Method of transmitting image data from standalone device

• US 20050144653A1
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pentax USA Incorporated (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Koch, Mark, Knapp, Walter, Creamer, Rob, Helton, Richard, Araki, Yoshiyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,425,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/148
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00214 details of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00217 only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP communication protocol aspects and techniques in packet data networks H04L69/00; network-specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00838 Preventing unauthorised reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00854 Recognising an unauthorised user or user-associated action
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/164 Feedback from the receiver or from the transmission channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/172 the region being a picture, frame or field
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

A method of transmitting digital image signal data from a standalone device includes input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device. Digital image signal data, corresponding to the input image signals, are output. The standalone device is permitted to connect to an internet-protocol network by setting an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself. On the network, the digital image signal data is packetized and addressing of the packetized digital image signal data for the internet-protocol network is controlled, with a transport control protocol. The method includes self-initiating a connection with the network in response to a triggering signal on at least one alarm trigger input of a plurality of input/output terminals. An E-mail message is assembled including report information related to the triggering signal and digital image signal data corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, and transmitted to an E-mail address via the transport control protocol and the internet-protocol network.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting digital image signal data from a standalone device, comprising:

collecting, via an analog video input connector, input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device;

outputting digital image signal data corresponding to the input image signals;

setting an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself, permitting connection to an internet-protocol network;

packetizing the digital image signal data and controlling addressing of the packetized digital image signal data for the internet-protocol network with a transport control protocol;

self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network via the transport control protocol in response to a triggering signal on at least one alarm trigger input of a plurality of input/output terminals;

assembling an E-mail message including report information related to the triggering signal and digital image signal data corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device; and

transmitting the assembled E-mail messages to an E-mail address via the transport control protocol and the internet-protocol network.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving commands for controlling the standalone device via a serial interface, separate from the connection to an internet-protocol network.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting to a triggered device using at least one alarm trigger output.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the triggered device includes one of an alarm or local lighting.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

capturing images according to at least one timer, said assembling an E-mail message routine further assembling E-mail messages including both digital image signal data taken at the time of said triggering signal on said at least one alarm trigger input and digital image signal data taken according to said timer; and

transmitting the E-mail messages to an E-mail address.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

setting configuration information including operational parameters of said standalone device via a serial interface from a connected setup device, the configuration information being recoverable via a password key.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting configuration information operates via said network connection to obtain an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself from a device capable of assigning such addresses.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the device capable of assigning such addresses includes a DNS device.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in response to an alarm condition, sending notification of an alarm condition to at least one defined e-mail recipient to alert the e-mail recipient of the alarm condition.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in response to an alarm condition, transmitting images to a remote user to notify the remote user of the alarm condition.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in response to an alarm condition, transmitting images to, and storing the images on, a network device other than said standalone device.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in response to an alarm condition, associating selected images with selected reports including information related to the alarm condition, and storing the selected images.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

continuously capturing and transmitting compressed digital image signal data as streaming data; and

transferring the streaming data from the standalone device to the internet-protocol network.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating, using a character generator, textual information overlaying said digital image signal data.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network connection selected from one of a modem for public telephone networks;

an Ethernet adapter for connecting to an Ethernet LAN;

an ISDN modem;

an xDSL adapter;

a cable modem;

an ATM adapter;

a T carrier terminal adapter;

an adapter for satellite connection;

an adapter for microwave connection;

an adapter for wireless connection;

an adapter for serial transmission over a high speed external serial bus;

or an adapter for data transmission over public power lines.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network interface device that is not built-in to circuitry of the standalone device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network interface device that is installed in a slot interface of the standalone device circuitry.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network via the transport control protocol is in response to a triggering signal from one of a motion sensor or trip switch.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transferring the digital image signal data to the internet-protocol network via the network connection; and

transmitting an analog video signal, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, via an analog output connector that transmits an output video signal outside the standalone device.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving configuration information from the internet protocol network; and

setting operational parameters of the method according to the retrieved configuration information.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analog video input connector collects an input image signal corresponding to the view of a camera connected to the standalone device, and wherein said standalone device receives configuration information containing pan/tilt parameters for the camera, and further comprising initiating panning and/or tilting directing the camera according to the received pan/tilt parameters.

22. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing network login authentication to the internet-protocol network.

23. The method according to claim 1, further comprising configuring said standalone device to register on a local network, in a first mode providing a password in order to register on a local network and in a second mode registering on a local network without providing a password.

24. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selectively switching from the transmission control protocol to a connectionless protocol, wherein the microcontroller transfers the digital image signal data to the internet protocol network employing the connectionless protocol.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the connectionless protocol is UDP.

26. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transferring the digital image signal data, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, to a network device capable of serving files via the connection to an internet-protocol network, the internet-protocol network and an internet-protocol address.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the report information related to the triggering signal includes status information for the standalone device.

28. A method of transmitting digital image signal data from a standalone device, comprising:

collecting, via an analog video input connector, input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device;

outputting digital image signal data corresponding to the input image signals;

setting an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself, permitting connection to an internet-protocol network;

packetizing the digital image signal data and controlling addressing of the packetized digital image signal data for the internet-protocol network with a transport control protocol;

self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network, via the transport control protocol and via a network connection, in response to a detected signal;

selectively switching from the transmission control protocol to a transmission protocol that does not retransmit erroneous data; and

continuously capturing and transmitting digital image signal data as streaming data from the internet protocol address of the standalone device itself to the internet-protocol network, wherein the digital image signal data is transmitted to the internet protocol network employing the protocol that does not retransmit erroneous data.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the protocol that does not retransmit data is UDP.

30. The method according to claim 28, said detected signal comprising one of an event signal, a timer expiration signal, or a command signal.

31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

receiving commands for controlling the standalone device via a serial interface, separate from the connection to an internet-protocol network.

32. The method according to claim 28, further comprising connecting to a triggered device using at least one alarm trigger output.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the triggered device includes one of an alarm or local lighting.

34. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

setting configuration information including operational parameters of said standalone device via a serial interface from a connected setup device, the configuration information being recoverable via a password key.

35. The method according to claim 28, wherein the setting configuration information operates via said network connection to obtain an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself from a device capable of assigning such addresses.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the device capable of assigning such addresses includes a DNS device.

37. The method according to claim 28, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, transmitting images to a remote user to notify the remote user of the alarm signal.

38. The method according to claim 28, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, transmitting images to, and storing the images on, a network device other than said standalone device.

39. The method according to claim 28, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, associating selected images with selected reports including information related to the alarm signal, and storing the selected images.

40. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

generating, using a character generator, textual information overlaying said digital image signal data.

41. The method according to claim 28, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network connection selected from one of a modem for public telephone networks;

an Ethernet adapter for connecting to an Ethernet LAN;

an ISDN modem;

an xDSL adapter;

a cable modem;

an ATM adapter;

a T carrier terminal adapter;

an adapter for satellite connection;

an adapter for microwave connection;

an adapter for wireless connection;

an adapter for serial transmission over a high speed external serial bus;

or an adapter for data transmission over public power lines.

42. The method according to claim 28, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network interface device that is not built-in to circuitry of the standalone device.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network interface device that is installed in a slot interface of the standalone device circuitry.

44. The method according to claim 28, wherein said self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network via the transport control protocol is in response to a triggering signal from one of a motion sensor or trip switch.

45. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

transferring the digital image signal data to the internet-protocol network via the network connection; and

transmitting an analog video signal, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, via an analog output connector that transmits an output video signal outside the standalone device.

46. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

retrieving configuration information from the internet protocol network; and

setting operational parameters of the standalone device according to the retrieved configuration information.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the analog video input connector collects an input image signal corresponding to the view of a camera connected to the standalone device, and wherein said standalone device receives configuration information containing pan/tilt parameters for the camera, and further comprising initiating panning and/or tilting directing the camera according to the received pan/tilt parameters.

48. The method according to claim 28, further comprising a network authentication routine executable by said microcontroller for providing network login authentication to the internet-protocol network.

49. The method according to claim 28, further comprising configuring said standalone device to register on a local network, in a first mode providing a password in order to register on a local network and in a second mode registering on a local network without providing a password.

50. The method according to claim 28, further comprising transferring the digital image signal data, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, to a network device capable of serving files via the connection to an internet-protocol network, the internet-protocol network and an internet-protocol address.

51. The method according to claim 28, further comprising

assembling an E-mail message including report information related to the detected signal and digital image signal data corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device;

and

transmitting the assembled E-mail messages to an E-mail address via the transport control protocol and the internet-protocol network.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the report information related to the detected signal includes status information for the standalone device.

53. The method according to claim 51, further comprising:

capturing images according to at least one timer, said assembling an E-mail message routine further assembling E-mail messages including both digital image signal data taken at the time of the detected signal and digital image signal data taken according to said timer; and

transmitting the E-mail messages to an E-mail address.

