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GB2419783A - Security apparatus - Google Patents

Security apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2419783A
GB2419783A GB0523020A GB0523020A GB2419783A GB 2419783 A GB2419783 A GB 2419783A GB 0523020 A GB0523020 A GB 0523020A GB 0523020 A GB0523020 A GB 0523020A GB 2419783 A GB2419783 A GB 2419783A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
security apparatus
recording means
data
remote location
relay device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0523020A
Other versions
GB0523020D0 (en
Inventor
Fraser William Tart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0523020A priority Critical patent/GB2419783A/en
Publication of GB0523020D0 publication Critical patent/GB0523020D0/en
Publication of GB2419783A publication Critical patent/GB2419783A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/04Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01Protocols
    • H04L67/04Protocols specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01Protocols
    • H04L67/06Protocols specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/72418User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting emergency services
    • H04M1/72424User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting emergency services with manual activation of emergency-service functions
    • H04Q7/32
    • H04Q7/3294
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04MTELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2242/00Special services or facilities
    • H04M2242/04Special services or facilities for emergency applications
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/18Selecting a network or a communication service
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00Connection management
    • H04W76/10Connection setup

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A pocketable security apparatus (12) including a recording means (18) and an activation means (20), the security apparatus (12) being operable to capture data with the recording means (18) and to transmit the data to a remote location (16) on activation of the activation means (20) by a single operation. Such an apparatus only requires the user to hold the recording means operably near to the object to be recorded and to activate the activation means with a single action. The apparatus is particularly useful in situations where the user is in immediate threat of physical harm or injury being caused to them. The apparatus (12) reduces the problems encountered due to the lengthy setup and choosing the correct formats and protocols for sending the data.

Description

SECURITY APPARATUS
The present invention relates to a security apparatus and in particular to a personal security apparatus.
It is known to provide a mobile telephone which incorporates a digital camera. Such a telephone is capable of taking digital images for viewing on a display screen of the telephone. Typically the user selects the camera function of the telephone via several different menus by repeated operation of a keypad of the telephone. Once an image has been captured the user can send the image to another mobile telephone. To achieve this the user is required to look at the display screen and repeatedly operate the keypad via use of several different scrollable menus to select the correct file format and the desired telephone number.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pocketable security apparatus including a recording means and an activation means, the security apparatus being operable to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to a remote location, the apparatus being arranged to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to the remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus.
I have realized that what is required is a more user-friendly way of rapidly capturing and sending data when the user is in a high-stress situation. Whilst existing mobile telephones with built in camera may offer some degree of personal security by providing the ability for the user to dial for assistance in the case of an emergency, the known telephones may be difficult to use in an emergency situation in view of the requirement for multiple keys to be pressed. The prior art telephones may also provide some degree of personal security by permitting images to be captured and subsequently transmitted but the current manner in which this is achieved takes time and requires the user to look at the display screen of the telephone and to repeatedly operate the keypad. The time required in the prior art to ensure that the image is sent to the correct destination may be undesirable in certain high-stress situations (e.g. when being mugged or threatened).
By contrast, security apparatus in accordance with the present invention only requires the user to hold the recording means at an operable distance to the object to be recorded and to operate the activation means with a single action. The data is then automatically transmitted, without further human action, to the remote location as a result of the single action and as a result this process is difficult to interrupt or prevent.
By pocketable is meant an apparatus that is adapted to fit into, for example, a user's front trouser pocket or handbag, being a suitable size and weight to do so. Such a size might be up to 20cm long, by up to 5 or 7cm wide, by up to 3 or 4cm deep. Such a weight might be up to 0.5 or 0. 75Kg. A pocketable device may have a longest dimension of the order of, or no larger than, 20cm, 15cm, 10cm, or less. A pocketable device may have a weight of the order of, or no heavier than, 1kg, 500g, 400g, 300g, 200g, lOOg, 50g, or less. One embodiment of a pocketable device may weight abut 200 to 400g, and have a longest dimension of about 10cm.
