Customizable security system component interface and method therefor

• US 20020140819A1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Dodrill, Albert T., Waehner, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US10/114,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20020140819A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/04 for receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/76 by influencing the image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/81 for suppressing or minimising disturbance in the image signal generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A video security system comprising the first device being configured to receive control signals and having an identifier associated therewith. A second device being operable to transmit control signals to the first device. The second device comprising a component interface configured to be electrically connected to the first device. The component interface being configured to receive the identifier of the first device and to transmit control signals to the first device. At lease one stored key map being configured to selectively transmit the control signals to the first device based on the identifier of the first device and selection of the device to be controlled.

Claims

1. A video security system comprising:

a first device, the first device having a corresponding identifier and being configured to receive control signals corresponding to a key map;

a second device operable to transmit control signals to the first device, the second device comprising;

a component interface electrically connected to the first device and adapted to transmit control signals to the first device; and

a memory storing at least one key map, at least one of the stored key maps corresponding to the first device;

a central processing unit electrically coupled to the component interface and the memory, the central processing unit executing a software program which performs functions including;

determining the identifier of the first device;

selecting the stored key map corresponding to the determined identifier; and

instructing the component interface to transmit at least one control signal to the first device corresponding to the selected key map.

2. The video security system of claim 1, wherein the first device is a video multiplexing unit.

3. The video security system of claim 1, wherein the first device is a digital video recorder.

4. The video security system of claim 1, wherein the second device is a video matrix switch.

5. The video security system of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured to send control signals to the second device, the controller having reconfigurable control keys control alternate functions of the first device.

6. The video security system of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured to send control signals to the second device, the controller having control keys dedicated to controlling a specific function of the first device independent of the manufacturer of the first device.

7. The video security system of claim 1, wherein selecting the key map includes:

a user manually selecting the first device; and

instructing the second device to use the key map corresponding to the first device.

8. The video security system of claim 1, wherein the selection of the key map is performed automatically by the second device when the identifier is received from the first device via the component interface.

9. The video security system of claim 8, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of polling the first device, the polling including transmitting a request to the first device for the identifier.

10. The video security system of claim 1 further comprising a controller electrically coupled to the second device, the controller being configured to transmit an instruction signal corresponding to a user actuated switch to the second device, wherein the instructing function performed by the central processing unit further includes:

receiving the instruction signal; and

evaluating the selected stored key map to determine the control signal corresponding to the instruction signal.

11. The video security system of claim 10 wherein the controller is a keyboard controller having at least one user actuatable switch.

13. The video security apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is a video matrix switch.

14. The video security apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a controller configured to send control signals, the controller having reconfigurable control keys to control alternate functions of the device to be controlled.

15. The video security apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a controller configured to send control signals, the controller having control keys which are dedicated to controlling a specific function of the device to be controlled independent of the manufacturer of the device to be controlled.

16. The video security apparatus of claim 12, wherein selecting the key map includes:

a user manually selecting the device to be controlled; and

instructing the use of the key map corresponding to the device to be controlled.

17. The video security apparatus of claim 12, wherein the selection of the key map is performed automatically when the identifier is received from the device to be controlled via the component interface.

18. The video security apparatus of claim 12, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of polling the device to be controlled, the polling including transmitting a request to the device to be controlled for the identifier.

19. The video security apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

a controller electrically coupled thereto, the controller being configured to transmit an instruction signal corresponding to a user actuated switch, wherein the instructing function performed by the central processing unit further includes;

receiving the instruction signal; and

evaluating the selected stored key map to determine the control signal corresponding to the instruction signal.

12. A video security apparatus comprising:

a component interface operable to transmit control signals;

a memory storing at least one key map, at least one of the stored key maps corresponding to a device to be controlled;

a central processing unit electrically coupled to the component interface and the memory, the central processing unit executing a software program which performs functions including;

determining an identifier of the device to be controlled;

selecting the stored key map corresponding to the determined identifier; and

instructing the component interface to transmit at least one control signal to the device to be controlled corresponding to the selected key map.

20. A method of controlling a video security system comprising the steps of:

storing at least one key map corresponding to at least one device to be controlled;

determining an identifier corresponding to the device to be controlled;

selecting the stored key map corresponding to the determined identifier; and

transmitting at least one control signal to the device to be controlled corresponding to the selected key map.

21. The method of controlling a video security system of claim 20, wherein selecting the stored key map includes:

a user manually selecting the device to be controlled; and

instructing the use of the key map corresponding to the device to be controlled.

22. The method of controlling a video security system of claim 20, wherein the selection of the key map is performed automatically when the identifier is received from the device to be controlled.

23. The method of controlling a video security system of claim 20, further comprising;

polling the device to be controlled, the polling including transmitting a request to the device to be controlled for the identifier.

24. The method of controlling a video security system of claim 20, further including:

receiving the instruction signal; and

evaluating the selected stored key map to determine the control signal corresponding to the instruction signal.