GB2413229A

GB2413229A - Wireless linked remote monitoring station for security system

Info

Publication number: GB2413229A
Application number: GB0408361A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sean Goodman
Original assignee: I Q INTERNAT COMMERCIAL INVEST
Current assignee: I Q INTERNAT COMMERCIAL INVEST
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2004-04-14
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: GB0408361D0

Abstract

A display system for a surveillance system comprises a base station 2 that can receive and record the output from at least one camera and a local monitoring station 3. A user may select, at the local station, which camera output or recorded video to view and the base station transmits this video to the local station. Transmission of the selection and video signals may be by wireless means. The system may comprise more than one monitoring station and these stations may be controlled using an infra-red remote controller.

Description

24 1 3229 Security camera display control system This invention concerns a

display control system for cameras, in particular security cameras.

There is an increased market demand for security systems that utilise video cameras whose output is recorded by a time lapsed video recorder and displayed on a closed circuit television monitor (CCTV) or on a domestic television receiver. Systems that involve a multiplicity of cameras, the outputs of which are connected to a base station and are recorded simultaneously, are known, as is the facility of selection of one of the camera outputs at the station, transmitted by wireless, to be displayed on a CCTV or a domestic television receiver. Such a prior art system is shown schematically in Figure 1. As shown in the figure, a plurality of video cameras output to a base station, which processes the outputs for display on at least one display device, for example a television or monitor. A user of the system may command the base station to show particular channels, for example relating to one particular camera, or images recorded in a particular time period. Modern systems record the camera outputs on time lapsed Digital Video Recorders (DVR). However such systems have been designed for professional use such as security surveillance of business premises, schools, military establishments and such like. For example, a dedicated security of ricer may be employed to monitor the output from the cameras whilst remaining in the vicinity of the base station. As a consequence, such systems are manufactured in relatively small quantities and are therefore expensive and generally beyond the financial reach of the private householder, or small business owners. Large scale integration of the electronics of video cameras has resulted in their costs plummeting in recent years. There is a substantial market for multiple camera security systems for homeowners and small businesses in particular, providing they provide certain features in addition to those of the prior art. These features are a) low cost, and b) the capability of selecting the camera outputs and control of playback of the DVR recordings, at the viewing locations of one or more domestic televisions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control system for cameras suitable for domestic or small-scale use that addresses the requirements of low cost and control at the viewing locations.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display control system for displaying the output from at least one video camera, comprising a base station for receiving output signals from said at least one camera, recording said camera output signals and transmitting video signals, and a local station for receiving said video signals, receiving command signals from a user of the system and sending display signals to a display device, wherein the video signals transmitted by the base station are selected in dependence on the command signals received by the local station.

The local station may send control signals to the base station in dependence on the command signals received by said local station, and the video signals transmitted by the base station may be selected in dependence on said control signals. The selected video signals may comprise camera output signals from said at least one camera, and / or camera output signals recorded by the base station.

The control signals may advantageously include information for selecting the video signals by specifying which camera the output signals originate from. It is a further useful feature that the control signals may include information for selecting the video signals by specifying a time period at which the output signals were recorded.

Preferably, the local station and the base station communicate in a wireless manner. In this case, the video signals and control signals preferably comprise radio frequency signals.

Advantageously, the command signals comprise infra-red signals.

At least one additional local station may be provided, for sending display signals to respective display devices.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera display system comprising at least one camera, and the aforementioned display control system.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure I shows a prior art security system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention; F igure 3 shows components of a security system employing the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of the components of a base station and local station suitable for use with the present invention; Figure 5 shows a remote control unit that may be used to program the system; and Figure 6 shows an exemplary programming screen. ]5

Figs 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a typical security system that embodies the invention. The system consists of a number of video cameras 1, connected to a base station 2, which communicates with at least one local station 3, which in turn outputs the selected video display signal to a display device 4, in this case shown as a television, via a scart or S Video output. Fig 2 shows the basic components ofthe system, with paths of data communication between the components indicated by arrows. Fig 3 shows the components in more detail, while Fig 4 provides a simplified block diagram of both the base station 2 and the local station 3. The base station 2 is preferably located within a premises in a convenient position to facilitate easy connection of the external video cameras to the base station and to a mains power source. This typically would be on the inside of an outside wall in the hallway or cloakroom of the average home such that the external camera cables can be routed through to the base station via holes through the wall. The base station 2 incorporates a continuously recording time lapse DVR 5, camera selection circuitry 6 and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 7 which transmits a video signal, operating typically at 2.4 GHz and outputting via an antenna 8. it also incorporates a second RF receiver 9, typically operating at 433 MHz, which receives control information signals from the local station 3 via a second antenna 10. An infra red receiver 11 enables remote control of the base station directly if required. Management of the base station is effected by a microprocessor 12 and the whole station is typically powered from a single phase local mains supply via a low cost, low voltage convertor. The local station 3 incorporates a infra-red (JR) receiver 13 which receives control data from the user, for example using a remote control (see Fig 5), and feeds this data to microprocessor 14. Control signals generated by the microprocessor 14 are fed to an RF transmitter 15 typically operating at 433 MHz, which transmits the control signals back to the base station 2 via the antenna 16. The local station 3 also incorporates an antenna 17 which feeds an RF receiver 18, typically operating at 2.4 Ghz. The output from receiver 18 feeds a video driver 19, which provides video display signals in the form of both a SCART and S-VHS format to a domestic television. A choice oftransmit and receive frequencies within the permitted bands can be selected at both the base and local stations to avoid interference from other systems.

