VIRTUAL INTERNET PROTOCOL MODULATOR

• US 20110211069A1
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bryan Sybesma
• Original Assignee: Bryan Sybesma
• Inventors: Sybesma, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US13/035,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20110211069A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A virtual internet protocol (“IP”) modulator that allows for the viewing of streaming video from IP based network security cameras on a television receiver, set-top box, or other digital media device. The virtual IP modulator translate streaming video information from a particular communication protocol being used by the camera to a format which is more easily recognize by the television, set-top box, or other digital media device. The virtual IP modulator may be used privately within a home or within a virtual neighborhood watch program. The virtual IP modulator may receive video directly from the camera over the network or through an intermediate web server, with the intermediate web server further translating or formatting the video information to conform with a communication protocol which is recognizes by the virtual IP modulator.

Claims

1. A security system, comprising:

a network camera utilizing an internet protocol to transmit digital video images over an IP network;

a television connected to the IP network; and

a virtual internet protocol modulator in communication with the network camera and the television;

wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator is configured to receive the digital video images from the network camera and output the images for viewing on the television.

2. The security system of claim 1, wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator comprises computer readable code which resides within a memory of said television and conforms to an operating system of said television.

3. The security system of claim 1, further comprising:

a web server connected to said IP network;

wherein the digital video images from the network camera are received by the web server and then transmitted to the virtual internet protocol modulator for viewing on the television.

4. The security system of claim 1, wherein the network camera comprises an internal web server to enable communication with the IP network.

5. The security system of claim 1, wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator is configured to display the digital video images within a picture box of an on-screen menu of the television.

6. The security system of claim 1, wherein the digital video images are stored in a digital storage device within the television for later retrieval and viewing.

7. The security system of claim 1, wherein the security system comprises multiple network cameras connected to the IP network, and wherein digital video images from each of the cameras are displayed simultaneously on the television in a matrix pattern.

8. The security system of claim 1, wherein the IP network is a public IP network.

9. The security system of claim 1, wherein the IP network is a private IP network.

10. The security system of claim 1, wherein the IP network contains both public and private portions.

11. A security system, comprising:

a network camera utilizing an internet protocol to transmit digital video images over an IP network;

a set-top box connected to the IP network;

a television display connected to the set-top box; and

a virtual internet protocol modulator in communication with the network camera and the television, said virtual internet protocol modulator being implemented within said set-top box;

wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator is configured to receive the digital video images from the network camera and output the images for viewing on the television.

12. The security system of claim 11, wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator comprises computer readable code which resides within a memory of said television and conforms to an operating system of said television.

13. The security system of claim 11,

wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator is configured to conform to the communication protocol of the network camera with respect to received digital video images;

and

wherein the virtual internet protocol modulator is further configured to conform to the operating system of the set-top box.

14. A digital media device for implementing a security system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory operatively coupled to said processor;

an IP network communication device;

wherein said processor executes computer readable code to process digital video images from an IP network camera using said IP network communication device and output said digital video images over an output channel of said digital media device for display on a television.

15. The digital media device of claim 14, wherein said digital media device further functions as a set-top box for use with a television.

16. The digital media device of claim 15, wherein the digital video images are stored within the memory for later retrieval.

17. The digital media device of claim 15, wherein said digital video images are output within a picture box of an on-screen guide of the set-top box.

18. The digital media device of claim 14, wherein said images from multiple network cameras are displayed simultaneously in a matrix format to the television.

19. The digital media device of claim 14, wherein the digital media device received said digital video images from an intermediate web server, said web server in communication with said network camera over an IP network.

20. The digital media device of claim 14, wherein said digital media device is further configured to play digital videos received from other source in addition to the network cameras.