Multimedia network appliances for security and surveillance applications

• US 7,859,396 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: e-Watch, Inc. (Cision Ltd.), The Telesis Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Telesis Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Monroe, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US11/603,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20080016366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/507, 340/521, 340/517, 340/539.1, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 340/506
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/085 using central distribution transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

Network appliances for use in combination with a network based full service, multi-media surveillance system provide a wide range of monitoring techniques utilizing digital network architecture. The appliances may be connected to the surveillance system for transmitting event data, video and/or image monitoring information, audio signals and other data over significant distances using digital data transmission over networks such as a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network such as the Internet for other networks, permitting remote manual and/or automatic assessment and response. The wireless LAN connectivity permits local distribution of audio, video and image data with relatively high bandwidth without requirement of a license and without relying on a common carrier and the fees associated therewith. The surveillance system may be interfaced with a WAN (wide area network) such as frame relay or the Internet for providing a worldwide, low cost surveillance system with virtually unlimited geographic application. Multiple sensors and appliances may be accommodated, as required. The topology of the network will be established by the geographic situation of the specific installation. Appropriate firewalls may be set up as desired to protect unauthorized access to the system or collected data. The server based system permits a security provider to have access to the appliance, related sensor and surveillance data or to configure or reconfigure the system from any station on the Intranet or Internet.

Claims

1. An appliance for a network based security system, the network operating according to a packet switching protocol, comprising:

a sensor component adapted for generating a signal in response to a condition present at the sensor component;

a processor for generating a digital output signal corresponding to the sensor component signal;

a network interface for transmitting the digital output signal via a digital network, wherein the sensor is a video sensor and the signal comprises a video signal, the appliance further comprising;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog video signal to a digital signal;

a motion video buffer;

an mpeg compressor associated with the motion video compressor;

a still frame buffer;

a jpeg compressor associated with the still frame buffer;

a multiplexer for combining the output of the mpeg compressor and the jpeg compressor for generating a combined output signal to the processor

for distribution via the network interface over the network, wherein there is further comprising;

an audio sensor component;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog audio signal to a digital signal;

an audio compressor associated with the audio sensor component for introducing a signal to the multiplexer, whereby the multiplexer produces a combined digital signal comprising a video and an audio component for distribution via the network interface over the network.

2. A device adapted to be connected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising:

a housing;

at least one sensor supported by the housing, the at least one sensor providing digital sensor data, the digital sensor data relating to at least one condition of an environment external of the housing, the at least one sensor including a camera, the camera being configured to provide digital image data;

at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the at least one digital processor being in communication with the at least one sensor for receiving the digital sensor data;

at least two compressors supported by the housing, the at least two compressors being configured to congress digital image data according to respective of at least two compression protocols, the at least two compressors providing respective of at least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data; and

a network interface supported by the housing, the network interface being in communication with the at least two compressors for receiving the at least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data, the network interface being adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating to the internet protocol network the at least two differentiated sets of compressed digital image data in internet protocol format.

3. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising:

a time server in communication with the internet protocol network, the time server outputting a time base signal to the internet protocol network, the internet protocol network communicating the time base signal to the network interface, the network interface providing the tint base signal to the at least one digital processor.

4. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising:

the at least one sensor including at least one circuit, operation of the at least one circuit providing the digital sensor data.

5. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising:

the at least one sensor including at least one of;

a transducer, a condition sensor, an image processing device, an image processing circuit,

a camera, an image capture device, a video capture device, a video and still image camera, a clock, a timer, an access control device, an audio sensor, a notion detector, a fire sensor, a temperature detector, a snake detector, a fire detector, a switch, a panic switch, a door contact, a floor sensor, an alarm, a manual alarm, an automated alarm, a panic bar, an electric door strike, a magnetic door strike, a door opener, a light, a siren, an emergency light, and fire control equipment.

6. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising:

the at least one sensor including at least one camera, the at least one camera providing

digital sensor data, the digital sensor data including at least one of a still image and video.

