GB2318013A - Television surveillance system wherein not all the mutiplexed video signals recorded are displayed - Google Patents
Television surveillance system wherein not all the mutiplexed video signals recorded are displayed Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2318013A GB2318013A GB9724463A GB9724463A GB2318013A GB 2318013 A GB2318013 A GB 2318013A GB 9724463 A GB9724463 A GB 9724463A GB 9724463 A GB9724463 A GB 9724463A GB 2318013 A GB2318013 A GB 2318013A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- video
- signal
- video camera
- camera signals
- operable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19639—Details of the system layout
- G08B13/19645—Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19678—User interface
- G08B13/19682—Graphic User Interface [GUI] presenting system data to the user, e.g. information on a screen helping a user interacting with an alarm system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
- G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
- G08B13/18—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength
- G08B13/189—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems
- G08B13/194—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems
- G08B13/196—Actuation by interference with heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength; Actuation by intruding sources of heat, light, or radiation of shorter wavelength using passive radiation detection systems using image scanning and comparing systems using television cameras
- G08B13/19678—User interface
- G08B13/19691—Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound
- G08B13/19693—Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/18—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
- H04N7/181—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A video multiplexing apparatus 12 for taking video signals from a number of video cameras 10A-D and supplying them as a single multiplexed signal both to a video cassette recorder 14 and to a monitor 16 can be set by a supervisor in a hidden mode in which pictures from all of the cameras are recorded, but pictures from one or more selected "hidden" cameras are not displayed, and the existence of those cameras is not apparent to an incogniscent user of the apparatus.
Description
TITTLE
Video Multiplexers
DESCRIPTION
This invention relates to video multiplexing apparatus, which may be employed in a closed circuit television system usable, for example, for security or surveillance purposes.
A typical video multiplexing apparatus used for this purpose is operable to multiplex a plurality of video camera signals to produce a video recording signal for recording by a video recorder and also to multiplex the video camera signals to produce a video monitoring signal for display by a video monitor.
A typical installation for a system including such a multiplexing apparatus might be in a shop or garage, with the video cameras positioned so as to capture the movements of supposed customers in the shop or garage who might be shoplifting. It would also be desirable to be able to position video cameras so as to capture the movements of staff in the shop or garage, for example behind the counter, so that pilfering by them could be detected. However, the staff would know the positions of the cameras unless they were hidden, but even if the cameras were hidden the staff would be able to ascertain their whereabouts and fields of view by looking at the video monitor, which in a typical installation would be accessible to them.
In accordance with the present invention, the typical video multiplexing apparatus mentioned above is characterised in that it is operable in a hidden mode in which a predetermined one or more of the video camera signals which is/are used in producing the recording video signal cannot be used in producing the video monitoring signal.
Accordingly, an incogniscent member of staff will not be able to tell from viewing the video monitor that there may be a further video camera (for example a hidden camera) which is watching them.
In a typical installation, the multiplexing apparatus is made accessible to any member of staff, for example so that they can select particular camera pictures to view or can select different viewing configurations. According to a preferred feature of the invention, the multiplexing apparatus has means to prevent an unauthorised user from changing the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to any other mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or any of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal. Thus, an unauthorised member of staff will not be able to play around with the apparatus and discover, from viewing the monitor, the existence of one or more further cameras.
Preferably, the multiplexing apparatus has means operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus (for example a key switch or a key pad which requires a personal identification number) to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a supervisor mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or at least one of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal. Accordingly, a staff supervisor, such as the shop or garage manager, can view the pictures from the extra camera(s).
Preferably, the multiplexing apparatus has means operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus (for example a playback switch which is enabled by the key switch or key pad) to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a playback mode in which the apparatus is operable to receive a video playback signal from the video recorder and to produce a video playback signal for display by the video monitor. Accordingly, the staff supervisor or other authorised person can play back the recorded pictures including those from the extra camera(s).
