Field of the Invention

The present Invention relates to a system and method comprising of a video touch screen monitor Assisted PTZ controller for controlling (Pan Tilt Zoom) PTZ cameras. The present invention especially relates to a system comprising of a keyboard with LCD touch screen monitor to move the PTZ camera to a random position in Closed Circuit Television applications. Background of the Invention

The existing method for controlling PTZ cameras is done by using joystick or keys. The PTZ camera is moved in X or Y direction for Pan/Tilt movement by using joystick and zoom movement is controlled by separate keys or by rotating joystick handle (in 3D joystick). The disadvantage of using joystick is that moving to a random position is difficult and tracking a moving object is moderately difficult. The present invention^ is intended to provide a solution for this existing problem.

Object of the present Invention

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising of a video touch screen monitor to move the PTZ camera to a random position much easier than the current method of using joysticks alone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling or moving PTZ camera by suitably selecting the required position on a video touch screen monitor. Also it is possible to select zoom ratio by marking an area on the touch screen.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for controlling PTZ cameras in Closed Circuit Television applications.

The other object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising of a LCD touch screen monitor to move the PTZ camera to a random position much easier than the current method of using joysticks alone. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling or moving PTZ camera by suitably selecting the required position on a LCD touch screen monitor.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising of a fixed camera which is capable of viewing wide angle range and video from it is connected to the LCD touch screen for suitably calibrating the PTZ cameras for auto movement and zoom control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system comprises of processor based control circuit for suitably controlling and calibrating PTZ camera view to fixed camera view.

Yet another object of the present is to provide a system comprises of plurality of fixed cameras to cover different views of a PTZ camera and also plurality of fixed cameras to cover plurality of PTZ cameras. Summary of the Invention

The present Invention proposes a system to make a PTZ control of dome cameras much easier than the current method of using joystick alone. The present invention comprises of a video touch screen monitor which is provided to auto navigate the PTZ camera to the required position by touching the corresponding position on the video, which is displayed on the touch screen. The touch screen can be a part of the control keyboard. The present system is also provided with a joystick for finer PTZ control. System can be equipped with plurality of fixed cameras and plurality of PTZ cameras, i.e., the system can be equipped with one or more fixed cameras and one or more PTZ cameras. The video touch screen monitor can be a LCD touch screen monitor.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a system for controlling PTZ cameras comprising; a video touch screen monitor which is provided to auto navigate the PTZ camera to the required position by touching the corresponding position on the video which is displayed on the touch screen; a fixed video camera which is capable of viewing wide angle range and said video output is fed to the video touch screen monitor through a processor; a processor for receiving video input from the said fixed video camera and fed to the video touch screen monitor and for suitably controlling and calibrating the PTZ camera view to the said fixed video camera view for auto movement and zoom control; a control circuit based on the said processor; a joystick for fine control of PTZ camera movement; a larger monitor for viewing video from the PTZ camera.

Another embodiment of the present invention describes a method for controlling PTZ camera with a system comprising; providing wide angle view from a fixed video camera to a video touch screen monitor through a processor; displaying the view in the said video touch screen monitor; selecting the required position on the said video touch screen monitor; controlling and calibrating the PTZ camera view to the said fixed video camera view for auto movement and zoom control by a control circuit based on a processor; controlling the PTZ camera to a fine position using a joystick; displaying the PTZ camera view in a larger monitor.

Brief description of the Drawings

Fig: 1 shows the schematic representation of video touch screen monitor assisted PTZ controller system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig: 2 shows the block diagram detailing working of the video touch screen monitor assisted PTZ controller system in accordance with the present invention.

Description of the Invention

In the present invention the system as shown in Fig: 1 comprises of a video touch screen monitor to move the PTZ camera to a random position. In the present invention, a fixed video camera is used as wide angle view camera, wherein the view from this camera will be displayed in the LCD touch screen. The images from the PTZ camera will be displayed on a separate bigger monitor attached with the system. The fixed camera will have a wide angle view covering the required area of dome control. With a simple touch at any point or object on the said LCD screen, the PTZ camera will automatically move or automatically zoom to that position. Once the required position is achieved, the fine control of that position can done using joystick. The zoom level depends on the area marked by the user on the touch screen. The area is marked by moving the stylus / finger to draw a circle / rectangular area on the screen. Less area means larger zoom & vice versa.

In the present system (Refer Fig: 1 , Fig: 2) with respect to fixed video camera view, the PTZ camera view has to be pre calibrated by automatic movement or automatic zoom of the positions. The system is provided with a control circuit which is based on a suitable processor for carrying out the calibration of PTZ camera view in order to adjust with fixed camera view. For calibration some touch points and corresponding PTZ camera positions have to be marked and from these pre calibrated points, inter mediate points can be interpolated and determined. The same processor can be used for real time touch screen data acquisition for necessary calculation for the PTZ camera movement and control in order to obtain the clear image of the required position.

The processor (DSP) acts as the main controller. The video input received by the processor from the fixed video camera will be fed to the LCD touch screen. The touch screen, joystick interface also handled by the processor. RS485 port is used for communicating with PTZ/dome camera. The processor is capable of receiving IP video stream and it can be fed to the LCD touch screen. EEPROM is used for storing the calibration data.

The system can be equipped with plurality of fixed video cameras and plurality of PTZ cameras. So the system can be equipped with multiple fixed video cameras to cover different view of a PTZ camera and even multiple PTZ cameras. The multiple fixed video cameras can be used to get maximum view coverage area. Required fixed video camera can be selected and connected to LCD touch video panel from the control keyboard. When a particular fixed camera video is shown on LCD, the required location can be touched from it for effecting automatic control of PTZ of corresponding PTZ camera.

It is possible for the system to use PTZ cameras alone for above operation. In this case, a fixed PTZ home position image will be displayed on the touch screen, wherein this home position is a fixed pre-programmed position (preset position). When the user touches an object on the panel, the PTZ camera will move to that position, after examination user can press home key in order to move the respective PTZ camera to the default home position.

Features of the Present Invention

1. The present invention incorporates a video touch panel for auto navigation(X, Y, Zoom position) of a PTZ speed dome camera to a required position by simply touching at a required location. The zoom ratio can also be controlled by area marked on the screen by the user.

2. The present system can be used with single fixed lens wide camera and single PTZ camera or with multiple fixed wide and PTZ cameras..

3. The present system is provided with joystick on the keyboard for fine controlling of PTZ movement.

4. The touch panel can be part of a keyboard.

5. The system can be provided with larger monitor for viewing video from the PTZ camera.

6. The system can be used for IP (internet protocol) and analog video CCTV applications.

7. The system is flexible enough to use other pointing devices like mouse or track ball instead of touch screen.