7. A device according to claim 6 and further comprising:

the digital sensor data including both a still image in digital format and video in digital format;

at least one still image encoder for compressing according to at least one still image compression protocol the still image in digital format, the at least one still image encoder providing compressed still image data, the at least one still image encoder being in communication with the at least one digital processor;

at least one video encoder for compressing according to at least one video compression protocol the video in digital format, the at least one video encoder providing compressed video data, the at least one video encoder being in communication with the at least one digital processor,

the digital sensor data received by the digital processor including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data.

8. A device according to claim 7 and further comprising:

the compressed still image data including data in MPEG format,

the compressed video data including data in at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format.

9. A device according to claim 8 and further comprising:

at least one buffer in communication with the at least one analog to digital converter to receive the digital sensor data, the at least one buffer being in communication with the at least one video encoder for providing to the at least one video encoder the digital sensor data.

10. A device according to claim 8 and further comprising:

the digital sensor data when communicated from the network interface to the internet protocol network being contained in at least one sequence of data packets, the at least one sequence of data packets including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data.

11. A device according to claim 10 and further comprising:

at least one multiplexer in communication with the network interface, the at least one multiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interface at least one sequence of data including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packets communicated to the internet protocol network from the network interface including the at least one sequence of data.

12. A device according to claim 2 and further comprising:

the at least one sensor including a camera, the camera a megapixel camera.

13. A device adapted to be connected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising:

a housing;

at least one camera supported by the housing, the at least one camera providing sensor data, the sensor data relating to at least one field of view of an environment external of the housing;

at least one analog to digital converter supported by the housing, the at least one analog to digital converter being connected to the camera to receive the sensor data, the at least one analog to digital converter digitizing the sensor data, the at least one analog to digital converter providing digital sensor data;

at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the at least one digital processor being in communication with the at least one analog to digital converter for receiving the digital sensor data; and

a network interface supported by the housing, the network interface being in communication with the at least one digital processor for receiving the digital sensor data, the network interface being adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating to the internet protocol network the digital sensor data in internet protocol format.

14. A device according to claim 13 and further comprising:

a time server in communication with the internet protocol network, the time server outputting a time base signal to the internet protocol network, the internet protocol network communicating the time base signal to the network interface, the network interface providing the time base signal to the at least one digital processor.

15. A device according to claim 13 and further comprising:

the at least one camera including the at least one analog to digital converter.

16. A device according to claim 13 and further comprising:

the at least one camera including at least one of;

an image processing device, an image processing circuit, an image capture device, a video capture device, a video camera, and a video and still image camera.

17. A device according to claim 13 and further comprising:

the sensor data including both a still image and video;

the digital sensor data including both a still image in digital format and video in digital format;

at least one still image encoder for compressing according to at least one still image compression protocol the still image in digital format, the at least one still image encoder providing compressed still image data, the at least one still image encoder being in communication with the at least one digital processor;

at least one video encoder for compressing according to at least one video compression protocol the video in digital format, the at least one video encoder providing compressed video data, the at least one video encoder being in communication with the at least one digital processor,

the digital sensor data received by the digital processor including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data.

18. A device according to claim 17 and further comprising:

at least one buffer in communication with the at least one analog to digital converter to receive the digital sensor data, the at least one buffer being in communication with the at least one video encoder for providing to the at least one video encoder the digital sensor data.

19. A device according to claim 17 and further comprising:

the compressed still image data including data in MPEG format,

the compressed video data including data in at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format.

20. A device according to claim 17 and further comprising:

the digital sensor data when communicated from the network interface to the internet protocol network being contained in at least one sequence of data packets, the at least one sequence of data packets including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data.

21. A device according to claim 20 and further comprising:

at least one multiplexer in communication with the network interface, the at least one multiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interface at least one sequence of data including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packets communicated to the internet protocol network from the network interface including the at least one sequence of data.

