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Paper Abstract: Describes the need for a remote alert system and proposes a system that uses wireless cameras, motion sensors and custom software to call a mobile phone and notify the user of an intruder in the home. Other possible applications of the system. Paper Introduction: Remote Alerting System Executive Summary Burglary is one of the most common crimes committed in the UnitedKingdom but it can be one of the most difficult to prosecute Burglarsare rarely seen by others due to the nature of the crime itself andintercepting burglars during the commission of the crime can be difficult Security devices have been created to help thwart burglars these rangefrom double cylinder locks to highly sophisticated monitored burglar alarmsthat verify the alarm status before police are dispatched but theeffectiveness Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. "Burglar Alarm Systems Offer Homes a Security Blanket." Business First of Buffalo, 11 (1 Jul 1995): 32.Johnson, Paul. Marketing Considerations An all-inclusive package, including the Nokia card phone, one camerawith motion sensor and appropriate software, but not including a laptop,could be made available. Technical Description of the Proposed System Figure 1 illustrates the alarm system as a high-level CLASS diagram: Figure 1. "The Versatile Visual Basic." Poptronics, 3 (Jul 2 2): 16-18."Verifications for Burglar Alarms" New York Times (24 Jul 2 3): A15."What Is GSM?" Retrieved from the Internet 9 January 2 4: http://www.hackfaq.org/mobile_telephony-12.shtml."WVC11B Wireless-B Internet Video Camera." Cisco Systems, Inc., 2 3. Introduced in four convenience stores in Manchester in 2 2, thistype of system was designed to prevent loss at the convenience store byforcing the burglar to leave without being able to procure items ("Come on"4). In thisway, the user has access to a highly sophisticated security device that maywell reduce the cost of residential insurance but that does not requireextensive financial outlays. Press releases should be prepared so that thepublic is made aware of the considerable advantages of this system. Web Access . 124channels are provided, with 8 users per channel. Because burglaries typically occur when residents are not at home,detecting and effectively thwarting burglaries can be difficult. In addition, this type of monitoring does not provide any evidenceto police that can be used to apprehend the intruder other than that whichwould otherwise be gathered at the scene. If the user receives the text message at work, for example, heor she could log onto the Web site from the office. In addition to the cost of theequipment, which is significant, these systems also have a significant costfactor involved in the human monitoring. However, this type of remote alert has several disadvantages. Once the cameras and motion sensors have been mounted, the user needsto install the card phone. In addition, the installation process also includes anopportunity for the user to enter the phone number of the mobile phone tobe notified. Again, the brand of mobile phone is not asimportant as its ability to function reliably and within a wide servicearea. The goal is to reduce the propertyloss and make it possible to apprehend burglars regardless of whether theyare able to complete the theft. Remote Alerting System Executive Summary Burglary is one of the most common crimes committed in the UnitedKingdom, but it can be one of the most difficult to prosecute. After the initial installation, the user may choose to let thesystem run unattended and not "arm" or "disarm" it on a regular basis.This sets the system apart from other burglar alarm systems that requirearming and disarming in order to avoid false alarms. has been selected as the phone cardto be used with the system, and this is the only brand requirement that hasbeen made. Robberycombines violence or the threat of violence with theft. Mobile phone capable of receiving text messages Several functions will occur simultaneously during the operation ofthe system. Web access is required in order for the images to be uploaded to theWeb, but nearly any Web provider can be used for this function. Individuals who are victims of burglary intheir homes may lose expensive jewellery or electronic equipment, or theloss may be far more sentimental and of the one-of-a-kind variety.Insurance companies are becoming increasingly concerned with the risingrates of burglary in the United Kingdom, and insurance rates are risingcommensurate with the increase in burglary rates. "Burglary: Practice Messages from the British Crime Survey." Home Office Briefing Note. United Co-op, for example, hasimplemented a system of using white noise to deter burglaries. This means thatADT--or some other company--must locate the user and determine whether thealarm is valid or not. When the user receivesthe text message, he or she can log into the Web site to view the imageusing the user name and password entered during the registration process.Because the text message is sent to the mobile phone, the user maydetermine without logging into the Web site that the intruder is"authorized"--this is likely to occur when the user is still within theresidence, for example. As an example, theLinkSys WVC11B wireless Web cam includes a motion sensor as well as a built-in Web server, and the ability to send an e-mail when motion is detected inthe field of vision ("WVC11B" 1). The system depends on the user receiving the text message in atimely manner. This type ofsystem also summons the police who may be able to apprehend the burglar. This second feature provides another advantage over traditional alarmsystems in that police have an additional investigatory tool that they canuse to apprehend the burglar in the event that they are not able to capturethe burglar