Portable Wireless Remote Monitoring and Control System

Abstract

A user-programmable portable wireless remote monitoring system includes a base unit, a series of sensor units and a remote control device. The base unit is connected to the internet, and receives wireless alerts from sensor arrays deployed in the sensor units. When the sensor units detect a problem, then they send an alert to the base unit, which then relays the alert to the remote control device that is preferably a smart phone, tablet, or the like, including software for operating the system. The system may also incorporate smart outlets that are remotely operable by the remote control device, various monitors, a touchscreen, and wearable tracking devices to monitor a person within the home. The system is designed to provide security, home system monitoring, personal medical monitoring, and remote control of various electrical appliances. The system tray also be controlled by using oral commands.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable remote monitoring system, said system comprising:
 a base unit;   a sensor array, wherein each sensor included in said sensor array and said base unit include means for two-way communications, so that said base unit and said sensors may wirelessly communicate with one another;   said sensor array including a remotely controllable motion sensor, a remotely controllable camera, and at least one remotely controllable electrical outlet, each operationally connected to said base unit; and   a remote control including means for two-way wireless communication with said base unit;   wherein said motion sensor, upon detecting motion, is configured to activate said camera to record a digital image, and wherein said camera wirelessly transmits said digital image to said base unit, which then wirelessly transmits said digital image to a user's remote control, a monitoring service, or to law enforcement authorities.   
     
     
         2 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said base unit includes a microphone, said base unit being capable of receiving and executing oral commands from a user via said microphone. 
     
     
         3 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said sensor array includes at least one remote microphone, said remote microphone being in communication with said base unit, so that voice commands received by said remote microphone may be transmitted to said base unit for execution. 
     
     
         4 . A portable remote monitoring system, said system comprising:
 a base unit;   a sensor array, wherein each sensor included in said sensor array and said base unit include means for two-way communications, so that said base unit and said sensors may wirelessly communicate with one another;   said sensor array including a remotely controllable motion sensor, a remotely controllable camera, and at least one remotely controllable electrical outlet, each operationally connected to said base unit; and   wherein said base unit is user programmable, so that a user may program said base unit to perform one or more functions when said motion sensor detects motion.   
     
     
         5 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said one or more functions that a user may program said base unit to perform is selected from the group consisting of causing said camera to take a single picture, causing said camera to take a series of pictures, causing said camera to record a video, causing said remotely controllable electrical outlet to switch on, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said base unit wirelessly transmits said pictures or said video to a mobile phone, tablet, computer, a server or computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said base unit includes a microphone, so that said base unit can receive and execute oral commands from a user via said microphone. 
     
     
         8 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , further including a remote control including means for two-way wireless communication with said base unit, so that said remote control is used to issue commands to said base unit for execution, and so that said remote control may receive signals, notifications, video feeds, pictures and audio feeds wirelessly from said base unit. 
     
     
         9 . The portable remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said remote control includes a microphone for receiving oral commands, and wherein said remote control communicates said oral commands to said base unit for execution. 
     
     
         10 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said remote control is configured to receive and simultaneously display real time streaming video imagery generated by said camera on command by a user. 
     
     
         11 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said sensor array further includes a microphone for detecting and recording sound. 
     
     
         12 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said sensor array is configured to wirelessly transmit oral commands received by said sensor array microphone to said base unit for execution by said base unit. 
     
     
         13 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said sensor array further includes a monitoring device selected from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a smoke detector, a toxic gas detector, a standing water monitor, a water flow monitor, and any combination thereof;
 said monitoring device including a wireless transmitter that communicates with said base unit, so that when said monitor detects a programmed condition, said transmitter wirelessly transmits an alert that identifies said programmed condition to said base unit, and said base unit then wirelessly transmits said alert to said remote control.   
     
     
         14 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said base unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with and remotely control home appliances having wireless communication capabilities, said home appliances selected from the group consisting of thermostats, refrigerators, home entertainment systems, televisions, speakers and lights, so that said home appliances may be operated by a user by said remote control or by issuing voice commands that are received by said base unit and transmitted to said selected home appliance. 
     
     
         15 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said sensor array includes a plurality of remotely controllable electrical outlets;
 wherein said remotely controllable electrical outlets may be controlled individually, together, or in any combination, either by said remote control or by oral commands received by said base unit.   
     
     
         16 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said sensor array further includes a microphone for detecting and recording sound, and wherein said remotely controllable electrical outlets may be controlled by oral commands received by said sensor array microphone. 
     
     
         17 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 4 , further including a remote computer server that is in wireless communication with said base unit;
 wherein said remote computer server receives and records data sent from said base unit in response to any alerts generated by said base unit.   
     
     
         18 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said remote control is configured to display an icon representing each component of said sensor array said remotely controlled electrical outlet, and wherein said remote control is configured so that a user may program a name or identifier for each said component of said sensor array and each remotely controlled electrical outlet, so that said name or identifier is displayed on said remote control. 
     
     
         19 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said remote control may be used to control each component of said sensor array and each said remotely controlled outlet, either individually or in user designated groups. 
     
     
         20 . The portable wireless remote monitoring system set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said remote control may be used to program said base unit, so that a user may program said base unit to control said sensor array components and said remotely controlled electrical outlets in response to motion being detected by said motion sensors or in response to verbal commands received by said base unit.