Digital security multimedia sensor
First Claim
1. A digital security camera capable of generating and transmitting digital high resolution image signals in both a full motion video format and a still image frame format, the camera comprising:
- a. an image transducer;
b. a motion video compressor associated with the image transducer for compressing full motion video images for generating a compressed full motion video image data signal;
c. a still frame compressor associated with the image transducer for compressing still frame images for generating a compressed still frame image data signal;
d. a multiplexer for merging the compressed full motion video image data signal and the compressed still frame image data signal into a single, combined image data signal;
e. a processor associated with the multiplexer for generating a conditioned output image signal suitable for transmission over a network; and
f. a network gateway.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fully digital camera system provides high-resolution still image and streaming video signals via a network to a centralized, server supported security and surveillance system. The digital camera for collects an image from one or more image transducers, compressing the image and sending the compressed digital image signal to a receiving station over a digital network. A plurality of image transducers or sensors may be included in a single camera unit, providing array imaging such as full 360 degree panoramic imaging, universal or spherical imaging and field imaging by stacking or arranging the sensors in an array. The multiple images are then compressed and merged at the camera in the desired format to permit transmission of the least amount of data to accomplish the desired image transmission. The camera also employs, or connects to, a variety of sensors other than the traditional image sensor. Sensors for fire, smoke, sound, glass breakage, motion, panic buttons, and the like, may be embedded in or connected to the camera. Data captured by these sensors may be digitized, compressed, and networked to detect notable conditions. An internal microphone and associated signal processing system may be equipped with suitable signal processing algorithms for the purpose of detecting suitable acoustic events and their location. In addition, the camera is equipped with a pair of externally accessible terminals where an external sensor may be connected. In addition, the camera may be equipped with a short-range receiver that may detect the activation of a wireless ‘panic button’ carried by facility personnel. This ‘panic button’ may employ infrared, radio frequency (RF), ultrasonic, or other suitable methods to activate the camera'"'"'s receiver.
355 Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A digital security camera capable of generating and transmitting digital high resolution image signals in both a full motion video format and a still image frame format, the camera comprising:
-
a. an image transducer;
b. a motion video compressor associated with the image transducer for compressing full motion video images for generating a compressed full motion video image data signal;
c. a still frame compressor associated with the image transducer for compressing still frame images for generating a compressed still frame image data signal;
d. a multiplexer for merging the compressed full motion video image data signal and the compressed still frame image data signal into a single, combined image data signal;
e. a processor associated with the multiplexer for generating a conditioned output image signal suitable for transmission over a network; and
f. a network gateway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A method for monitoring an area and producing a pictorial representation thereof for real time surveillance and for archiving and later retrieval of image data, the method comprising:
-
a. placing a plurality of image collectors in such a manner as to provide full coverage of the area being monitored;
b. assigning a zone to each collector;
c. temporarily locally storing the data collected at each zone;
d. transmitting the locally stored data at a specific zone to a central base when a triggering event occurs;
e. transmitting additional data on a real time basis until the triggering event is terminated. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification