Video-monitor/recording/playback system

Abstract

The invention relates to a stand-alone video recording, playback and Monitoring system. It has network switches, non-volatile storage devices, IP cameras, video servers, and NTSC cameras. The system uses communication channels that are WAN/LAN based and can be hard-wired or wireless.

1 . What is claimed is:
 A stand-alone, WAN/LAN IP based video-monitoring/recording/playback system comprising:   a centralized server machine having an internal web server engine, a user account management system, and a built-in network video recorder (NVR);   a non-volatile storage device for archival of digital video frames;   a network switch/access point and/or router for interconnecting the components including at least the server and IP devices including at least IP cameras or IP video servers;   an architecture such that viewing and management consoles, external hard drives, and cameras reside locally on the internal subnet of the system, or on any remote network connected to the system using the WAN or internet;   a set of HTML pages that are exported to a connecting browser for viewing, playback, and system management whereby all remote access is effected using standard browsers without remote client software.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , with a hardware firewall 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a hardware watchdog capable of cycling power on a main server computer 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a hardware watchdog capable of cycling power on any locally powered networking devices, and any broadband/WAN connection modem 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  incorporating Power over Ethernet (POE) adapters for remote network infrastructure components including at least one switch, router, IP video servers and IP cameras. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5  including a hardware watchdog capable of cycling power on any base POE device whereby any remote networking device on the POE output terminals can be power cycled 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a local monitor attached to the main centralized server for local viewing 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising remote backup, as a means for supporting recovery over the LAN and WAN 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for automatically establishing all networking attributes of the system and connected devices when the system is booted. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for enabling remote system upgrades of integral software/firmware components including main server OS patches recording, playback, and viewing applications, and firmware in all connected devices: including switches, access points, routers, and video servers. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for overlapping recording files so that any 2 time sequential files contain the same replicated video at the end of the first file that exists at the beginning of the second file. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for enabling remote users to access the site by a single site pointer (URL) whether the system is connected to a static or dynamic IP connection 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising adaptive capabilities for dynamically selecting compression algorithms (such as h.263, MPEG, JPEG), and compression qualities based on programmed events, and/or time of day. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for adaptive network bandwidth management, based on programmed events, and/or time of day 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for real-time “self-healing” capabilities including hard drive defragmentation, memory leakage recovery, and resource recovery. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a software watchdog for monitoring and recovering from a software lockup on the server, a router, or any other such lockup that might occur on the network infrastructure devices. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising hardware watchdogs on wired or wirelessly connected devices (IP cameras) that will restart the device on communication lockup or device failure. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a means for supporting a single server which can support multiple independent client accounts each delineated by a unique account ID, such that each client can only access their own private cameras or network devices on a shared network infrastructure (time sharing). 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a local multi-day video cache such that during a hard drive crash, all recent information can be restored from either the long-term archival storage device or the video caching device. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an automated DVD storage subsystem capable of providing permanent hard copy video backups replicating that of traditional tape hardcopy archival. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism supporting both a remote activeX client and Java applet so that the most suitable tool can be chosen by the end user to enable remote playback. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a hardcopy status logging printer that automatically logs events defined by the administrator 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 1  fully incorporated into a suitcase supporting 3-9 IP cameras, that can be instantaneously deployed 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a means for supporting multiple simultaneous users 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for time and date stamping each video file with names indicating triggered events that occurred during the timed clip. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a means for supporting remote administration and configuration over the LAN/WAN via standard internet browsers. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising an internal digital video recorder whose properties are set and controlled via standard internet browsers 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a user account management system associating individual users with security and access profiles by logical grouping 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising attached manageable network devices and cameras assigned to security profiles by logical grouping 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 28  where each group is separately assigned live camera viewing and playback recording privileges 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism enabling live viewing and playback privileges to be assigned on a scheduled basis. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 28  further comprising a mechanism for restricting access to individual devices even after assigned to groups (by cloaking the individual device or camera). 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 1  with network device accessibility gated by the host server which may also enable multiple remote site exploration via a single entry in a site reference table (site pointer). 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism for providing individual users with personal preferences 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism which dynamically creates customized user interfaces and menus in real-time reflecting each individuals user's security profile, and their personal preferences when they log into the system 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a setup so the administrator can customize the look and feel of the interface by setting certain properties via the administrator interface 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for automated remote LAN/WAN video archival during scheduled times as specified in a system entry. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism for real-time video network bandwidth management according to schedule entries 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising an array of independent hardware i/o devices whose inputs and outputs can be received and driven from the server to function as if in a “wired OR”, “wired EXCLUSIVE OR”, “wired AND”, or any other logical assignment as configured in the centralized server 
     
     
         40 . The system according to  claim 39  further comprising hardware I/Os that can be driven to cause an event triggering mechanism based on logical relationships between the I/Os, time/date, and sequence of occurrence of events. 
     
