Intelligent multi-access system

A method for operating a multi-access remote system having a monitoring area with one or more monitoring devices connected to a corresponding monitoring computer system, said monitoring computer system configured to receive a plurality of independent connections from one or more end user locations each having a corresponding end user computer system, a communications network, and a controller module accessible by each one of said end user locations , and wherein a sensor is further coupled to said monitoring computer system to detect an obstruction, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a plurality of independent connections between one or more of said end user computer systems and said monitoring computer system via said communications network;
• transmitting one of more control signals from said end user locations to said monitoring area via said controller module in order to control the operation of said monitoring devices;
• triggering an alarm upon activation of said sensor;
• automatically tracking the movement of said obstruction so that said monitoring computer system follows the location of said obstruction;
• and
• notifying a remote individual via a communications device in response to said alarm so as to make available to said remote individual a view of said obstruction causing said alarm trigger.

A method for operating a multi-access remote system via the Internet having a monitoring area with one or more monitoring devices connected to a corresponding monitoring computer system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating an alarm indication via a communication network, upon detecting a triggering event in said monitoring area;
• (b) at least one of said monitoring devices automatically tracking one or more moving objects in response to detection of said triggering event via a sensor device;
• (c) providing access to said monitoring devices via the Internet in response to a request from an end user computer system;
• and
• (d) responding at said monitoring computer system to one or more Internet protocol signals generated via a user interface accessible by said end user computer system so as to control the operation of said monitoring devices, said user interface configured to provide a visual display and comprises a plurality of control icons, said control icons configured to activate one or more of a plurality of functions.

A user interface unit coupled to a controller module for providing visual display to plurality of users of a multi-access remote monitoring system, said monitoring system comprising a monitoring device for tracking and recording images, said user interface comprising:

• a video portion for displaying video output from said monitoring device, wherein said monitoring device automatically tracks a moving object such that signals relating to said moving object remain within said video output;
• a plurality of video camera control icons, said video camera control icons configured to activated one or more of a plurality of video camera functions via said controller module;
• a plurality of display control icons for manipulating appearance of said video portion;
• and
• a plurality of recording control icons for instructing said controller module to perform at least one of a plurality of video recording functions.

A multi-access remote system, comprising:

• a plurality of monitoring areas, each area having at least one monitoring device connected to a monitoring computer system, said monitoring computer system configured to receive a plurality of independent connections from a plurality of end user locations each having a corresponding end user computer system, wherein each of said monitoring devices automatically tracks a moving object detected in a corresponding monitoring area;
• a communications linking means for establishing said independent connections and exchanging data between each one of said end user computer system and said monitoring computer system;
• a controller module accessible by each one of said end user location configured to cause transmission of control signals for remotely controlling the operation of any one of said monitoring devices;
• a sensor device configured to provide a triggering signal to said monitoring computer system when said moving object is detected in one of said monitoring areas, so that a corresponding monitoring device automatically tracks said detected moving objects such that said moving object remains within view of said monitoring computer system;
• and
• a user interface unit coupled to said controller module for providing visual display to each one of said users, said user interface comprising a plurality of control icons, said control icons configured to activate one or more of a plurality of functions via said controller module.

A multi-access remote system, comprising:

• a monitoring area having at least one monitoring device coupled to a communication network, said monitoring device configured to communicate with a plurality of end user locations each having a corresponding end user computer system;
• each of said end user computer systems further comprising a controller module for transmitting via said communications network, control signals for remotely controlling the operation of said monitoring device;
• at least one of said controller modules further comprising a queuing module that schedules multiple requests to access any one of said monitoring devices;
• and
• a user interface unit coupled to said controller module for providing visual display to each one of said users, said user interface comprising a plurality of control icons, said control icons configured to activate one or more of a plurality of functions via said controller module.