Video surveillance data network

• US 20060232677A1
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, Jennifer K., Baker, Todd Marcus, Mahant, Sunny, Butaney, Vikas H.
• Application Number:
  US11/109,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232677A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.100
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A network device has a first interface to allow communication with at least one network-capable camera and a second interface to allow communication with a network. A processor allows the device to receive video data from the network-capable camera receive commands for the cameras from the network and communicate them from the network. The network device may also have a video encoder to allow network-incapable cameras to communicate across the network. A method of managing a video surveillance data network receives data from a network-capable camera and registers the camera with a network management device. An identification number for the camera is provided and video data from the camera is transmitted across a network. Requests for communication with the camera are screened to only allow authorized users to access data from the camera.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising:

a first interface to allow communication with at least one network-capable camera;

a second interface to allow communication with a network; and

a processor to;

receive video data from the network-capable camera;

allow the device to communicate the video data to a network; and

receive commands for the camera from the network and communicate them from the network.

2. The network device of claim 1, the network device further comprising a video encoder to receive video data from at least one network-incapable camera and encode it for use by the processor.

3. The network device of claim 1, the network device further comprising a dynamic host configuration protocol server.

4. The network device of claim 1, the network device further comprising a gatekeeper in accordance with the International Telecommunications Union standard H.323.

5. The network device of claim 1, the network device further comprising a session initiation protocol proxy server.

6. The network device of claim 1, the network device further comprising a voice gateway.

7. The network device of claim 1, the processor further to receive commands and to provide the commands to the camera for camera operations.

8. A method of managing a video surveillance data network, comprising:

receiving data from a network-capable camera;

registering the camera with a network management device;

providing an identification number for the camera;

transmitting video data from the camera across a network;

screening requests for communication with the camera to only allow authorized users to access data from the camera.

9. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising registering telephone numbers for voice-over data network calls.

10. The method of claim 8, registering the camera with a network management device further comprising registering the camera with a gatekeeper.

11. The method of claim 8, registering the camera with a network management device further comprising registering the camera with a session initiation protocol proxy server.

12. The method of claim 8, providing an identification number for the camera further comprising providing a telephone number for the camera.

13. The method of claim 8, providing an identification number for the camera further comprising providing a network address for the camera.

14. The method of claim 8, transmitting video data from the camera across a network further comprising transmitting video data from the camera to a digital video recorder across the network.

15. The method of claim 8, screening requests for communication with the camera further comprising only allowing members of a closed users group to communicate with the camera.

16. A network device, comprising:

means for allowing communication with at least one network-capable camera;

means for allowing communication with a network; and

means for;

receiving video data from the network-capable camera;

allowing the device to communicate the video data to a network; and

receiving commands for the camera from the network and communicate them from the network.

17. The network device of claim 16, the network device further comprising means for receiving video data from at least one network-incapable camera and encoding it for use by the processor.

18. An article of machine-readable code containing instructions that, when executed, cause the machine to:

receive data from a network-capable camera;

register the camera with a network management device;

provide an identification number for the camera;

transmit video data from the camera across a network;

screen requests for communication with the camera to only allow authorized users to access data from the camera.

19. The method of claim 18, the instructions, when executed, further causing the machine to register telephone numbers for voice-over data network calls.

20. A video surveillance network, comprising:

at least one network-capable camera;

at least one network phone;

at least one network device to;

receive video data from the camera and transmit it across the network;

receive voice data from the network phone and transmit it across the network; and

at least one video monitor to allow viewing of the video data transmitted across the network.

21. The video surveillance network of claim 20, further comprising a digital video recorder to store the video data.

22. The video surveillance network of claim 20, the network device to provide access to the video data to approved users.

23. The video surveillance network of claim 20, further comprising at least one wireless access point to allow access to the video data from a wireless device.