Surveillance camera apparatus, remote surveillance apparatus and remote surveillance system having the surveillance camera apparatus and the remote surveillance apparatus

• US 6,456,321 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1999
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Security Video Camera Systems Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ito, Fujio, Miyabe, Hiroshi, Takahashi, Kenji, Tagawa, Haruo
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US09/339,046
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143-159
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 9/00 Image coding bandwidth or redundancy reduction for static pictures H04N1/41; coding or decoding of static colour picture signals H04N1/64; methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

Video data indicating a scene of a surveillance area is produced by a surveillance camera and is compressed to high-compressed video data and low-compressed video data. The low-compressed video data having a large data volume is stored in a storing unit, and the high-compressed video data having a small data volume is transmitted to a surveillance apparatus through a communication line at high speed. Also, in cases where the occurrence of an unusual condition is detected by a detector, an unusual condition detecting signal is transmitted to the surveillance apparatus. In the surveillance apparatus, the high-compressed video data is expanded, and a low-definition scene image of the surveillance area is displayed as a real time image. When the unusual condition detecting signal is received, the signal is displayed, and a watchman can notice the occurrence of the unusual condition. Because the watchman desires to view a scene image at high definition, the low-compressed video data stored in the storing unit is transmitted to the surveillance apparatus in response to a watchman'"'"'s request, and a high-definition scene image of the surveillance area is displayed as a past-time image. Therefore, the watchman can precisely observe the unusual condition of the surveillance area.

Claims

1. A remote surveillance system, comprising:

a surveillance camera apparatus for producing compressed video data indicating a scene of a surveillance area;

a surveillance apparatus for displaying the scene image of the surveillance area according to the compressed video data produced by the surveillance camera apparatus; and

a communication line through which the compressed video data produced by the surveillance camera apparatus is transmitted to the surveillance apparatus, wherein the surveillance camera apparatus comprises;

photographing means for photographing the surveillance area to produce the video data;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce high-compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree lower than the first compression degree to produce low-compressed video data;

compressed video data storing means for storing the low-compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means; and

communication performing means for transmitting the high-compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to the surveillance apparatus through the communication line or transmitting the low-compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the surveillance apparatus through the communication line, and the surveillance apparatus comprises;

communication performing means for receiving the high-compressed video data or the low-compressed video data transmitted from the surveillance camera apparatus through the communication line;

compressed video data expanding means for expanding the high-compressed video data or the low-compressed video data received by the communication performing means to produce expanded video data;

displaying means for displaying a low-definition scene image of the surveillance area according to the expanded video data produced from the high-compressed video data by the compressed video data expanding means as a real time image or displaying a high-definition scene image of the surveillance area according to the expanded video data produced from the low-compressed video data by the compressed video data expanding means as a past-time image;

instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction for displaying a high-definition scene image; and

control means for controlling the surveillance camera apparatus to normally output the high-compressed video data compressed by the video data compressing means and to output the low-compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means in cases where the instruction for displaying a high-definition scene image is received by the instruction receiving means.

2. A remote surveillance system according to claim 1 in which the surveillance camera apparatus further comprises:

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area; and

control means for controlling the communication performing means to output unusual condition detecting information to the surveillance apparatus in cases where the unusual condition is detected by the unusual condition detecting means, the unusual condition detecting information output by the communication performing means being displayed by the displaying means.

3. A remote surveillance system according to claim 2 in which unusual condition occurrence information being added to specific low-compressed video data currently produced by the video data compressing means under the control of the control means of the surveillance camera apparatus in cases where the unusual condition is detected by the unusual condition detecting means, the specific low-compressed video data with the unusual condition occurrence information being read out from the compressed video data storing means under the control of the control means of the surveillance camera apparatus and being transmitted to the surveillance apparatus to display the high-definition scene image of the surveillance area by the displaying means in cases where the instruction for displaying a high-definition scene image is received by the instruction receiving means.

4. A remote surveillance system according to claim 1 in which the surveillance apparatus further comprises:

compressed video data storing means for storing the high-compressed video data received by the communication performing means as past compressed video data, the past compressed video data being expanded to expanded past compressed video data by the compressed video data expanding means in place of the high-compressed video data received by the communication performing means under the control of the control means in cases where an instruction for displaying a past-time scene image is received by the instruction receiving means, and a scene image of the surveillance area reproduced from the expanded past compressed video data being displayed by the displaying means as a past-time image.

