The present invention relates to a camera apparatus and system, for example a closed
circuit television (CCTV) apparatus and system.
Background of the Invention
In many existing CCTV systems, the camera is a zoom unit equipped with auto-focus,
and can be moveable within the housing, or the housing itself is moveable, through
control signals passed from control circuitry to drive circuitry on motors connected to the
camera itself and/or or the housing. The movement of the camera is typically via a pan
and tilt mechanism
The control circuitry typically comprises separate intelligent digital circuitry for controlling
the movement of the camera, and also for performing additional CCTV functions, such
as compression circuitry for digital transmission of the video or still image frames to an
external destination, or circuitry for performing smart analytical processes on the video,
or still image frames. In such existing systems, all of the intelligent CCTV functionality,
such as control of the camera movement, video/image analysis and processing is
performed by the control circuitry which is contained within the housing, but external to
the camera itself.
Figure 1 shows an existing camera system comprising an apparatus housing 10 which
is a CCTV housing, such as a CCTV dome. The apparatus housing 10 can be fixed in a
stationary position, for example on a wall mounting. Alternatively, the apparatus housing
10 itself can be moveable relative to a mounting element (not shown in Figure 1).
Figure 2 shows the arrangement of some of the internal, functional components of such
an existing system 500. Further explanation about these functional components is set
out below in the detailed description section. However, it is important to note the
following information concerning certain features of the existing system 500.
A camera 12 is located in the apparatus housing 50. The camera 12 (which may have
a camera housing 12a) includes camera electronics 56 which provides all conventional
video/imaging functionality relating to video/image acquisition via an imaging
component 20, such as a charge-coupled-device (CCD), or complimentary metal-oxidesemiconductor
(CMOS) (see below).
Outside the camera 12 (and outside any existing camera housing 12a), but within the
apparatus housing 50, there is control circuitry 58 which provides CCTV functionality
including control of movement of motors 28 and the provision of a communication
interface 52 which can be accessed remotely, e.g. from a remote terminal 14.
In existing systems, the control circuitry 58 and communication interface 52 are located
in a fixed position within the apparatus housing 50, separately from the camera 12. The
control circuitry 58 and communication interface 52 is necessary so that a remote user
can control functions of the camera, particularly those required for performing CCTV
functions. Such CCTV functions may include: controlling movement of the camera (e.g.
pan and/or tilt), configuring display options of the user interface, configuring video
settings of the camera control electronics, configuring video alarm settings, providing a
programmable motion mask, providing a privacy cursor, providing a mosaic privacy
patch, providing a colour bar on a display screen of the device, providing a logo on a
display screen of the apparatus, providing customisation of colours, customisation of
colour sets, customisation of graphics or customisation of logos, providing
customisation of languages on the user interface, or configuring a password for
accessing the user interface.
Due to the variety and complexity of CCTV functions that may have to be supported,
CCTV camera systems are highly cost sensitive.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide all existing control functionality
of CCTV camera systems, along with additional control functionality, whilst minimising
the need for complex, expensive and dedicated control circuitry.
Summary of the Invention
In view of the foregoing and in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided an apparatus comprising:
a camera including camera control electronics; and
a control means,
wherein the control means is located within the camera.
Hence, the intelligent control circuitry of the control means providing CCTV functionality
is placed within the camera, and within the camera housing, for example by using the
existing camera electronics. This provides a very significant cost saving over the usual
need to provide additional circuitry for drive power and general control.
Specific CCTV functions may include one or more of: controlling movement (e.g. pan
and/or tilt) of the camera (either movement of the camera itself within a fixed, stationary
apparatus housing, or movement of the apparatus housing relative to a fixed point), for
example, the pan and tilt of the camera, or apparatus housing; configuring display
options of the user interface; configuring image/video settings of the camera electronics;
configuring video alarm settings; providing a programmable motion mask; providing a
privacy cursor; providing a mosaic privacy patch; providing a colour bar on a display
screen of a remote terminal; providing a logo on a display screen of the remote
terminal; providing customisation of image/video frame colours; customisation of colour
sets; customisation of graphics or customisation of logos used in the user interface;
providing customisation of languages on the user interface; or configuring a password
for accessing the user interface.