The apparatus is particularly useful in Situations where the user is in immediate threat of physical harm or injury being caused to them. A person who feels threatened can photograph the threat (e.g. a possible assailant) and send the photograph to a remote site for future use. This can dissuade a potential assailant from actually attacking since they know, or can be informed by the user in the situation, that they are likely to be caught because their picture will be available to the police. The apparatus is an effective tool in both the prevention of criminal or undesirable acts and the subsequent identification and prosecution of criminals. Such crime prevention or personal security attributes of the invention are greatly facilitated by the ease of operation of the device with the single action. This may be particularly useful in a dangerous, life threatening or other pressurized situation. In this way the problems encountered due to the lengthy setup and in choosing the correct file formats and protocols and in making a communication connection for sending the data are avoided.
Transmitting the captured data to a remote location avoids the possibility of the attacker simply stealing the device, with their picture on it, for example, or destroying the device. The captured data is removed from the scene of the attack quickly and without the user doing more than activating the activation means.
In another embodiment the security apparatus further includes a relay device for receiving the data from the recording means and for transmitting it to the remote location. This is useful, for example, when the data rate for receiving data at the remote location is not fast enough for the purpose and the data rate for sending the captured data from the recording means to the relay device can be significantly faster than that which the remote location can handle. In this way, the role of the recording means is completed quickly, and the recording means itself can cease to be essential to the successful transmission of the captured data to the remote location.
The relay device has the advantage of avoiding problems or delays which might be encountered in setting up the communication between the recording means and a communications network, for example. It is not so critical if there is a delay for communicating from the relay device to the network.
Preferably the communication between the recording means and the relay device is via a wireless means such as the BLUETOOTHTM protocol or an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol. Alternatively the communication between the recording means and the relay device is via a wire. Preferably the communication between the recording means and the relay device is via a short-range wireless means, such as the BLUETOOTHTM protocol, and communication between the relay device and the remote location is via a longer-range wireless means, such as an 802.llx protocol.
Preferably the relay device is tamper proof. Such a tamper proof property would inhibit the failure to transmit the data should a person try to damage the relay device either with or without tools. This might in some embodiments inhibit failure to transmit for up to 3 seconds but may inhibit failure to transmit for up to 10 seconds, or longer.
The activation means may be provided on the relay device so that the recording means is remotely operable. Alternatively the activation means is provided on the recording means. Another option is to have activation means on both the recording means and on the relay device, with operation of either activation means being effective to take a picture and send it off-device. Another option is to have the activation means provided on an element of a system that is not on the physical component that has the recording means such that it is away from the recording means.
In one embodiment at least one of the recording means and the relay device is provided as a mobile telephone. Preferably the recording means and the activation means are provided by a mobile telephone. Such arrangements allow for a compact size and ease of operation of the invention. Moreover, mobile telephones are very common and people are used to carrying them, switched on, wherever they go.
The activation means may include a button of the security apparatus and the single operation of the button is a one-touch operation of the button.
The activation means may include a microphone of/on the security apparatus and the single operation is a sound. Voice-activated devices are envisaged (i.e. the user could simply tell the device to photograph, or sound record, or it could react to loud noises over a certain threshold of loudness, for example).
The recording means may be a camera for recording an image or a microphone for recording a sound, or it may have both a camera and a microphone. In the case of the recording means being a camera the security apparatus may be adapted to capture a plurality of images, such as in the form of a video image. Sound may or may not also be recorded with the video. The security apparatus may also be adapted to transmit the plurality of images. The security apparatus may also be adapted to transmit a live stream of data.
Preferably the activation means is operable to be disabled, and subsequently enabled again, to inhibit accidental activation. This may be a particularly useful feature when the security apparatus is stored in a pocket or handbag.
Preferably the remote location is a secure location for storing of the data, and preferably the data is stored in an anti-tamper format. Such a format may be provided by a watermark or VERISIGNTM seal to provide evidence that the data has not been tampered with.
The security apparatus may be adapted to provide geographical position data of the security apparatus. Such geographical position data being stored at the remote location. This may be conveniently achieved by providing a position sensor, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) in the security apparatus and transmitting the information to the remote location. Such a function may be useful in the case of an assault by providing a means for raising an alarm and for locating the user by a law enforcement agency. The global positioning system may further inhibit theft of the apparatus.
Preferably the security apparatus is operable by the user to pre-select a desired remote location. This may be a convenient way for the user to set the remote location to, for example, a home computer.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a communications network including the security apparatus.