5. A remote surveillance system according to claim 1 in which the communication line is normally set to a communication-impossible condition to prohibit the transmission of the high-compressed video data and the low-compressed video data performed by the surveillance camera apparatus, the communication-impossible condition of the communication line is changed to a communication-possible condition by the control means to make the surveillance camera apparatus transmit the high-compressed video data or the low-compressed video data in cases where a communication request and a specific time period are received by the instruction receiving means, and the surveillance camera apparatus further comprises:

supplementary video data compressing means for compressing the low-compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to high-compressed video data of which a compression degree is the same as that of the high-compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means; and

control means for controlling the supplementary video data compressing means to read out specific low-compressed video data corresponding to the specific time period from the compressed video data storing means and to produce specific high-compressed video data by compressing the specific low-compressed video data, in cases where the communication line is set to the communication-possible condition, the specific high-compressed video data being transmitted to the surveillance apparatus through the communication line, and a low-definition scene image of the surveillance area reproduced from the specific high-compressed video data being displayed by the displaying means as a past-time image.

6. A remote surveillance system according to claim 1 in which the communication line is normally set to a communication-impossible condition to prohibit the transmission of the high-compressed video data and the low-compressed video data performed by the surveillance camera apparatus, and the surveillance camera apparatus further comprises:

supplementary video data compressing means for compressing the low-compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to high-compressed video data of which a compression degree is the same as that of the high-compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area; and

control means for controlling the communication performing means to transmit unusual condition detecting information to the surveillance apparatus in cases where the unusual condition is detected by the unusual condition detecting means, changing the communication-impossible condition of the communication line to a communication-possible condition in cases where the unusual condition is detected by the unusual condition detecting means, controlling the supplementary video data compressing means to read out specific low-compressed video data corresponding to a specific time period including an occurrence time of the unusual condition from the compressed video data storing means and to produce specific high-compressed video data by compressing the specific low-compressed video data and controlling the communication performing means of the surveillance camera apparatus to transmit the specific high-compressed video data to the surveillance apparatus through the communication line set to the communication-possible condition in cases where the unusual condition is detected by the unusual condition detecting means, the unusual condition detecting information transmitted to the surveillance apparatus being displayed with a low-definition scene image of the surveillance area reproduced from the specific high-compressed video data by the displaying means to notify a watchman of the occurrence of the unusual condition.

7. A remote surveillance system according to claim 1 in which the photographing means comprises:

a plurality of surveillance cameras for respectively photographing one surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area; and

an identification information adding unit for adding identification information to the video data of the surveillance area produced in each surveillance camera to distinguish the video data produced in each surveillance camera from the video data produced in the other surveillance cameras, the high-compressed video data with the identification information corresponding to each surveillance camera being transmitted from the surveillance camera apparatus to the surveillance apparatus to display a low-definition scene image as a real-time image by the displaying means for each surveillance camera.

8. A surveillance camera apparatus, comprising:

photographing means for photographing a surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce highly compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree, lower than the first compression degree, to produce lower compressed video data;

video data storing means for storing the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

communication performing means for transmitting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to an external apparatus through a communication system to make the external apparatus reproduce a lower definition scene image of the surveillance area in real time or transmitting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus through the communication line to make the external apparatus reproduce a high definition past time scene image of the surveillance area;

control means for controlling the communication performing means to normally transmit the highly compressed video data and to transmit the lower compressed video data in cases where a request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received;

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area and outputting an unusual condition detecting signal to the control means to cause the transmission of the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus in place of the highly compressed video data under the control of the control means; and

compressed video data selecting means for normally selecting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means under the control of the control means and selecting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means under the control of the control means in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal of the unusual condition detecting means is sent to the control means,

wherein the highly compressed video data or the lower compressed video data selected by the compressed video data selecting means is transmitted to the external apparatus by the communication performing means.

9. A surveillance camera apparatus comprising:

photographing means for photographing a surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce highly compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree lower than the first compression degree to produce lower compressed video data;

compressed video data storing means for storing the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

communication means for;

transmitting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to an external apparatus through a communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition scene image of the surveillance area in real time;

or

transmitting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus through the communication system to enable the external to reproduce a higher definition past time scene image of the surveillance area;

control means for controlling the communication means to normally transmit the highly compressed video data and to transmit the lower compressed video data in cases where a request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received; and

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area and outputting an unusual condition detecting signal to the control means to transmit the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus in place of the highly compressed video data under the control of the control means;

wherein said unusual condition occurrence information is added to specific lower compressed video data currently produced by the video data compressing means under the control of the control means in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal output from the unusual condition detecting means is received by the control means, and

wherein the specific lower compressed video data with the unusual condition occurrence information is detected from the compressed video data storing means by the control means in cases where the request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received by the control means.

