The present invention relates generally to video management systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for grouping cameras in a large scale surveillance system and viewing and browsing video data streams associated with those cameras.
Video management systems (VMS) known in the art include a plurality of cameras and a workstation. The cameras can be dispersed in a monitored area, and the workstation can display video data streams associated with the plurality of cameras. Each camera can monitor a particular zone in the monitored area, and security personnel or another user can view video data streams associated with each camera at the workstation.
In video management systems, each of the plurality of cameras is given a camera name and/or number and has a particular location. Often the number of cameras included in a video management system is so numerous that it is difficult, if not impossible, for an operator to remember the name and number of each camera and the location monitored by each camera. For example, in video management systems used in connection with large scale surveillance systems such as a housing authority, city wide surveillance, airport, or casino, the number of cameras can be in the thousands or tens of thousands.
Current solutions for accessing cameras in a large scale surveillance system include accessing a table or other cross-referencing device to determine the name, number, and/or location of a camera monitoring a particular zone. Other solutions include grouping cameras in logical groups or with surrounding cameras, for example.
However, all known solutions for accessing cameras in a large scale surveillance system must be explicitly configured by an end user. Further, the configuration must be continuously updated when, for example, a camera is added, deleted, or relocated in the surveillance system. This can be a tedious, time consuming, and error-prone task.
There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for systems and methods for grouping together cameras in a large scale surveillance system. Preferably, video data streams associated with each camera in a group of cameras can be easily viewed on a workstation so that a user can navigate between views of different monitored zones.
While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific illustrated embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for grouping together cameras in a large scale surveillance system. Preferably, video data streams associated with each camera in a group of cameras can be easily viewed on a workstation so that a user can navigate between views of different monitored zones.
Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention can include a workstation for displaying video data streams associated with cameras in a large scale surveillance system. The workstation in accordance with the present invention can include control circuitry, a programmable processor, and associated software, stored on a local computer readable medium, as would be understood by those of skill in the art.
In embodiments of the present invention, a user can engage an interactive viewing screen associated with the workstation to group together cameras in the surveillance system. For example, folders and sub-folders can be created. Cameras associated with the surveillance system can be grouped into these folders and sub-folders, for example, by dragging and dropping camera names into the appropriate folder.
In accordance with the present invention, cameras can be grouped visually. Thus, there is no need for explicit configuration using camera numbers. Further, when cameras are added, deleted, or relocated in the surveillance system the cameras can be re-grouped visually, which can be intuitive and time-saving for a user.
In further embodiments of the present invention, a user can engage the interactive viewing screen associated with the workstation to easily view and browse video data streams associated with cameras in the surveillance system. For example, a user can select a group of cameras for viewing, for example, by dragging and dropping the folder or sub-folder associated with the group into a viewing window of the workstation.
N number of cameras can be associated with a group G, and the viewing window of the workstation can include a predetermined number of sub-windows W. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, N=200 and W=16. That is, a group G includes 200 cameras, and, at any given time, the viewing window of the workstation can display video data streams from sixteen cameras in the group G. When sixteen video data streams are being simultaneously displayed, the viewing window can arrange the sub-windows in an N×M array, for example, a 4×4 array, a 2×8 array, or a 1×16 array.
When the group G is initially selected, the viewing window of the workstation can display video data streams associated with the first W cameras in the group G. In embodiments of the present invention, the user can engage the interactive viewing screen to browse through video data streams associated with all cameras in the group G. For example, the interactive viewing screen can include “Next” and “Previous” buttons and/or icons that can be selected to display the next or previous W video data streams associated with the next or previous W cameras in the group G. Thus, all video data streams associated with cameras in a particular group, folder, and/or sub-folder can be browsed intuitively, easily, and efficiently irrespective of the number of cameras in the system.
A viewing window with N panels or sub-windows can display video data streams associated with N cameras in the selected folder as in 130. To browse through video data streams associated with all cameras in the selected folder, a “Next” and/or “Previous” button or icon can be selected as in 140. If a “Next” button is selected, the viewing window can display video data streams associated with the next N cameras in the selected folder. However, if a “Previous” button is selected, the viewing window can display video data streams associated with the previous N cameras in the selected folder.
The method shown in
An associated user interface 16 can be in communication with the processor 12 and circuitry 10. A viewing screen 18 of the user interface, as would be known by those of skill in the art, can display interactive and viewing windows. In some embodiments of the present invention, the user interface can be a multi-dimensional graphical user interface. In some embodiments of the present invention, the viewing screen 18 can display video from the cameras in the monitored area.
The interactive and viewing windows shown and described herein are exemplary only. Those of skill in the art will understand that the features of the windows shown and described herein may be displayed by additional or alternate windows.
For example, as seen in the left pane 22 of
Furthermore, each folder can include sub-folders. For example, the “Back Door” folder of
To view video data streams associated with cameras in any particular folder or sub-folder, a user can select that folder or sub-folder. For example, a user can drag and drop the selected folder from the left pane 32 into the right viewing pane 34. As seen in
The right viewing pane 34 can also include first and second selection buttons or icons 36a, 36b. For example, the first selection button 36a can be a “Previous” button, and the second selection button 36b can be a “Next” button. The video data streams associated with cameras in the selected folder can be easily and efficiently browsed by engaging the first and second selection buttons 36a, 36b.
For example, the right viewing pane 44 of
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific system or method illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the sprit and scope of the claims.