Preferably the network includes the remote location, and the data is transmitted to the remote location via the communications network such as a telecommunications network or datacommunications network.
Preferably the remote location is a data memory, such as a memory of a computer, server, or a mobile telephone.
The invention also provides a method of improving the security of a person comprising the person carrying a pocketable security apparatus having a recording means and an activation means, and capturing data with the recording means and transmitting the data to a remote location by means of a single operation of the activation means.
Preferably the method further includes the step of enabling the security apparatus to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to a remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus by transmitting software to the apparatus. The method preferably includes installing the transmitted software on a computer processor of the apparatus.
According to another aspect the invention comprises software, or a computer program product, which when run on a computer processor of a security device having recording means adapted to capture an image or sound of a scene, a transmitter adapted to transmit the captured image or sound off-device to a remote location, and an activation control adapted to control the operation of the recording means and the transmitter, is adapted to cause a user-implemented operation of the control means to cause the recording means to capture the image or sound and to transmit the captured image or sound off-device via the transmitter automatically, without further user input being required.
The method may further include the steps of transmitting the data from the recording means to the relay device and transmitting the data from the relay device to the remote location.
Preferably the method further includes the step of providing a wireless communication means between the recording means and the relay device, such as the BLUETOOTHTM protocol or an 802. lix wireless local area network protocol. Alternatively the communication between the recording means and the relay device is via a wire. Preferably the method includes the step of providing communication between the recording means and the relay device via a short-range wireless means, such as the BLUETOOTHTNI protocol, and communication between the relay device and the remote location via a longer-range wireless means, such as an 802.llx protocol.
When the security apparatus has a button as the activation means, the method includes touching, pressing, or otherwise activating the button with a single touch, the single touch comprising the single operation.
Alternatively when the security apparatus has a microphone as the activation means, the method includes the step of making a command sound as the single operation.
Preferably the method includes the step of encrypting the image or sound in an anti-tamper format.
Preferably the method further includes the step of providing geographical position data of the security apparatus.
The invention further provides a method of manufacturing a pocketable security apparatus comprising the steps of providing the apparatus with a recording means, providing the apparatus with an activation means, and configuring the security apparatus to be able to capture data with the recording means and to be able to transmit the data to a remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus.
The method may further including the steps of providing a relay device for receiving the data from the recording means, and configuring the relay device to receive data from the recording means and to transmit the data to the remote location.
Preferably the method further includes the step of providing a wireless communication means between the recording means and the relay device, such the BLUETOOTHTM protocol or an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol. Alternatively the communication between the recording means and the relay device may be provided via a wire. Preferably the method includes the step of providing communication between the recording means and the relay device via a short-range wireless means, such as the BLUETOOTHTM protocol, and communication between the relay device and the remote location via a longer-range wireless means, such as an 802.llx protocol.
The method preferably includes the step of providing the activation means as a button and adapting the button for use with one touch as the single operation. Alternatively the method including the steps of providing the activation means as a microphone and adapting the device for use with a sound as the single operation.
Preferably the method includes the step of encrypting the data in an antitamper format.
Preferably the method further includes the steps of transmitting geographical position data of the security apparatus to the remote location.
Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawing, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a security apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a security apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a further diagrammatic representation of the security apparatus of Figure 2.
In Figure 1 there is shown a diagrammatic representation of a security apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 10. The apparatus 10 includes a mobile telephone 12 in communication with a communications network 14. The communications network 14 has a storage area 16, for example a memory of a computer (not shown), which is at a remote location from the telephone 12. The telephone 12 has a digital camera, an aperture 18 of which is on the back of the telephone 12.
The telephone 12 is pre-programmed to operate such that on pressing a button 20 of the telephone only once, the telephone 12 captures an image, for example of a person 22, and transmits the image to the storage area 16 of the communications network 14. This is achieved by pre- programming the telephone 12 with the required communications protocols and format required for the transmission of an image to the storage area. The skilled person will know the requirements for such pre- programming. The button 20 can be thought of as a "snap-and-send" button which causes the device to snap a picture and immediately send it off- device. Operation of the apparatus 10 in this manner is intended to minimize the interaction required between the user and the telephone 12 when an image is required to be captured to ensure that the telephone 12 transmits the image swiftly to the storage area 16. In this way the likelihood of receipt of the image at the storage area 16 is maximized in circumstances where the user may not be able to spend time manipulating lots of buttons to send the captured image. Such a situation may occur in the case of a person who is about to mug the user. Such a situation may also occur in the case of a road rage incident.
