Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
  • H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
  • H04N7/186—Video door telephones
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
  • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
  • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
  • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
  • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
  • G08B13/19619—Details of casing
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
  • G07C9/00309—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
  • G08B13/06—Mechanical actuation by tampering with fastening
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
  • G08B13/08—Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
  • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
  • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
  • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
  • G08B13/19634—Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
  • G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
  • G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
  • G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
  • G08B13/19678—User interface
  • G08B13/19684—Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
  • G08B25/14—Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems, e.g. audible personal calling systems
  • G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems, e.g. audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a video doorbell configured to function as the controller of a security monitoring system, and to security monitoring systems including such a video doorbell.
• House breaking, breaking and entering, burglary, theft from premises and criminal damage to premises such as homes and businesses are problems that have troubled human society for centuries, and possibly for millennia.
• burglar alarms have been around in some guise since the 18th century, while the first electric burglar alarm was apparently patented in 1853 by the Reverend Augustus Russell Pope and rang a bell if a door or window was opened.
• the Pope invention was quickly commercialised and used as the basis for a monitored alarm service in which signals from alarm installations were carried over telephone lines to staff working in a remote monitoring station.
• the user of such DIY security monitoring systems may also be able to subscribe to a remote monitoring service, but this may involve costs not dissimilar to those of a professionally installed monitored system, despite the fact that a DIY installed system is unlikely to offer the level of security provided by a professionally installed system. This perhaps explains why, in general, most people who install video doorbells and home video cameras do not upgrade to any kind of security monitoring installation but instead rely on motion triggered push notifications. It is also likely that the perceived difficulty of performing an effective DIY installation to create a professional quality security monitoring system is also a deterrent.
• a video doorbell device including a camera capable of capturing video images, first and second RF transceivers, a processor coupled to the camera and to the RF transceivers, and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to function as the controller of a security monitoring system with an armed mode and a disarmed mode, and to: receive event notifications, via the first RF transceiver, from one or more alarm peripherals and in the armed mode, in response to receiving an event notification from one of the alarm peripherals to transmit an alert to a remote monitoring entity using the second RF transceiver; and in both the armed mode and the disarmed mode to transmit via the second RF transceiver video images captured by the camera.
• the instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor also to function as the controller of an electronically controlled lock and to exchange messages with the lock using the first transceiver.
• the processor By providing an electronically controlled lock in association with the specially configured video doorbell the user experience and convenience are further improved.
• the instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to respond to a tamper message received from the lock by transmitting a tamper notification using the second transceiver (and likewise transmitting an alert in response to receiving an alert from the lock).
• the processor in response to receiving the tamper message (or alert) the processor is also configured to: transmit an instruction, using the first transceiver, to activate a separate video camera of the security monitoring system to cause the separate video camera to transmit captured video for reception via the second transceiver; the processor being further configured to onward transmit the received captured video via the second transceiver.
• the processor is further configured to receive event notifications, via the second RF transceiver, from the separate video camera and in the armed mode, in response to receiving an event notification from the separate video camera to transmit an alert to a remote monitoring entity using the second RF transceiver.
• the video doorbell device exists in combination with a door-mounted electronically controlled lock, the lock including a lock transceiver for communication with the first transceiver of the video doorbell device.
• the video doorbell device is configured to transmit a command to the lock, using the first transceiver, to permit the opening of the door.
• the lock is configured to transmit a tamper signal, using the lock transceiver, if an attempt is made to remove the lock from the door.
• the lock further comprises an accelerometer configured to operate as a shock sensor, a processor of the lock and the accelerometer together functioning as a shock detector to generate a lock tamper signal in the event that an attempt is made to pick or interfere with the lock, wherein the lock is configured to transmit any lock tamper signal using the lock transceiver.
• the processor of the lock and the accelerometer together function as a shock detector to generate an alert signal in the event that an attempt is made to forcibly attack the door, and the processor of the lock is configured to transmit the alert signal, using the lock transceiver.
• the alert may indicate an intrusion, but under other circumstances the alert may indicate tamper - potentially depending upon the nature of the shock(s) detected, the regulatory regime, and the set-up or configuration of the accelerometer and processor. If an intrusion is detected, this should be signalled as such, whereas an attack which is insufficient to amount to an intrusion should preferably be flagged as a tamper event.
• Such a lock may be configured to satisfy the requirements of EN 50131-2-8 Grade 2 (notably those relating to shock sensors and shock detection) - meaning that the lock can usefully be integrated into a grade 2 (or higher) security monitoring system without jeopardising the grading of the system.
• the grade or category of an installed intruder alarm system is an indication of the ease with which the system can be circumvented, and the degree of security provided, which are significant for insurance cover.
• the grade of an alarm installation is dictated by the grade of the lowest graded component of the system.
