TECHNICAL FIELD

[ 0001 ] This invention relates to a security camera system, a security camera master unit, a security camera slave unit, and an associated security camera method.

BACKGROUND ART

[ 0002 ] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application .

[ 0003 ] Security cameras are known in the art. Such security cameras are also generally known as closed-circuit television

(CCTV) , or video surveillance, and typically involve the use of still or video cameras to transmit a secure signal to a specific place, typically on a limited set of monitors, as opposed to broadcast television. CCTV has become prevalent for applications including crime prevention, industrial processes, traffic monitoring, transport safety, sporting events, monitoring of employees, use in schools and home security. As of 2016, there are approximately 350 million surveillance cameras in use worldwide.

[ 0004 ] Security or video surveillance systems may use pan- tilt-zoom cameras (PTZ), being a camera that is capable of remote pan-tilt-zoom functionality, or non-PTZ cameras without pan-tilt-zoom functionality. Typically, a PTZ camera is manned, where an operator is able to remotely control the pan- tilt-zoom functionality in order to direct a camera to monitor specific areas of interest. Similarly, non-PTZ cameras are generally unmanned and may be restricted in their field-of- view .

[0005] With the increasing prevalence and use of security cameras, it is becoming increasingly more resource-intensive to use manned PTZ cameras. As a result, there is an increasing use of ^x ePTZ' or virtual pan-tilt-zoom (VPTZ) cameras where a high-resolution camera digitally zooms and pans into portions of the image, with no physical camera movement. This allows monitoring of user-defined areas in higher quality without increasing overall bandwidth usage for a camera.

[0006] Accordingly, existing PTZ cameras may include a built-in firmware programme that monitors the change of pixels generated by the camera image sensor. When the pixels change due to movement within the camera's field-of-view, the camera can automatically focus on the pixel variation and virtually ^focus' the camera in an attempt to centre the pixel fluctuation on the image sensor output.

[0007] Notwithstanding the above, without pan-tilt-zoom functionality, non-PTZ cameras are generally restricted in their ability to make a judgement about suspicious activity in low-light conditions or at night, particularly if the activity is at a distance such that the pixel count is too low or noisy; or outside the field-of-view of the lens. For larger sites, such as on a large industrial site, up until now, the solution was to simply add more cameras, which can significantly increase the cost and complexity of the security camera system in use.

[0008] Accordingly, in light of the above, the present invention seeks to propose possible solutions, at least in part, in amelioration of the known shortcomings in the art of security cameras and video surveillance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security camera system comprising:

a master unit having i) a digital camera for operatively monitoring said camera's field-of-view, ii) a master transceiver configured to send and receive signals, and iii) a processor adapted to control the camera and to perform radiolocation on a signal received by the master transceiver; and

at least one slave unit remotely locatable within the camera's field-of-view and having i) a sensor configured to sense a particular occurrence, ii) a light source for operatively illuminating an area, and iii) a slave transceiver configured to send a signal to the master transceiver, wherein a sensed instance of the particular occurrence causes the light source to illuminate the area and the slave transceiver to transmit a signal to the master transceiver so that the processor is able to radiolocate and focus the camera onto the area .

[0010] It is to be appreciated that reference herein to the field-of-view of a digital camera generally refers to the angle through which the digital camera is useably sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. In addition, the skilled addressee will appreciate that reference herein to radiolocation and its derivatives generally refers to the determination of a position of an object, such as the slave unit, by means of the propagation properties of electromagnetic waves, such as the signal, and includes any suitable radiodetermination techniques .

[0011] Typically, the processor focuses the camera onto the area by means of digitally zooming the camera onto the radiolocated area.

[0012] In one example, the processor focuses the camera onto the area by optically focusing and/or zooming a lens arrangement of the camera.

[0013] Typically, the digital camera comprises a high- definition still or video camera.

[0014] In one example, the master transceiver comprises a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and/or reception of signals via a suitable transmission channel.

[0015] Typically, the processor is adapted to control the camera and to perform radiolocation by means of executing a particular set of instructions.

[0016] In one example, the slave unit comprises a slave camera configured to capture an image of the area on a sensed instance of the particular occurrence. [0017] Typically, the slave camera comprises a high- definition still or video digital camera.

[0018] Typically, the slave unit is configured to transmit the image captured by the slave camera to the master unit via the slave transceiver.

[0019] In one example, the slave transceiver comprises a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and reception of signals via a suitable transmission channel.