It will be appreciated that the "snap-and-send" button could be configured to be any button of the telephone 12. The "snap-and-send" functionality could activated via a scroll down menu of the telephone 12, or it may be a specific button 20 of the telephone 12 which is dedicated for performing the task. For example the same button if pressed once may activate the "snap-and-send" function, and if pressed a second time will take a photograph and send it off device. In this scenario the button is programmed to also send the image to the storage area 16. If the button is any button of the telephone 12 the user may be able to enable the telephone 12 to operate as described to prevent accidental operation of the one-touch capture and send function. In some embodiments, once put into "snap-and-send" mode pressing any button, or any button except a "disable function" button, may cause the camera to capture an image and send it off-device.
In Figure 2 there is shown another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, generally designated 30. Like features to the embodiment of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In this arrangement the apparatus 30 includes a camera apparatus 32 in communication with a relay device 34. The relay device 34 is in turn in communication with the communications network 14 which includes the storage area 16.
In the embodiment of Figure 2 the camera apparatus 32 is provided with the button 20 and, in use, the camera apparatus is pre-programmed to capture an image of the person 22, and to transmit it to the relay device 34 by pressing the button 20 once only. The relay device 34 then takes over the process of communicating with the storage area 16 of the communications network 14 to transmit the image to the storage area 16 of the communications network 14. In this way the relay device 34 automatically transmits any images that it receives from the camera apparatus 32. This arrangement avoids problems or delays which might be encountered in communication between the relay device 34 and the communications network 14. Using such a relay device might be a faster way of sending the image from the camera apparatus 32 to the storage area 16 and provides less chance for the person 22 to intercept it. In the arrangement the relay device 34 is provided with a memory to store the image prior to transmitting it to the storage area 16.
It will be appreciated that communication between the camera apparatus 32 and the relay device 34 can be via a hard wire or via a wireless means, such as the BLUETOOTHTM radio frequency protocol. Alternatively any highspeed wireless link can be used to send the image from the camera apparatus 32 to the relay device 34. Using a hard wire may provide a cheap way of sending the image quickly to the relay device 34.
The relay device 34 is intended to be relatively small so that it can be concealed about the user, such as in a pocket or a handbag. In this way the person 22 may not be aware of the existence of the relay device 34 and should the camera apparatus 32 be smashed by an assailant 22, the assailant 22 may not think to look in a pocket of the user for the relay device 34. The relay device also permits covert images to be taken. For example, the camera apparatus 32 could be provided in a pair of glasses or a jacket button of the user with the relay means 34 having a button 20 in the user's pocket. This embodiment would permit the user to capture images surreptitiously, without the knowledge of the person 22.
A further embodiment is to provide a digital camera as the camera apparatus 32. The digital camera could have a hard wire connection or a wireless connection to a mobile telephone or to a basic (dedicated) transmitter as the relay device 34. Such a basic transmitter is concealable about the user and may be configured only for transmitting and not sending so that it is a relatively inexpensive item and may not be required to be provided with a telephone number. Such a basic transmitter could be operated on a reduced, or not, line rental basis and thereby providing a convenient and inexpensive way of operating the invention. It may send images to only one predetermined address or a finite number of predetermined telecoms addresses, and not have the functionality of a telephone or general purpose telecommunications device. The predetermined address, or addresses, may be programmed into the basic device, for example when it is originally acquired by the user/customer.
The relay device 34 is also intended to be relatively indestructible and tamper proof so that should the person 22 whose image has been captured cannot damage it before the image has been transmitted. I deally the image will be transmitted as quickly as possible from the relay device 34 to the storage area 16 but a delay could be encountered in setting up the call from the relay device 34 to the storage area 16.
The image capture device has a first data rate of telecommunication to the relay device, and the relay device a second data rate of telecommunication to the remote location. The first data rate is usually significantly more than the second data rate.