• the lock includes a magnetometer which is configured to detect the presence of one or more magnets located outside the lock but within or attached to the door, the magnetometer generating the tamper signal as the result of an increased separation, between the magnetometer and the one or more magnets, caused by the removal of the lock from the door.
• the door is mounted in a frame, at least one magnet is associated with the frame to provide a magnetic field which is sensed by a magnetometer of the lock to detect whether the door is open or closed, and the lock is configured to transmit door status notifications to the video doorbell device.
• the lock includes an audio output device
• the video doorbell device is configured to respond to receipt of a chime activation event by transmitting, using the first transceiver, a chime signal to cause the lock to produce a chime sound using the audio output device.
• the processor of the lock is configured to indicate in alerts and tamper signals the nature of the attack that gave rise to the transmission of the signal. For example, it is desirable to distinguish between signals that result from mechanical impact as a result of a forcible attack on the door or door frame from those occasioned by attempts to pick the lock, and those occasioned by attempts to prise the lock from the door. Such information may be useful in discriminating between genuine attacks and false alarms, i.e. in verifying that a security alert is one that can be passed to the police for them to take action.
• the processor of the lock is configured to indicate in the alert and tamper signals the sensor that gave rise to the transmission of the signal. This information may also be useful in discriminating between genuine attacks and false alarms, for example in discriminating between vibrations caused by an attack and vibrations caused by road or rail traffic or impacts from a kicked football.
• the memory may also store additional instructions for an alternative mode of operation in which the video doorbell device itself operates as a peripheral to a separate controller of a security monitoring system, the additional instructions when executed by the processor causing the processor to: exchange messages with the separate controller using the first transceiver, and to transmit to the separate controller, via the second RF transceiver, video images captured by the camera.
• the processor is configured in the alternative mode of operation to respond to receipt of a chime activation event by transmitting, using the first transceiver, a chime signal to the separate controller to cause an audio output device of the security monitoring system to produce a chime sound in respect of the chime activation event.
• a method of upgrading a security monitoring system installation that includes one or more alarm peripherals and a video doorbell device according to the first aspect, the method comprising: reconfiguring the video doorbell so that its processor ceases to function as the controller of the security monitoring system; providing a separate controller for security monitoring system; configuring the video doorbell device to operate as a peripheral of the separate controller; and registering the alarm peripherals of security monitoring system with the separate system controller.
• reconfiguring the video doorbell may comprise storing additional instructions in the memory, the additional instructions when executed by the processor causing the processor to: exchange messages with the separate controller using the first transceiver, and to transmit to the separate controller, via the second RF transceiver, video images captured by the camera.
• the storing of the additional instructions may, for example, be the result of a firmware update.
• a method of operating a video doorbell device comprising a camera capable of capturing video images, first and second RF transceivers, a processor coupled to the camera and to the RF transceivers, and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to function as the controller of a security monitoring system with an armed mode and a disarmed mode
• the method comprising: receiving event notifications, via the first RF transceiver, from one or more alarm peripherals; in the armed mode, in response to receiving an event notification from one of the alarm peripherals transmitting an alert to a remote monitoring entity using the second RF transceiver; and in both the armed mode and the disarmed mode transmitting, via the second RF transceiver, video images captured by the camera.
• a kit of parts including: a video doorbell device according to the first aspect; and an electronically controlled lock, the lock including a lock transceiver for communication with the first transceiver of the video doorbell device.
• the electronically controlled lock may include a magnetometer which is configured to detect the presence of one or more magnets located outside the lock but within a door to which the lock is mounted, the magnetometer generating the tamper signal as the result of an increased separation, between the magnetometer and the one or more magnets, caused by the removal of the lock from the door.
• a magnetometer of the lock may be coupled to a processor of the lock and configured to sense a magnetic field from a magnet associated with a frame that receives a door to which the lock is mounted, the processor of the lock being configured to detect a door status based on whether the door is open or closed, the door status being derived from signals received from the coupled magnetometer, and the lock is configured to transmit door status notifications to the video doorbell device.
• the lock preferably further comprises an accelerometer configured to operate as a shock sensor, a processor of the lock and the accelerometer together functioning as a shock detector to generate a lock tamper signal in the event that an attempt is made to pick or interfere with the lock, wherein the lock is configured to transmit any lock tamper signal using the lock transceiver.
• the processor of the lock and the accelerometer together function as a shock detector to generate an alert signal in the event that an attempt is made to forcibly attack the door, and the processor is configured to transmit the alert signal, using the lock transceiver.
• the alert may indicate an intrusion, but under other circumstances the alert may indicate tamper - potentially depending upon the nature of the shock(s) detected, the regulatory regime, and the set-up or configuration of the accelerometer and processor. If an intrusion is detected, this should be signalled as such, whereas an attack which is insufficient to amount to an intrusion should preferably be flagged as a tamper event.