The multiplexing apparatus may be operable to indicate to the user which video camera signals are being received by the multiplexing apparatus, for example by illuminating indicator lights adjacent camera select buttons on a front panel of the multiplexing apparatus. In this case, when in the hidden mode, the apparatus preferably does not indicate that the predetermined video camera signals are being received. Accordingly, an incogniscent member of staff will not be able to detect the existence of the extra camera(s) by looking at the front panel of the multiplexer apparatus when it is in the hidden mode.
Preferably, that one of, or those of, the video camera signals which is/are treated as said "predetermined" video camera signal(s) is/are selectable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus (for example using a menu system which is enabled by the key switch or key pad).
A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a closed circuit television system which
includes a multiplexing apparatus; and
Figure 2 is a view of a front panel of the multiplexing apparatus.
Referring to the drawings, a closed circuit television system is illustrated which comprises up to seventeen video cameras (four 1OA-D of which are shown in Figure 1), a multiplexing apparatus 12, a video cassette recorder 14 and a video monitor 16. The operation of the system other than in its hidden mode will firstly be described.
The video cameras 1OA-D are connected to respective inputs of a multiplexer 18, which, during recording, supplies the video signal from a selected one of the cameras 1OA-D to a recording frame buffer 22. Frames from the buffer 22 are supplied via a coder 26 to the video cassette recorder 14. The multiplexer 18 also supplies the selected video signal to a monitor frame buffer 24, and frames from the buffer 24 are supplied to the monitor 16. During playback, a video signal from the video cassette recorder 14 is supplied to the multiplexer 18. In this case, frames of the playback signal are not stored in the recording frame buffer 22, but they are supplied to the monitor 16 via the monitor frame buffer 24.
The multiplexing apparatus 12 includes a microprocessor 20 which controls the multiplexer 18, recording frame buffer 22, monitor frame buffer 24, coder 26 and the video cassette recorder 14, together with a display 34 and various indicators 29 on a front panel 36 of the apparatus 12. The microprocessor 20 performs this control in accordance with a program stored in a memory 21 and in dependence upon the states of various switches 28 on the front panel 36 of the apparatus 12.
The switches 28 on the front panel 36 include the following switches which cause the microprocessor 20 to perform the functions as described:
A key lock switch 40 having on and off positions for turning the apparatus 12 on
and off;
"Record", "play" and "VCR" pushbutton switches 42 for setting the apparatus
12 in a recording mode, a playback mode and a step-by-step playback mode,
respectively;
A "camera select" pushbutton switch 44 for each of the video cameras which,
when pressed once, causes the selected camera picture to be displayed on the
monitor 16, and when pressed twice quickly in succession causes the displayed
picture to sequence through the cameras starting with the camera for the
pushbutton which is pressed;
A "freeze" pushbutton switch 46, which when pressed causes the displayed
picture to be frozen, and which when pressed again unfreezes the picture;
A "multi-screen" pushbutton switch 48, which causes the displayed picture to
toggle through various display formats including, for example:
"single", in which the picture from only one camera is displayed;
"4 x4", in which the pictures from sixteen of the cameras are displayed,
quarter-size, in a 4 x 4 array; and
"2+(2 x4)", in which the pictures from ten of the cameras are displayed,
with two of them being half size and arranged side-by-side at the top of
the screen, and the other eight being quarter-size and arranged at the
bottom of the screen in a 2 x 4 array; A "zoom" pushbutton switch 50, which when pressed causes the displayed
picture to be enlarged. When enlarged, operation of the camera select
pushbuttons 44 for cameras 1 to 4 enables the user to move around the picture.
Also, the freeze and zoom pushbutton switches 46,50, when pressed simultaneously, cause the apparatus 12 to enter a "menu" mode, in which a menu screen is displayed on the monitor 24 and the user can make various selections by operation of the camera select pushbutton switches 44 for cameras 1 to 4.