during the commission of the crime. It could be used inoutside areas and reduce the need for security guards patrolling areas--which are then vulnerable when the security guard is not in the vicinity.This system could be used to replace expensive closed circuit television byuploading images to a Web site where they could be viewed instead ofrelying on closed circuit television. There has been a marked increase in the number of homes using securitydevices in the United Kingdom. These providers offer GSM on the 19 MHz band.In other countries, GSM operates at 9 MHz, 18 MHz and 19 MHz. . When a new image is detected, the laptopwill use the Nokia phone card plugged into the PCMCIA slot to call apredetermined mobile phone number and send a text message to the user.Following the phone call, the image will be uploaded to the Web. The user will also go to the Web site where the images will bedisplayed and register as a user there. Most laptop users should have littledifficulty completing this process. "Better Not Settle for a Sense of False Security." Birmingham Business Journal, 18 (15 Jun 2 1): 13.Nokia Card Phone Installation Guide. Possible Additional Applications This system has many potential applications. Increasingly,these types of alarms are ignored by passers-by with the result thatburglars may continue to operate unhindered. When viewed on a per-capita basis, 17 burglaries occur each year for every 1, individuals inEngland and Wales, and twenty percent of all victims have been victims ofburglaries more than once. Whena burglar with 51 previous convictions received no jail time for yetanother conviction--even though he typically used a machete in thecommission of his crimes--the public outcry was significant (Johnson 16). GSMis the standard mobile telecommunications system in Europe, and has morethan 75 million users worldwide. Thus, burglary involves trespassing and may or may notinvolve violence. One or more cameras will be installed in the residence so that keyentry points can be monitored. At the same time, aprogram will run in the background of the laptop to scan the designatedupload folder for new images. Cameras that can communicate with the laptop using a wirelessconfiguration are required so that the intruder is not able to simplydisconnect the cameras from the laptop, and also to allow multiple camerasto be installed. Security devices have been shown to be adeterrent against burglary in the first place, and have also been shown tobe effective in capturing burglars in the act. Between 1992 and 1998, the percentage ofhomes that had double locks or deadlocks increased from 61 to 72 percent;during the same period, the number of homes that had security lights morethan doubled, from 22 percent to 48 percent. A wide-angle camera willpermit more than one entry point to be monitored, but reduces the clarityof the image. However, such recordings can be used to help identifyperpetrators of crime and thus provide a level of assistance to capturingcriminals that is not provided by bell or bell-and-monitoring systems suchas those offered by ADT. This will helpprevent burglars from even trying to break into the residence, which is oneof the primary objectives of securing a home. Someusers will be using a mobile phone that also has Web access, so that afterthe text message is received, the user can access the site using the mobilephone itself without requiring a different and additional interface. Since most burglaries occur on the firstfloor through doors in flats and doors or windows in houses, key entrypoints such as entry doors, sliding doors and large windows should beconsidered for monitoring (Budd, 1999, 37). The equipment can be used for other purposes, aswell, and does not require a significant capital investment. During the software installation process, the user will selectthe text message to be displayed when the system calls the mobile phone incase of a problem. For example, any Windows-compatible laptopcan be used, but since this system is designed to operate with little or nointeraction, the selected laptop should be highly dependable and robust.This gives the user the option of using a lower-cost laptop that can bededicated to the security system, but which still meets the dependabilityrequirements. At any time, the user can "arm" or "disarm"the system--the user selects the default mode during the installationprocess--from the laptop computer. Users whoare interested in employing this system will want to take into accounttheir specific environment where the cameras will be installed, as well asmounting considerations, lighting considerations and how many cameras willbe needed. Key components of the system do not require specific brand names, butcertain parameters must be met. However, users may consider the feeacceptable for the peace of mind that is provided. The second test, where the user is outside the home when an intruderis detected, requires the assistance of a second individual. Monitoring has the advantage of providing the assistance of lawenforcement quickly in the event that a break-in occurs. "Britain: A Thieves' Paradise." Forbes Global, 6 (17 Feb 2 3): 16.Lashmar, Paul. Figure 2 illustrates the system flow from a cross-functionalperspective. Ideally, the laptop selected should not be used for othertasks since additional programs could compromise the reliability of thesystem. The monitoring station notifies the residentwho verifies that the alarm is valid, and then the police are dispatched.In some cases, if the burglar is threatening the resident, a false negativemay occur--that is, the resident may say that there is no valid alarmbecause of the threat of physical harm. The number of homes withburglar alarms also increased significantly from 13 percent to 24 percent(Budd, 1999, 37). London alone accounts for more than 314burglaries per day, on average. Chief