• the lock may be pre-installed in the door before the door is installed in a building.
• the door is pre-installed in the frame before the door and frame are installed in a building, the frame including the magnet that is provided for the derivation of door status information.
• Figure 1 shows schematically a home having a video doorbell installation
• Figure 2 illustrates schematically the principal constituents of a video doorbell and of a smart lock according to embodiments of the invention
• FIG. 3 illustrates schematically some constructional details and arrangements of locks according to aspects of the invention
• Figure 4 illustrates schematically various constituent parts of an installation and system according to an embodiment of the invention.
• the video doorbell may use Wi-Fi to connect to a Wi-Fi router 112 which has a broadband 114 connection to the Internet 115, the backend service 110 sending push notifications out to a public land mobile network (PLMN) 116 by means of which notifications are delivered to the user’s personal communication device 108.
• PLMN public land mobile network
• the same communication path may be used to stream live video (and sound) from the video doorbell 100 to the user.
• a reverse communication path is also supported to enable the user to speak to a person at the doorbell 100, and also to enable the user to activate (i.e. release) the lock 106 to enable the person at the door to open the door 102.
• the signals to activate (release) the lock may be passed to the lock 106 directly but are preferably (in this configuration) passed via the video doorbell 100 that in turn communicates with the lock 106.
• the second transceiver 206 supports a lower bandwidth channel which supports the transmission of control signals to, and event notifications from, alarm peripherals such as smart lock 106, external video cameras, door/window contacts (that detect the state - open or closed, of windows or doors), etc.
• alarm peripherals such as smart lock 106, external video cameras, door/window contacts (that detect the state - open or closed, of windows or doors), etc.
• the low bandwidth channel or channels may be provided using a suitable allocated frequency in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands - such as (in Europe) 868MHz.
• ISM industrial, scientific, and medical
• communications on the low bandwidth channel(s) are encrypted.
• the video doorbell 100 also includes a chime trigger device 214, which may comprise a mechanical switch or “bell push”, and preferably one that provides tactile feedback upon activation.
• the chime trigger device 214 may be co-located with a lens of the video camera 208, but may equally well be provided separately so that the video camera lens does not need to move when the chime trigger device 214 is activated.
• the video doorbell 100 may also include a display 219 for the display of messages and userfeedback.
• a display 219 for the display of messages and userfeedback.
• the function of the keypad 216 into the display 219, by using a touch-sensitive display, it is preferred to keep these functions separate and to use a separate mechanical keypad 216, both for reasons of durability and energy consumption.
• the video doorbell 100 also include a loudspeaker 220 for reproducing speech from a user at user device 108, for announcements from the processor 200, and to function as an alarm sounder or siren on the occasion of an alarm event - as will be explained later.
• the provision of at least one speaker (two or more may be provided) along with at least one microphone (two or more may be provided) enables two-way audio between a person at the video doorbell and another person, for example a designated user via a user device (e.g. smartphone with a video doorbell app or a security monitoring system app).
• the presence of one or more microphones 210 also enables the use of voiceprint identification as a form of access control - so that, for example an occupier of the premises, or a trusted visitor (such as a nurse, carer, cleaner, etc.), who has stored a voiceprint on the system can gain admittance to the house by speaking to the video doorbell which compares the given voice sample with known stored voice samples to identify the speaker. If the identified speaker is on an approved list of people, the video doorbell sends an instruction to a smart lock on the relevant access door to enable the speaker to open the door to gain admittance to the protected premises.
• voiceprint identification as a form of access control - so that, for example an occupier of the premises, or a trusted visitor (such as a nurse, carer, cleaner, etc.), who has stored a voiceprint on the system can gain admittance to the house by speaking to the video doorbell which compares the given voice sample with known stored voice samples to identify the speaker. If the identified speaker is on an approved list of people, the video doorbell
• the video doorbell 100 also include a near field communication (NFC) antenna 220 to enable near field communication with an NFC device such as a dongle, smart watch, NFC sticker, or suitable equipped mobile phone - for example to authenticate a user and possibly to unlock an associated smart lock 106 to gain admittance to the protected premises.
• NFC near field communication
• the video doorbell 100 is provided with an external housing or enclosure 221 to protect the components of the doorbell.
• the housing 221 is provided with tamper detection 213 that operates to generate a tamper alert if the housing is removed from the video doorbell 100.
• a tamper alert is preferably treated by the controller of the security monitoring system (the controller either being provided by the video doorbell itself or by a separate entity), irrespective of the armed state of the security monitoring system.
• Users (or the owner(s)) of the security monitoring system may be provided with an app by means of which the controller of the security monitoring system may be pre-warned of a planned event that would otherwise be treated as an alarm event, so that the controller of the security monitoring system can be configured in effect to ignore the planned event when it occurs. For example, it may be necessary to remove the housing 221 of the video doorbell to replace a defective battery 226.