It is envisaged that the button 20 could be provided on the relay device 34 so that the camera apparatus 32 is remotely operable and for activation of the one-touch capture and transmit operation. Furthermore the camera apparatus 32 or the relay device 34 of Figure 2 could be a conventional mobile telephone 12 which are pre-programmed to operate in the described manner.
Figure 3 is a further diagrammatic representation of the security apparatus of Figure 2. In Figure 3 like features to the embodiment of Figure 2 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 3 the camera apparatus 32 includes a digital camera 40 and a camera transmitter 42.
The camera transmitter 42 of the camera apparatus 32 is in communication with a relay receiver 44 of the relay device 34. The relay device 34 also has a memory 46 to store a received image, and a relay transmitter 48 to send the image to a remote receiver 50 of the remote storage area 16.
In the embodiment of Figure 3 the relay device 34 is provided with the button 20 and the camera apparatus 32 is pre-programmed to capture an image of the person 22, and to transmit it to the relay receiver 44 of the relay device 34 by pressing the button 20 once only. The relay device 34 then takes over the process of communicating with the communications network 14 to transmit the image to the remote receiver 50 of the storage area 16. In this way the relay device 34 automatically transmits any images that it receives from the camera apparatus 32.
The apparatus 10, 30 of Figures 1 and 2 can be operated by a user to capture an image of the person 22, such as a person who has committed or is about to commit a criminal act, with the knowledge that the image cannot be interfered with. This applies even if the telephone 12 or the camera apparatus 32 or the relay device 34 is subsequently stolen or destroyed by the person 22. The pre-programming of the telephone 12 eliminates the need for the user to set up the communication between the telephone 12 or relay device 34 and the communications network 14, and the subsequent transmitting of the image which could save several vital seconds. The apparatus 10, 30 may act as a deterrent to the person 22 if they have been made aware that their image has been taken and may help to prevent a criminal act actually taking place. Furthermore the apparatus 10, 30 may assist with the arrest or prosecution of the person 22 if a crime has been committed.
It will be appreciated that the apparatus 10, 30 of Figures 1 and 2 can be arranged to simultaneously operate a flash if there is a low light level, or to permit the camera apparatus to enter a night vision mode on activation of the button 20. The skilled person will know the requirements to permit such functionality.
The storage area 16 of Figures 1 and 2 is a secure storage area which stores the image in a format which cannot be tampered with. Such a format can be provided by a watermark or VERISIGNTM seal so that it is possible to know that the image has not been tampered with. This is to ensure that the image has not been altered so that it is admissible as evidence in court proceedings. This format may also include a time stamp which may provide further useful information of when a criminal act took place. It is also envisaged that the storage area 16 is/may be under the control of a law enforcement agency or crime prevention unit. The image can be encrypted and compressed before or after being transmitted to achieve the anti-tamper format.
Whilst use of the apparatus 10, 30 has been described to capture an image, the apparatus 10, 30 could also be used to capture and transmit a sound recording. This could be achieved by utilizing the microphone of the telephone 12. The microphone could also be used to activate the capture and transmit function in place of the button 20. In addition, the apparatus 10, 30 could be adapted to send a predetermined text message on operation of the button. The message could request emergency assistance to be sent to the user. Also, it will be appreciated that the image, sound, or text message could be sent to a plurality of storage areas 16. Such a plurality of predetermined locations could further assist in notifying many authorities or security services to provide help to the user. The skilled person will know the requirements for achieving this functionality.
It is also envisaged that storage area 16 could store geographical position data for the telephone 12, camera apparatus 32 or relay device 34. This could be conveniently achieved by including a Global Positioning System (GPS) in the mobile telephone 12 or the camera apparatus 32 or the relay device 34. Alternatively the geographical position information can be obtained by referring to a base station controller (not shown). In this way either the telephone 12, camera apparatus 32 or relay device 34 can send this information to the storage area 16 or the information can be sent from the base station controller to the storage area 16 directly. Such geographical position data may provide valuable information for use in location of the user of the apparatus 10, 30, or for use in court at a later date.
Whilst preferred embodiments of the invention have been described it will be appreciated that the mobile telephone described above could be a portable cellular phone. Whilst activation of the security apparatus has been described using touch or by voice it will be appreciated that other ways of activating the apparatus could be used. It will be appreciated that whilst a single action to capture and send has been described there may well be several other processing actions which underlie this single action to achieve the capture and send function. It will also be appreciated that even with third generation cell phones there may well bea finite latency in the telephone system in setting up the end-to-end transmission of data.
