SYSTEM FOR CHECKING SECURITY OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF AN AREA

• US 20100091108A1
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Park, Barbara, Atmur, Robert J., Kubinski, Ronald A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,123,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/159
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/008 by simulating the existence of a security system, e.g. a mock video camera to scare thieves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits

Abstract

A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units includes: (a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among the plurality of video units; and (b) a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of the plurality of video units; the control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal. Each respective signaling-equipped video unit is oriented to permit at least one other video unit of the plurality of video units to receive the predetermined signal. The control unit cooperates with the plurality of video units to evaluate received the predetermined signals to effect the checking.

Claims

1. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units;

the system comprising;

(a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among said plurality of video units; and

(b) a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units;

said control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal;

each respective said signaling-equipped video unit being oriented to permit at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units to receive said predetermined signal;

said control unit cooperating with said plurality of video units to evaluate received said predetermined signals to effect said checking.

2. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in a light signal.

3. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 2 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency or another parameter associated with said light signal.

4. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

5. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 4 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.

6. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video installations;

each respective video installation of said plurality of video installations including a plurality of video units;

the system comprising;

(a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among said plurality of video units in each of said plurality of video installations; and

(b) at least one control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units in each of said plurality of video installations;

said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal;

each respective said signaling-equipped video unit being oriented to permit at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units in at least one respective video installation of said plurality of video installations to receive said predetermined signal;

said at least one control unit cooperating with said plurality of video units in selected video installations of said plurality of video installations to evaluate received said predetermined signals to effect said checking.

7. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in a light signal.

8. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 7 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency or another parameter associated with said light signal.

9. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

10. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 9 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.

11. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said at least one control unit comprises a respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations.

12. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one first selected control unit of said at least one control unit is associated with a respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations and wherein at least one second selected control unit of said at least one control unit is associated with at least two respective said video installations of said plurality of video installations.

13. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one control unit includes a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations.

14. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 12 wherein said at least one control unit includes a master control unit coupled with each respective said at least one first selected control unit and coupled with each respective said at least one second selected control.

15. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 13 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

16. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 15 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.

17. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations;

each respective sensor installation of said plurality of sensor installations including a plurality of sensor units;

the method comprising;

(a) providing a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped sensor unit among said plurality of sensor units in each of said plurality of sensor installations;

(b) providing at least one control unit coupled with each respective sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units in each of said plurality of sensor installations;

said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal;

each respective said signaling-equipped sensor unit being oriented to permit at least one other sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units in at least one respective sensor installation of said plurality of sensor installations to receive said predetermined signal;

said at least one control unit cooperating with said plurality of sensor units in selected sensor installations of said plurality of sensor installations to evaluate received said predetermined signals to check integrity of said transport path;

(c) providing at least one predefined criterion for comparison of extant values with sensor data from said at least one sensor unit to evaluate said integrity; and

(d) when said integrity is evaluated as less than a predetermined level, taking at least one action;

said at least one action including;

(1) ceasing progression along an extant said transport path;

(2) notifying a predetermined party of an occurrence of integrity being evaluated as less than said predetermined level;

(3) initiating further investigation to ascertain whether a maintenance action is required; and

(4) proceeding along an alternate said transport path.

18. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one control unit comprises a respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations and a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit.

19. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 18 wherein said predetermined signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

20. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 19 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.

21. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units;

the system comprising;

(a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among said plurality of video units; and

(b) a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units;

said control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal;

each respective said signaling-equipped video unit being oriented to permit at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units to receive said predetermined signal;

said control unit cooperating with said plurality of video units to evaluate received said predetermined signals to effect said checking;

said predetermined signal being embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal;

said encoding arrangement including varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.

22. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations;

each respective sensor installation of said plurality of sensor installations including a plurality of sensor units;

the method comprising;

(a) providing a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped sensor unit among said plurality of sensor units in each of said plurality of sensor installations;

(b) providing at least one control unit coupled with each respective sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units in each of said plurality of sensor installations;

said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal;

each respective said signaling-equipped sensor unit being oriented to permit at least one other sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units in at least one respective sensor installation of said plurality of sensor installations to receive said predetermined signal;

said at least one control unit cooperating with said plurality of sensor units in selected sensor installations of said plurality of sensor installations to evaluate received said predetermined signals to check integrity of said transport path;

(c) providing at least one predefined criterion for comparison of extant values with sensor data from said at least one sensor unit to evaluate said integrity; and

(d) when said integrity is evaluated as less than a predetermined level, taking at least one action;

said at least one action including;

(1) ceasing progression along an extant said transport path;

(2) notifying a predetermined party of an occurrence of integrity being evaluated as less than said predetermined level;

(3) initiating further investigation to ascertain whether a maintenance action is required; and

(4) proceeding along an alternate said transport path;

said at least one control unit comprises a respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations and a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit;

said predetermined signal being embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal;

said encoding arrangement including varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined signal.