Webcam/Home security system
 

We're thinking about improving our home security situation.

I've heard about some kind of system where there are one or more camera in/around the home, and the absent home-owner can check what's happening via the net.

Can anyone give me more information, pointers or tell me their experience with this?

Thanks!

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Very interesting topic, and I could write chapter and verse on it, but won't, as it is about to get verrrrrry messy due to someone with a) foresight b) deep pockets c) patience and d) a patent being infringed.
The founders of Priceline.com are the patent holders on that and they are suing everyone with deep pockets for infringing; including ADT, Iveda Solutions, Tessco Technologies, Arrow Security, Commercial Protective Services, and Westec Intelligent Surveillance etc.

The actual patents make very interesting reading. Claim No.1 on the earliest patent is where foresight was shown.
In case you don't know, the only truly important bit of any patent is "Claim 1." and if you don't infringe that, don't worry too much.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Simple solution is a do it yourself approach...

Can get quite a range of cameras that are motion sensitive, so batteries last a while, or you could tack them to the mains.

Wireless, so they can stream the data via a web interface and if you wanted, to record the data, though if it's for home security, should have it saved off site as someone robbing your house, knicking your computer, won't do you much good.

Can use something like Amazon cloud storage for decent rates and storage.

https://www.dropcam.com/ I think that's the most popular/simplest all in one home solution though.

But there are loads of others and if you have your own cameras, there are plenty of services that'll do the hosting/streaming for you such as - http://www.gotocamera.com/ if you didn't want to do it all yourself.

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Both systems infringe on the patent listed in my earlier post.

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Which makes no difference really, because unless you are a large company like ADT, there isn't the money in suing.

The end user doesn't care and there are so many web tutorials on how to rig your own set up. Software also can't be patented, just the process and application of the technology and you can do the same thing many different ways.

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Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

This is a wifi enabled robotic webcam that you can run around your house.

Problems include the fact you have to keep an Internet connection active at the home while away along with electrical power. The other big issue is that your chances of actually catching someone in the act of a crime are pretty slim. Far better to have a good alarm system with a response capacity.

In my place in Hong Kong I have a computer hooked up with Facetime (Mac program) that I configured to "automatically answer" my phone calls. That way I can check on the kids and see who is home via my iPhone or iPad while running around the city. If I was seriously considering this option for an unoccupied property, I'd have to also buy a telephone enabled power cord, such that I could remotely restart not only the computer should the system crash (as computers occasionally do) but also reset the router and modem should they go down.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

My company uses a modified version of a home security system at their offices. It's quite cool, though :)

Here's the manufacturers website...
http://www.elkproducts.com/

You'd need to bolt on an IP camera system (you've already had some good links for that though!)

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

I have had this camera (or its predecessor) in my CA place for a few years. I can simply pull up a browser from 'anywhere' and view the inside of my home (password protected).

http://www.myhomeserver.com/?page_id=79

(Linksys Wireless G WVC210).

All it needs is a power socket to plug into, and a wireless network. No PC / home computer needed. So you do have to pay for monthly internet service. Theoretically, since I don't pay for a static IP, my home IP address could change 'at any moment' ... but it hasn't changed in a few years :) . And if you are concerned about that there are free services that will get around it.

I can pan, tilt and zoom the camera. I can set it up to detect motion and email me (never tried). I can view the image on my iPhone.

Not sure it's much use for security, though ... but reassuring to know my place is still standing ...

ETA: you do have to do a bit of 'port forwarding' in your broadband router, but nothing you can't figure out.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

"Cease and Desist" orders are quite cheap.
I must declare that "I have a horse in this race" so can't really comment any more, which is a shame.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

My husband set up a system like this around our house. We have a camera at the front of the house that covers the front door and garage/driveway areas and one at the side which covers the length of the house. We're built on a hill, so there's no way anyone is coming into the yard from the back (we're about 30' higher than the people behind us). He did have cameras in the house, but I didn't like the idea of it, so they're switched off when we're home.

To check on what's going on remotely we can just log onto the website for our DVR and with the right password check on the house. Everything is recorded, so I can look back at stuff that happened days or weeks ago if we want. Or watch live! My kids can't lie about "the bus never came" for school anymore 'cause I can see it on the camera. :lol:

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We were given and ADT system a couple of months ago, no cameras but you can get them as extras. It's already paid for itself though as I was off work sick when the smoke alarm went off and woke me up, turns out the wife set fire to a frying pan as she never switched it off when she walked off. When we go to the kitchen and saw the fire I told her to get the kids and get out the house whilst I went to wet a tea towel, instead she threw the pan in the sink and turned the water on and the whole wall went up. Luckily the blind it set fire to just melted and dropped so I was able to cover the pan and the fire went out but if the alarm hadn't woken me up the whole house would probably be gone.

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ADT are part of the law suit.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Yes, but enforcing one isn't.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Even if you have Priceline.com's money and parade of lawyers?
Have you read the detail of the case? The Patent holder has done everything they should, prior to serving papers. Public companies have to follow rules that you and I need not, as we don't have Joe Public Investor to explain to. ADT et-al do. Yes, I am on the side of Priceline, mainly because I have been copied and ripped off, almost from the day I got off the plane and set up business here. It's never a small company either, always big conglomerates who know that the little guy can't fight back in the US the way that one can in the UK.
The US legal system is on a par, in my experience, with it's over rated, crap medical system.
Why do I stay here? Because I have a lot invested here, in time, effort and new product design. In the UK I have available, only 55 customers. Here I have 23,000. On paper it's larger than the 23K, but the others have no money.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Well, we may like to read the details, but as I'm unable, on a quick Google search, to find details, I can't. I have found a few websites commenting on the apparent shotgun approach, aiming at over 100 companies :confused:

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Like I said, for a smaller company, it isn't worth the effort. They go after ADT and the other big guns because it shows they aren't abandoning trademark and patents and there's money in it. Going after a small web company with not much money gets nothing.