among these is the value ofthe property that is lost. If the intruder is deemed to beunauthorized, the user then notifies the police with the relevantinformation. If aEuropean user is in the United States and has a GSM phone that can accessthe 19 MHz band, the remote alert system will work--although the Nokiacard phone does not operate on this band, it only needs to send the textmessage. Given these parameters, the following systemis proposed. Without thatparticipation, these are passive systems (Berube 119). Since the resident is immediately notified of anyintruder, the resident can immediately determine whether this is a validalarm or not. Conclusion Protecting property is one of the most important functions that aresident performs, and protection from burglars has long required expensiveor technologically complicated products. "How Much Should You Pay for Home Security?" Money, 27 (Aug 1998): 128-131."Come On Hear the Noise." Grocer, 225 (3 Mar 2 2): 4."Crime Reduction." Thames Valley Police. If, after viewing the image, the user determines that aburglary is in process, he or she simply notifies the police and gives themthe relevant information. Because of their cost and complexity, these typesof systems are typically not used by individual users (Culbertson 45A). Byeliminating the "middleman," the system becomes more efficient. However, police solve only 12 percent--orfewer than 38 of those burglaries (Johnson 16). This is a simple process since the softwareis self-installing using wizards with which most Windows users should befamiliar. The Nokia card phone operates in a Windows environment, and includesall software that the user needs in order to install the card phone in thelaptop. If the person taking the propertybelieves that they have a right to it, then no theft has occurred. The typical monitored alarm combinesboth a ringing bell--to encourage perpetrators to vacate the scene--with amonitoring system that verifies the validity of the alarm. The usercan then view the image on the Web and make the determination of the nextcourse of action to be taken. This allows the incorporationof controls into Visual Basic programs without the programmer having toright these routines from scratch. This increases the complexity of the system and increasesthe potential for problems, but would also ensure that the greatest amountof coverage is provided. Ringing bells and sirens mayfrighten off would-be burglars, but these devices rely on neighbours orothers to contact authorities and may cause delays, as well. Firstof all, there is the delay between the alarm being triggered and theauthorities being summoned. Retrieved from the Internet 9 January 2 4: http://222.thamesvalley.police. Monitoring companies and police may fine residents if an excessive numberof false alarms are triggered within a specified time period("Verifications" A15). These two tests, which take little timeto complete, can provide the user with peace of mind that the system isworking properly. Thus holding up abank with a gun constitutes a robbery, as does beating or threatening tobeat someone on the street for a wallet. Another type of remote alert system combines closed circuit televisionwith a monitoring station. This system could even beadapted to be used as part of a monitored system, so that users who areuncomfortable with having to be "on call" on a continual basis when theyare away from their residence could use a monitor to determine whether tocall the police. Burglar alarms can be for deterrence, or may be designed to assist inapprehending the burglar. This is a simple toggle switch that canbe accessed by right-clicking the program name in the Windows task bar, orby opening the program itself. Cross-Functional Flow Diagram [pic] Because technology is rapidly expanding in this field, the motionsensor may well be obsolete for many configurations. Visual Basic Visual Basic was selected for the coding language because of its easeof use and because Visual Basic works well in a Windows environment.Developed by Microsoft and based on the BASIC programming language, VisualBasic offers developers a robust programming language that has considerablesupport from Microsoft. The usershould receive the text message and be able to view the intruder on the Website if this test works correctly. Even if the text message is received in a timelymanner, the user may not be able to gain access to the Web site todetermine the nature of the alarm. Some judges refuse to sentence first- or even second-timeburglars to jail, preferring to use community service as a way to mete outjustice. Alternatively, consumers would also be able topurchase just the communication software and Nokia phone, and purchase thecameras separately. Laptop with PCMCIA slot, Windows operating system, and wireless network capabilities . Often, burglars were able tocomplete their crimes without detection, and even when they were detected,they often were not apprehended. Another key advantage of this system over other systems is the lowcost of installation and operation. In addition, manyburglars are not willing to take on the more onerous crime of robbery--where violence is involved--because of the stiffer penalties associatedwith violence. These cameras will be small andunobtrusive, and will be functional under a variety of lighting conditions. Web Site Log-In [pic] Once the installation is complete, the user will want to test thesystem to ensure that the components work together in the way that the userexpects. "Look Out, There's a Thief About." New Statesman & Society, 295 (25 Mar 1994): 16-18.Lee, Mie-Yun. Burglary involves the unlawfulentry into a building with the intent to steal property or harmindividuals. Burglary is a significant problem in the United Kingdom, with burglaryaccounting for 16 percent of the 5.9 million crimes reported in England