The control means provides intelligent CCTV functionality, and the camera may, for
example, be moveable under control of the control means.
The camera may be a video camera and/or a still image camera for acquiring image
data being still frames or a succession of video frames. All control circuitry is placed
within the camera itself, which can be done at very small incremental cost using
components already present within the camera.
Preferably, the control means is integrated with the existing camera electronics built into
the camera.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the camera electronics obtains charge
coupled device (CCD) image data and/or complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor
(CMOS) image data from a CCD and/or CMOS of the camera. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the control means carries out image processing
on the CCD and/or CMOS image data obtained by the camera control electronics from
the CCD and/or CMOS of the camera. Preferably, the control means compresses the
CCD and/or CMOS image data obtained by the camera control electronics from the
CCD and/or CMOS of the camera.
Preferably, the control means comprises a communication interface for receiving and
transmitting signals between the control means and a device situated at a location
which is remote from the camera.
Therefore, the entire communication interface for controlling the camera is located
within the camera itself.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control means is configured to
generate a user interface which is viewable from the device at a location which is
remote from the camera and is further configured to receive commands from the device
at a location which is remote from the camera.
Preferably, the control means is configured to receive commands and provide control
signals to the camera control electronics for controlling at least one function of the
camera.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means provides control via the
user interface of functions which comprise at least one of: configuring display options of
the user interface, configuring video settings of the camera control electronics,
configuring video alarm settings, providing a programmable motion mask, providing a
privacy cursor, providing a mosaic privacy patch, providing a colour bar on a display
screen of the device, providing a logo on a display screen of the apparatus, providing
customisation of colours, customisation of colour sets, customisation of graphics or
customisation of logos, providing customisation of languages on the user interface, or
configuring a password for accessing the user interface.
The user interface may be a web-accessible interface provided by the communication
interface in the camera acting as a web server.
Since the control means and the camera control circuitry are located entirely within the
camera, all of the functions listed above can be controlled from within the camera, and
from outside the camera, via the communication interface.
The control means can be configured to receive remote control signals from the device
at a location which is remote from the camera.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the camera is located in an apparatus
housing. The apparatus housing may be a CCTV camera housing, such as a CCTV
dome.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises at least one
motor for moving the apparatus housing and/or the camera within the apparatus
housing. The apparatus can further comprise a motor drive means for driving the at
least one motor under control of the control means. Preferably, the motor drive means is
integrated with the at least one motor.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the control means is configured to
receive commands and provide control signals for controlling movement of the at least
one motor via the motor drive means. Preferably, the motor drive means and the control
means communicate with each other via a signal which is generated and communicated
entirely within the apparatus housing. Preferably, the motor drive means and the control
means communicate with each other via a serial signal. Preferably, the motor drive
means and the control means communicate with each other via an i2c serial signal
generated by the control means.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one motor is a
brushless motor. Preferably, the at least one motor is a brushless DC servo motor.
Preferably, the at least one motor is configured to drive a load directly.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the control means is configured to
provide control signals to one or both of the camera and/or the motor drive means so as
to provide the functionality of a pan tilt zoom (PTZ) system.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus housing is stationary and the
camera is moveable within the apparatus housing.
Alternatively, the apparatus housing can be connected to a mounting element, the
apparatus housing can be moveable relative to the mounting element, and the camera
can be moveable in conjunction with the apparatus housing relative to the mounting
element.
Preferably, the control means is configured to provide control signals to the motor drive
means to control at least one of rotation of the apparatus housing about the mounting
element and/or tilt of the apparatus housing relative to the mounting element.
Preferably, the control means is configured to provide control signals to the camera
control electronics to control at least one of zoom drive, focus drive, provision of autofocus,
automatic iris adjustment, iris adjustment under control of an external source,
automatic filter adjustment, filter adjustment under control of an external source,
adjustment of exposure speed, adjustment of exposure settings, white/colour balance
adjustment, or provision of privacy patches.
There is also provided a system comprising:
the apparatus of any one of the claims; and
a remote control terminal in communication with the apparatus,
wherein control of the camera is via a user interface generated at the control terminal
from data signals received from the control means located within the camera.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an existing camera apparatus housing;
Figure 2 shows a schematic view of an existing camera system incorporated into the
apparatus housing of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a camera system according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a schematic view of camera electronics of a camera according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
The present invention is now described with reference to an exemplary embodiment
depicted in Figures 3 and 4 .
