Patent Publication Number: US-2006015599-A1

Title: Multi-layer video management and display method carried out on the networks

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a network monitoring method and, more particularly, to a multi-layer image management and display method carried out on the networks.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Generally speaking, surveillance management systems mainly include access control systems, alarm/burglarproof systems, and video monitoring systems. The surveillance management system integrates the techniques of camera video input, image processing, and video display. Today, the video monitoring systems in common use are analog closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring systems. Although the CCTV monitoring systems have the drawbacks of storing data on the video tapes, signal attenuation and bad image quality etc., they still predominate due to their low prices. On the other hand, along with the digitization and the increase of the requirements for remote monitor, digital video management systems have become the development trend in the future surveillance market. Therefore, analog signal and digital signal based video monitoring systems currently coexist.  
      Along with the expansion of industry scales and the development of business globalization, remote monitoring is becoming a trend. Video monitoring systems, however, will derive problems in storage, distribution of video data and network bandwidth due to dispersion of monitoring sites and of a large number of monitoring sites, hence causing such troubles as difficult expansion of system, difficult integration and inconvenient management in practical application.  
      Accordingly, the present invention aims to propose a matrix mode multi-layer video management and display method carried out on the networks for effectively solving the above problems in the prior art.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layer video management and display method carried on the networks, whereby data transmission and management can be accomplished in a succession of series connection mode or/and a succession of parallel connection mode to substantially expand the system without losing its integrity, hence accomplishing the effect of easy expansion and integration.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-layer video management and display method carried on the networks, whereby the advantage of concentration and dispersion of nodes can be accomplished to effectively solve the problems in storage and distribution of image data and network bandwidth due to dispersion of monitoring sites and a large number of monitoring sites in the prior art.  
      In order to manage a plurality of nodes, the present invention proposes a multi-layer video management and display method carried on the networks. The method comprises the following steps. First, configuration parameters are set for these nodes to establish a classification system including several father layers and several son layers. A root is also set for a network matrix mode to manage other nodes. Connection between every two of the nodes is accomplished through the networks. Next, the root registers to a registry center to get an authorized number of nodes, and each of the nodes then gets authorization from the root for managing the nodes at the son layers belonging to it. After setting and authorization, video images can be got from one of the nodes or nodes at or above its father layer via the networks.  
      The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a multi-layer image management and display method of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a tree structure diagram showing the arrangement of nodes of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the relationship between video management nodes of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a node arrangement diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention bases on a matrix arrangement for data transmission and management to substantially expand the system without losing its integrity and also have the advantage of concentration and dispersion of nodes.  
      A video management system connects a plurality of nodes via a network. Each node has a safety control device, usually being a video image management server. The networks include the Internet and the Intranet. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a multi-layer video management and display method carried on the networks of the present invention comprises the following steps. First, configuration parameters are set for these nodes to establish management policies and a classification system of these nodes (Step S 10 ). The classification system relates to the arrangement of a tree structure relation, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Each video management server is a node. This tree structure includes several father layers and several son layers. A root is set for a network matrix mode. The root can be a host server to manage other nodes. Connection between every two nodes is accomplished through the networks. A node having no father layer (e.g., node A) is used for a network matrix mode. A node having no son layer (e.g., node B 4 , C 5 , or E 1  to E 8 ) is called a leaf.  
      After setting configuration parameters of nodes to form a tree structure, the root registers to a registry center to get an authorized number of nodes (Step S 12 ). Each node then gets authorization from the root to manage nodes at the son layers belonging to it. After all the nodes get authorization, video images can be got from one of the nodes or nodes at or above its father layer or other data can be acquired at the same time of getting the video images via the networks (Step S 14 ).  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , each image management server  10  has a communication agent  12  responsible for communication between servers  10 . The classification system in Step S 10  is set and defined by user. For instance, Server A can communicate with Server B and Server C, and a viewer connected with Server A can view video images captured by Server B. Each server  10  can simultaneously perform message communication with at least another server  10 . For instance, Server B can communicate with Server A and Server G. Besides, a server used as a father node can be simultaneously used as a son node at another son layer. A viewer connected with the father node can view video images captured by son nodes managed by the father node.  
      In Step S 10 , the management policies are set and defined by users. For instance, through setting of configuration parameters, a first node can monitor a third node through a second node. Speaking more specifically, a viewer connected with Server A can view video images captured by Server G through Server B. Besides, through setting of the management policies, the second third can block/allow the first node to view video images and data of the third node. Speaking more specifically, if there are two cameras connected to Server G, through setting of the management policies, the communication agent of Server G can block or allow the viewer connected with Server A to view video images of these two cameras or one of them through Server B.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , two video management servers  10  and  10 ′ are connected together through the networks. The networks can be the Internet or an intranet. These two video management server  10  and  10 ′ are two nodes, which are used to govern several security control devices including analog cameras  14 , digital cameras  16 , I/O controllers  18 , and access controllers  20 . The video management server  10  is also connected with a viewer  26 . Each digital camera  16  has an IP address assigned to it. The video format of the digital camera  16  is usually MPEG, MPEG2, MPEG4, H.263, or H.264. The video format of the analog camera  14  is either NTSC or PAL.  
      The I/O controller  18  is used to connect several components  22  including detectors, emergency push-buttons, alarms and indication lights. The detector can be a magnetic switch, smoke detector, temperature sensor, gas detector, flame detector, carbon monoxide detector or poisonous gas detector. The access controller  20  is used to connect several card readers  24  for access card reading. In addition to viewing video images captured by a camera connected with the video management server  10 , the viewer  26  can also view another remote video management server  10 ′ through the networks and based on the above video management and display method. Moreover, cameras  14  and  16 , detectors, and access card readers belonging to the same node can communicate mutually through control of the video management server  10  or  10 ′.  
      To sum up, the multi-layer video management and display method carried out on networks of the present invention makes use of the connections between the management servers to accomplish data transmission and management for substantially expanding the system without losing its integrity. The present invention also has the advantages of providing flexible and expandable architecture. Moreover, the present invention can effectively solve the problems in storage, distribution of video data and network bandwidth due to dispersion of monitoring sites and of a large number of monitoring sites in the prior art.  
      Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.