andWales from September 2 1 to September 2 2. Recognizing theproblem with the delay between the time that a monitoring system receivesan alarm and the time that the alarm is verified and the police dispatched,response time is maximized. However, these types of alarms rely on the activeparticipation of third parties--neighbours, most likely--to make the phonecall to the police in order for enforcement to occur. However, Nokiadoes provide a brief developer's guide that provides information on settingup a 16-bit communications application to work with the Nokia card phoneand will be of assistance in developing the custom software for thisapplication. The proposed system is easy to install and use, and can be set up sothat it is unobtrusive. Motion Sensor(s) . While images can be viewed from a homenetwork using this product in a secure manner, this product requiresconsiderable technical expertise in order to create a secure Webenvironment for viewing the video stream. In this case,the user sets the system and leaves the premises. com/phones/files/guides/cp2_installationguide_en_cent.pdf.Pietromonaco, Peter. This system provides much better information topolice since the caller can inform them of the description of the intruder,as well as how many intruders there are and whether they appear to bearmed. Because the Nokia card phone supportshigh speed circuit switched data (HSCSD), transmission rates are alsorelatively high for processing images across the Web. The Nokia phone card version 2. The user also saves money in that a dedicated monitor is not requiredfor this system. Retrieved from the Internet 9 January 2 4: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=566& scid=38. The Nokia card phone does not include Web service, so theuser will have to provide Web access using a common browser such asNetscape or Explorer. In addition,security devices can reduce the severity of the burglary. In this way, theuser of the remote alert system does not need a separate modem, but can usethe Nokia card phone as the modem. In addition, Visual Basic works with a largenumber of Windows applications and is a standard programming language intoday's environment. It could, for example, be placedunderneath a bed where it could have access to a phone line and power, butwhere it would not be noticeable to visitors or burglars. Some residents will not want to be on-call 24/7 in order toreceive the text message and respond. The GSM Mobile Phone Network Three different mobile system technologies have emerged, with onegaining popularity in the United States while the other two are morepopular in Europe and Asia. Because of the high number of false alarms--mostoften due to operator error--some police agencies in the United Statesrequire that the alarms be audible. In this case, it is likely that someone will notifythe police and the burglar is likely to leave the premises either withoutgaining entry, or without stealing as much as might have been originallybeen intended. It must be easy to use, easyto install, involve a minimum financial investment, and provide effectivesecurity of the premises. Widercoverage, such as pan-European coverage, is commonly available and manyusers are likely to have access to such a system. "Burglary of Domestic Dwellings: Findings from the British Crime Survey." Home Office Statistical Bulletin. The user may provide the police with the authorisation to view theimage file, as well. This is importantfor this particular application that will have large image files to uploadto the Internet ("Nokia Card Phone" 3). Nokia Card Phone Screen [pic] The Nokia Card Phone The Nokia card phone fits into PCMCIA II or PCMCIA III slots andincludes a dual-band GSM phone and modem in a single unit. "Crime Rates Drop, but Fears Continue to Grow." Indianapolis Business Journal, 22 (2 Jul 2 1): 45A.Drury, Tracey Rosenthal. Aprogram running in the background on the laptop will note the upload of thepicture and a Nokia card phone (a GSM-based phone that uses the laptop'sPCMCIA card slot) will send a text message to a mobile phone belonging tothe user. A monitored system uses motion detectors or entry sensors todetermine when a breach has occurred. Again, most users should have littledifficulty completing this task since most are likely to be familiar withthe Internet and standard registration procedures for Web sites. To test the system initially, the user should ensure that the mobilephone is turned on, then activate the system on the laptop, and walk backand forth in view of the camera. At this point, the user completes the installation by installing theremote alert system software. This research proposed an alternative system that relies on newtechnology to provide an image of intruders to residents who can verifywhether police should be notified. Figure 2. If recording devices are attachedto the equipment, there is also the cost of storing and cataloguing thevideo images. Delayed dial-up times, or atendency to drop Web calls, for example, will severely compromise thesystem. Yet another advantage is the direct connection between the system andthe user. Police are not summoned when there is no cause, and when itis appropriate for police to be called, the resident can provide adescription of the intruder, or give the police access to the image itself. Another disadvantage is the cost.Monitoring requires a monthly subscription in addition to the significantinvestment in the equipment required in the home; this can result in acostly system that continues to require additional payments on a monthly orannual basis (Drury 32). This is not a problem from a technological standpoint, butcould be problematic based on the activities of the user. In this situation, the usefulness of the system is severelycompromised. The same is true at the theatre and atother events. This represented an increaseof eight percent from the previous 12-month period. GSM is available in 19 countries, sothat the user of the remote alert system should be able to receive messagesnearly anywhere he or she might travel. When the system is "armed," motion detected by the motion sensortriggers the camera, the Nokia phone sends a text message to the mobilephone, and the image is uploaded to the Web site. At the very least, the mobile phoneservice should allow the system to work within the United Kingdom. Modulation is provided by GMSK with a .3 Gaussian filter, and thechannel bit rate is 27 .833Kb ("What is" 1). Works CitedBerube, Henri A. Many individuals already have Web access in their homes, andassuming that they are satisfied with the access provided by their Internetservice, that service could more than likely be used for this function, aswell. London: Home Office, May 2 1.