Video security backup system
First Claim
1. A video security system, comprising:
- a video monitor connected to receive a monitor video signal and for displaying a video image represented by the monitor video signal;
a plurality of cameras each disposed at a location remote from said video monitor for producing a camera video signal representing an image of the respective remote location;
a first switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating first switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data;
a second switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating second switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data;
a video switching unit connected for receiving the camera video signal from each of said plurality of cameras, for receiving the first switching control signals, and for providing the monitor video signal to said video monitor from among the camera video signals in accordance with the received switching control signals;
configuration selection means for generating the configuration data, said configuration selection means being connected for transmitting the configuration data to said first switching control unit;
a backup controller connected with said configuration selection means for monitoring the configuration data transmitted to said first switching control unit and providing a duplicate of the configuration data to said second switching control unit in tandem with the transmission of the configuration data to said first switching control unit, said backup controller further comprises detection means for detecting a failure condition of said first switching control unit and for generating a transfer control signal in response thereto; and
transfer means responsive to the transfer control signal for disconnecting said configuration selection means from said first switching control unit and connecting said configuration selection means to said second switching control unit, wherein said video switching unit further for receiving the second switching control signals generated by said second switching control unit upon the detection of a failure condition by said backup controller.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video security surveillance system comprises a backup video switching control unit connected in tandem with a primary video switching control unit. A backup controller monitors operation of the primary switching control unit and automatically effects transfer of control of the video security system to the backup switching control unit upon detection of a failure condition of the primary switching control unit. During normal operation, the backup switching control unit is continuously updated with the same configuration parameters as the primary switching control unit so that in the event of a failure condition requiring a transfer to the backup switching control unit, the transfer of control is effected wherein the backup switching control unit operates in accordance with the same configuration data as the primary switching control unit prior to the failure condition.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A video security system, comprising:
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a video monitor connected to receive a monitor video signal and for displaying a video image represented by the monitor video signal; a plurality of cameras each disposed at a location remote from said video monitor for producing a camera video signal representing an image of the respective remote location; a first switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating first switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a second switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating second switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a video switching unit connected for receiving the camera video signal from each of said plurality of cameras, for receiving the first switching control signals, and for providing the monitor video signal to said video monitor from among the camera video signals in accordance with the received switching control signals; configuration selection means for generating the configuration data, said configuration selection means being connected for transmitting the configuration data to said first switching control unit; a backup controller connected with said configuration selection means for monitoring the configuration data transmitted to said first switching control unit and providing a duplicate of the configuration data to said second switching control unit in tandem with the transmission of the configuration data to said first switching control unit, said backup controller further comprises detection means for detecting a failure condition of said first switching control unit and for generating a transfer control signal in response thereto; and transfer means responsive to the transfer control signal for disconnecting said configuration selection means from said first switching control unit and connecting said configuration selection means to said second switching control unit, wherein said video switching unit further for receiving the second switching control signals generated by said second switching control unit upon the detection of a failure condition by said backup controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A video security system, comprising:
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a video monitor connected to receive a monitor video signal and for displaying a video image represented by the monitor video signal; a plurality of cameras each disposed at a location remote from said video monitor for producing a camera video signal representing an image of the respective remote location; a first switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating first switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a second switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating second switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a first video switching unit connected to said first switching control unit for receiving the first switching control signals, and operatively connected for receiving the camera video signal from each of said plurality of cameras and for providing the monitor video signal to said video monitor from among the camera video signals in accordance with the first switching control signals; a second video switching unit connected to said second switching control unit for receiving the second switching control signals, and operatively connected for receiving the camera video signals from each of said plurality of cameras, said second video switching unit being adapted for providing the monitor video signal from among the camera video signals in accordance with the second switching control signals; configuration selection means for generating the configuration data, said configuration selection means being connected for transmitting the configuration data to said first switching control unit; a backup controller connected with said configuration selection means for monitoring the configuration data transmitted to said first switching control unit and providing a duplicate of the configuration data to said second switching control unit in tandem with the transmission of the configuration data to said first switching control unit, said backup controller further comprises detection means for detecting a failure condition of said first switching control unit and for activating a transfer control signal in response thereto; and transfer means responsive to said transfer control signal for (i) disconnecting said configuration selection means from said first switching control unit and connecting said configuration selection means to said second video switching control unit and (ii) disconnecting said first video switching unit from said monitor and connecting said second video switching unit to said monitor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A video security system, comprising:
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a video monitor connected to receive a monitor video signal and for displaying a video image represented by the monitor video signal; a plurality of cameras each disposed at a location remote from said video monitor for producing a camera video signal representing an image of the respective remote location; a first switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating first switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a second switching control unit for receiving configuration data and for generating second switching control signals in accordance with the configuration data; a first video switching unit connected to said first switching control unit for receiving the first switching control signals, and operatively connected for receiving the camera video signal from each of said plurality of cameras and for providing the monitor video signal to said video monitor from among the camera video signals in accordance with the first switching control signals; a second video switching unit connected to said second switching control unit for receiving the second switching control signals, and operatively connected for receiving the camera video signals from each of said plurality of cameras, said second video switching unit being adapted for providing the monitor video signal from among the camera video signals in accordance with the second switching control signals; configuration selection means for generating the configuration data, said configuration selection means being connected for transmitting the configuration data to a first input of said first switching control unit, said configuration selection means further for allowing a system user to specify a desired configuration in a manner which does not immediately affect an operation of said first switching control unit, the desired configuration corresponding to configuration data to be transmitted to the first input of said first switching control unit, said configuration selection means further being responsive to a system user command for initiating the transmission of the configuration data to said first switching control unit; configuration-altering means for altering the configuration data during a real-time operation of said security system, said configuration-altering means being connected for transmitting the configuration data to a second input of said first switching control unit, wherein the configuration data includes configuration data as altered by said configuration-altering means; a backup controller connected with said configuration selection means and said configuration-altering means for monitoring the configuration data transmitted to said first switching control unit and providing a duplicate of the configuration data to a first input and a second input of said second switching control unit, respectively, in tandem with the transmission of configuration data to the first input and the second input of said first switching control unit, respectively, wherein the configuration data received by said second switching control unit is continuously maintained consistent with the configuration data in the first switching control unit, said backup controller further comprises detection means for detecting a failure condition of said first switching control unit and for activating a transfer control signal in response thereto; and transfer means responsive to said transfer control signal for (i) automatically disconnecting said configuration selection means and said configuration-altering means from said first switching control unit and connecting said configuration selection means and said configuration-altering means to said second video switching control unit and (ii) automatically disconnecting said first video switching unit from said monitor and connecting said second video switching unit to said monitor.
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Specification