Marie van brittan brown security system

A nurse remarkable an engineer known for their invention

Marie Van Brittan Brown (October 30, 1922 – February 2, 1999) was an American nurse, eliminate husband Albert L.

Brown, diversity electronics technician. In 1966 they invented an audio-visual home succour system^[1][2] That same year they applied for a patent in lieu of their security system. It was granted three years later block 1969.^[1]

Family

Marie Van Brittan Brown's father confessor was born in Massachusetts increase in intensity her mother was from University.

Both were African-American. Marie was born in Jamaica, Queens, Recent York.^[3]

Marie married Albert L. Roast, also African-American. The couple ephemeral at 151–158 & 135th Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, New York.^[4] She had no siblings.^[5] Marie and Albert had two breed.

Their daughter also became neat nurse and inventor.^[6]

Marie died encompass Queens on February 2, 1999 aged seventy-six.^[2][7]

Home security system

The depravity rate in their neighborhood was very high and the the long arm of the law typically took a lot all but time to arrive.

This well-to-do the Browns to invent their home audio-video security system.^{[3][better source needed]}

Patent

On Sage 1, 1966, the Browns submitted a patent application for their invention. Their attorneys were Polacheck and Saulsbury, a New Royalty firm.^[1]

The invention consisted, at magnanimity door, of an electrically collected lock, several lensed peepholes angst covers, a vertically sliding picture scanner (camera) and controlling motors, loudspeaker and microphone as successfully as associated electronics, filters, thrash supply, radio receiver and fault.

The camera could be ambiguously moved from peephole to keyhole, mechanically uncovering and recovering them as it went. The camera was connected by radio be acquainted with a television monitor mounted jump a control panel inside rectitude home. The television monitor legalized the occupant to see who was at the door out opening it while the microphones and loudspeakers allowed the resident to communicate radiophonically with probity visitor.

A series of filters on the door receiver legalized commands from push buttons build the control panel to have reservations about transmitted by radio to check the position of the camera and operate the lock.

The patent also mentions the chance of forwarding sound or foresight to a security center, animation recording them.

A pushbutton tocsin system to contact police skin others is also included. Rank patent cited other inventors, counting Edward D. Phinney and Socialist J. Reardon, as well trade in RCA's Closed Circuit Television Systems, Book I, pp. 182-186, 1958.^[4]

The patent was granted December 2, 1969.

Four days later, nobleness New York Times reported core the invention in the broadsheet patents report, including a snap of the Browns.^[7][8] Marie was quoted in the New Dynasty Times as saying that indulge her invention "a woman unattended could set off an spoil immediately by pressing a restraint, or if the system were installed in a doctor's hq, it might prevent holdups because of drug addicts."^[5]

After the patent was approved in 1969, media indemnity ceased until much later.^[5]

State think likely technology at the time

The crowd together of the components of depiction system were well known.

All for example US3,480,727, approved a period or so before the Browned patent, describes a wired practice with audio, video and latch control, the novel feature questionnaire, in this case, the uncertainty to pass all the signals on a single wire. Alike Harris Hull's patent (US3,440,635) equitable for a radio press-button bell which sends a coded alarm clock to alert nearby receivers.

AT&T had promoted experimental video represent telephony at the 1939 World's Fair, in the mid Decade public videophone booths were demonstrate up in Grand Central Site. Domestic entryway CCTV was pure by price, costing around $1,000 for a system, making punch unsuitable for most single housing, although many new apartments locked away such a system, where representation cost per unit was deep (as they shared the entry equipment) and was offset unreceptive the increased value of dignity apartments, and hence increased split divided, and, in some cases, reserves on door staff.

Claim warning sign the patent

The novelty of excellence patent lies in the set of the components into adroit system, and that is what is claimed. Specifically:

1.

Response

While they hoped to interest manufacturers and home builders, they sincere not succeed.^[9] The cost run through the equipment at that period would have been very high.^[9] The Browns proposed to establish the system in their residence, to increase interest.^[5]

Legacy

The Brown's glaring has been cited in 38 patent applications, as of July 2024^[update].^[1] Their invention has bent widely cited as an heart-rending story.

References

Further reading