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a system 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The system includes an apparatus housing 10 such as the CCTV
dome shown in Figure 1, a camera 12, and a remote control terminal 14. The camera
12 may be housed in a camera housing 12a.
The camera 12 of the present invention will now be described in more detail. In the
exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3 , the camera 12 is located in the apparatus
housing 10 which can be a CCTV camera housing, such as a CCTV dome, as for
example shown in Figure 1.
The camera 12 includes camera electronics 16 which provides all conventional
functionality of a camera (see below). The camera 12 also includes an intelligent
control means 18, such as CCTV control means providing all CCTV functionality. It can
be seen from Figure 1 that both the camera electronics 16 and the control means 18
are located inside the camera 12 within its housing 12a. In the exemplary embodiment
shown in Figure 3 , the camera electronics 16 is integrated with the control means 18.
In the context of the present invention, the term "integrated" is used with reference to
components to mean either hardware components which are linked, for example,
mounted on the same circuit board, or functional components embedded together and
carried out by an integrated processor and memory (see below with reference to Figure
3). For example, the camera electronics 16 may comprise a processor, such as an
embedded digital processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
All control circuitry is placed within the camera 12 itself (i.e. within the camera housing
12a); this can be done at very small incremental cost using components already present
within the camera 12.
The camera 12 also includes an imaging component 20, such as a charge coupled
device (CCD) or a complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The camera
electronics 16 comprises imaging electronics 16a which provides conventional camera
functionality and obtains image data from the imaging component 20 and compresses
the image data by converting it from an analog to a digital image. The image data is
buffered/stored in memory 36 in the camera 12 before further processing by the control
means and/or transmission to an external device via a communication interface 22 (see
below).
The intelligent control means 18 integrated with the camera electronics 16 comprises a
communication interface 22 which is able to communicate with the remote control
terminal 14 (external to both the camera 12 and the apparatus housing 10). In one
embodiment, the communication interface 22 is configured to communicate with the
remote control terminal 14 by receiving and transmitting wired or wireless signals over c
ommunication link 40, for example via an Ethernet cable, or wireless link such as a
wireless internet connection. Alternatively, the communication interface 22 is configured
to communicate with the remote control terminal 14 via signals transmitted and received
through wires or fibre-optic cables over a bidirectional communication link. The
communication interface 22 is also configured to communicate with a plurality of remote
control terminals 14 and other similar or identical camera systems 100 to form a
communication network through which each camera 12 can be controlled remotely from
one or more remote locations.
In particular, the communication interface 22 in the control means 18 is configured to
generate a user interface 24, which is viewable remotely on a screen 26 at the remote
control terminal 14. This is done by the communication interface 22 generating interface
signals to send to the remote control terminal 14 and responding to control command
signals received from the remote control terminal 14. The user interface (generated by
the control means 18) provides a menu structure including options pertaining to CCTV
functions of the camera. An operator can interact with the user interface 24 at the
remote control terminal 14 and can input commands which are transmitted by the
remote control terminal 14 and received by the communication interface 22 within the
control means 18 of the camera 12. A normal way of inputting commands at the user
interface 24 would be through a PC or similar device acting as the remote control
terminal 14. After receiving the command, the control means 18 transmits control
signals which are received by the camera control electronics 16 for controlling a
function of the camera 12. For example, the commands transmitted by the remote
control terminal 14 and received by the camera control electronics 16 via the
communication interface 22 of the control means 18 of the camera 12 can relate to
configuring display options of the user interface 24, configuring video settings of the
camera control electronics 16, configuring video alarm settings, providing a
programmable motion mask, providing a privacy cursor, providing a mosaic privacy
patch, providing a colour bar on the display screen 26 of the remote control terminal 14,
providing a logo on the display screen 26 of the remote control terminal 14, providing
customisation of colours, customisation of colour sets, customisation of graphics or
customisation of logos, providing customisation of languages on the user interface 24,
or configuring a password for accessing the user interface 24.