     
         41 . The system according to  claim 40  further comprising a mechanism to implement a guard duty detection circuit, and via software and hardware monitor and report guard duty activity 
     
     
         42 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising multiple independent user privilege levels, with each privilege level containing the attributes specified by the administrator. 
     
     
         43 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising built in local recording capable of recording images to an assigned local or network hard drive 
     
     
         44 . A stand-alone, WAN/LAN IP based video-monitoring/recording/playback system comprising:
 a centralized server machine having an internal web server engine, a user account management system, and a built-in network video recorder (NVR);   a non-volatile storage device for archival of digital video frames;   a network switch/access point and/or router for interconnecting the components including at least the server and IP devices including at least IP cameras or IP video servers;   an architecture such that viewing and management consoles, external hard drives, and cameras reside locally on the internal subnet of the system, or on any remote network connected to the system using the WAN or internet;   a set of HTML pages that are exported to a connecting browser for viewing, playback, and system management whereby all remote access is effected using standard browsers without remote client software;   an enterprise class, distributed, relational database server that is integrated as part of the overall system enabling complex functionality, scalability, and maintainability.   
     
     
         45 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising an internal video recorder whose properties are set and controlled by data stored in the system database. 
     
     
         46 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising a user account management system associating individual users with security and access profiles by logical grouping 
     
     
         47 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising attached manageable network devices and cameras assigned to security profiles by logical grouping 
     
     
         48 . The system according to  claim 45  where each group is separately assigned live camera viewing and playback recording privileges 
     
     
         49 . The system according to  claim 46  further comprising a mechanism enabling live viewing and playback privileges to be assigned on a scheduled basis. 
     
     
         50 . The system according to  claim 47  further comprising a mechanism for restricting access to individual devices even after assigned to groups (by cloaking the individual device or camera). 
     
     
         51 . The system according to  claim 44  with network device accessibility gated by the host server which may also enable multiple remote site exploration via a single entry in a site reference table (site pointer). 
     
     
         52 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising a mechanism for providing individual users with personal preferences 
     
     
         53 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising a mechanism which dynamically creates customized user interfaces and menus in real-time reflecting each individuals user's security profile, and their personal preferences when they log into the system 
     
     
         54 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising a setup so the administrator can customize the look and feel of the interface by setting certain properties via the administrator interface 
     
     
         55 . The system according to  claim 44 , further comprising a mechanism for automated remote LAN/WAN video archival during scheduled times as specified in a system entry. 
     
     
         56 . The system according to  claim 44 , further comprising a mechanism for real-time video network bandwidth management according to schedule entries from the system database 
     
     
         57 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising an array of independent i/o devices whose inputs and outputs can be received and driven from the server to function as if in a “wired OR”, “wired EXCLUSIVE OR”, “wired AND”, or any other logical assignment from a single point setup and managed by the database 
     
     
         58 . The system according to  claim 57  further comprising hardware I/Os that can be driven to cause an event triggering mechanism based on logical relationships between the I/Os, time/date, and sequence of occurrence of events all of which are setup via the database 
     
     
         59 . The system according to  claim 58  further comprising a mechanism to implement a guard duty detection circuit, and via software and hardware monitor and report guard duty activity 
     
     
         60 . The system according to  claim 44  further comprising multiple independent user privilege levels, with each privilege level containing the attributes specified by the administrator. 
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 44 , further comprising built in local recording capable of recording images to an assigned local or network hard drive 
     
     
         62 . The system according to  claim 44 , where the database for the system can be installed on the local machine, a remote addressable machine or a network addressable hard drive 
     
     
         63 . The system according to  claim 44 , where the database and database server are remotely upgradeable components of the system 
     
     
         64 . A stand-alone, WAN/LAN IP based video-monitoring/recording/playback system comprising:
 a centralized server machine having an internal web server engine, a user account management system, and a built-in network video recorder (NVR);   a non-volatile storage device for archival of digital video frames;   a network switch/access point and/or router for interconnecting the components including at least the server and IP devices including at least IF cameras or IP video servers;   an architecture such that viewing and management consoles, external hard drives, and cameras reside locally on the internal subnet of the system, or on any remote network connected to the system using the WAN or internet;   a set of HTML pages that are exported to a connecting browser for viewing, playback, and system management whereby all remote access is effected using standard browsers without remote client software;   a wireless access point for connecting wireless video servers and wireless IF cameras.   
     