10. A surveillance camera apparatus, comprising:

photographing means for photographing a surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce highly compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree, lower than the first compression degree, to produce lower compressed video data;

compressed video data storing means for storing the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

communication means for;

transmitting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to an external apparatus through a communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition scene image of the surveillance area in real time;

or

transmitting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus through the communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a higher definition past time scene image of the surveillance area;

control means for controlling the communication means to normally transmit the highly compressed video data and/or to transmit the lower compressed video data in cases where a request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received;

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area and outputting an unusual condition detecting signal to the control means to transmit the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus in place of the higher compressed video data under the control of the control means; and

a communication system through which the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means and the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means are transmitted to the external apparatus,

wherein the communication system is normally set to a communication-impossible condition to prohibit the transmission of the highly compressed video data and the lower compressed video data by the communication means, and

wherein the communication-impossible condition of the communication system is changed to a communication-possible condition by the control means to make the communication performing means transmit the higher compressed video data and the lower compressed video data in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal output from the unusual condition detecting means is received by the control means.

11. A surveillance camera apparatus, comprising:

photographing means for photographing a surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce highly compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree, lower than the first compression degree, to produce lower compressed video data;

compressed video data storing means for storing the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

communication means for;

transmitting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to an external apparatus through a communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition scene image of the surveillance area in real time;

or

transmitting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing paeans to the external apparatus through the communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a higher definition past-time scene image of the surveillance area;

control means for controlling the communication means to normally transmit the highly compressed video data and to transmit the lower compressed video data in cases where a request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received;

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area and outputting an unusual condition detecting signal to the control means to transmit the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus in place of the highly compressed video data under the control of the control means; and

supplementary video data compressing means for reading out;

first, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means at the occurrence time of the unusual condition detected by the unusual condition detecting means,

second, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means just before the production of the first lower compressed video data; and

third, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means just after the production of the first lower compressed video data from the compressed video data storing means under the control of the control means and compressing the first lower compressed video data, the second low compressed video data and the third lower compressed video data to produce specific compressed video data, having a compression degree that is the same as that of the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means, in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal output from the unusual condition detecting means is received by the control means,

wherein the specific compressed video data being transmitted to the external apparatus by the communication means, under the control of the control means, to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition past time scene image of the surveillance area.

12. A surveillance camera apparatus, comprising:

photographing means for photographing a surveillance area to produce video data indicating a scene of the surveillance area;

video data compressing means for compressing the video data produced by the photographing means at a first compression degree to produce highly compressed video data and compressing the video data at a second compression degree, lower than the first compression degree, to produce lower compressed video data;

compressed video data storing means for storing the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

communication means for;

transmitting the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means to an eternal apparatus through a communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition scene image of the surveillance area in real time;

or

transmitting the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus through the communication system to enable the external apparatus to reproduce a high definition past-time scene image of the surveillance area;

control means for controlling the communication means to normally transmit the highly compressed video data and to transmit the lower compressed video data in cases where a request for transmitting the lower compressed video data is received;

unusual condition detecting means for detecting an unusual condition occurring in the surveillance area and outputting an unusual condition detecting signal to the control means to cause the transmission of the lower compressed video data stored in the compressed video data storing means to the external apparatus in place of the highly compressed video data under a control of the control means;

a communication system adapted to transmit the highly compressed video data, produced by the video data compressing means, and the lower compressed video data, stored in the compressed video data storing means, to the external apparatus,

wherein the communication system is normally set to a communication-impossible condition in order to prohibit the transmission of the highly compressed video data and the lower compressed video data; and

wherein the communication-impossible condition of the communication line is adapted to be changed to a communication-possible condition by the control means,

whereby to cause the communication performing means to transmit the highly compressed video data and the lower compressed video data in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal output from the unusual condition detecting means is received by the control means; and

supplementary video data compressing means for reading out;

first, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means at the time that the unusual condition was detected by the unusual condition detecting means,

second, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means just before the production of the first lower compressed video data; and

third, the lower compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means just after the production of the first lower compressed video data from the compressed video data storing means under a control of the control means, and

means for compressing the first lower compressed video data, the second lower compressed video data and the third lower compressed video data to produce specific compressed video data having a compression degree that is the same as that of the highly compressed video data produced by the video data compressing means;

wherein, in cases where the unusual condition detecting signal output from the unusual condition detecting means is received by the control means, means for transmitting the specific compressed video data that has been transmitted to the external apparatus by the communication means through the communication system set to the communication-possible condition, whereby enabling the external apparatus to reproduce a lower definition past-time scene image of the surveillance area.