Secure implementation of network-based sensors

• US 20090113500A1
• Filed: 10/24/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waterfall Security Solutions Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Gita Technologies Ltd. (Cognyte Software Ltd.)
• Inventors: Frenkel, Lior, Zilberstein, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 8,223,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/109
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Sensing apparatus includes a network camera, which is configured to capture images of a scene and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized video data responsively to the images. A one-way link is coupled to the network camera so as to transmit the data packets from the network camera to a packet communication network.

Claims

1. Sensing apparatus, comprising:

a network camera, which is configured to capture images of a scene and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized video data responsively to the images; and

a one-way link, which is coupled to the network camera so as to transmit the data packets from the network camera to a packet communication network.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network camera is deployed outside a facility, and wherein the packet communication network is a local area network (LAN) that is deployed inside the facility.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one-way link comprises a first one-way link, and wherein the apparatus comprises a second one-way link coupled to convey commands to the network camera.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, and comprising a switch, which is configured to be actuated in response to a predetermined condition for transmission of the commands to the network camera and to prevent transmission over the second one-way link when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to permit the transmission of a message to the network camera only at one or more specified times of day.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to permit the transmission of a message to the network camera only upon ascertaining that the message is valid.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to permit the transmission of a message to the network camera only when the first one-way link is inactive.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one-way link comprises a controller, which is coupled to submit instructions to the network camera on a predetermined schedule and to receive and convey the data packets from the network camera over the one-way link to the packet communication network.

9. Sensing apparatus, comprising:

a network sensor, which is configured to sense a characteristic of an environment outside a facility and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized sensor data responsively to the sensed characteristic; and

a one-way link, which is coupled to the network sensor so as to transmit the data packets from the network sensor to a packet communication network inside the facility.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the network sensor comprises a network camera.

11. A method for sensing, comprising:

deploying a network sensor to sense a characteristic of an environment outside a facility and to output a sequence of data packets containing digitized sensor data responsively to the sensed characteristic; and

coupling a one-way link to the network sensor so as to transmit the data packets from the network sensor to a packet communication network inside the facility.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the network sensor comprises a network camera, and wherein the data packets in the sequence contain digitized video data responsive to images of a scene outside the facility that is captured by network camera.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the one-way link comprises a first one-way link, and wherein the method comprises conveying commands to the network camera from within the facility via a second one-way link.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein conveying the commands comprises actuating a switch to operate the second one-way link in response to a predetermined condition for transmission of the commands, and preventing transmission over the second one-way link when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein actuating the switch comprises permitting the transmission of a message to the network camera only at one or more specified times of day.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein actuating the switch comprises permitting the transmission of a message to the network camera only upon ascertaining that the message is valid.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein actuating the switch comprises permitting the transmission of a message to the network camera only when the first one-way link is inactive.