System for checking security of video surveillance of an area

• US 9,123,227 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Kubinski, Ronald A., Atmur, Robert J., Park, Barbara
• Primary Examiner(s): Hussain, Imad
• Application Number:
  US12/250,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20100091108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,514 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.01, 348/36, 348/143, 348/148, 348/155, 348/159, 348/211.99, 725/105, 713/201, 370/315, 380/228
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19628 of wide angled cameras and camera groups, e.g. omni-directional cameras, fish eye, single units having multiple cameras achieving a wide angle view
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/008 by simulating the existence of a security system, e.g. a mock video camera to scare thieves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/046 prevention of tampering with detection circuits

Abstract

A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units includes: (a) a respective signaling unit coupled with each of a respective signaling-equipped video unit among the plurality of video units; and (b) a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of the plurality of video units; the control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined signal. Each respective signaling-equipped video unit is oriented to permit at least one other video unit of the plurality of video units to receive the predetermined signal. The control unit cooperates with the plurality of video units to evaluate received the predetermined signals to effect the checking.

Claims

1. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area, the system comprising:

a plurality of video units, each of the plurality of video units comprising a respective signaling unit and a respective receiving unit; and

a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units, said control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined encoded signal;

wherein each of the respective receiving units are oriented to receive an encoded signal from at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units, and wherein a respective control unit of said receiving unit compares said received encoded signal with said predetermined encoded signal to determine if the encoded signal matches the predetermined encoded signal.

2. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in a light signal.

3. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 2 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency or another parameter associated with said light signal.

4. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

5. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 4 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.

6. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area, the system comprising:

a plurality of video units, each of the plurality of video units comprising a respective signaling unit and a respective receiving unit; and

at least one control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units, said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined encoded signal;

wherein each of the respective receiving units are oriented to receive an encoded signal in a compressed video from at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units and wherein a respective control unit of said receiving unit compares the received encoded signal in the compressed video with said predetermined encoded signal to determine if the encoded signal matches the predetermined encoded signal.

7. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in a light signal.

8. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 7 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency or another parameter associated with said light signal.

9. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

10. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 9 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.

11. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein said at least one control unit comprises a respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations.

12. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 6 wherein at least one first selected control unit of said at least one control unit is associated with a respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations and wherein at least one second selected control unit of said at least one control unit is associated with at least two respective said video installations of said plurality of video installations.

13. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 11 wherein said at least one control unit includes a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations.

14. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 12 wherein said at least one control unit includes a master control unit coupled with each respective said at least one first selected control unit and coupled with each respective said at least one second selected control.

15. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 13 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

16. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area by a plurality of video units as recited in claim 15 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.

17. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of sensor units, each of the plurality of sensor units comprising a respective signaling unit and a respective receiving unit;

providing at least one control unit coupled with each respective sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units, said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined encoded signal, wherein each of the respective receiving units are oriented to receive an encoded signal from at least one other sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units, and wherein a respective control unit of said receiving unit compares the received predetermined encoded signals to check integrity of said transport path;

providing at least one predefined criterion for comparison of said received encoded signal with said predetermined encoded signal to evaluate said integrity; and

when said integrity is evaluated as less than a predetermined level, taking at least one action, said at least one action including;

ceasing progression along an extant said transport path;

notifying a predetermined party of an occurrence of integrity being evaluated as less than said predetermined level;

initiating further investigation to ascertain whether a maintenance action is required; and

proceeding along an alternate said transport path.

18. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 17 wherein said at least one control unit comprises a respective control unit associated with each respective said video installation of said plurality of video installations and a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit.

19. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 18 wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal.

20. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations as recited in claim 19 wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.

21. A system for checking security of video surveillance of an area, the system comprising:

a plurality of video units, each of the plurality of video units comprising a signaling unit and a receiving unit; and

a control unit coupled with each respective video unit of said plurality of video units, said control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined encoded signal;

wherein each of the respective receiving units are oriented to receive an encoded signal from at least one other video unit of said plurality of video units, wherein a respective control unit of said receiving unit compares said received encoded signal with said predetermined encoded signal to determine if the encoded signal matches the predetermined encoded signal, wherein said predetermined encoded signal is embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal, and wherein said encoding arrangement includes varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.

22. A method for selecting a transport path through a zone monitored by a plurality of sensor installations the method comprising:

providing a plurality of sensor units, each of the plurality of sensor units comprising a respective signaling unit and a respective receiving unit;

providing at least one control unit coupled with each respective sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units, said at least one control unit providing an encoding arrangement for use by each said respective signaling unit for emitting a predetermined encoded signal, wherein each of the respective receiving units are oriented to receive an encoded signal from at least one other sensor unit of said plurality of sensor units, and wherein a respective control unit of said receiving unit compares the received predetermined encoded signal signals to check integrity of said transport path;

providing at least one predefined criterion for comparison of said received encoded signal with said predetermined encoded signal to evaluate said integrity; and

when said integrity is evaluated as less than a predetermined level, taking at least one action, said at least one action including;

ceasing progression along an extant said transport path;

notifying a predetermined party of an occurrence of integrity being evaluated as less than said predetermined level;

initiating further investigation to ascertain whether a maintenance action is required; and

proceeding along an alternate said transport path, said at least one control unit comprising a respective control unit associated with each video unit and a master control unit coupled with each said respective control unit;

said predetermined encoded signal being embodied in at least one of a light signal, a radio frequency signal and a sound signal, said encoding arrangement including varying at least one of a pulse train, polarity, intensity, frequency, volume, pattern and another parameter associated with said predetermined encoded signal.