• a user or service engineer can prevent the security monitoring system controller from treating the removal of the housing as a tamper event to be reported as an alarm event.
• the same principle applies equally to the lock 106 and its tamper detection.
• the video doorbell 100 is preferably provided with a mains power feed 222 coupled to a power supply 224 that includes a rechargeable battery 226 (as an auxiliary power supply for use in the event of mains failure) and a charging arrangement 228 to manage charging of the rechargeable battery 226.
• the video doorbell 100 also includes an interface 230 (such as a micro USB port, a USB-C port or a “Lightning” socket) to accept a low voltage (e.g. 5V or 20V) supply (e.g.
• the lock 106 may be configured as a mortice lock, in which case the lock will typically include a mortice lockset or latch (not shown) in addition to the bolt 244. Provision of the lock 106 as a mortice lock is particularly attractive if the lock is to be pre-installed into a door (or if the door is to be manufactured with mortices provided for ready installation of the lock in situ) rather than retro-fitted to a pre-hung door as a replacement for an existing lock.
• the lock 106 is provided with an actuator 246, which may be a solenoid or a motor, which either drives the bolt into the locked or unlocked positions, or which engages or disengages a clutch that couples or decouples a knob or handle 248 on the exposed face of the door and by means of which the bolt may be withdrawn into the unlocked position enabling the door to be opened from the exposed (unprotected) side.
• an actuator 246 which may be a solenoid or a motor, which either drives the bolt into the locked or unlocked positions, or which engages or disengages a clutch that couples or decouples a knob or handle 248 on the exposed face of the door and by means of which the bolt may be withdrawn into the unlocked position enabling the door to be opened from the exposed (unprotected) side.
• the actuator will be a solenoid rather than a motor.
• the lock 106 may of course be provided with another handle or knob (not shown), on the protected side of the door 240, for operating the bolt 244 for opening
• the lock 106 preferably also includes a chime or loudspeaker (more generally, a sound output device) 263 which is coupled to the processor 258.
• This chime may be used instead of, or in addition to, a separate chime which sounds whenever the chime trigger device 214 of the video doorbell is activated - the processor 200 of the video doorbell 100 being configured to use the second transceiver 206 to transmit a chime activation signal labelled with a flag to which the lock processor 258 and/or the processor of a separate chime sounder device (not shown) responds by using an internal sound output device to chime in response to the activation of the chime trigger device 214.
• the lock 106 may be provided with a housing 259 through which the deadbolt 244 and any mortice lockset are free to protrude, the knob or handle 248 of course being external of the housing 259.
• the housing is made of an engineering plastics material or a nonferromagnetic material so as not to interfere with the functioning of one or more magnetometers provided as part of the lock 106.
• the lock 106 further includes a magnetometer 264 that is configured to sense and monitor a first magnetic field provided by a first magnet 266 that is fixedly mounted with respect to the frame 268 or other abutment against which the door 240 closes.
• the same magnetometer 264, or an additional magnetometer is configured to sense and monitor a second magnetic field provided by a second magnet 270 that is attached to the door, preferably mounted within the door - that is, between the protected face and the unprotected face of the door, although it is also possible to attach (e.g. stick with adhesive) a magnet to the face of the door (the face on the protected inner side (e.g. the indoor side) of the door).
• This second magnet 270 is external to the lock 106 and is provided so that the magnetometer configured to sense the magnetic field of the second magnet 270 can generate a tamper signal to indicate an attempt to remove the lock 106 from the door 240. Meanwhile, the magnetometer 264 configured to sense and monitor the first magnetic field provided by a first magnet 266 can provide a signal to indicate the status of the door, e.g. whether the door 240 is open or closed.
• the processor 258 may be configured to generate an alert signal, that is transmitted to the controller of the security monitoring system, for example the enhanced video doorbell according to aspects of the invention, for onward reporting to a monitoring service or the owner/occupier of the house, in the event that opening of the door is detected without the lock having been unlocked and/or the alarm having been disarmed- since this indicates that the door 240 has been forced open.
• an alert signal that is transmitted to the controller of the security monitoring system, for example the enhanced video doorbell according to aspects of the invention, for onward reporting to a monitoring service or the owner/occupier of the house, in the event that opening of the door is detected without the lock having been unlocked and/or the alarm having been disarmed- since this indicates that the door 240 has been forced open.
• the lock 106 further includes an accelerometer 275, which is also coupled to the processor 258, and which is configured to function as a shock sensor to provide the processor with signals to enable detection of attempts to “pick” the lock, drill out the lock cylinder, and other mechanical attacks on the lock, as well as providing signals in the event of attempts to batter down the door (or force open the lock) with a sledge hammer or battering ram for example.