Each of the record, play, VCR, freeze, multi-screen and zoom pushbuttons 42, 46, 48, 50 has a respective one of the indicator lights 29, for example LEDs, and the microprocessor 20 causes each of those lights to be illuminated when the function performed by operation of the respective pushbutton switch is enabled. Also, each of the camera select pushbutton switches 44 has a respective indicator light 52 provided by a dual-colour LED. Disregarding the effects of the hidden mode for the time being, during recording, each of the LEDs is illuminated red if the respective camera is selected, illuminated green if the respective camera is present but not selected, and is not illuminated if the respective camera is not present. During playback, each of the LEDs is illuminated red if pictures from the respective camera have been recorded by the VCR 14 and are selected, illuminated green if pictures from the respective camera have been recorded by the VCR 14 but are not selected, and is not illuminated if pictures from the respective camera have not been recorded by the VCR 14.
The multiplexing apparatus 12 as described so far with reference to figures 1 and 2 is known and is embodied in, for example, the Drax 17 multiplexer manufactured by
Tecton Limited, of Eastleigh, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The new "hidden" mode of operation of the apparatus 12 will now be described in detail.
The key-switch 40 has a third position for the hidden mode, and the "on" position mentioned above can now be considered as placing the apparatus 12 in a "supervisor" mode. As described above, when in the supervisor mode, the "freeze" and "zoom" pushbutton switches 46,50 can be pressed simultaneously to place the apparatus 12 in the menu mode, which can be navigated around using the camera select pushbutton switches 44 for cameras 1 to 4. Part of the menu system enables the supervisor to designate any of the cameras as a "hidden camera", and the designation of a camera as such a hidden camera is stored in the memory 21.
A controllable switch 19 is placed between the multiplexer 18 and the monitor frame buffer 24. The switch 19 is controlled by the microprocessor 20 so that, at any time when the microprocessor 20 is causing the multiplexer 18 to pass a video signal from any camera which is designated in the memory 21 as hidden, the switch 19 is opened so that the video signal is not supplied to the monitor frame buffer 24. Accordingly, pictures from the hidden camera or cameras can never be displayed on the monitor 16.
When the key-switch 40 is operated to set the apparatus 12 in the hidden mode, firstly, the play and VCR pushbutton switches 42 are disabled (i.e. the microprocessor 20 ignores operation of them), so that the apparatus 12 can only operate in the recording mode. Secondly, the microprocessor 20 causes the LED 52 for any of the cameras which is designated in the memory 21 as hidden not to be illuminated, irrespective of whether that camera is present and whether the operator has attempted to select it using the respective pushbutton switch 44. Thirdly, as a consequence of the inclusion of the switch 19 and the control of it by the microprocessor 20, in the single display mode the screen of the monitor 16 is blanked if a hidden camera is selected, and if a multi-screen mode is selected formed partly by the picture from a hidden camera, that part of the screen is blanked.
Accordingly, a user of the system is unaware of the existence of any camera which has been designated in the memory 21 as hidden.
It will be appreciated that many modifications and developments may be made to the multiplexing apparatus and system described above.
Claims (8)
1. A video multiplexing apparatus which is operable:
to multiplex a plurality of video camera signals to produce a video recording signal for recording by a video recorder; and
to multiplex the video camera signals to produce a video monitoring signal for display by a video monitor;
characterised in that:
the multiplexing apparatus is operable in a hidden mode in which a predetermined one or more of the video camera signals which is/are used in producing the recording video signal is/are not used in producing the video monitoring signal.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and having means to prevent an unauthorised user from changing the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to any other mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or any of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and having means operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a supervisor mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or at least one of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, and having means operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a playback mode in which the apparatus is operable to receive a video playback signal from the video recorder and to produce a video playback signal for display by the video monitor.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, which is operable to indicate to the user which video camera signals are being received by the multiplexing apparatus, wherein, in the hidden mode, the apparatus does not indicate that the predetermined video camera signals are being received.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein that one of, or those of, the video camera signals which is/are treated as said predetermined video camera signal(s) is/are selectable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus.
7. A video multiplexing apparatus, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
8. A closed circuit television system, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
8. A closed circuit television system, comprising:
a video multiplexing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim;
a plurality of video cameras connected to supply the video camera signals to the multiplexing apparatus;
a video recorder connected to record the video recording signal; and
a video monitor connected to display the video monitoring signal;
wherein at least one of the video cameras is hidden.