The apparatus could be embodied in a hand held device that has the sole function of taking and transmitting images in the manner described without any ability to make telephone calls in the usual manner.
Communication with the remote location could be conveniently unidirectional or bidirectional.

Claims (45)

1. A pocketable security apparatus including a recording means and an activation means, the security apparatus being operable to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to a remote location, the apparatus being arranged to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to the remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus.
2. A security apparatus according to claim 1 and further including a relay device for receiving the data from the recording means and for transmitting it to the remote location.
3. A security apparatus according to claim 2 wherein communication between the recording means and the relay device is via a wireless means.
4. A security apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the relay device is adapted to communicate with the recording means using one of the BLUETOOTHTM protocol and an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
5. A security apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the activation means is provided on the relay device so that the recording means is remotely operable.
6. A security apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein one of the recording means and the relay device is provided as a mobile telephone.
7. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the security apparatus is adapted to communicate with the remote location using an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
8. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the security device is tamper proof.
9. A security apparatus according to any of any preceding claims wherein the activation means includes a button of the security apparatus and the single operation is a one-touch operation of the button.
10. A security apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the activation means includes a microphone of the security apparatus and the single operation is a sound.
11. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the recording means is one or more: of a camera for recording an image, and a microphone for recording a sound.
12. A security apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the apparatus is adapted to capture a video image.
13. A security apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus is adapted to transmit the video image.
14. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the recording means and the activation means are provided by a mobile telephone.
15. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the activation means is operable to be disabled, and subsequently enabled, to inhibit accidental activation.
16. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the remote location is a secure location for storing the data in an antitamper format.
17. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim adapted to enable geographical position data of the security apparatus to be determined.
18. A security apparatus according to claim 17 adapted to operate with, or comprising, a Global Positioning System (GPS).
19. A security apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is operable by the user to pre-select a desired remote location.
20. A security apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A communications network including the security apparatus of any preceding claim.
22. A communications network according to claim 21 wherein the network includes the remote location, and the data is transmitted to the remote location via the communications network.
23. A communications network according to claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the remote location is a data memory.
24. A method of improving the security of a person comprising: the person carrying a pocketable security apparatus having a recording means and an activation means; and capturing data with the recording means and transmitting the data to a remote location by means of a single operation of the activation means.
25. A method according to claim 24 and further includes the step of: enabling the security apparatus to capture data with the recording means and to transmit the data to a remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus by transmitting software to the pocketable security apparatus.
26. A method according to claim 24 or claim 25 and further including the step of installing the transmitted software on a computer processor of the apparatus.
27. A method according to any of claims 24 to 26 and further including the step of: providing a relay device for receiving the data from the recording means, and transmitting the data to the remote location.
28. A method according to claim 27 and further includes the step of: providing a wireless communication means between the recording means and the relay device.
29. A method according to claim 28 and further including the step of: providing communication between the relay device and the recording means using one of BLUETOOTH'TM and an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
30. A method according to any of claims 24 to 29 and further comprising the steps of: providing communication between the security apparatus and the remote location using an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
31. A method according to any of claims 24 to 30 and further including when the security apparatus has a button as the activation means, the step of touching, pressing, or otherwise activating the button with a single touch, the single touch comprising the single operation.
32. A method according to any of claims 24 to 30 and further including when the security apparatus has a microphone as the activation means, the step of making a command sound as the single operation.
33. A method according to any of claims 24 to 32 and further including the step of encrypting the image or sound in an anti-tamper format.
34. A method according to any of claims 24 to 33 and further including the step of providing geographical position data of the security apparatus.
35. A method of manufacturing a pocketable security apparatus comprising the steps of providing the apparatus with a recording means, providing the apparatus with an activation means, and configuring the security apparatus to be able to capture data with the recording means and to be able to transmit the data to a remote location pursuant to a single operation of the activation means of the apparatus.
36. A method according to claim 35 and further including the steps of: providing a relay device for receiving the data from the recording means; and configuring the relay device to receive data from the recording means and to transmit the data to the remote location.