The configuration of video alarm settings enables the system 100 of the present
invention to trigger an automatic alarm when particular movement (e.g. unusual
movement) is detected by the imaging component 20. The camera control electronics
16 then automatically obtains image data containing the unusual movement from the
imaging component 20 and compresses the image data as described above. The image
data is buffered/stored in memory 36 in the camera 12 and transmitted via the
communication interface 22 to the remote control terminal 14 which triggers an alarm
based on the image data containing the unusual movement. This way, for example the
system 100 of the present invention is able to detect intruders to a property and signal
the presence of the intruder to an operator at the remote control terminal 14
When configuring display options of the user interface 24 and/or configuring video
settings of the camera control electronics 16, a portion of the display screen 26 of the
user interface 24 may be frozen (i.e. displaying a still image of the last video/image
frame) so as to assist an operator in selecting the appropriate setting or option.
The system 100 also includes a motor 28 and a motor drive means 30 (integrated with
the motor 28). In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3 , the at least one motor
28 and the motor drive means 30 are located outside the camera 12, but inside the
apparatus housing 10 to control movement of the camera within the apparatus housing
10, e.g. pan and tilt movement of the camera.
The motor 28 is a direct drive brushless DC servo motor, whilst the motor drive means
30 comprises drive circuitry and is configured to drive the at least one motor 28 to move
the camera 12 and/or the apparatus housing 10 under control of the control means 18.
The control means 18 communicates with the motor drive means 30 via an i2c serial
signal 32 which is generated and communicated entirely within the apparatus housing
10. This can be achieved because the camera control electronics 16 itself can provide
the i2c control stream 32. This provides a very significant cost saving over the usual
need to provide additional circuitry for drive power and general control.
In one embodiment, the apparatus housing 10 remains stationary at all times and the at
least one motor 28 is configured to move the camera 12 with respect to a mounting
element (not shown) to which the camera 12 is connected within the apparatus housing
10 in response to a control signal transmitted by the control means 18 and received by
the motor drive means 30 to drive the at least one motor 28 to move the camera 12.
In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus housing 10 is connected to a mounting
element (not shown) and is moveable relative to the mounting element in response to a
control signal transmitted by the control means 18 and received by the motor drive
means 30 to drive the at least one motor 28 to move the apparatus housing 10. In this
embodiment, the camera 12 is moveable with the apparatus housing 10 relative to the
mounting element. In this way, the control means 18 can control, for example, the
rotation and/or tilt of the apparatus housing 10 relative to the mounting element.
The control means 18 is configured to transmit signals which can be received by the
motor drive means 30 and/or the camera 12 thereby providing all the functionality of a
pan tilt zoom (PTZ) camera.
The control means 18 is also configured to provide control signals to the camera control
electronics 16 (specifically the imaging electronics 16a) to control certain imaging/video
functions of the camera 12, such as zoom drive, focus drive, provision of auto-focus,
automatic iris adjustment, iris adjustment under control of an external source, automatic
filter adjustment, filter adjustment under control of an external source, adjustment of
exposure speed, adjustment of exposure settings, white/colour balance adjustment, or
provision of privacy patches.
Figure 4 shows in more detail the camera electronics 16 (incorporating the control
means 18) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen from
Figure 3 that the camera control electronics comprises a microprocessor 34 and
memory 36. Figure 3 also shows the i2c serial link 32 via which the control means
communicates with the motor drive means 30 and the motor 28, as well as links via
which the camera control electronics 16 communicates with the imaging component 20
and via which the communication interface 22 communicates with the remote control
terminal 14 as described hereinbefore and shown in Figure 2 .
In the embodiments described above and shown in Figures 3 and 4 , all intelligent
control and drive components and the entire communication interface for controlling the
camera via a user interface are contained entirely within the camera 12 using the
camera electronics 16 shown in Figure 4 . The i2c serial link 32 (via which commands
are sent by the control means 18 to the motor 28 via the motor drive means 30) are
generated and communicated entirely within the apparatus housing 10. This is made
possible by the fact that the camera 12 itself and its internal electronics and circuitry are
able to generate and provide the i2c serial link 32. Hence, no control circuitry or power
drive components required anywhere in the system 100 outside the camera housing, or
apparatus housing 10. The only other circuitry required is input power conditioning
circuitry (not shown in the figures), which provides a power source to the motors; and
surge protection circuitry (also not shown in the figures).
