Power-line communication based surveillance system

• US 8,837,581 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• 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 C
• Application Number:
  US13/409,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20120162421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 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. A method of providing area surveillance, comprising:

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

encoding said video data stream for transmission over the AC power-line, and dynamically allocating bandwidth of said video data stream over the AC power-line in response to remotely selecting any of multiple modes of the video imaging device; and

transmitting said video data stream for receipt by 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. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamically allocated bandwidth is responsive to bandwidth needs of additional video imaging devices, or other devices, communicating over the AC power line as controlled by the video display interface.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamically allocating bandwidth is performed in response to predetermined and event-driven settings.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said dynamically allocating bandwidth modulates the amount of bandwidth allocated to the video imaging device in response to a detected motion event.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said multiple modes comprise video characteristics selected from a group consisting essentially of color depth, image size, image resolution, and framing rate, for video imaging devices.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising serving said video data streams from a video server coupled for communication over the AC power line which manages bandwidth utilization by dynamically allocating bandwidth of said video data stream over the AC power-line by remotely selecting any of multiple modes of the video imaging device.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said serving video data streams comprises communicating video signals, through a remote communications link, received from the one or more video imaging devices to a location beyond the communication range of the AC power line.

8. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising capturing user commands for controlling collection and display of the video data streams.

9. A method of providing area surveillance, comprising:

receiving a video data stream from one or more video imaging devices over an AC power-line;

controlling presentation of the received video data stream as passed to a video display interface device for storage or presentation to a user; and

dynamically allocating bandwidth in response to remotely adjusting at least one operating mode having multiple settings within one or more video imaging devices configured for transmitting the video data stream over the AC power line.

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

11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamically allocating bandwidth is selected in response to predetermined and event-driven settings.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said dynamically allocating bandwidth modulates amount of bandwidth allocated to said one or more video imaging devices in response to a detected motion event.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said at least one operating mode of said one or more video imaging devices comprises at least one video control parameter selected from a group of control parameters consisting of color depth, image size, image resolution, and framing rate.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising storing said video data streams received from said one or more video imaging device within a mass storage device.

15. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein said video data streams are received by a computer server.

16. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising remotely communicating said video data streams to a location beyond communication range of said AC power line.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, further comprising authenticating a user for remotely communicating said video data streams.

18. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising capturing user commands for controlling collection and display of said video data streams from said one or more video imaging devices.

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

20. A method of providing area surveillance, comprising:

receiving a video data stream from one or more video imaging devices over an AC power-line;

controlling presentation of the received video data stream as passed to a video display interface device for storage or presentation to a user; and

dynamically allocating bandwidth in response to remotely adjusting at least one operating mode having multiple settings within said one or more video imaging devices configured for transmitting the video data stream over the AC power line;

wherein said dynamically allocating bandwidth is responsive to bandwidth needs of said one or more video imaging devices communicating over said AC power line, selected in response to predetermined and event-driven settings;

wherein said dynamically allocated bandwidth changes amount of bandwidth allocated to said one or more video imaging devices in response to detecting a motion event on said one or more video imaging devices.