-----. In this way, false alarms are nearly completelyavoided. The Global System for Mobile Communication(GSM) is a digital mobile telephone system that has gained popularity inEurope and much of the rest of the world with the exception of the UnitedStates. Advantages of the Proposed System There are considerable advantages of the proposed system over currentsystems already available. The Nokia phone card is discussed later in this research, butit can be noted that this is a highly reliable PCMCIA card that is GSM-compatible and that meets the reliability and dependability requirements ofthis system. The cameras will also be connected to a laptop computer. This system is easy to use, requires little financial investment otherthan the initial cost of equipment, and eliminates the time delaysassociated with using a monitored system. In addition, since thelaptop can be used for other purposes besides the monitoring system, andsince the mobile phone and Web access also will be used for other purposes,these expenses are not associated with the dedicated expenses oftraditional monitoring systems. There is nomonthly monitoring fee, no ongoing fee for service, and the system isactivated only when there is motion. Even if nothing is actually taken as a result of thetrespassing, if the original intent was to steal something--such asentering a bank vault with empty bags to steal money, but leaving withoutany money--burglary has been committed ("Crime Reduction" 1). The product should also include stickers for windows and doors thatproclaim "premises under video surveillance" or a similar message with apicture of a burglar under arrest or similar visual image. GSM uses a frequency range of 88 -915for transmission, and 925-96 for reception and the FDD duplex method. Again,reliability is a key consideration here. Controls can beincorporated in their current state, or the programmer can tailor thecontrols to meet specific needs (Pietromonaco 16). Burglarsare rarely seen by others due to the nature of the crime itself, andintercepting burglars during the commission of the crime can be difficult.Security devices have been created to help thwart burglars--these rangefrom double cylinder locks to highly sophisticated monitored burglar alarmsthat verify the alarm status before police are dispatched--but theeffectiveness of these devices varies significantly with how difficult theyare to use and how often the residents actually employ them. The user will enter a user nameand select a unique password that will prevent others from viewing theimages without authorisation. The user then goes to the Web and logs onto a secure site wherean image of the intruder can be viewed. Whenchoosing a silent or audible alarm, businesses often choose the silent witha direct connection to the police while residences often choose an audiblealarm with a monitor. ADT offers a traditional monitored alarm system in the United Kingdom--as well as elsewhere in the world. Certainly it could beused commercially to protect businesses with warehouses and other areasthat might be prone to burglaries or vandalism. At that point, the monitor attemptsto verify that this is an actual and not a false alarm, and then the localpolice are notified. The cameras will take a picture of the scene at a prespecified timeinterval and upload the pictures to the laptop as well as to a Web site. A troubleshooting guide will be included in the product to help userswith common problems that might occur. Nokia, Inc. However, therecan be a significant delay between the time that the alarm is triggered andthe time that the monitor is able to reach the resident or otherresponsible individual to verify that the alarm is valid. In addition tohaving the ability to send text messages, which is its primary use in thissystem, the Nokia card phone can also be used to send voice calls, e-mail,data files and faxes as well as to access the Internet. Even burglars are apprehended, there is surprisingly little in the wayof consequence. "Are Alarm Systems An Effective Deterrent?" Security Management, 43 (May 1999): 118-119.Budd, Tracey. In addition,such devices can be costly. Rather than having the cameras active at all times, they will be connectedto a motion sensor so that they will be triggered only when motion isdetected. In 1999, losses--both thosecovered by insurance and those not covered--totalled more than £68 million(Budd, 2 1, 1). Monitored home systems have gained significant market presence in theUnited States, and have gained some market presence in the United Kingdom,as well, although the market penetration is far less than in the UnitedStates. Multiple cameras can address potential entry points indifferent rooms. London: Home Office, April 1999."Burglar Alarm Policy Reversed by Los Angeles Police Commission." Kiplinger California Letter, 39 (2 Aug 2 3): n.p.Clark, Brian L. Disadvantages/Limitations and Possible Remedies There are several disadvantages to this system, however, two of whichare key. Nokia