[0020] Typically, the sensor comprises a motion sensor and/or an activity sensor for sensing motion and/or a specific activity indicative of the particular occurrence.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a security camera master unit comprising:

a digital camera for operatively monitoring said camera' s field-of-view;

a master transceiver configured to send and receive signals; and

a processor adapted to control the camera and to perform radiolocation on a signal received by the master transceiver; wherein the master unit is operatively arranged in signal communication with at least one slave unit located within the camera' s field-of-view, the master transceiver responsive to a signal received from the slave unit to radiolocate and focus the camera onto an area monitored by the slave unit.

[0022] Typically, the processor automatically focuses the camera onto the area by means of digitally zooming the camera onto the radiolocated area. [0023] In one example, the processor automatically focuses the camera onto the area by optically focusing and/or zooming a lens arrangement of the camera.

[0024] Typically, the digital camera comprises a high- definition still or video camera.

[0025] In one example, the master transceiver comprises a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and/or reception of signals via a suitable transmission channel.

[0026] Typically, the processor is adapted to control the camera and to perform radiolocation by means of executing a particular set of instructions.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a security camera slave unit operatively locatable within a field-of-view of a camera of an associated master unit, the slave unit comprising:

a sensor configured to sense a particular occurrence; a light source for operatively illuminating an area; and a slave transceiver configured to send a signal to a master transceiver of the master unit, wherein a sensed instance of the particular occurrence causes the light source to illuminate the area and the slave transceiver to transmit a signal to the master transceiver so that the master unit is able to radiolocate and focus the camera onto the area.

[0028] Typically, the master unit focuses the camera onto the area by means of digitally zooming the camera onto the radiolocated area. [0029] In one example, the master unit focuses the camera onto the area by optically focusing and/or zooming a lens arrangement of the camera.

[0030] Typically, the camera comprises a high-definition digital still or video camera.

[0031] In one example, the slave unit comprises a slave camera configured to capture an image of the area on a sensed instance of the particular occurrence.

[0032] Typically, the slave camera comprises a high- definition still or video digital camera.

[0033] Typically, the slave unit is configured to transmit the image captured by the slave camera to the master unit via the slave transceiver.

[0034] In one example, the slave transceiver comprises a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and reception of signals via a suitable transmission channel.

[0035] Typically, the sensor comprises a motion sensor and/or an activity sensor for sensing motion and/or a specific activity indicative of the particular occurrence.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a security camera method comprising the steps of: providing a master unit having i) a digital camera for operatively monitoring its field-of-view, ii) a master transceiver configured to send and receive signals, and iii) a processor adapted to control the camera and to perform radiolocation on a signal received by the master transceiver; remotely locating at least one slave unit within the camera's field-of-view, said slave unit having i) a sensor configured to sense a particular occurrence, ii) a light source for operatively illuminating an area, and iii) a slave transceiver configured to send a signal to the master transceiver;

via the master and slave units, monitoring the field-of- view so that a sensed instance of the particular occurrence causes the light source to illuminate the area and the slave transceiver to transmit a signal to the master transceiver so that the processor is able to radiolocate and focus the camera onto the area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a security camera system, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a security camera method, in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non- limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above.

[ 0038 ] The following embodiments, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of the present invention. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of such example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[ 0039 ] With reference now to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown one embodiment of a security camera system 10. The system 10 generally comprises a master unit 12 and at least one slave unit 22. In the exemplified embodiment there are two slave units 22 shown, although other examples may have more or less slave units 22.

[ 0040 ] The master unit 12 generally includes a digital camera 14 for operatively monitoring its field-of-view 16, a master transceiver 18 configured to send and receive signals, and a processor 20 adapted to control the camera 14 and to perform radiolocation on a signal 34 received by the master transceiver 18.

[ 0041 ] It is to be appreciated that the camera's field-of- view 16 is often limited during low-light conditions, such as at night time. In particular, any motion detection capability of the camera 14 will be reduced in low-light conditions, as represented by 16.1, which is indicative of the low-light field-of-view of camera 14. [ 0042 ] The slave unit 22 is generally remotely locatable within the camera's field-of-view 16, particularly outside the low-light field-of-view 16.1, as shown. For example, the general field-of-view 16 of the camera 14 may extend 100m from the camera 14 during day-time, but the low-light field-of-view 16.1 may only extend to 30m at night time.

[ 0043 ] The slave unit 22 also typically includes a sensor 24 configured to sense a particular occurrence within a specific area 28, a light source 26 for operatively illuminating the area 28, and a slave transceiver 30 configured to send a signal 34 to the master transceiver 18.

[ 0044 ] In this manner, a sensed instance of the particular occurrence causes the light source 26 to illuminate the area 28 and the slave transceiver 30 to transmit a signal 34 to the master transceiver 18 so that the processor 20 is able to radiolocate and focus the camera 14 onto the illuminated area 28.