54. The method according to claim 51, further comprising, in response to the detected signal, sending notification of the detected signal to at least one e-mail recipient to alert the e-mail recipient of the detected signal.

55. A method of transmitting digital image signal data from a standalone device, comprising:

collecting, via an analog video input connector, input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device;

outputting digital image signal data corresponding to the input image signals;

setting an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself, permitting connection to an internet-protocol network;

packetizing the digital image signal data and controlling addressing of the packetized digital image signal data for the internet-protocol network with a transport control protocol;

recording digital image signal data of the input image signals according to a triggering signal on at least one alarm trigger input of the standalone device;

recording digital image signal data of said input image signals according to a timer of the standalone device;

self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network via the transport control protocol and said network connection in response to a triggering signal on at least one alarm trigger input of a plurality of input/output terminals;

assembling an E-mail message including digital image signal data taken at the time of said triggering signal and digital image signal data taken according to said timer; and

transmitting the assembled E-mail messages to an E-mail address via the transport control protocol and the internet-protocol network.

56. The method according to claim 55, further comprising

receiving commands for controlling the standalone device via a serial interface, separate from the connection to an internet-protocol network.

57. The method according to claim 55, further comprising

connecting to a triggered device using at least one alarm trigger output.

58. The method according to claim 57,wherein the triggered device includes one of an alarm or local lighting.

59. The method according to claim 55, further comprising:

setting configuration information including operational parameters of said standalone device via a serial interface from a connected setup device, the configuration information being recoverable via a password key.

60. The method according to claim 55, wherein the setting configuration information operates via said network connection to obtain an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself from a device capable of assigning such addresses.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the device capable of assigning such addresses includes a DNS device.

62. The method according to claim 55, wherein said detected signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, transmitting images to a remote user to notify the remote user of the alarm signal.

63. The method according to claim 55, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, transmitting images to, and storing the images on, a network device other than said standalone device.

64. The method according to claim 55, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to the alarm signal, associating selected images with selected reports including information related to the alarm signal, and storing the selected images.

65. The method according to claim 55, generating, using a character generator, textual information overlaying said digital image signal data.

66. The method according to claim 55, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network connection selected from one of a modem for public telephone networks;

an Ethernet adapter for connecting to an Ethernet LAN;

an ISDN modem;

an xDSL adapter;

a cable modem;

an ATM adapter;

a T carrier terminal adapter;

an adapter for satellite connection;

an adapter for microwave connection;

an adapter for wireless connection;

an adapter for serial transmission over a high speed external serial bus;

or an adapter for data transmission over public power lines.

67. The method according to claim 55, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a network interface device that is not built-in to circuitry of the standalone device.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein the connection with an internet-protocol network is initiated via a connection of a network interface device that is installed in a slot interface of the standalone device circuitry.

69. The method according to claim 55, wherein said self-initiating a connection with an internet-protocol network via the transport control protocol is in response to a triggering signal from one of a motion sensor or trip switch.

70. The method according to claim 55, further comprising:

transferring the digital image signal data to the internet-protocol network via the network connection; and

transmitting an analog video signal, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, via an analog output connector that transmits an output video signal outside the standalone device.

71. The method according to claim 55, further comprising:

retrieving configuration information from the internet protocol network; and

setting operational parameters of the method according to the retrieved configuration information.

72. The method according to claim 55, wherein the analog video input connector collects an input image signal corresponding to the view of a camera connected to the standalone device, and wherein said standalone device receives configuration information containing pan/tilt parameters for the camera, and further comprising initiating panning and/or tilting directing the camera according to the received pan/tilt parameters.

73. The method according to claim 55, further comprising providing network login authentication to the internet-protocol network.

74. The method according to claim 73, further comprising configuring said standalone device to register on a local network, in a first mode providing a password in order to register on a local network and in a second mode registering on a local network without providing a password.

75. The method according to claim 55, further comprising transferring the digital image signal data, corresponding to the views from outside the standalone device, to a network device capable of serving files via the connection to an internet-protocol network, the internet-protocol network and an internet-protocol address.

76. The method according to claim 55, said assembling an E-mail message further comprising assembling E-mail messages including report information related to the triggering signal, the report information related to the triggering signal including status information for the standalone device.

77. The method according to claim 55, further comprising, wherein said triggering signal is an alarm signal, and further comprising, in response to a detected signal, sending notification of the alarm signal to at least one defined e-mail recipient to alert the e-mail recipient of the alarm signal.