has gone to considerable lengths to assist in the marketadaptation of its card phones, and has provided extensive user guides onhow to use the card phone with various applications, such as Lotus Notes.Because this is a custom application, no such guide exists. Of those households with more sophisticatedsecurity devices, only three percent were burgled in 1997. The operation of the proposed system requires little humanintervention, and can be set up and left running for extended periods oftime. Camera(s) . Theft involves thedishonest taking of someone else's property with the idea of neverreturning it to its original owner. Monitors view the closed circuit picturesand identify problems as they occur in real-time, notifying the police whena situation warrants such notification. Web site access can be gained through whatever means the user hasavailable. In addition,because the image is captured, it can be used later in the prosecution ofthe burglar. Such tests should also be conducted periodically toensure that system components are operating correctly. Recognizing the problem of false alarms, theproposed system is designed to minimize false positives. The user must purchase the equipment--cameras, Nokia card phone and possibly a laptop--but the laptop may alreadybe in the possession of the user. High-Level CLASS Architecture [pic] The proposed system requires several key pieces of equipment: . No video on the Web site when atext message has been sent, for example, might be due to a faulty wirelessconnection between the camera and the computer, or a problem with the Website. A new system is proposed that uses a camera, motion sensing device,laptop computer, mobile phone and the Web to provide residents with theability to remotely monitor their own premises. If the user has a PDAwith Web access, that might provide the means for viewing the image. This eliminates reliance on thirdparties and nearly eliminates the risk of false alarms. Insurance companies in the United Kingdom are increasingly requiringthat some type of burglar alarm or security device be installed before theywill write burglary policies (Lee 13). Retrieved from the Internet 9 January 2 4: http://www.nds1.nokia. When this system isinvoked, it continually monitors an entry point--or more than one entrypoint--and sends a text message to a mobile phone when an intruder isdetected. Market Need Although the terms "theft," "robbery," and "burglary" are often usedinterchangeably, they involve separate legal issues. This causes aloss of valuable time during which the perpetrator can make good hisescape. Thus, it is possible that while a text message is sent tothe user in a timely manner, it may not be received by the user due to somehuman interaction. Installation Considerations The most important factor regarding installation is the placement ofthe cameras and motion sensors. By providing companies such as ADTwith a way to initially verify that this is a burglar rather than a pet,for example, the system can be modified for use by a monitoring company.Only if the company is unable to clearly discern whether this is a validalarm or not would the resident or their authorized representative benotified. At this point, the usershould go to the Web site to view the image. In this way, the user could authorize a familymember or neighbour to respond to the text message on the user's behalf. This would provide additional security for residents who aremore comfortable working with a third-party, and would provide a centralpoint of contact for police agencies, as well. Since these systems do not use visual images, thereis no way for the user to determine whether a pet or some authorized personhas set off the alarm, or whether this is an actual intruder. Figure 4 illustrates the screen that is displayed when the Nokia cardphone calls the mobile phone. All images willbe deleted after a two-week period, but users have the option ofdownloading the image to another system during that time if they want tosave the image. A loudsiren is likely to awaken both the occupant of the residence being burgled,as well as neighbours. These systems are expensive to install and rely on havingcameras located at key areas. Thus, it should not be surprising that while burglaries mayoccur at night, most successful burglaries--defined as those that result insuccessful entry--occur during the day--a full 68 percent of daytimeburglaries are deemed successful in this manner compared with 55 percent ofnighttimes burglaries (Budd, 2 1, 3). The geographic range within which the system will work is dependenton the mobile phone service provider. Installing the proposed system requires some mechanical expertise forthe mounting of the camera and motion sensors if these are separate units.However, since wireless connections will be used for the camera-laptopconnection, most users should be able to complete this installation withoutdifficulty. When the user is ready to leave the residence,other programs should be closed to provide an optimum operating environmentfor the remote alert system. However, traditionalburglar alarms rely on third-party monitors who have to contact theresident to verify that this is not a false alarm before police can becontacted, and this can cause undue delays. The motion sensor will continually be alert to new motion.When motion is detected, the camera will be activated. Another installation consideration is the placement of the laptopcomputer. Companies such as Ultrak provide these types ofsystems in the United Kingdom--Honeywell recently purchased Ultrak--as wellas elsewhere. There is no monthly fee to be paid to a company such asADT for remote monitoring, nor is the there the expense associated withother visual monitoring systems such as closed circuit television. This can be done from inside the home initially, although mostusers will also