Security system

• US 6,597,391 B2
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hudson, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Philippe, Gims S.
• Application Number:
  US09/153,109
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186300A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,771 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/144, 348/150, 348/151, 348/152, 348/153, 348/154, 348/155, 348/159, 348/169, 348/170, 382/103, 340/3.1
• US Class Current: 348/153
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A security system has a plurality of cameras (C1 to C7) presenting different views of an area. The system is programmed to present on a display means (M11) a predetermined hierarchy of views (FIG. 5). Each level of the hierarchy comprises one or more sets (A, B, C, D) of views. Each set comprises one or more (e.g. two views (2, 3; 5, 6) presented simultaneously on the display means (M11). The set of views in one level are linked in ap reset manner to views in adjacent levels. The sets of views and the organization of the hierarchy corresponds to the configuration of the area (FIG. 4).

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in a security system in a building having a plurality of cameras presenting different views, the apparatus comprising means for programming so as to present, on a display means, a predetermined hierarchy of predetermined sets of views, each set comprising one or more views presented simultaneously on the display means, the hierarchy having a plurality of levels, each level comprising one or more sets, each view in a set being linked to an adjacent level, and operator controlled means for selecting a view, wherein a sequence of images displayed on said display means correspond to a layout in said building so as to track routes through said building such that when a respective image is displayed on said display means the next image or images available to be selected by an operator for display correspond to a respective route or routes adjacent to a portion of said building shown by the respective image.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising:

video switch means for receiving video signals from the plurality of cameras;

a video signal processor, to which the switching means couples selected sets of the video signals for display of the sets of views reproduced thereby on a display device; and

programmable control means for controlling the switching means and the video signal processor to present the said predetermined hierarchy of predetermined sets of views on the display device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for receiving alarm signals from alarm detecting means and for linking the alarm signals with video signals, the control means being responsive to an alarm signal to cause the display device to display the one of the said predetermined sets including the video signal linked to that alarm signal.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising operator controlled means for clearing the alarm indications, the said control means being responsive to clearing of an alarm indication to automatically display another one of the said predetermined sets including a video signal linked to another alarm signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said operator controlled means enables said operator to select from a said set at a level, the linked set at an adjacent level.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, programmed to present the said predetermined hierarchy.