Sensor device for use in surveillance system

• US 6,989,745 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: VistaScape Security Systems Corp. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Papacharalampos, Demetrios, Danileiko, Alexander, Milinusic, Tomislav F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/236,720
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/945, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 340/529.23, 340/539.25, 340/3.1, 340/3.31, 340/3.32, 340/520, 340/524, 340/525, 340/825.06, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/540, 340/541, 3405451-5459, 340/577, 340/584, 348/143, 348/148, 348/113
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19604 involving reference image or background adaptation with time to compensate for changing conditions, e.g. reference image update on detection of light level change
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19613 Recognition of a predetermined image pattern or behaviour pattern indicating theft or intrusion
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19643 wherein the cameras play different roles, e.g. different resolution, different camera type, master-slave camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19691 Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound
• 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: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence

Abstract

A sensor unit for use in a surveillance system is provided. The sensor unit interfaces with a sensor device to receive sensor data from the sensor device. The sensor unit is configured to generate an event record based upon received sensor data. The event record is of a predetermined format and is output to a data unit.

Claims

1. A sensor device for sensing a predetermined activity within an area under surveillance and operative in a system including a plurality of sensor devices and a surveillance system coupled to said plurality of sensor devices, comprising:

one or more sensor devices of a first predetermined type and operative for sensing a predetermined activity and to output raw sensor data corresponding to the predetermined activity;

a means for processing raw sensor data coupled to one or more sensor devices and responsive to receive raw sensor data from each of the one or more sensor devices, associate a predetermined sensor type identifier with the raw sensor data, and associate a sensor identifier with the raw sensor data and the sensor type identifier; and

an output port operative to provide data that includes the raw sensor data, the sensor type identifier and the sensor identifier for utilization by the surveillance system.

2. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the processing means utilizes the output raw sensor data to determine the environmental conditions of the location in which the sensor device is situated.

3. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device is configured to receive control signals from the surveillance system.

4. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device classifies an object that is detected within the sensed predetermined activity by the sensor device type.

5. The sensor device of claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a plurality of differing sensor device types.

6. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device type comprises a video camera, wherein the video camera outputs a visual image of an area under surveillance.

7. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device type comprises an infrared camera, wherein the infrared camera outputs an infrared image of an area under surveillance.

8. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device type comprises a radar receiver, wherein the radar receiver is configured to receive reflected radar waves and output data pertaining to the received radar wave data.

9. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device type comprises a biochemical sensor that is responsive to a predetermined biological organism.

10. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device type comprises a biochemical sensor that is responsive to a predetermined chemical substance.

11. The sensor device of claim 5, wherein the sensor device includes a global positioning system receiver, wherein the global positioning system outputs data relating to the position of the sensor device.

12. A method for sensing a predetermined condition within an area under surveillance, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

detecting a predetermined activity at a sensor device;

generating raw sensor data in response to the detected predetermined activity;

outputting sensor information to a processing means, the sensor information comprising sensor data, a sensor type identifier and a sensor identifier; and

receiving control signals from a controller at the sensor device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step wherein the processing means utilizes the output raw sensor data to determine the environmental conditions of the location in which the sensor device is situated.

14. The sensor device of claim 12, wherein the step of detecting a predetermined activity is effected using a plurality of sensor device types.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of detecting a predetermined activity further comprises the step of classifying a detected object within the predetermined activity.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of classifying a detected object further comprises the step of characterizing the features of the detected object.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of classifying a detected object further comprises the step of comparing the features of the detected object with features of known object types.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of classifying a detected object further comprises the step of classifying the detected object as a type that matches a known object type.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of classifying a detected object further comprises the step of classifying the detected object as an unknown object type.