want to conduct a subsequent test when they are outside thehome. Because ofthis, the laptop can be placed in a closet or drawer or some other locationwhere it is not immediately noticeable. The system also requires that the user have access to a mobile phonethat can receive text messages. Ideally, arrangements should be made with Nokia to market theproduct jointly--this system will help provide a good application for theirphone, and will promote phone sales as a result. Within a few seconds, the Nokia phoneshould call the mobile phone and the user should receive a text messageindicating that an intruder has been detected. An intrudersensor triggers an internal siren that produces an "unbearable" level ofsound. This may be a response to the generally nonviolent nature ofburglary, and some judges are of the opinion that the public as a wholedoes not want more severe sentences passed on burglars--although recentpolls suggest that these judges may well be mistaken in that belief. Visual Basic uses ActiveX technology. Closed circuit television cameras, alarmsthat alert police to intruders and similar devices that may use remotemonitors or remote alarm systems can all be used by individuals andbusinesses to thwart would-be burglars and reduce their insurance rates. Multiple camerasare the most direct way to address this potential problem, or using wide-angle cameras. The user can then go to the Web site, view the photo(s), anddetermine the appropriate course of action, such as alerting the police.In addition to eliminating the monitoring station, this system also has theadvantage of providing evidence--photos--that can be used to identify theburglars and assist the police in their investigation and prosecution. A varietyof different security measures have been recommended from the very lowestuses of technology to highly sophisticated electronic monitoring. Reciprocal agreements amongservice providers in different countries mean that users should be able touse their service even in countries where their native service does notconduct business ("What is" 1). Dependingon the size of the residence, this could be problematic. Figure 3. There is, for example, the decreased likelihoodof false alarms. Multiple cameras can be installed forincreased coverage, and the system has the potential to notify the useralmost anywhere in the world. Thousands of these controls areavailable to developers, greatly simplifying the development process andreducing the cost of developing new applications. Some users will evenhave coverage that extends to North America, although the per-use fee forthis service can be considerable. Another problem with the system is that it depends on the burglarcrossing the field of vision sensitive to the motion detector. Failure to send a text message when an image has been captured couldindicate a problem with the Nokia phone--including the possibility that thephone card simply is not inserted correctly in the PCMCIA slot. However, the user may want topurge the upload directory of images on a regular basis in order to keepthe system clean and to free up additional storage space for new images. Nokia Card Phone version 2. This obviously delays the ability of the user torespond to the intrusion. Some ofthese measures are designed to be merely deterrent in nature--that is, theyare designed to prevent the burglary from taking place, but if the burglaryoccurs anyway, these measures offer no assistance in apprehending theperpetrator. Pricing should be kept to a low price point given the variety ofcameras already on the market that can provide some of this service. Thus when a burglar is later apprehended, there is noway to determine if he is responsible for additional crimes based solely onthe alarms that might have been triggered. This means that the remote alert system will not beusing a language that will be obsolete in a few years, increasing its long-term viability in the market. For example,many companies require that individuals turn off their mobile phones duringmeetings to avoid interruption. Figure 4. In addition to the problem of bringing burglars to justices, there areother costs associated with burglary. There is some GSM availability in the United States offered by T-Mobile, Cingular and AT&T. This could be particularly problematic,for example, if the user is on holiday and does not have immediate Webaccess. Existing Remote Alerting Systems Existing systems used to deter and detect burglars include a widerange of technology and approaches. The system uses industry-standard equipment that can be as robust asthe user requires, and offers the potential to protect commercialinstallations as well as residential ones. In addition, the Nokia card phone operates on theGSM 9 /GSM 18 mobile networks, making it an ideal choice for Europeanenvironments where GSM is the standard ("Nokia Card Phone" 4). Examples of these types of measures include simple approachessuch as deadbolt locks and more complex systems such as motion sensors thattrigger outdoor floodlights; the theory behind the latter is that burglarswill shy away from the direct light in fear that someone will observe theirillicit activity (Clark 129). Once the user has viewed the image on the Web site, he or she has theoption of deleting the image from the site, or saving it. Because these computers are, by their nature, highly portable,it would not be advisable to place the laptop in plain view of the outside. In any case,investigation should be done on becoming a Nokia reseller. Figure 3illustrates the Web site log-in page used during operation. Operation of the Proposed System Once installation is complete, operation is simple. While the system will work should the burglar take the laptop as well asother equipment, its integrity would certainly be compromised. Another potential application is for companies such as