• the processor 258 is configured to distinguish accelerometer signals generated as the result of a normal “I’m here!” knock at the door from signals generated as a result of much more forceful blows characteristic of attempts to force open the door.
• the provision of the accelerometer 275 provides a basis for certifying the lock as an alarm detector, or an alarm peripheral, (for an alarm system of at least Grade 2 or Grade 3) according to EN 50131 .
• the lock is lockable and unlockable by virtue of the keyed cylinder 314, here shown removed from its bore 315 in the lock towards the inner side (the protected side) of the door.
• the cylinder shown is a Euro Cylinder in which a key operates a pin and tumbler arrangement (other cylinder types are of course used and the invention is equally applicable to locks using such other cylinder types).
• a keyhole 316 is provided at each end of the cylinder, and by inserting a correctly coded key into a keyhole 316 it is possible to rotate a revolving cam 318 which has an integral tongue 320 which, when installed in the lock, is effective to move the bolt 306 in and out of the lock case 304, and thereby unlock and lock the door 302 to an associated doorframe (not shown).
• the free end of the bolt enters an aperture or “keep” in the doorframe to lock the door in the closed position.
• the latch is coupled to be driven by the cylinder so that extra rotation of the cylinder in one direction retracts the latch, and rotation in the opposite direction does the opposite - in which case no latch handle may be provided, or a latch handle only provided in the protected side of the door.
• FIG 3A two Euro cylinders are shown: to the left, a conventional cylinder 314 with a keyhole 316 in each end; to the right, a new cylinder 314’ in which, in place of the keyhole on the protected side of the door, an elongate tongue 326 protrudes.
• the tongue 326 will engage with the mechanism of an assembly which includes the mechanism and electronics of an electronic lock.
• This assembly which will be described with reference to Figures 3B and 3C, will be fitted in place of the escutcheon 328 that surrounds the bore 315 for the cylinder 314.
• FIG. 3B an assembly which includes the mechanism and electronics of an electronic lock is housed within a knob 330 which attaches to the door 302 by means of a fixing plate 332 which itself has been mounted to the door in place of the escutcheon 338.
• the fixing plate 332 is secured to the inner face of the door by means of a pair of fixing screws 334.
• the fixing plate includes engagement portions, here shown in the form of projections 336, which may be in the form of flanges, which mate and lock into engagement with corresponding formations within the knob 330.
• the fixing plate 332 and the knob may be kept locked together by one or more hidden grub screws each concealed in respective bores 338 through the (here) curved surface of a first part 340 of the knob 330.
• the bulk of the length of the knob forms a body 339 that extends over and receives the first (or inner) part 340.
• Figure 3B shows a set of one or more visual indicators 341 , for example in the form of RGB LEDs by means of which a status of the electronic lock and/or a mode or condition of the electronic lock may be indicated.
• Figure 3B shows one or more apertures 342 formed in the main surface of the fixing plate 332.
• Each aperture 342 provides a window through which the magnetic field of a magnet 270 can pass unimpeded.
• the magnet 270 may be surface-mounted to the door within the window provided by an aperture 342, or the fixing plate may be used as a template to enable a recess or bore to be formed (e.g. drilled, machined or carved) in the structure of the door, so that a magnet can be inserted into the body of the door.
• Figure 3C shows schematically a longitudinal section through the assembly 330, the fixing plate 332, the lock case 304, the door 302 and the doorframe.
• the assembly comprises the knob 330 which is fitted over an inner part 340.
• the inner part 340 includes the engagement portions 350 which mate and lock into engagement with the engagement portions 336 of the fixing plate 332. As shown, about half the length of the knob overlaps the inner part 340, with the inner part providing an enclosure or case for the electronics of the smart lock, although it will be appreciated that many possible configurations are possible.
• the tongue 326 of the cylinder 314’ extends through an aperture in a pcb 251 (or between a pair of pcbs) that carries the bulk of the electronic components of the smart lock, including the processor 258, memory 260, RF transceiver 262, magnetometers 264, and the accelerometer 275.
• a magnetometer two magnetometers are used, one for tamper detection using a magnetic field from a door mounted magnet 270, and the other 264’ for sensing door open status using a magnetic field from a frame-mounted magnet 266, although the same functionality may be provided using just a single magnetometer.
• the processor but optionally mounted off the pcb 251 are the loudspeaker/sounder 263 and the indicators 341 .
• the lock mechanism includes an electrically controlled actuator 246 (e.g. a motor or solenoid) and optional associated mechanism 352 that are configured to apply a rotating torque between the inner part 340 of the knob and the tongue 326, to rotate that the cylinder 314’ in the lock - to withdraw the bolt 244 into the lock case 304 or to extend the bolt 244 from the lock case 304.
• a force transfer arrangement 354 may be provided between the cam tongue 320 and the bolt.
• the lock may be so configured that rotation (over rotation) of the cam 318 may also operate the latch 308.