The system described above permits control of the base station and video selection from the location of the television being viewed. This allows the user a variety of facilities from this location which on prior art systems are only available, inconveniently, at a location remote from the television. Switching the TV display between television programme viewing and security viewing is effected by the user's television control (i.e. not the security remote control) by selecting the SCART or S-VHS inputs to the television to view the security display.

Fig 5 shows a typical IR remote control for the security system that is suitable for control of either the base or the local station, by the user, to provide the following typical, but not exclusive, features, which unlike prior art systems are selectable at the location of the TV. It should be noted that control of the base station can be effected from more than one local station, using a remote control at each local station. Thus, for example, the control of the base station could be effected from a local station positioned alongside a television located in a bedroom and from another local station located in a lounge, with the same or an additional remote controller at each location. This feature also facilitates operation of the system in a multi user environment, such as an apartment block. With reference to fig 5 the typical features available with the remote control are: a) Live camera / recording selection Pressing the 'live/exit' button 20 alternates the display on the TV from the live images from the camera to recorded images from the DVR. The time of all recorded images is advantageously always displayed on the screen.

b) Multi-screen -single screen selection - Pressing the "multi-screen" button 21 switches the display from a split screen display, e.g. a matrix of 3 x 3 screens, i.e. 9 in total in the described system example, each displaying a camera output, to a single camera output, the required camera being selected by pushing any of the buttons 1 to 9. This facility functions for either live or recorded camera outputs.

c) DVR control - Full control of playback of the DVR machine is provided. The six buttons within the panel 22 provide the traditional controls of play, pause, forward, rewind, fast forward and fast rewind. The DVR recorder records continuously and has automatic camera sensing such that no adjustment is required when a camera is connected to the base station 2, and the output of all cameras are recorded. The DVR machine operates in full duplex mode, i.e. recording continues during playback, and when the DVR disc is full it is overwritten to provide a continuous 'last l 5 day' cycle for example. T he fast forward and fast rewind buttons may also control the operation speed. Pressing these buttons once fast forwards the replay images being reviewed at x3 speed. Pressing the button again increases the fast forward to x6. This button has no function unless the "search process" (see paragraph d below) has been selected and the appropriate time and date have been set. Pressing the forward or rewind buttons immediately pauses the playback and each subsequent press advances the playback frame by frame. These buttons also have no function unless the "search process" has been selected and the appropriate time and date have been set.

d) Searching for a recording at a specified time - A facility to set the time is automatically provided when power is applied to the system. When power is supplied, an image is displayed on the television similar to that of the "go to time" display shown in Fig. 6, with a request for the user to set the time using the numbered buttons on the remote control. Button 23 starts a "go to time/date" search function menu 24, displayed on the TV and also illustrated on Fig 6. There are four sets of two boxes from left to right for entering - hours (using 24 hour clock) - minutes days months. There is no year displayed. Each set of two boxes flashes to indicate numbers that need to be entered. After the two valid numbers are entered, the next set of two boxes flashes and so on until all eight boxes have valid numbers entered. Flashing will then go back to the first two boxes to re-enter the sequence again if necessary and the "Press to Confirm" box will appear on the TV screen. When everything is correct, pressing the "search" button 23 again on the remote control will confirm the time and date entry and start replay ofthe required camera images. By default, the DVR will replay the multi-screen on playback, but at any time an individual camera can be selected in full screen.

Thus the invention enables the user to select features, displayed images and control the operation of a camera-based security system from the television viewing position. This allows the system to be installed cheaply in the home. As mentioned earlier, the system is also suitable for installation in an apartment block for example, where a single base station for the apartment block would be in communication with various local stations distributed amongst the tenants.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments above, there are many other modifications and alternatives possible within the scope of the claims. For example, it is not necessary to use infra-red remote control, and any suitable programming interface can be used. The display device need not be a television, but could be a monitor, mobile display unit etc. The local station could for example be releasably linked to, and controlled through, a computer or mobile device.

Claims

Claims 1. A display control system for displaying the output from at least

one video camera, comprising a base station for receiving output signals from said at least one camera, recording said camera output signals and transmitting video signals, and a local station for receiving said video signals, receiving command signals from a user of the system and sending display signals to a display device, wherein the video signals transmitted by the base station are selected in dependence on the command signals received by the local station.
2. A display control system according to claim 1, wherein the local station sends control signals to the base station in dependence on the command signals received by said local station, and the video signals transmitted by the base station are selected in dependence on said control signals.
3. A display control system according to claim 2, wherein the selected video signals comprise camera output signals from said at least one camera.
4. A display control system according to either of claims 2 and 3, wherein the selected video signals comprise camera output signals recorded by the base station.
5. A display control system according to either of claims 3 and 4, wherein the control signals include information for selecting the video signals by specifying which camera the output signals originate from.
6. A display control system according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control signals include information for selecting the video signals by specifying a time period at which the output signals were recorded.
7. A display control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the local station and the base station communicate in a wireless manner.
8. A display control system according to claim 7, wherein the video signals and control signals comprise radio frequency signals.
9. A display control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the command signals comprise infra-red signals.
10. A display control system according to any preceding claim, wherein at feast one additional local station is provided, for sending display signals to respective display devices.
11. A camera display system comprising at least one camera, and the display control system according to any preceding claim.
12. A display control system as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.
13. A camera display system as herein described with reference to Figures 2 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.