Addressable security monitoring system

• US 6,646,675 B1
• Filed: 05/06/1998
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
• Inventors: Hsu, Chien-Hung, Lu, Chung-Chien, Yen, Kuo-Tsai, Tang, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Philippe, Gims S.
• Application Number:
  US09/073,577
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/139, 348/142, 348/144, 348/150, 348/213, 348/151, 348/152, 348/153, 348/159, 348/154, 348/155, 348/169, 382/103, 340/541, 340/506, 340/534, 340/531
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 26/006 with substations connected to an individual line, e.g. star configuration

Abstract

A security monitoring system with addressable capability is provided. This system allows a plurality of video cameras to be connected to the security guard room via a single cable instead of a plurality of dedicated cables, as in the prior art. The security monitoring system comprises the following: a cable; a central control unit connected at the first end of the cable, capable of issuing a first signal; at least one addressable video camera connected at the second end of the cable connected to the central control unit; and a monitoring device for displaying a second signal. The addressable video camera receives the first signal from the central control unit and compares the first signal with a preset value; if these match, the addressable video camera sends out a second signal via the cable back to the central control unit. This second signal is then displayed on the monitoring device coupled to the monitor. The signal transmission between the central control unit and the plurality of video cameras can be carried out over one single cable. The arrangement and handling of the security monitoring system is therefore considerably simplified.

Claims

1. A security monitoring system with addressable capability, which comprises:

a cable having a first end and a second end;

a central control unit connected at the first end of the cable, capable of issuing a first signal;

at least one two addressable video cameras connected at the second end of the cable connected to the central control unit, the addressable video cameras receiving the first signal from the central control unit and comparing the first signal with a preset value, wherein if a match is achieved, the addressable video camera sends out a video signal via the cable back to the central control unit; and

a monitoring device for displaying the video signal in visual form.

2. The security monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is an address signal.

3. The security monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the video signal represents a captured video image from the addressable video camera.

4. The security monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the video signal includes a horizontal sync component and a vertical sync component.

5. The security monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the first signal is imbedded in the vertical sync component of the video signal.

6. A security monitoring system with addressable capability, which comprises:

a cable having a first end and a second end;

a central control unit connected at the first end of the cable, capable of issuing a first signal;

at least one addressable video camera connected at the second end of the cable connected to the central control unit, the addressable video cameras receiving the first signal from the central control unit and comparing the first signal with a preset value, wherein if a match is achieved, the addressable video camera sends out a video signal via the cable back to the central control unit;

a monitoring device for displaying the video signal in visual form;

a sync signal detector, connected to the cable, for generating a status signal in response to the received second signal;

a microprocessor coupled to the sync signal detector, the microprocessor generating an address signal and a control signal in response to the status signal;

a modulator, coupled to the microprocessor, for modulating the address signal;

an amplifier, coupled to the modulator, for amplifying the modulated address signal, the output of the amplifier serving as the first signal; and

a switch connecting the amplifier and the first end of the cable, the switch being turned to the connected state under control by the control signal from the microprocessor.

7. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the status signal from the sync signal detector indicates a blank period in the vertical sync component of the second signal where the modulated address signal is to be imbedded.

8. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the modulator performs a FSK modulating method to modulate the address signal.

9. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the modulator performs a PSK modulating method to modulate the address signal.

10. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the modulator performs a PWM modulating method to modulate the address signal.

11. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the first signal is an address signal.

12. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the video signal represents a captured video image from the addressable video camera.

13. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the video signal includes a horizontal sync component and a vertical sync component.

14. The security monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the first signal is imbedded in the vertical sync component of the video signal.