Zone, system and failure aware self adjusting IP surveillance cameras

• US 8,334,905 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bhan, Vineet
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henry, Marie Georges
• Application Number:
  US12/774,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20110273567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 348/159, 348/785
• US Class Current: 348/159
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

In one embodiment, more than one surveillance cameras cover different viewing zones. The different viewing zones have different priority levels depending upon the importance of what is being covered by the surveillance camera. A controller detects the failure of a surveillance camera and directs a camera covering a lower priority viewing zone to cover the viewing zone of the failed camera. A method for the operation of the surveillance cameras is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

surveillance cameras covering different viewing zones, wherein at least one of the different viewing zones has a different priority level than another one of the different viewing zones and wherein at least one surveillance camera is positioned to cover one viewing zone with a priority level and at least another one of surveillance cameras is positioned to cover another viewing zone of a different priority level; and

a controller, wherein the controller detects a failure of one of the surveillance cameras and

     1) directs another one of the surveillance cameras covering a lower priority viewing zone to cover the viewing zone of the failed camera or

     2) leaves the viewing zone of the failed camera unchanged if there are no viewing zones having a priority level lower than the viewing zone of the failed camera.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller directs a camera covering a lowest priority viewing zone to cover the viewing zone of the failed camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller returns the cameras to their original viewing zones when the failed camera is returned to a functioning state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller determines whether the another one of the surveillance cameras can cover the viewing zone of the failed camera.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller compares a current image of a camera with an expected image of the camera to detect a failure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller checks a quality of a camera'"'"'s image to determine if the image is obscured to where the image is not viewable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller monitors a signal being received from one of the cameras to detect a failure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller sends a status inquiry message to the cameras to detect a failure.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surveillance cameras comprise wireless IP cameras.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller counts the people that enter a viewing zone.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller sends an alert based on automatic detection of certain behavior in a viewing zone.

12. A method comprising:

operating surveillance cameras that cover different viewing zones, wherein at least one of the different viewing zones has a different priority level than another one of the different viewing zones and wherein at least one surveillance camera is positioned to cover one viewing zone with a priority level and at least another one of surveillance cameras is positioned to cover another viewing zone of a different priority level;

determining whether a surveillance camera has failed;

determining whether any surviving surveillance cameras cover a zone of lesser priority than the zone of the failed surveillance camera; and

directing a surviving surveillance camera that covers a zone of lesser priority than the zone of the failed surveillance camera to cover the zone of the failed surveillance camera or leaving the viewing zone of the failed camera unchanged if there are no viewing zones having a priority level lower than the viewing zone of the failed camera.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining which surviving camera covers a zone of lowest priority and is still able to cover the viewing zone of the failed camera; and

directing that surviving camera to cover the zone of the failed surveillance camera.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising returning the cameras to their original viewing zones when the failed camera is returned to a functioning state.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether a surveillance camera has failed comprises comparing a current image of a camera with an expected image of the camera.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether a surveillance camera has failed comprises checking a quality of the camera'"'"'s image to determine if the image is obscured to where the image is not viewable.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether a surveillance camera has failed comprises monitoring a signal being received from one of the cameras.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein determining whether a surveillance camera has failed comprises sending a status inquiry message to one of the cameras.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising automatically counting the people that enter a viewing zone.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending an alert based on automatic detection of certain behavior in a viewing zone.

21. An apparatus comprising:

surveillance cameras covering different viewing zones, wherein at least one of the different viewing zones has a different priority level than another one of the different viewing zones and wherein at least one surveillance camera is positioned to cover one viewing zone with a priority level and at least another one of surveillance cameras is positioned to cover another viewing zone of a different priority level; and

means for detecting the failure of a surveillance camera and

     1) directing a camera covering a lower priority viewing zone to cover the viewing zone of the failed camera or

     2) leaving the viewing zone of the failed camera unchanged if there are no viewing zones having a priority level lower than the viewing zone of the failed camera.