• Figure 3 shows arrangements suitable for a conventional door, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the same assembly and modified cylinder could equally well be used in conjunction with a door (or French Window, Patio Door, etc. or the like) having a Multi-Point Locking System (which typically have a minimum of 3 locking points that all lock simultaneously when the mechanism is engaged).
• a cylinder lock e.g. a Euro Cylinder Lock
• locking typically involves manual activation of a door handle to engage the various locking points with their counterparts before the lock will lock.
• this engagement phase may require the application of too much torque for sensible application of the described electronic lock addition (if for no other reason than due to short battery life), the locking and unlocking step distinct from the engagement/disengagement operations could potentially be handled using the system as just described.
• the system 400 includes alarm peripherals such as a door contact 402, for example on the back door 404 of the house, that may be a magnet sensing switch (such as a reed relay) that detects whether the door 404 is open or closed and that transmits an alert that is received by the second transceiver 206 (e.g. 868MHz transceiver) of the video doorbell 100 and processed by the processor 200 to generate, if the system is armed, an alarm event signal that is addressed to a remote (e.g. cloud-based) alarm reporting service 110 and transmitted by the first (e.g. Wi-Fi) transceiver 204 (the speaker of the video doorbell may also immediately be activated as a siren or to provide some other sonic deterrent).
• the transmitted alarm event signal is received by the Wi-Fi access point (AP) 112 of the premises and passed via a broadband connection to the internet 115 and thus to the cloud-based alarm reporting service 110.
• AP Wi-Fi access point
• a user receiving such a notification may be able to request the streaming of video or the transmission of images from cameras 406, 406’ installed in or at the premises (e.g. house) of the security monitoring system installation: for example a push notification may include one or more “action buttons” that upon activation by the user cause the user’s device 108 to transmit an instruction to the alarm reporting service 110 for the alarm reporting service 110 to send an instruction to the controller of the security monitoring system 400 (i.e. the processor of the video doorbell) to transmit activation signals to wake the cameras 406, 406” causing them to capture and send images and/or video.
• the controller of the security monitoring system 400 i.e.
• the processor of the video doorbell receives these video transmissions using the first (Wi-Fi) transceiver 204, and the same transceiver is used to onward transmit the images/video to the alarm reporting service 110 by means of the Access Point 112 and the Internet 115.
• the alarm reporting service 110 onward transmits the images/video to the user’s device 108.
• the alarm reporting service 110 is preferably configured to store (if the user has paid the necessary subscription fee) images/video captured in this way.
• Each of the video cameras 406, 406’ may be in effect an “off the shelf” video camera (as a means of keeping costs down) that includes just one transceiver, and that transceiver may support Wi-Fi but not a secondary, low bandwidth channel.
• the user’s device may also be programmed with a complementary app that enables the user to send instructions to the video doorbell (which functions as the controller of the security monitoring system) to cause activation of selected video cameras so that the user can “check in” on the home while away from home, and also to arm/disarm the alarm system.
• Images and video from the cameras 406, 406’ are preferably transmitted over Wi-Fi between the camera 406, 406’ and the video doorbell 100 - and hence these images and video will be received by the first transceiver 204 which is also used for onward transmission to the access point 112.
• the system may also be configured to send lower resolution images, and/or lower framerate video using the low bandwidth channel (e.g.
• notifications are also preferably provided to the alarm reporting service 110 (and onwards to the user device 108) in respect of alerts received from other alarm peripherals such as motion-triggered cameras 406, 406’, and window contact sensor (which may also or instead function as a window shock sensor) 408 which is associated with a window 410.
• alarm peripherals such as motion-triggered cameras 406, 406’, and window contact sensor (which may also or instead function as a window shock sensor) 408 which is associated with a window 410.
• a tamper alert received from the door lock as the result of, for example, an attempt to prise the lock 106 away from the door 240 or as the result of the lock’s magnetometer sensing the opening of the door when the lock has not been unlocked, or the detection of a tamper event (such as attempted lock picking or another attack on the lock) may be sensed and reported by the accelerometer 275 of the smart lock, may be processed by the processor 200 of the video doorbell and thus notified to the user via the alarm reporting service 110.
• Event notifications from the alarm peripherals are generally provided over a low bandwidth channel, for reception by the second transceiver 206 of the video doorbell, since most of the simpler peripherals (e.g.
• door contacts, motion sensors, shock sensors do not require a high bandwidth channel (e.g. do not require something like Wi-Fi) but do need to be low cost and have very long battery life - so that they will generally each contain only a single transceiver, and that configured for communication with the second transceiver 206.
• alarm peripherals in the form of video cameras benefit from the provision of a large bandwidth channel, such as Wi-Fi, because timely transmission of good quality video images (in colour, with high resolution and an acceptable frame rate) requires quite a high bandwidth, and hence video camera peripherals will almost always include a Wi-Fi transceiver and consequently will almost always be primarily mains powered (but with battery backup).