37. A method according to claim 36 and further including the step of: providing a wireless communication means between the recording means and the relay device; or the step of providing a wired communication between the recording means and the relay device.
38. A method according to claim 37 and further including the step of: providing communication between the relay device and the recording means using one of BLUETOOTHTM and an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
39. A method according to any of claims 36 to 38 and further comprising the steps of: providing communication between the security apparatus and the remote location using an 802.llx wireless local area network protocol.
40. A method according to any of claims 35 to 39 and further comprising the steps of: providing the activation means as a button and adapting the button for use with one touch as the single operation.
41. A method according to any of claims 35 to 39 and further comprising the steps of; providing the activation means as a microphone and adapting the device for use with a sound as the single operation.
42. A method according to any of claims 35 to 41 and further comprising the steps of: encrypting the data in an anti-tamper format.
43. A method according to any of claims 35 to 42 and further comprising the steps of: of transmitting geographical position data of the security apparatus to the remote location.
44. Software, or a computer program product, which when run on a computer processor of a security device having recording means adapted to capture an image or sound of a scene, a transmitter adapted to transmit the captured image or sound off-device to a remote location, and an activation control adapted to control the operation of the recording means and the transmitter, is adapted to cause a user-implemented operation of the control means to cause the recording means to capture the image or sound and to transmit the captured image or sound off-device via the transmitter automatically, without further user input being required.
45. A method substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0523020A 2005-11-11 2005-11-11 Security apparatus Withdrawn GB2419783A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0523020A GB2419783A (en) 2005-11-11 2005-11-11 Security apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0523020A GB2419783A (en) 2005-11-11 2005-11-11 Security apparatus

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GB0523020D0 GB0523020D0 (en) 2005-12-21
GB2419783A true GB2419783A (en) 2006-05-03

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EP1971172A1 (en) 2007-03-13 2008-09-17 Research In Motion Limited Enhanced handling of duress situations
FR2923117A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2009-05-01 Eurocom S Soc Par Actions Simp Wireless network e.g. telephonic network, communication system e.g. telephone, for individual-securing e.g. mobility person, has satellite unit to exchange information with terminal based on protocol and due to location of unit in zone
EP2073499A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-24 Koninklijke KPN N.V. Community photo service on a data network
GB2460535A (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-09 Giovanni Maria Laporta Automatic transmission of camera phone images to a secure server
US9020462B2 (en) 2007-03-13 2015-04-28 Blackberry Limited Enhanced handling of duress situations

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DE202005001892U1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2005-05-25 Zingler, Eckhard Camera phone for taxi drivers has remote controlled camera function including transmission to preset e-mail address
JP2005252652A (en) * 2004-03-04 2005-09-15 Kiyonobu Yoshimura Security centralized control system using cellular phone
EP1584898A1 (en) * 2004-04-08 2005-10-12 Accenture Global Services GmbH Method and system for remotely monitoring meters
WO2006002674A1 (en) * 2004-07-02 2006-01-12 Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH Device and use thereof for capturing and processing an image

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005252652A (en) * 2004-03-04 2005-09-15 Kiyonobu Yoshimura Security centralized control system using cellular phone
EP1584898A1 (en) * 2004-04-08 2005-10-12 Accenture Global Services GmbH Method and system for remotely monitoring meters
WO2006002674A1 (en) * 2004-07-02 2006-01-12 Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH Device and use thereof for capturing and processing an image
DE202005001892U1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2005-05-25 Zingler, Eckhard Camera phone for taxi drivers has remote controlled camera function including transmission to preset e-mail address

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1971172A1 (en) 2007-03-13 2008-09-17 Research In Motion Limited Enhanced handling of duress situations
US9020462B2 (en) 2007-03-13 2015-04-28 Blackberry Limited Enhanced handling of duress situations
FR2923117A1 (en) * 2007-10-26 2009-05-01 Eurocom S Soc Par Actions Simp Wireless network e.g. telephonic network, communication system e.g. telephone, for individual-securing e.g. mobility person, has satellite unit to exchange information with terminal based on protocol and due to location of unit in zone
EP2073499A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-24 Koninklijke KPN N.V. Community photo service on a data network
GB2460535A (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-09 Giovanni Maria Laporta Automatic transmission of camera phone images to a secure server

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