Controllable still frame video transmission system

• US 6,642,954 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2000
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Digital Security Controls Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Parker, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESIR, JEAN WICEL
• Application Number:
  US09/486,612
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/154, 348/152, 348/159, 348/552, 348/22, 348/153, 348/155, 348/156, 725/108, 725/131, 340/541
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A video capture controller for selective capture of video images from a plurality of video cameras, the capture controller having multiple video signal inputs for receiving signals from video source devices, an arrangement for receiving input signals from a security system, a processor for processing the received input signals of such arrangement and comparing the received signals with a predetermined set of possible received signals and, based thereon, determining a particular video capture protocol from a set of video capture protocols associated with the set of possible received signals, and a controller associated with the multiple video signal inputs and the processor, the controller having a video output, the controller selectively connecting the multiple video inputs with the video output based on the particular protocol determined by the processor.

Claims

1. A video capture controller for selective capture of video images from a plurality of video source devices, said capture controller comprising:

multiple video signal inputs for receiving signals from video source devices;

an arrangement for receiving input signals from a security system;

a processor for processing the received input signals of said arrangement and comparing the received signals with a predetermined set of possible received signals and, based thereon, determining a particular video capture protocol from a set of video capture protocols associated with said set of possible received signals;

a controller associated with said multiple video signal inputs and said processor, said controller having a video output, said controller selectively connecting said multiple video inputs with said video output based on said particular protocol determined by said processor and wherein a plurality of said video capture protocols cause said controller to selectively sequentially connect at least two of said multiple video inputs with said video output.

2. The video capture controller of claim 1 further comprising:

frame grabber means for capturing an image from said video output and supplying same to a second video output.

3. The video capture controller of claim 2 further comprising:

a video storage system connected to said second video output for storing multiple video images;

a transmitter for transmitting the captured video images from said storage system to a remote location.

4. A video capture controller for selective capture of video images from a plurality of video source devices as claimed in claim 1 wherein,

said set of possible received signals includes the receipt of different groups of signals from said security system and some of said video capture protocols cause said controller to selectively sequentially connect at least two of said multiple video inputs with said video output.

5. A process for capturing video images from multiple video sources in a security alarm system monitoring certain physical variables in or associated with a physical space, comprising:

monitoring said variables;

identifying a set of conditions for said variables;

selecting, in response to said set of conditions, a video image capture protocol from a pre-determined set of video image capture protocols each associated with at least one pre-determined set of said conditions;

capturing said video images in accordance with said selected protocol.

6. A process as claimed in claim 5 wherein the number of video images captured is less than the number of video sources.

7. A process as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

repeating the execution of at least one selected protocol until such time as a new protocol is selected;

executing said new protocol one time only;

resuming selection and execution of a protocol only after receipt of a signal indicative that such selection and execution should resume.

8. A video capture controller for use in a system monitoring certain physical variables in or associated with a physical space, said system having multiple video sources, comprising:

means for storing a pre-determined set of video image capture protocols each associated with at least one pre-determined set of conditions for said variables;

means for receiving signals indicative of the condition of each said variable;

means for identifying a set of conditions for said variables;

means for retrieving from said storage means a specific video image capture protocol in response to said identified set of conditions; and

,

means for capturing video images from said video sources in accordance with said selected protocol.

9. A video capture controller as claimed in claim 8 wherein said variables include certain alarm variables and said receiving means comprises a dedicated input for receiving a signal indicative of the condition of each said alarm variable and other input means for receiving signals indicative of the condition of the other said variables.

10. A video capture controller as claimed in claim 9 wherein the number of video images captured is less than the number of video sources.

11. A security System communications console for monitoring certain physical variables in or associated with a physical space, said system adapted to receive signals from certain alarm detection devices distributed about said space, said signals being indicative of the condition of the variables being monitored by said devices, said console being adapted to connect to an external communication channel, comprising

control panel means for receiving said signals, for determining in response thereto whether a status report on the conditions of the variables should be made to an external location via the external communication channel, and, if so, for making said report;

multiple video sources distributed about said space;

a video capture controller comprising means for storing a pre-determined set of video image capture protocols each associated with at least one pre-determined set of conditions for said variables, means for receiving from said alarm detection devices or from said panel signals indicative of the condition of each said variable, means for identifying a set of conditions for said variables, means for retrieving from said storage means a specific video image capture protocol in response to said identified set of conditions, and, means for capturing said video images in accordance with said selected protocol; and

,

video transmitter means for transferring said captured video images to the external communication channel in the event that the panel makes a status report to an external location.

12. A console as claimed in claim 11 wherein the panel is adapted to receive control inputs from a user and said variables include at least one variable controlled or monitored by the panel in response to a user input.

13. A console as claimed in claim 12 wherein the number of video images captured is less than the number of video sources.

14. A security system for monitoring certain physical variables in or associated with a physical space, said system being adapted to connect to an external communication channel, comprising:

alarm detection devices distributed about said space for generating signals indicative of the condition of the variables being monitored by said devices;

control panel means for receiving said signals, for determining in response thereto whether a status report on the conditions of the variables should be made to an external location via the external communication channel, and, if so, for making said report;

multiple video sources distributed about said space;

a video capture controller comprising means for storing a pre-determined set of video image capture protocols each associated with at least one pre-determined set of conditions for said variables, means for receiving from said alarm detection devices or from said panel signals indicative of the condition of each said variable, means for identifying a set of conditions for said variables, means for retrieving from said storage means a specific video image capture protocol in response to said identified set of conditions, and, means for capturing said video images in accordance with said selected protocol; and

,

video transmitter means for transferring said captured video images to the external communication channel in the event that the panel makes a status report to an external location.

15. A security system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said variables include at least one variable controlled by a user and the system further comprises user input means connected to the panel for entering commands relating to the status of said at least one variable.

16. A security system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the number of video images captured is less than the number of video sources.