• Wi-Fi transceiver could be used for the transmission of event notification signals - to be received by the video doorbell using the first transceiver 204, it is preferred (if the budget will allow) to provide video cameras that can report events using a low bandwidth channel (for reception by the second transceiver 206) and that preferably include an additional transceiver to enable this (although of course a single, multifunction transceiver could be used instead).
• video camera peripherals with the capability for both narrowband and broadband communication we make it easier and more convenient to upgrade a system such as that of Figure 4 to the enhanced system of Figure 5, as will be described below, and also become more energy-efficient.
• the capability of the video doorbell to detect presence (for example using a PIR sensor and/or radar, or using the camera) enables the video doorbell itself to function as an alarm peripheral of the system. In this way, when the system is armed, the video doorbell may communicate an alert just as it does when another alarm peripheral is triggered. While this may only be appropriate under certain circumstances (notably circumstances dictated by the likelihood of false alarms caused by “safe” actors), it is a potentially valuable option.
• the processor 200 of the video doorbell 100 in its guise as controller of the security monitoring system is also configured to check the status of the peripherals, including the quality of the communication channel, peripheral battery status, etc.
• the video doorbell with the security monitoring system controller functionality will, in addition to being retrofitted to existing homes, also be installed in new-build homes, preferably along with the smart lock as described with reference to Figure 2, together with at least one alarm peripheral, preferably in the form of a motion sensing video camera, like 406, 406’, and preferably another alarm peripheral in the form of a door contact to sense the state (open or closed) of the back door (or other secondary access door of the premises).
• a system could be installed for relatively little cost, and the lock 106 and its door magnet 270 could, for example be factory installed - or at least the door could be factory prepared for on-site installation of the lock 106 and the door magnet 270.
• the first occupier of the home would then benefit from the enhanced security that comes from a professionally installed alarm, albeit one with a subset of all the possible features of such a system - and in particular lacking a professional monitoring service.
• the design and configuration of the video doorbell, and of the alarm peripherals - including the smart lock 106 are such that once a security monitoring system based on their use, such as that illustrated schematically in Figure 4, has been installed, upgrading the system to include professional monitoring by means of a remote alarm receiving centre (ARC) can be achieved rather easily.
• ARC remote alarm receiving centre
• Such an upgrade may also be attractive to an occupier who has already installed a system such as that shown in Figure 4. We will now consider such an upgrade with reference to Figure 5.
• Figure 5 corresponds generally to Figure 4, as it is based on the assumption that a system such as that illustrated in Figure 4 has been upgraded to include the benefits of professional monitoring by means of a remote alarm receiving centre 502.
• the security monitoring system 500 differs from the system 400 of Figure 4 in that it includes a stand-alone alarm control unit 504 which is configured to control the security monitoring system 500, rather than relying on the video doorbell to act as controller.
• the video doorbell 506 of the system 500 may be, and preferably is, the video doorbell 100 that controlled the system 400, but with its processor reconfigured (e.g. through suitable reprogramming or system updates) to operate (at least in part) as a peripheral reporting to the alarm control unit 504 rather than continuing to act as the controller of the system 400.
• the present disclosure thus contemplates an initial installation that comprises a video doorbell as previously described, operating as the controller of a security monitoring system that preferably includes a lock, such as the lock previously described with reference to Figures 2 or 3, and at least one other installed alarm peripheral comprising either a door/window contact to detect the status of a door or a window, or a separate motion triggered video camera, the alarm peripheral including a transceiver for communication with the first transceiver of the video doorbell.
• the primary reason for using a low bandwidth transmission channel is to enable the use of transceivers (in the alarm peripherals) having a low power consumption (and in particular lower power consumption than notoriously power-hungry Wi-Fi transceivers) so that the battery powered alarm peripherals can achieve the necessary 3 to 5 year minimum battery life.
• the transceivers 514 and 516 are coupled to an appropriate antenna arrangement (not shown) which typically comprises (multiple) separate antenna elements for the two transceivers 514 and 516.
• One or both of the transceivers 514, 516 may support other transmission bands/protocols, such a BlueTooth (RTM) or BLE, etc..
• At least one transceiver is provided that is configured or is configurable to communicate using 4G or 5G (or using any other suitable PLMN data protocol) for communicating with the ARC 502, for example in the event of loss of power at the premises or the loss of wired connection to the Internet 115 - e.g. as the result of malicious action by a villain.
• 4G or 5G or using any other suitable PLMN data protocol
• the alarm control unit 504 is preferably configured to operate in at least an “armed away” mode, in which the security of the perimeter of the premises is monitored by means of door and window sensors such as door sensor 402, smart lock 106, and window sensors 408, and in which at least one presence sensor monitors the interior of the premises.