[ 0045 ] Typically, the digital camera 14 comprises a high- definition still or video camera. The processor 20 typically focuses the camera 14 onto the area 28 by means of digitally zooming the camera 14 onto the radiolocated area 28. It is to be appreciated that digitally zooming the camera typically involves decreasing an apparent angle of view of a digital photographic or video image, as is well known in the art if digital image processing. In other examples, the processor 22 may focus the camera 14 onto the area 28 by optically focusing and/or zooming a lens arrangement of the camera 14 as well. [0046] Of particular relevance is the amount of bandwidth and/or data storage required by the master unit 12 to capture and/or store and/or transmit the camera images elsewhere for monitoring purposes. With this in mind, the system 10 generally adds an extra level of intelligence in a firmware of the processor 20 and/or camera 14, as it allows for the automatic control of the camera's sensor resolution.

[0047] For example, if the native resolution of the camera sensor is 12 Megapixels, under normal circumstances the bandwidth and/or amount of data required to store and transmit these native resolution images would be very high. However, the system 10 enables the camera to ^focus' on a particular area within its field-of-view, for example through parallax compensation. Furthermore, the system 10 digitally zooms to the area 28 by limiting the pixel area to within reduced boundaries and adjusts resolution to maximum on an instance of the particular occurrence, as sensed by the sensor 24, especially at night when the illumination is low.

[0048] The camera 14 may have an image sensor of very high resolution, such that a full resolution image may be an order of magnitude larger that a practical sized image. However, due to cost of transmitting data and the availability of data speeds which may not be optimal, the maximum resolution may not be possible to use for the total image that the lens can capture. By the system 10 enabling the camera 14 to ^focus' on the illuminated area 28, the particular occurrence can be captured using reduced bandwidth and associated data transfer costs . [ 0049 ] In the exemplified embodiment, the slave units 22 each comprise a slave camera 32 configured to capture an image of the area 28 on a sensed instance of the particular occurrence. Typically, the slave camera comprises a high- definition still or video digital camera. In addition, the slave unit 22 may further be configured to transmit the image captured by the slave camera 32 to the master unit 12 via the slave transceiver 30.

[ 0050 ] In one example, the master transceiver 18 comprises a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and/or reception of signals via a suitable transmission channel, such as a suitable radio channel, or the like. Similarly, the slave transceiver may also comprise a modulator-demodulator (modem) for transmission and reception of signals via the transmission channel .

[ 0051 ] As the slave units 22 can be distributed throughout the camera's field-of-view 16 to monitor any suitable particular occurrence, the sensor 24 generally comprises a motion sensor and/or an activity sensor for sensing motion and/or a specific activity indicative of the particular occurrence. For example, the sensor 24 may comprise an infra ^¬ red motion sensor, a reed switch to sense a door or window opening, a radar motion sensor, a laser trip switch, etc.

[ 0052 ] In addition, it is to be appreciated that the master unit 12 can instruct the slave units 22 to activate their respective light sources 26, or cameras 14, if required. It is therefore possible, if a number of slave units 22 are paired' to the master unit 12, for a complete ring of lights to activate immediately a transgressor is detected anywhere in the areas 28 covered by the slave units 22. This functionality provides an additional deterrent to transgression especially on dark and uninhabited building sites in remote areas.

[0053] Accordingly, Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that the system 10 provides for remote slave units 22 with suitable sensors 24 with a bi-directional, typically wireless communication channel, equipped with a powerful flood lamp producing white light, indirectly triggered by a sensor or some other detection mechanism. If a slave unit, for example 100m away from the master unit 12 detects a transgressor, it signals to the master unit 12 via a bidirectional radio signal. The master unit 12 'knows' the azimuthal location of the remote unit via radiolocation and after switching on the remote light

(if at night), concentrates the full resolution at its disposal to zoom on that remote location or area 18, hence obtaining a reasonably detailed image of the transgressor. If more than one slave unit 22 triggers, the system 10 can scan each area 28 in turn. This digital zoom function, which does not lose significant pixel count, can be applied to remote viewing in selected areas despite a wide-angle lens being fitted to the master camera 14.

[0054] The skilled addressee will further appreciate that the present invention includes an associated security camera method 40, diagrammatically shown in Figure 2. The method 40 generally comprises the steps of providing 42 the master unit 12, as described above, remotely locating 44 at least one slave 22 unit within the camera's field-of-view 16, and via these master and slave units, monitoring 46 the field-of-view 16 so that a sensed instance of the particular occurrence causes the light source 26 to illuminate the area 28 and the slave transceiver 30 to transmit a signal 34 to the master transceiver 18 so that the processor 20 is able to radiolocate and focus the camera 14 onto the area 28.

[0055] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee .

[0056] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter . [0057] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[0058] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations

(e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor (s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor (s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0059] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.