MULTI-MEDIA APPARATUS WITH JPEG 2000 COMPRESSION AND AUTOFOCUS

• US 20080080776A1
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Icop, LLC
• Original Assignee: New Icop, LLC
• Inventors: Urban, Randall Lee, Owen, David Carroll, Hathaway, Steven Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19671 Addition of non-video data, i.e. metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/63 using sub-band based transform, e.g. wavelets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/673 based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a surveillance device that provides a wide range of monitoring and is adapted to log and transmit video, audio, collateral environment data, and event data over a network, utilizing a relatively low bandwidth and low power consumption, while maintaining a resolution and features that greatly enhance surveillance applications. The multimedia surveillance device of the present invention provides support for dynamic addressing, JPEG 2000 compression, auto-focus and alarm notification.

Claims

1. A network compatible, multimedia surveillance device having support for dynamic addressing, the surveillance device adapted to acquire and provide digital data items on a network, the surveillance device comprising:

an image capture device for acquiring video images as digital data items;

a processor component for processing the digital data items;

a JPEG 2000 compression component; and

an automated focal point adjustment component;

wherein said JPEG 2000 compression component is in operative communication with said processor component to provide compression of the video images; and

wherein said focal point adjustment component operates in cooperation with said processor component and image capture device to make focal point adjustments to improve quality of video images being acquired.

2. The surveillance device of claim 1, wherein the network is an IP network, and the surveillance device is adapted to support dynamic IP addressing.

3. The surveillance device of claim 2 further comprising an encryption component for encrypting communication between the surveillance device and said IP network.

4. The surveillance device of claim 3, having said focal point adjustment component adapted to receive parameters from a host computer or other device attached to said IP network.

5. The surveillance device of claim 3 further comprising a digital photo-sensor, wherein said digital photo-sensor provides information on lighting conditions to said processor component to influence aperture and iris settings in said image capture device.

6. The surveillance device of claim 5, wherein the image capture device has approximately 0.10 LUX of illumination.

7. The surveillance device of claim 3 further comprising a temperature monitoring component.

8. The surveillance device of claim 7 having said temperature monitoring component adapted to provide ambient temperature readings.

9. The surveillance device of claim 8 having said temperature monitoring component adapted to provide an alarm signal when ambient temperature readings exceed one or more programmable temperature limits and having said alarm signal available to a network device.

10. The surveillance device of claim 9, wherein the processor component is adapted to activate upon the occurrence of said alarm signal, one or more from a group consisting of:

an alarm light, a solenoid, and a siren.

11. The surveillance device of claim 9, wherein said alarm signal is an Ethernet alarm notification that provides an SMTP message.

12. A video camera apparatus comprising:

a CCD camera;

an NTSC decoder;

a JPEG 2000 compression device;

a microprocessor;

a network interface;

a memory store; and

a complex programmable logic device;

said logic device connected in communication to said NTSC decoder and said microprocessor, to provide digital logic functions;

said CCD camera connected in communication to said NTSC decoder to provide analog composite video, and to said microprocessor;

said NTSC decoder connected in communication to said compression device and said complex programmable logic device;

said compression device connected in communication to said memory store and said microprocessor, to provide compressed video data;

said microprocessor adapted to communicate through said network interface to one or more networked devices.

13. The video camera apparatus of claim 12, having said memory store further comprising:

a flash memory for nonvolatile storage of an operating environment and application instructions; and

a synchronous dynamic random access memory for interactive execution of said application instructions with said microprocessor.

14. The video camera apparatus of claim 13, wherein said microprocessor includes a serial interface for communicating with one or more external devices.

15. The video camera apparatus of claim 14, wherein said one or more external devices is one or more from a group consisting of:

a motion sensor;

a photo-sensor;

a temperature monitor;

a microphone; and

an opto-coupler.

16. The video camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein said camera is adapted to support dynamic multiple frame rates, and wherein said frame rates are adjusted from a network device.

17. A video camera apparatus comprising:

means for capturing images and converting the images into digital format;

means for implementing compression of the converted images;

means for providing auto-focus functions on said camera to enhance the quality of the captured images; and

means for providing secure connectivity and encrypted communication to an IP network.

18. The video camera of claim 17 wherein said means for implementing compression implements JPEG 2000 compression.

19. The video camera of claim 18 wherein said camera further comprises means for supporting dynamic IP addressing.

20. The video camera apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for automatic detection of day or night.

21. The video camera apparatus of claim 20 further comprising, an environment sensor, wherein signals from said environment sensor are processed by the video camera and made available for communication to said IP network.

22. The video camera of claim 21 further comprising means for providing notification of one or more alarm signals in connection with the signals from said environment sensor, to devices on said IP network.

23. The video camera apparatus of claim 22 wherein said environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

24. The video camera apparatus of claim 22 wherein said environment sensor is a sound detection device.

25. The video camera apparatus of claim 21 further comprising means for providing a non-network signal in connection with said one or more alarms, wherein said non-network signal may be used to activate a notification device external to said video camera.