• the internal presence sensor may be a passive infra-red sensor which may or may not be associated with a video camera.
• internal presence may be detected using so-called Wi-Fi sensing, with the alarm control unit running a Wi-Fi sensing algorithm and the video doorbell and/or some other static Wi-Fi node (or access point) acting as an illuminator for the Wi-Fi sensing.
• the alarm control unit 504 is preferably also configured to operate in at least one “armed at home” mode, in which internal presence is generally not monitored (or at least alerts received in respect of detected presence are ignored by the alarm control unit 504) but in which security of the perimeter or part of the perimeter is monitored, so that event signals in respect of detected door openings and detected window openings are alerted and possibly also reported as alarm events (optionally after giving time for a user on site to flag the detected event as a false alarm, for example by entering a security code at a user interface, or presenting a dongle, token, or mobile phone, at for example an NFC interface).
• the video doorbell 506 communicates events to, and receives control signals from, the alarm control unit 504 preferably using a low bandwidth channel via the second transceiver 516.
• the wider bandwidth of a Wi-Fi channel, provided by the first transceiver, is preferably used for transmission of images/video from the video doorbell to the control unit 504, the control unit onward transmitting the images/videos to the ARC 502 and optionally to a user device such as 108 via a backend service 110 that sends push notifications to a user’s personal communication device 108 when the doorbell is pressed (or optionally when someone approaches the doorbell 100).
• control unit 504 may use its broadband 114 connection to the Internet 115, the backend service 110 sending push notifications out to a public land mobile network (PLMN) 116 by means of which notifications are delivered to the user’s personal communication device 108.
• PLMN public land mobile network
• the same communication path may be used to stream live video (and sound) from the video doorbell 100 to the user.
• a reverse communication path is also supported to enable the user to speak to a person at the doorbell 100, and also to enable the user to activate (i.e. release) the lock 106 to enable the person at the door to open the door 102.
• the signals to activate (release) the lock are passed to the lock 106 via the control unit 504 that communicates with the lock 106.
• the video camera, processor, and software of the video doorbell are preferably together configured to capture and stream (on demand, or as needed) full HD (e.g. 1080p) video.
• the controller of the system is preferably configured to respond to the entering of a “duress code” at the keypad of the video doorbell by alerting either the ARC 502, in the case that the controller is the control unit 504, or by alerting designated individuals by calls (e.g. SIP calls) or notifications, preferably in each case supplying images or video captured at the time the duress code was entered (and perhaps from 30 seconds or more before the duress code was entered).
• a duress code is a code (e.g. a PIN) which can be used to disarm the security monitoring system, or to gain admittance to the premises, or both, but which is additional to a “normal” access code.
• the controller of the system is preferably configured to enable access to the protected premises (e.g. by unlocking the lock 106 and either disarming the system or at least temporarily ignoring a door open signal in respect of the relevant access door) based on recognising a QR code, e.g. a dynamic QR code, that is presented to the camera of the video doorbell - for example by a visitor (or occupant) displaying a QR code on the display of the phone or other portable device (such as a smart watch).
• a QR code e.g. a dynamic QR code
• any QR code generated by or in association with the system has a limited lifetime of 24 hours or less (shorter lifetimes, e.g. 12 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, may also be used beneficially), to improve system security.
• each dwelling unit In condominiums and other residential developments where multiple dwelling units are accessed via a communal space that is itself secured against unauthorised access by means of a locked communal entrance, it is not uncommon for each dwelling unit to be provided with an intercom terminal that is coupled to a common intercom unit provided on the unprotected side of the communal entrance. Often such intercom systems are video enabled so that an occupant of a residential unit is able to see the face of a visitor at the communal entrance before deciding whether to admit them to the communal area. If it is decided to admit the visitor, the resident operates a control, eg presses a button, on their intercom unit, which is effective to release the lock on the secured communal door so that the visitor can gain access to the protected communal space (e.g. the lobby or foyer).
• a control e. presses a button
• the present disclosure provides a solution to this problem by providing an adapter at a residential unit’s intercom unit for the secured communal entrance, the adapter being coupled both to the intercom unit and to the controller of a video doorbell of the residential unit, or to a controller of a security monitoring system of the residential unit, the controller being arranged both to activate a smart lock on the entrance door of the residential unit and to communicate with a user terminal - such as a smart phone, by means of which a user may remotely activate the lock to grant the visitor access to the residential unit.
• a user terminal - such as a smart phone
• intercom units are typically mains powered there should be a ready supply of power for the intercom adapter, and given that controllers for security monitoring systems are also typically mains powered, the increased energy consumption inherent in using Wi-Fi rather than a low bandwidth protocol (such as a low bandwidth 868MHz channel) should not be a problem.

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• 2022
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