Communication and monitoring system
An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.
1. A detection and viewing system associated with an entrance comprising:
an exterior device comprising:
a camera;
a microphone;
a speaker;
a motion detector; and
a keypad having one or more buttons,
wherein the exterior device further comprises an outer housing,
wherein the exterior device is capable of wirelessly transmitting digital streaming video to a peripheral device, which is a cell phone, upon detection of a person associated with the entrance by the motion detector,
wherein the exterior device is capable of wirelessly transmitting digital audio to the peripheral device after the detection of the person associated with the entrance by the motion detector,
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving the digital audio from the peripheral device after the person associated with the entrance has been detected,
wherein the exterior device is capable of playing the digital audio received from the peripheral device through the speaker of the exterior device,
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving a request to change the sensitivity of the motion detector,
wherein the exterior device is capable of modifying the sensitivity of the motion detector upon receiving a request to do so,
wherein the exterior device is capable of operating in a low-light condition,
wherein the exterior device comprises an antenna for transmission of digital streaming video and digital audio, and
wherein the exterior device is capable of encrypting the digital streaming video or digital audio on or before transmitting the digital streaming video or digital audio.
2. The system of claim 1 , the exterior device further comprising:
one or more batteries for powering the exterior device,
wherein the exterior device does not have an electrical connection to any wiring associated with the entrance.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the exterior device is configured to store the digital streaming video locally,
wherein a software application used by the peripheral device is operable to display a list of recorded video files as well as an indication of when the recorded video files were created, and
wherein the exterior device comprises software capable of initializing the camera upon setup of the exterior device.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the exterior device is operable to send a self-check to a remote computer, and
wherein the exterior device comprises software capable of initializing the camera upon setup of the exterior device.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a software application on the peripheral device that is configured to interact with the exterior device and capable of:
a. displaying an image associated with the entrance;
b. displaying the digital streaming video;
c. playing the digital audio;
d. receiving an indication of the presence of the person at the entrance;
e. displaying one or more control settings for the exterior device; and
f. displaying an icon which, upon selection, allows a user to speak with the person at the entrance.
6. A detection and viewing system associated with an entrance comprising:
an exterior device comprising:
a camera;
a microphone;
a speaker;
a motion detector; and
a keypad having one or more buttons,
wherein the exterior device is capable of wirelessly transmitting digital streaming video, at least partially via the Internet, to a peripheral device, which is a cell phone, upon detection of a person associated with the entrance by the motion detector,
wherein the exterior device is capable of wirelessly transmitting digital audio to the peripheral device, at least partially via the Internet, after the detection of the person associated with the entrance by the motion detector,
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving the digital audio from the peripheral device after the person associated with the entrance has been detected,
wherein the exterior device is capable of playing the digital audio received from the peripheral device through the speaker of the exterior device,
wherein the exterior device is capable of operating in a low light condition,
wherein the exterior device comprises an antenna for transmission of the digital streaming video and the digital audio, and
wherein the exterior device is capable of encrypting the digital streaming video or the digital audio during or before the transmission of the digital streaming video or the digital audio.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the exterior device is splash resistant, and
wherein the exterior device is capable of modifying a threshold range of the motion detector as well as a level of sensitivity of the motion detector after receiving one or more instructions.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving one or more instructions to modify one or more control settings for operation of the camera,
wherein the system is capable of displaying an icon that, upon selection, enables a user to speak with the person at the entrance, and
wherein at least a portion of the digital streaming video is played at the same time the icon is displayed on the peripheral device.
9. A method for a communication system for interacting with a person at an entrance comprising an exterior device associated with the entrance, the method comprising the steps of:
recording video using the exterior device, which comprises a digital camera, a microphone, a speaker, a transceiver, a keypad having one or more buttons, and a motion sensor;
associating a timestamp with the recorded video;
wirelessly transmitting the recorded video and digital audio from the exterior device to a peripheral device at least partially via the Internet upon detection of the person at the entrance via the motion sensor or pressing of the one or more buttons of the keypad;
receiving the digital audio at the exterior device from the peripheral device;
playing the digital audio at the exterior device using the speaker;
receiving an indication that the one or more buttons of the keypad have been pressed;
displaying an icon on the peripheral device;
upon selection of the icon, viewing the digital streaming video from the exterior device;
encrypting the recorded video and digital audio transmitted from the exterior device;
receiving a message from the exterior device;
sending a message to the exterior device;
displaying multiple control settings for the exterior device;
storing a message address associated with the exterior device; and
placing a timestamp on the digital streaming video before transmission of the digital streaming video by the exterior device.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
performing facial recognition on the recorded video captured by the exterior device.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of
playing the digital audio through a software application executing on the peripheral device;
displaying an additional icon capable of allowing a user to capture an image associated with the entrance; and
displaying one or more control settings for the exterior device on the software application.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:
receiving, at the exterior device, a message instructing the exterior device to modify a sensitivity of the motion sensor; and
displaying the digital streaming video from the exterior device and, at the same time, displaying a second icon.
13. A detection and viewing system associated with an entrance comprising:
an exterior device comprising:
a camera;
a microphone;
a speaker;
a transceiver; and
a motion sensor,
wherein the exterior device is capable of wirelessly transmitting digital streaming video to a peripheral device, which is a cell phone, upon detection of a person associated with the entrance by the motion sensor,
wherein the exterior device is capable of transmitting audio to the peripheral device,
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving audio from the peripheral device after the person associated with the entrance has been detected,
wherein the exterior device is associated with a MAC address and is capable of providing the MAC address upon receiving a request for the MAC address,
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving one or more instructions to modify one or more control settings for operation of the camera, and
wherein the exterior device is capable of receiving an instruction to modify a sensitivity of the motion sensor,
wherein the camera is capable of operating in a first operating condition and a second operating condition, and
wherein the first operating condition is a low-light condition.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the exterior device is operable to encrypt the digital streaming video and the audio.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the exterior device comprises an application for running the camera, and
wherein the exterior device is configured to modify an amount of ambient light captured by the camera after receiving an instruction to modify the amount of ambient light.
16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a software application operable to:
display the digital streaming video;
play the audio;
receive a message from the exterior device;
send a message to the exterior device;
display multiple control settings for the exterior device;
place a timestamp on the digital streaming video before transmission of the digital streaming video by the exterior device; and
display an icon that, upon selection, allows a user to speak with the person at the entrance.
17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a software application operable to display the digital streaming video and an icon that allows a user to speak with the person at the entrance on the same display screen.