Power-line communication based surveillance system

• US 8,155,183 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Iwamura, Ryuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/259,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20090051767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 375/240, 375/240.01, 375/240.02, 375/240.12, 348/143, 348/159
• US Class Current: 375/240.01
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19656 Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19669 Event triggers storage or change of storage policy
• 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 25/06 using power transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A surveillance system configured for communicating with video cameras and other devices connected over a power-line communication network, such as within a residence, or alternatively a commercial building. The system may be manufactured and installed at low cost without the need to route individual cables to each surveillance video camera or device. Bandwidth within the power-line communication network is preferably dynamically allocated to device streams by a server in response to predetermined and event-driven priorities. By way of example, remote communication is supported for allowing remote access to surveillance data and control of the surveillance system. The system may be implemented as a standalone unit or integrated within existing forms of electronics equipment, such as consumer electronics equipment including a television set, a set-top box, or other forms of video-enabled equipment that is adapted for performing power-line network communication.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing area surveillance, comprising:

a video imaging device configured for capturing video images and transmitting a video data stream over an AC power-line; and

an encoder, within said video imaging device, configured for dynamically changing the bandwidth of said video data stream as output by said video imaging device over said AC power-line, wherein bandwidth can be remotely adjusted in response to selection of any of multiple modes which dynamically change the bandwidth of said video data stream transmitted over said AC power-line;

wherein said video imaging device is configured for transmitting said video data stream to a video display interface device configured for controlling presentation by remotely adjusting bandwidth of said video data stream as passed to the video display interface device for storage or presentation to a user.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamically allocated bandwidth is responsive to the bandwidth needs of additional video imaging devices, or other devices, communicating over said AC power line as controlled by the video display interface.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamic allocation of bandwidth is performed in response to predetermined and event-driven settings.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamic allocation of bandwidth modulates the amount of bandwidth allocated to said video imaging device in response to a detected motion event.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said modes of said video imaging device comprise at least one video characteristic selected from the group consisting essentially of color depth, image size, image resolution, and framing rate.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a computer server coupled for communication over said AC power line and configured as a video display interface.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said computer server comprises:

a computer operating as a video server configured for communicating video data streams within a selectable bandwidth allocation over said AC power line with at least one said video imaging device; and

a remote communication link within said computer server which is configured for communicating video signals received from at least one said video imaging device to a location beyond the communication range of said AC power line.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising a user interface configured for capturing user commands for controlling the collection and display of said video streams.

9. An apparatus for providing area surveillance, comprising:

a video display interface device configured for receiving a video data stream from one or more video imaging devices over an AC power-line and controlling presentation of the received video data stream as passed to said video display interface device for storage or presentation to a user;

a computer and memory coupled to said computer within said video display interface device; and

programming executable on said computer as read from said memory for,

dynamically controlling the allocation of bandwidth in response to remotely adjusting at least one mode having multiple settings within one or more video imaging devices configured for transmitting said video data stream over said AC power line to said video display interface device.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamically allocated bandwidth is responsive to the bandwidth needs of said one or more video imaging devices communicating over said AC power line.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamic allocation of bandwidth is performed in response to predetermined and event-driven settings.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamic allocation of bandwidth modulates the amount of bandwidth allocated to said one or more video imaging devices in response to a detected motion event.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one mode of said one or more video imaging devices comprises at least one video control parameter selected from the group consisting essentially of color depth, image size, image resolution, and framing rate.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a mass-storage device coupled to said computer and configured for storing said video data streams received from said at least one video imaging device.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said video display interface comprises a computer server.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a remote communication link within said video display interface device, said remote communication link configured for communicating video signals received from said one or more video imaging devices to a location beyond the communication range of said AC power line.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said remote communications link is configured for authenticating a user communicating through said remote communications link.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising a user interface configured for capturing user commands for controlling the collection and display of said video streams from said one or more video imaging devices.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said video display interface device is integrated within a set-top box, television, or video recording device.