GB2419487A - Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display - Google Patents

Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2419487A
GB2419487A GB0423473A GB0423473A GB2419487A GB 2419487 A GB2419487 A GB 2419487A GB 0423473 A GB0423473 A GB 0423473A GB 0423473 A GB0423473 A GB 0423473A GB 2419487 A GB2419487 A GB 2419487A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
surveillance camera
camera
termination unit
unit
configuration
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0423473A
Other versions
GB0423473D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Williams
Neil Warnock
Christian Yeates
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bewator Ltd
Original Assignee
Bewator Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bewator Ltd filed Critical Bewator Ltd
Priority to GB0423473A priority Critical patent/GB2419487A/en
Publication of GB0423473D0 publication Critical patent/GB0423473D0/en
Publication of GB2419487A publication Critical patent/GB2419487A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • G08B13/19678—User interface
    • G08B13/1968—Interfaces for setting up or customising the system
    • 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
    • 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
    • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
    • G08B13/19619—Details of casing
    • 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
    • G08B13/19617—Surveillance camera constructional details
    • G08B13/19632—Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
    • 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
    • G08B13/19697—Arrangements wherein non-video detectors generate an alarm themselves
    • 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
    • H04N7/183—Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A surveillance camera system comprises a head unit (2, Figure 1), having a video camera, with a coupled termination unit 5. The termination or input unit 5 allows the input of configuration data, such as the camera address (ID), communications protocol and video gain information. The input unit or device 5 also comprises an electronic display 18, such as an LCD, to display both the video signal from the camera and also configuration information. Input unit 5 may also include a power supply 16, microprocessor and memory 17, and keypad 19. An alarm may indicate unauthorised access is being made, via detection of opening of the unit by a detector such as tamper switch 20. A test mode may apply tests to the camera, with test results being displayed.

