Method for sending image data from camera to CCTV network

• US 7,644,431 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Issued: 01/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pentax of America Incorporated (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Creamer, Rob, Koch, Mark, Helton, Richard, Knapp, Walter, Araki, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Villecco, John M
• Application Number:
  US11/041,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,806 Days
• Field of Search: 348/39, 348/36, 348/143, 348/152, 348/153, 348/155, 348/159, 348/207.11, 348/211.99, 348/211.3, 348/211.6, 348/211.9, 348/211.4, 348/211.5, 725/105
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00214 details of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00217 only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP communication protocol aspects and techniques in packet data networks H04L69/00; network-specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00838 Preventing unauthorised reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00854 Recognising an unauthorised user or user-associated action
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/164 Feedback from the receiver or from the transmission channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/172 the region being a picture, frame or field
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

A method of sending image signal data from a camera to a CCTV network receives images via a camera lens and image sensor as well as receiving analog video signals corresponding to views from outside the camera via an analog video input connector. Image signal data corresponding to the images received by the sensor is output, and image signal data corresponding to the analog video input connector is also output. The image signal data is stored on a storage device. A network adapter of the camera connects to an internet-protocol address corresponding to a network device capable of serving files. The image signal data of the image sensor or image signal data of the analog video input connector are selectively transmitted from the storage device to the network device using the network adapter and the internet-protocol address.

Claims

1. A method for sending image signal data from a camera to a CCTV network, comprising:

receiving images via a camera lens and image sensor;

outputting image signal data corresponding to the images received;

storing image signal data in a storage device of the camera;

storing a plurality of different pan/tilt setting combinations in a memory, each pan/tilt setting combination including one or both of a pan and tilt setting;

connecting, via a network adapter, to an internet-protocol address corresponding to a network device capable of serving files;

executing a scheduling routine for scheduling transmission of image signal data from the storage device of the camera to the network device via the network adapter and the internet-protocol address;

preparing one or more items of image signal data to correspond to each of a plurality of pan/tilt setting combinations;

executing a password enabling routine which configures said camera to register on a local network via said network adapter, in a first mode providing a password in order to register on a local network and in a second mode registering on a local network without providing a password; and

transmitting the image signal data from the storage device of the camera to the network device capable of serving files via the network adapter and the internet-protocol address, such that image signal data is stored and sent corresponding to each of a plurality of distinct pan/tilt setting combinations.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

controlling a pan/tilt mount, including a motor controller, to orient the camera according to the pan/tilt setting combinations.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

storing a plurality of different zoom settings together with the pan/tilt combinations; and

controlling a zoom drive together with the pan/tilt mount to orient the camera according to the pan/tilt setting and zoom setting combinations.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

changing the pan/tilt settings locally at the camera via a serial interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

executing a configuration routine which retrieves pan/tilt settings from the internet-protocol address via an internet protocol network; and

executing a configuration setting routine which sets the pan/tilt setting combinations according to the retrieved pan/tilt settings.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

initiating an image capture and transmission of the image signal data to the network device, in response to triggering of a trigger circuit.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

executing a timer-based image capture routine for capturing images according to a timer, said transmitting image signal data including image signal data captured at the time of said triggering of said trigger circuit and image signal data captured according to said timer.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

associating the trigger circuit with a motion sensor.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

executing a network authentication routine for providing network login authentication to the network device at the internet-protocol address.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

executing an address obtaining routine which operates via said network adapter to obtain an internet-protocol address for the camera itself from a device capable of assigning such an internet-protocol address.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

assigning such an internet-protocol address via a DNS device.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network adapter is selected from one of a modem for public telephone networks;

an Ethernet adapter for connecting to an Ethernet LAN;

an ISDN modem;

an xDSL adapter;

a cable modem;

an ATM adapter;

a T carrier terminal adapter;

an adapter for satellite connection;

an adapter for microwave connection;

an adapter for wireless connection;

an adapter for serial transmission over a high speed external serial bus;

or an adapter for data transmission over public power lines.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising executing a protocol switching routine which selectively switches transmission via said network adapter between a connection-oriented protocol and a connectionless protocol;

and

transmitting the image signal data from the storage device of the imaging device to the network device at the internet-protocol address via the network adapter, selectively employing one of the connection-oriented protocol or the connectionless protocol.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the connection-oriented protocol is TCP, and the connectionless protocol is UDP.

15. The method according to claim 1, the camera comprising a slot interface, wherein the network adapter is a network interface device detachably installed in the slot interface.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said image signal data includes information representing a status of at least one timer.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting to a setup device via a serial interface receiving commands for controlling said camera from said connected setup device.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

executing an E-mail message assembling routine which assembles E-mail messages including the image signal data; and

executing an E-mail transmission routine which transmits said E-mail messages including the image signal data to a predetermined E-mail address.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

initiating an image capture and transfer of the image signal data to the network device via said E-mail assembling routine and said E-mail transmission routine, in response to triggering of a trigger input.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the image signal data as video images to a video output, as a standard video signal.