22. A device adapted to be connected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising:

a housing;

at least one camera supported by the housing, the at least one camera providing digital sensor data, the digital sensor data relating to at least one field of view, the digital sensor data including a still image in digital format and video in digital format;

at least one still image encoder for compressing according to at least one still image compression protocol the still image in digital format, the at least one still image encoder providing compressed still image data;

at least one video encoder for compressing according to at least one video compression protocol the video in digital format, the at least one video encoder providing compressed video data;

at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the at least one digital processor being in communication with the at least one still image encoder for receiving the compressed still image data, the at least one digital processor being in communication with the at least one still image encoder for receiving the compressed video data;

a network interface supported by the housing, the network interface being in communication with the at least one digital processor for receiving the compressed still image data and the compressed video data, the network interface being adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating to the internet protocol network the compressed still image data and the compressed video data in internet protocol format, the compressed still image data and the compressed video data when communicated to the internet protocol network being contained in at least one sequence of data packets, the at least one sequence of data packets including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data; and

at least one multiplexer in communication with the network interface, the at least one multiplexer being adapted to provide to the network interface at least one sequence of data including the compressed still image data and the compressed video data, the at least one sequence of data packets communicated to the internet protocol network from the network interface including the at least one sequence of data.

23. A device according to claim 22 and further comprising:

a time server in communication with the internet protocol network, the time server outputting a time base signal to the internet protocol network, the internet protocol network communicating the time base signal to the network interface, the network interface providing the tint base signal to the at least one digital processor.

24. A device according to claim 22 and further comprising:

at least one buffer in communication with the at least one camera to receive the digital sensor data, the at least one buffer being in communication with the at least one video encoder for providing to the at least one video encoder the digital sensor data.

25. A device according to claim 22 and further comprising:

the compressed still image data including data in MPEG format,

the compressed video data including data in at least one of JPEG format and MPEG format.

26. A device according to claim 22 and further comprising:

at least one of an ethernet hub and a wireless access point supported by the housing, the at least one of an et her net hub and a wireless access point being adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating with the internet protocol network, the at least one of an ethernet hub and a wireless access point being adapted to communicate with a client external of the housing for providing to the internet protocol network data from the client, the at least one of an ethernet hub and a wireless access point being in communication with the at least one digital processor for receiving the digital sensor data, the at least one of an ethernet hub and a wireless access point communicating to the internet protocol network the digital sensor data in internet protocol format.

27. A device adapted to be connected to an internet protocol network, the device comprising:

a housing;

at least one camera supported by the housing, the at least one camera providing digital sensor data, the digital sensor data relating to at least one field of view,

at least one digital processor supported by the housing, the at least one digital processor being in communication with the at least one camera for receiving the digital sensor data;

a location signal source in communication with the at least one digital processor for providing to the digital processor a location signal, the location signal corresponding to a location;

a panic switch in communication with the at least one digital processor, operation of the panic switch by an operator providing to the digital processor a panic signal, the panic signal corresponding to a request for assistance by personnel; and

a network interface supported by the housing, the network interface being in communication with the at least one digital processor for receiving the digital sensor data, the network interface being in communication with the at least one digital processor for receiving the signal, the network interface being adapted to be connected to the internet protocol network for communicating to the internet protocol network the digital sensor data, the location signal, and the panic signal.

28. A device as set forth in claim 27 and further comprising:

a wireless communication channel in communication with at least one of the digital processor and the network interface, the wireless communication channel being in communication with the panic switch for providing the panic signal to the at least one of the digital processor and the network interface.

29. An appliance adapted for connection to a security system the security system including an internet protocol network, the appliance comprising:

a sensor component, the sensor component including a video sensor component adapted for generating a video signal in response to a condition present at the video sensor component;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting the video signal from analog format to digital format, the analog-to-digital converter thus producing a digital video signal;

a motion video buffer;

an mpeg compressor associated with the motion video buffer, the mpeg compressor producing compressed mpeg output;

a still frame buffer;

a jpeg compressor associated with the still frame buffer, the jpeg compressor producing compressed jpeg output;

a multiplexer for combining the compressed mpeg output and the compressed jpeg output for generating a combined output signal, the combined output signal being communicated to the processor;

a processor for generating a digital output signal corresponding to the combined output signal; and

a network interface for transmitting the digital output signal to the internet protocol network.