Once they've won and got a large settlement, it'll pay for itself going after everyone else, but there's no money in it till they've one a large settlement.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Aye, trademark trolling is getting harder and harder to win these days, except in Texas. To win, you've got to show application of the technology, not just an airy fairy idea.

Most companies often settle and then license because it's quicker and cheaper than fighting, but that only works if you're targeting one at a time. Going shotgun on a bunch at once, there's nothing to be gained by settling, they might as well fight it.

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Apart from closing them down and stopping even small sales. Been there done that $50K lighter. :frown:

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This isn't about trademarks, it's about using someone else's foresight by realising that the Internet could be used to transmit digitised video from remote cameras back to a server and onto your computer or monitor.
I don't agree, regarding 'going shotgun' it's the best thing they could do.
Like I said, I have a horse in this race, so can't explain why I am on the other side of the fence to ADT.

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You must really love her ... :)

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They'll lose with the shot gun approach.

The whole patent trolling works by holding someone up that is making money and getting them to settle and license your patent and not going to court. Going shotgun means they won't settle as there isn't any advantage for them to do that because all the other companies will have the same strategy and resources to pool, and take this to court.

There's no money in a flakey, wafty patent that covers a very wide variety of use without very specific use and technology behind it. An idea alone isn't enough.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

But if I walk into a store today and buy a camera (like the one I have and referred to above), there is nothing anyone can practically do to stop me using it - so for 'people like us' (end users) it's not an issue.

My camera acts as a webserver; I open a port on my firewall to pass the information; I connect to it from any browser anywhere - nothing anyone can do to stop that short of packet-filtering the entire internet ...

info about the lawsuit:
http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Dea...t-infringement

info about the patent:
http://tools.patentcalls.com/patent/07817182
more info...
http://tools.patentcalls.com/search/index

Having read some of the verbiage on the above sites, it seems to me the claim is against companies operating as service companies and charging a fee for delivering information (images, alerts, etc) to end users. This does not seem to apply to anyone simply installing their own device and monitoring their own device. Further - the wording sounds incredibly vague - I don't think you can patent a 'concept' and this seems to be just that - an idea for 'how a system could work' - more like a business plan than a technically innovative design.

Regardless - anyone who wants to buy a camera for remote monitoring should ignore all this and get on with it!

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

I agree with you last comment, as long as you monitor it yourself.
You can patent a 'concept' as long as you can describe how that concept would work. You don't have to show a working model, just drawings if applicable.
Every day, the USPO delivers a sack load of patent applications to the US Patent Office. Some filed by specialist firms, who employ recently retired "Patent Examiners" to craft applications for clients. These people are pretty good at covering their inventors idea. Some even know what the inventor is trying to cover, and add claims accordingly. Some people, like me, don't, as what they want covered is out of the main stream, and just talking to one of these patent attorneys costs by the minute. And sadly, often either don't listen, or understand. The patents in question were cleverly thought out, and breaking 'Claim One' will be very difficult.
But getting back to the sack of mail; The number of 'readers' at the Patent Office is not that high, and about 15 minutes is the average 'first read' time of any application. This glut of applications produced the requirement to have an "Abstract" of what it covers in general terms, so that the 'first read' can direct the application into the correct specialised 'second read' section.
Bottom line to all of this is, not many patent applications succeeds without it being tossed out at least once. If it floats through, then you didn't ask for enough.
I file provisional patent applications on a monthly basis. Some here and some in the UK. Here, and the Philippines, are different to the rest of the world regarding patents, as they are "First to Invent" whereas the rest of the world are "First to File" Plus, if you discuss your invention with anybody other than your patent attorney, before filing, they can claim as co-inventors. Here? You can talk to anyone about it, as long as you file within one year of 'inventing' the, whatever it is.
"Improvement" patents are fun. Because you start by saying things along the lines of; "What we learn from..." But always first read their Claim One.
Years ago, I read a patent, and thought "Why did he do it that way?"
So I re-patented it and only changed one word in Claim One. 'Before' became 'After' so be careful of what you feel all variations of the language could do. I sold 'my' patent to the original holder for £25.00 and my filing costs.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Thank you for providing such compelling examples of some of the many ways in which the US patent system is hopelessly broken ... :frown:

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So, just to sum up.
It is fairly cheap and easy to put up a camera outside a building using a broadband connection inside the house which can be remotely accessed anywhere in the world.
Notwithstanding all that legal guff.

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Yes.

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You don't want to know how bad the Trade Mark office is then :lol: but for shits and giggles, Tim Langel, google his "Edge" shenanigans...all went to pot when game devs had enough and took him apart and then EA finished him off...but he's back at it a year later :D

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

langdell is a twonk on the edge, Stripping him of his Trademark was a good thing.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

Thanks.

Re: Webcam/Home security system
 

On the subject of putting a camera outside, I wired the front of my house to provide power at a strategic location, then gave up because the camera itself was too easily accessible from the outside and could be stolen :) ! Needs to be relatively weather safe, out of direct sunlight all day, itself not easily stolen, and within reach of power (or ethernet - PoE) ... at my house, matching all those factors became a chore.