The present invention has been described above in exemplary form with reference to
the accompanying drawings which represent a single embodiment of the invention. It
will be understood that many different embodiments of the invention exist, and that
these embodiments all fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the
appendant claims.

Claims
1. Apparatus comprising:
a camera including camera electronics; and
a control means configured to provide closed circuit television
functionality,
wherein the control means is located within the camera.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means is integrated with the
camera electronics.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the camera control electronics
obtains charge coupled device (CCD) image data and/or complimentary
metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image data from a CCD and/or CMOS
of the camera.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the control means carries out image
processing on the CCD and/or CMOS image data obtained by the camera
control electronics from the CCD and/or CMOS of the camera.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the control means compresses the CCD
and/or CMOS image data obtained by the camera control electronics from
the CCD and/or CMOS of the camera.
6 . The apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the control means
comprises a communication interface for receiving and transmitting signals
between the control means and a device situated at a location which is
remote from the camera.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the control means is configured to
generate a user interface which is viewable from the device at a location
which is remote from the camera and is further configured to receive
commands from the device at a location which is remote from the camera for
control of the control means.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the control means is configured to receive
commands and provide control signals to the camera control electronics for
controlling at least one function of the camera.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the control means provides control of
functions via the user interface which comprise at least one of configuring
display options of the user interface, configuring video settings of the camera
control electronics, configuring video alarm settings, providing a
programmable motion mask, providing a privacy cursor, providing a mosaic
privacy patch, providing a colour bar on a display screen of the device,
providing a logo on a display screen of the apparatus, providing
customisation of colours, customisation of colour sets, customisation of
graphics or customisation of logos, providing customisation of languages on
the user interface, or configuring a password for accessing the user
interface.
10. The apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 9 , wherein the control means is
configured to receive remote control signals from the device at a location
which is remote from the camera.
11. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera is
moveable under control of the control means.
12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an
apparatus housing, wherein the camera is located in the apparatus housing.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus housing is a CCTV
camera housing, such as a CCTV dome.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the apparatus
comprises at least one motor for moving the apparatus housing and/or the
camera.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a motor drive means for
driving the at least one motor under control of the control means.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the motor drive means is integrated with
the at least one motor.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the control means is
configured to receive commands and provide control signals for controlling
movement of the at least one motor via the motor drive means.
18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the motor drive means
and the control means communicate with each other via a signal which is
generated by the control means and communicated entirely within the
apparatus housing.
19. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the motor drive means
and the control means communicate with each other via a serial signal.
20. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the motor drive means
and the control means communicate with each other via an i2c serial signal.
2 1. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the at least one motor
is a brushless motor.
22. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 2 1, wherein the at least one motor
is a brushless DC servo motor.
23. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the at least one motor
is configured to drive a load directly.
24. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the control means is
configured to provide control signals to one or both of the camera and/or the
motor drive means thereby providing the functionality of a pan tilt zoom
(PTZ) camera system.
25. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the apparatus housing
is stationary and the camera is moveable within the apparatus housing.
26. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein the apparatus housing
is connected to a mounting element, the apparatus housing is moveable
relative to the mounting element, and the camera is moveable with the
apparatus housing relative to the mounting element.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control means is configured to
provide control signals to the motor drive means to control at least one of
rotation of the apparatus housing about the mounting element and/or tilt of
the apparatus housing relative to the mounting element.
28. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control
means is configured to provide control signals to the camera electronics to
control at least one of camera zoom, camera focus, provision of auto-focus,
automatic iris adjustment, iris adjustment under control of an external
source, automatic filter adjustment, filter adjustment under control of an
external source, adjustment of exposure speed, adjustment of exposure
settings, white/colour balance adjustment, or provision of privacy patches.
29. A system comprising:
the apparatus of any one of the preceding claims; and
a remote control terminal in communication with the apparatus,
wherein control of the camera is via a user interface presented at the
control terminal from data signals received from the control means located
within the camera.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein the user interface is generated by the
control means.
3 1. The system of claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the remote control terminal
comprises control interaction means configured to generate control signals
which are transmitted to the control means.
32. An apparatus and/or system substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and as shown in the attached drawings.