9. A closed circuit television system, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A video multiplexing apparatus which is operable to multiplex a plurality of video camera signals to produce a video recording signal for recording by a video recorder and to multiplex the video camera signals to produce a video monitoring signal for display by a video monitor; the apparatus being operable in a hidden mode in which a predetermined one or more of the video camera signals which is/are used in producing the video recording signal is/are not used in producing the video monitoring signal; and the apparatus having means to prevent an unauthorised user from changing the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to any other mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or any of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal.
2. A video multiplexing apparatus which is operable to multiplex a plurality of video camera signals to produce a video recording signal for recording by a video recorder and to multiplex the video camera signals to produce a video monitoring signal for display by a video monitor; the apparatus being operable in a hidden mode in which a predetermined one or more of the video camera signals which is/are used in producing the video recording signal is/are not used in producing the video monitoring signal; and the apparatus having means operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a supervisor mode in which the predetermined video camera signal, or at least one of the predetermined video camera signals, is used in producing the video monitoring signal.
3. A video multiplexing apparatus which is operable to multiplex a plurality of video camera signals to produce a video recording signal for recording by a video recorder and to multiplex the video camera signals to produce a video monitoring signal for display by a videe monitor; the apparatus being operable in a hidden mode in which a predetermined < ne or more of the video camera signals which is/are used in producing the video recording signal is/are not used in producing the video monitoring signal; and the apparatus having mc7C operable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus to change the multiplexing apparatus from the hidden mode to a playback mode in which the apparatus is operable to receive a video playback signal from the video recorder and to produce a video playback signal for display by the video monitor 4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, which is operable to indicate to the user which video camera signals are being received by the multiplexing apparatus, and wherein, in the hidden mode, the apparatus does not indicate that the predetermined video camera signals are being received.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein that one of, or those of, the video camera signals which is/are treated as said predetermined video camera signal(s) is/are selectable by an authorised user, but not by an unauthorised user, of the apparatus.
6. A video multiplexing apparatus, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
7. A closed circuit television system, comprising: a video multiplexing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim; a plurality of video cameras connected to supply the video camera signals to the multiplexing apparatus; a video recorder connected to record the video recording signal; and a video monitor connected to display the video monitoring signal; wherein at least one of the video cameras is hidden.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9724463A GB2318013B (en) | 1997-11-20 | 1997-11-20 | Video multiplexers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9724463A GB2318013B (en) | 1997-11-20 | 1997-11-20 | Video multiplexers |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9724463D0 GB9724463D0 (en) | 1998-01-14 |
| GB2318013A true GB2318013A (en) | 1998-04-08 |
| GB2318013B GB2318013B (en) | 1998-08-26 |
Family
ID=10822320
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9724463A Expired - Fee Related GB2318013B (en) | 1997-11-20 | 1997-11-20 | Video multiplexers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2318013B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2337174A (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 1999-11-10 | Christopher Malcolm Hall | Multiplexing asynchronous analogue video signals in a security and surveillance system |
| GB2362284A (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2001-11-14 | Dedicated Micros Ltd | Multiplexing and encoding images from muliple surveillance cameras |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996003005A1 (en) * | 1994-07-15 | 1996-02-01 | Isec Intelligent Security Ab | A device at tv surveillance |
-
1997
- 1997-11-20 GB GB9724463A patent/GB2318013B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1996003005A1 (en) * | 1994-07-15 | 1996-02-01 | Isec Intelligent Security Ab | A device at tv surveillance |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2337174A (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 1999-11-10 | Christopher Malcolm Hall | Multiplexing asynchronous analogue video signals in a security and surveillance system |
| GB2337174B (en) * | 1998-05-08 | 2002-06-05 | Christopher Malcolm Hall | Multiplexing analogue video signals |
| GB2362284A (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2001-11-14 | Dedicated Micros Ltd | Multiplexing and encoding images from muliple surveillance cameras |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9724463D0 (en) | 1998-01-14 |
| GB2318013B (en) | 1998-08-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20031120 |