ADT to usetheir remote monitors to provide the same service as a user might need whenon vacation. Because of this, this productwould best be integrated into the proposed system as a combined wirelesscamera/motion sensor rather than as an alternative to the system directly. GSM is based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technologyand has established itself as robust enough to provide satisfied customersalthough the system used in the United States, CDMA, is considered by someto be technologically superior ("What is" 1). There are any number of Web cameras that can be used for this system,but again, reliability and functionality are key considerations. The system willautomatically begin running when the laptop is powered up, and will run inthe background so that other processes can also be run at the same time.In this way, the user can use the same laptop for multiple purposes when heor she is in the residence. This is a simple yet comprehensive and flexible systemthat offers considerable protection at a reasonable cost to the user. The message is delivered to the mobile phone by the local GSMservice, so if the mobile phone is a tri-band, for example--that is, aphone that can operate on all three GSM bands, the user will have noproblem receiving the text message. The third disadvantage is that these systems canbe cumbersome to operate, and users may not use them--particularly whenmotion sensors are installed--because of the fear of causing a false alarm. The user is guided through the installation process through theuse of wizards. Commonproblems such as these and possible remedies will be covered in thetroubleshooting guide so that users have greater confidence when installingthe system and greater satisfaction with its operation. Since somepolice no longer respond to only ringing bells but instead require thatevidence of an actual crime is also present--a response to the large numberof false alarms that have occurred over the years--monitoring can helpensure that authorities are deployed rapidly ("Burglar Alarm Policy" n.p.). GSM works in concert with HSCSD, so it is not surprising that theNokia phone card makes use of HSCSD technology in its GSM orientation. Functional Description of the Proposed System The proposed remote alerting system is designed to address some of thekey problems with current security devices. A timeframe can be established,based on the time that the alarm is triggered, but not other evidence istypically provided. This is a simple process that is completed byinstalling the software that comes with the Nokia card phone and the carditself installs into the PCMCIA slot. Channels are spaced at2 MHz. The effectiveness of security devices can be demonstrated by notingthat 15 percent of households without security devices were burgled in 1997in England and Wales, while only four percent of households that had basicsecurity measures in place. There is also the cost of the mobilephone service and the Web access, but again, these are common technologicalinnovations that are already readily available. One remedy to this problem is to have the user set up multiple phonenumbers to be text messaged, or to have alternate phone numbers used if theprimary user is on holiday. This avoids false alarms, and provides the police with muchmore information than just "intruder detected." In the event that thepolice do not apprehend the criminal in the act, the image can be saved andused to help identify the perpetrator and assist in apprehension that way. These types of alarms help apprehend criminals, butbecause of the time delay, unless the alarm is silent--which does not wardoff the intruder--criminals often flee before the police can arrive. uk/crime-reduction/rob_burg.htm.Culbertson, Katie. This means thatincreasing numbers of individuals are likely to forego having insurancecoverage for burglary; this, in turn, increases the likelihood that losseswill not be covered by insurance and stolen items that are not recovered bythe police will not be replaced (Lashmar 16). This system can be operated without direct human interface since theintruder sensor is triggered by the burglar's own movements. Deterrent alarms rely on lights and noise tofrighten away burglars by drawing attention to their activity. Burglaries and Security Devices Burglaries are most likely to occur when no one is at home for theobvious reason that it reduces the complexity of the crime and increasesthe likelihood that the burglar will be successful. Theproduct should be made available on the Web, and also through traditionalelectronics retailers. Users who are not comfortable with the installation of therequisite hardware may want to hire out this part of the installation; mostany handyman should be able to complete the installation in that case. Since the systemprovides an image of the intruder, the system can be left running evenwhile the residence is occupied since the user can determine whether theimage is that of an unauthorized intruder, or that of a pet or even theuser himself if he is in the residence. Having asecurity device installed means that a burglary may not be successful--meaning that entry is not gained--and while the resident may still have thetrauma of recovering from an attempted burglary, this is significantly lesssevere than having to handle a successful burglary (Budd, 2 1, 3). A monitored system such as ADT requires that the alarm beverified in most cases before the police are dispatched. A second individualenters the premises--ideally using a key from the resident--and behaves asa burglar would behave, moving quickly from one room to another. The most basic system would include only thecommunication software for those consumers who already have the Nokiaphone. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.

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