to various graphic and status indications available for displays. | 01-15-2009 |