30. An appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

an audio sensor component, the audio sensor component being adapted for producing an audio signal in response to a condition present at the audio sensor component;

an analog-to-digital converter for converting the audio signal from analog for ma to digital format, the analog-to-digital converter thus producing a digital audio signal;

an audio compressor associated with the audio sensor component for producing a compressed audio signal;

the multiplexer being in communication with the audio compress or for receiving the compressed audio, the multiplexer being in communication with the jpeg compressor for receiving the compressed jpeg, the multiplexer being in communication with the mpeg compress or for receiving the compressed mpeg, the multiplexer being adapted for producing the combined output signal, the combined output signal including the compressed audio, the compressed jpeg and the compressed mpeg.

31. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

wherein the internet protocol network is a hardwired network, the network interface including a connector.

32. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

wherein the internet protocol network includes a wireless network, the network interface including a wireless transmitter.

33. The appliance according to claim 32 and further comprising:

the network interface including a wireless receiver.

34. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the digital output signal including a location signal, the location signal identifying a location of the appliance.

35. The appliance according to claim 34 and further comprising:

the location signal including a gps signal.

36. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the digital output signal including a device identification signal, the device identification signal identifying a device type.

37. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the network interface including an embedded base-T hub.

38. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the network interface including a wireless receiver and a hard-wired connector.

39. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a plurality of distinct sensor sub-components, the plurality of distinct sensor sub-components each producing a respective sub-component sensor signal, the processor combining the plurality of sub-component sensor signals into a digital sensor signal having a plurality of digital sub-signals.

40. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a self-contained power supply.

41. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the network interface including a LAN data link, the LAN data link having a hub physical-layer interface, the LAN data link having two twisted-pair wires, the LAN data link having a first transformer connecting the two twisted-pair wires to the hub physical-layer interface, the LAN data link having a network device physical-layer interface connected to the two twisted-pair wires, the LAN data link having a second transformer connected to a peripheral device.

42. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a motion detector.

43. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a smoke detector.

44. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a temperature detector.

45. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a manual switch for generating a signal when actuated.

46. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a contact switch.

47. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a thermal sensor adapted for detecting body heat.

48. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a glass breakage sensor.

49. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a signal-generating unit for generating a local warning signal, the local warning signal being local to the environment of the appliance.

50. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a signal generating unit including a clock, the clock including a visual display.

51. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the digital output signal including an emergency event annunciation signal.

52. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a pager, the digital output signal including a paging signal.

53. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

an intercom the digital output signal including an intercom signal.

54. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a gunshot detector, the digital output signal including a gunshot detection signal.

55. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a room access control, the digital output signal including an access control signal.

56. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a mute control, the digital output signal including a mute control signal, the mute control signal being communicated to mute at least one of a camera and a microphone.

57. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

a panic switch, the digital output signal including a panic switch signal, the panic switch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing operation of at least one of a camera and a microphone.

58. The appliance according to claim 57 and further comprising:

an intercom operation of the intercom being initiated by actuation of the panic switch.

59. The appliance according to claim 57 and further comprising:

the panic switch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing an emergency notification.

60. The appliance according to claim 57 and further comprising:

the panic switch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing activation of a location icon on a map display.

61. The appliance according to claim 57 and further comprising:

the panic switch signal when the panic switch is actuated causing emergency communications to be recorded.

62. The appliance according to claim 55 and further comprising:

when access is attempted the access control signal causing display of at least one of the compressed mpeg output and the compressed jpeg output in the digital output signal.

63. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

an encryption algorithm stored in media and operable to encrypt at least one of the combined signal and the digital output signal.

64. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a biometric identification device.

65. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the video sensor component including a tilt/pan/zoom camera.

66. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a manual fire alarm.

67. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including a contact closure interface.

68. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including at least one of a telephone interface and a telephone dialer.

69. The appliance according to claim 29 and further comprising:

the sensor component including an electric door strike.