Description

1 2419487 A Surveillance Camera, Termination Unit And Surveillance System
This invention relates to a surveillance camera, a termination unit for use with such a camera and a surveillance system including such cameras or termination units.
Surveillance cameras are becoming a familiar feature of our urban environment as surveillance systems are built to counter threats from crime and terrorism. They are found in town and city centres, commercial premises, airports and other areas where it is considered desirable to protect property or individuals from criminal or anti- social activity.
To ensure a significant area of coverage by the camera it is usual to locate them at a significant height and, or, locations which are difficult to access. This in addition offers some protection from vandalism and other interference.
In an urban environment, for example, the surveillance camera may be located on an item of street furniture such as a lamp-post. Thus, to casual observation at least, the camera gives an appearance of being one of many street lights. Cameras may also be located at high positions on buildings. Video signals produced by the camera are transmitted to a surveillance system where they are displayed in a control room to operators monitoring the system.
It will be appreciated that all, but the most trivial systems, will have a large number of surveillance cameras. In order for the system to interoperate with each of the cameras each camera must be addressable by the system. In other words, the system and surveillance cameras will be formed as a network where commands from the system to the camera will bear an address in accordance When a surveillance camera is installed it is configured by the service personnel to have a particular address. This is done by manipulation of miniature rotary switches in the surveillance camera circuitry. Unfortunately, in order to cater for a significant number of address permutations the switches are made small and their settings are very difficult to see. This can lead to errors in the configuration and the problem is further exacerbated where the surveillance camera is being installed in a difficult location or at height.
Once configured, test equipment is used by the installer to verify that the camera is producing a video output. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for test equipment to be stolen or mislaid.
According to the invention there is provided a surveillance camera, which in use, provides a video signal to a surveillance system, which surveillance camera comprising a head unit having a video camera and a termination unit in use operably coupled to the head unit to determine, at least in part, a configuration thereof which termination unit comprising input means to enable configuration control input and an electronic display to display the configuration and the video signal.
By providing a termination unit having an electronic display the configuration may be displayed in way which is more easily registered by a person setting the configuration. The configuration may comprise the address or identifier of the camera, the communications protocol to be used, video gain of the camera or other configuration information or a combination of these. By adapting the display to also display the video signal, the requirement for service personnel to carry separate test equipment for verify the output video signal is removed.
Thus, the display is able to display configuration information and, in addition, may also display the video information provided by the camera head. When the surveillance camera is installed or serviced it is then possible for the service personnel to not only to test and verify the configuration but also to check that the camera head is producing a video signal. This check may therefore be made without the need of test equipment or the need to contact an operator at the surveillance system which may be difficult or inconvenient.
The use of an electronic display for relaying of the configuration information and the video information leads to a significant advantage in the installation of surveillance cameras and systems.
The use of an electronic display permits the use of menu driven configuration selection which may involve a language selection option. An installer may then select the language to his or her native tongue.
To confer greater flexibility, the electronic display, preferably, has a user selectable orientation. In this way, the displayed information may be more conveniently orientated catering for awkward location of the termination unit.
Whilst it may be possible to provide the termination unit and camera head as one integrated unit, advantageously, the termination unit is operably coupled to the surveillance camera by a link which permits location of the termination unit away from the head unit. Thus, the camera head may be located at a height or other difficult to access location and the termination unit located at a more easily accessed location. In the described embodiment, the camera head is located on a post and the termination unit located at street level. This advantageously, enables the camera head to be installed and then configured from the termination unit at street level enhancing the safety of installing or servicing personnel and alleviating further the possibility of wrongly configuring the surveillance camera.
Furthermore, there is no need to open the camera head unit to vary the configuration by providing two linked units. Then the sealing of the camera head used to prevent water ingress does not have to be designed to enable repeated re-opening of the head and may be less expensively made.
A link between the termination unit and the camera head will be required where they are located apart and this could be a radio link or a cable based link. In the preferred described embodiment, the cable is a class D cat Se cable but other types of cable may be suitable depending upon the circumstances.
To counter unauthorized access of the termination unit it is preferably provided with alarm means to indicate access to the termination unit. In the described embodiment, an alarm signal is provided to the surveillance system.
The alarm means may comprise a number of different sensors depending on the circumstances but in the described embodiment comprises a detector to detect opening of the termination unit.
By furnishing an electronic display it is possible to run tests and to display the results of the tests. The tests are provided by suitable programming of a microprocessor and user selection of the tests by the service personnel installing the surveillance camera.
Conveniently, the termination input means comprises a key-pad and the electronic display is a liquid crystal display.
The configuration of the camera head may be held in memory in the camera head unit or as in the described preferred embodiment in the termination unit. Holding the configuration in a memory in the termination unit, advantageously, enables the camera head unit to be replaced with the need to re-enter the configuration.
The invention also provides a termination unit for use in a surveillance camera having any of the aforementioned features and a surveillance system including such termination units or surveillance cameras.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 shows a surveillance camera, a termination unit and surveillance system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a termination unit in more detail.
As is shown in figure l, a surveillance camera l includes a head unit 2 containing a camera and associated turn and tilt mechanism housed in an acrylic hemispherical dome, a cable 3 running in a void of a post 4, and a termination unit 5. The surveillance camera 1 interoperates with a surveillance system 7 by a cable 8 from the termination unit S. Video signals and commands are coupled between the surveillance system 7 and the head unit 2 over this cable 8, the termination unit S and cable 3.
The surveillance camera 1 is shown in a partially assembled form prior to the connection of the head unit to an external connector 9 of the cable 3. In this case, the cable is a Cat-Se and the external connector is a harsh environment industrial ethernet connector.
With the connection made, the head unit 2 is secured to the post by screws or other fasteners. Sealing (not shown) is provided to prevent ingress of moisture into the head unit 2.
The termination unit 5 is mounted at street level in a housing 10 formed by a base part of the post 4. The housing has a closure panel to prevent unauthorized access to the termination unit 5. As is shown in figure 2, the termination unit itself comprises an enclosure 11 complying with IP 67 to prevent ingress of moisture with openings for the cables 3 and 8 sealed by cable glands 12 and 13.
The enclosure 11 has a seal and a cover plate (which has been omitted for clarity) which is secured by screws engaging bores 14 disposed towards the corners of the periphery. The unit includes a main board 15 to which the components are mounted. These include a power supply unit 16 which provides the correct voltage power for the head and the termination unit from a mains supply (not shown).
A microprocessor and associated memory 17 are also mounted to the board along with an electronic display 18 and key-pad 19. The microprocessor 17 is programmed to provide the required functionality of the termination unit and in particular to configure the surveillance camera 1 in conjunction with inputs made by service personnel at the key-pad 19, and to drive the electronic display 18. In this case the display 18 is a liquid crystal display.
The memory 17 includes a configuration memory for the storage of configuration information in a manner to be described later.
By locating the power supply unit 16 in the termination unit, rather than at the head unit 2, the power supply is more easily protected from water ingress.
The board 15 also includes a tamper switch 20 which changes state when the cover plate of the enclosure is removed or replaced. This state is monitored by the microprocessor 17 and transmitted as an alarm to the surveillance system 7 over the cable 8.
The key-pad 19 enables service personnel to enter the configuration by selection of a menu displayed on the display 18. As a first step in the configuration process, the display may have to be orientated to provide a conveniently readable display for the user. For example, the termination unit may have been mounted in the post upside- down. By depressing a particular key combination the information displayed on the display 18 may rotated to place it the "correct way Up77.
By depression of another key or combination of keys the video signal from the head-unit may be verified by display on the display 18.
A menu option for language selection enables the service personnel to select the language which is most easily understood.
Before, the surveillance camera 1 is useable by the system 7 it must be programmed with its allocated address. This is entered by the service personnel at the key-pad 19 and this configuration then displayed for verification at the display 18.
The telemetry protocol to be used for the interaction is also selected from a displayed menu of options, for example Molynx, Ernitec ERNA, Pelco D, Pelco P. Photon Surcha, VCL or DM Sprite (VCL).
Other configuration parameters or information that can be accessed from the display menu include the type of interfaces to be used, video gain, contrast/brilliance of the LCD, software version information, temperature of head unit, test modes and reset modes.
When configuration is completed the information is stored in the memory 17 and in addition uploaded to a memory in the head unit.
In the event that the head unit is later replaced, the service personnel will be provided with a menu option to upload the existing configuration to the new unit.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the surveillance camera can be extensively tested and configured at the termination unit with the video signal being displayed synergistically by the use of an electronic display.
Whilst, in the described embodiment the display is described as one LCD it may be formed of a number.