     
         65 . The system according to  claim 64 , further comprising wireless repeaters for improving RF signal quality and range extension between wireless devices 
     
     
         66 . The system according to  claim 64  further comprising a wired switch enabling both wired and wireless devices IP devices to run on the same subnet 
     
     
         67 . The system according to  claim 64  further comprising multiple access points on separate wireless frequencies, or identical frequencies if geographically isolated, enabling multiple separate and identical wireless channels to run in the same network simultaneously 
     
     
         68 . The system according to  claim 64  further comprising specialized antennas accommodating a variety of wireless devices and installation environments 
     
     
         69 . The system according to  claim 64  fully incorporated into a suitcase supporting 3-9 IP cameras, that can be instantaneously deployed 
     
     
         70 . A digital wireless IP camera that is in a sealed enclosure which can be installed in a corrosive environment (such as an indoor pool facility). (see  FIG. 16 ) 
     
     
         71 . The device according to  claim 70  using a spread spectrum wireless protocol such as 802.11 
     
     
         72 . A wireless I/O bridge that can be connected to wired digital binary inputs and digital binary outputs from video servers or cameras providing wireless access to off the shelf wireless I/O devices (see provisional patent 60/487.271, Jul. 16, 2003). 
     
     
         73 . The device according to  claim 72  further comprising a mechanism for auto discovery of remote off the shelf wireless devices for self addressing and setup assignment of the I/O bridge 
     
     
         74 . A power converter which takes a single POE output voltage from the remote POE terminal unit and transforms it into one or many output voltages each one of which can be stepped up or down to meet multiple device power requirements at the remote device. 
     
     
         75 . A stand-alone battery system and charging circuit for remotely connected devices (such as external video servers, cameras and outdoor camera heaters) that are connected to time switched power supplies, this battery system charges during “On” cycles times from a “switched” power source and provides continuous power to the remote device. 
     
     
         76 . A thin client video system (no server), consisting of only network devices and cameras where the main device is a router with a dynamic IP client such that the network video server can be located remotely on a separate static or dynamic IP address. 
     
     
         77 . a wireless cash register transponder such that cash register information can be garnished wirelessly by a single centralized server. 
     
     
         78 . a device that piggybacks on Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) data ports and provides a wireless data transport mechanism transparent to normal PTZ operation and can be controlled from the server 
     
     
         79 . A methodology encapsulating a random algorithm of data appearing superimposed on live video such that a monitoring guard is required to provide system feedback thereby verifying the monitoring guard is actively performing their guard duty. 
     
     
         80 . A methodology enabling a random guard to be assigned a random set of cameras from unknown remote sites such that the cameras each have individual time based profiles instructing the guard how to effectively interpret activity at the camera site and how to respond based on that activity. 
     
     
         81 . A network camera attachment “Wizard” such that the complexities of adding additional network devices or cameras to the system are removed from the owner/installer. 
     
     
         82 . A wireless “elevator” camera and wireless access point connecting to the “elevator” camera enabling a camera to be installed inside an elevator eliminating the traditional complexities associated with elevator shaft wiring. 
     
     
         83 . The system according to  claim 82  using a spread spectrum wireless protocol such as 802.11 
     
     
         84 . a camera/video server power watchdog for monitoring camera activity that will cycle power on the camera and or video server in the event a camera lockup or communication failure between main server and the camera is detected. 
     
     
         85 . The device according to  claim 84  using camera I/Os for monitoring camera activity 
     
     
         86 . a video file overlapping mechanism such that any two time sequential recorded video files will contain the same replicated video at the end of the first file that exists at the beginning of the second file. 
     
     
         87 . a methodology for implementing a network video system with multiple network cameras, network infrastructure devices such as switches and routers and the NVR such that the entire system is preconfigured and requires no-setup beyond any optional site specific customization 
     
     
         88 . An automated lease subscription model where clients are granted camera access for a specific lease period. Upon expiration of the lease the system automatically disables client access until a new lease period is started. 
     
     
         89 . A digital wireless IP camera housed in a covert enclosure (FIG.  22 / 23 , see provisional patent 60/487.486, Jul. 16, 2003) 
     
     
         90 . The device according to  claim 89  using a spread spectrum wireless protocol such as 802.11