Claims (16)

  1. Claims 1. A surveillance camera, for in use, providing a video signal to a
    surveillance system, which surveillance camera comprising a head unit having a video camera and a termination unit in use operably coupled to the head unit to determine, at least in part, a configuration thereof which termination unit comprising input means to enable configuration control input and an electronic display to display the configuration and to further display the video signal.
  2. 2. A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim 1 wherein the electronic display has a user selectable orientation.
  3. 3. A surveillance camera as claimed in claim l wherein the configuration comprises at least one of camera address, communications protocol, video gain.
  4. 4. A surveillance camera as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the termination unit is operably coupled to the surveillance camera by a link which permits location of the termination unit away from the head unit.
  5. S. A surveillance camera as claimed in claim 4 wherein the link is a cable.
  6. 6. A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the termination unit is provided with alarm means to indicate access to the termination unit is being made.
  7. 7. A surveillance camera as claimed in claim 6 wherein the alarm means provides an alarm signal to the surveillance system.
  8. 8. A surveillance camera as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the alarm means comprises a detector to detect opening of the termination unit.
  9. 9. A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the termination unit comprises test mode means to provide user selectable tests to be applied to the head unit.
  10. l 0. A surveillance camera as claimed in claim 9 wherein results of the tests are displayed on the electronic display means.
  11. l 1. A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the termination unit input means comprises a key-pad.
  12. 12. A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the electronic display is a liquid crystal display.
  13. l 3 A surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the configuration is held in a memory at the termination unit.
  14. 14. A surveillance camera substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.
  15. 15. A termination unit for a surveillance camera as claimed in any preceding claim.
  16. 16. A surveillance system including at least one surveillance camera or termination unit as claimed in any preceding claim.
GB0423473A 2004-10-23 2004-10-23 Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display Withdrawn GB2419487A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0423473A GB2419487A (en) 2004-10-23 2004-10-23 Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0423473A GB2419487A (en) 2004-10-23 2004-10-23 Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display

Publications (2)

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GB0423473D0 GB0423473D0 (en) 2004-11-24
GB2419487A true GB2419487A (en) 2006-04-26

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GB0423473A Withdrawn GB2419487A (en) 2004-10-23 2004-10-23 Surveillance camera control input unit with both configuration and video display

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6091771A (en) * 1997-08-01 2000-07-18 Wells Fargo Alarm Services, Inc. Workstation for video security system
US20010045983A1 (en) * 1995-02-27 2001-11-29 Hiroshi Okazaki Remote control system and access control method for information input apparatus
JP2002034032A (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-01-31 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Controller for monitoring camera system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20010045983A1 (en) * 1995-02-27 2001-11-29 Hiroshi Okazaki Remote control system and access control method for information input apparatus
US6091771A (en) * 1997-08-01 2000-07-18 Wells Fargo Alarm Services, Inc. Workstation for video security system
JP2002034032A (en) * 2000-07-13 2002-01-31 Asahi Optical Co Ltd Controller for monitoring camera system

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Publication number Publication date
GB0423473D0 (en) 2004-11-24

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