Abstract:
An IP video surveillance system is able to combine IP video camera transmission, control functions for at least one IP camera and other network equipment, power over Ethernet (PoE) power for network equipment, diagnostics and analytic capabilities for system management and monitoring, with an existing coaxial cable infrastructure, twisted pair wire, or multi-channel twisted pair wire (category cable). The system interfaces to a network and further provides the capability to operate at distances well beyond network standards.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The disclosed system and methods of the present application relate to internet protocol (IP) communication networks that use video systems. Particularly, the system and methods relate to video, data, power, distribution and management facilities that utilize untraditional network cabling to achieve network distribution beyond traditional network standards, including those IP networks of the type used in video security systems. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    For many years, video security systems were primarily of closed circuit (CC) design, employing analog cameras, monitors and other peripheral devices in a separate “closed system”, meaning that each camera of the system was directly connected by a coaxial cable to head-end equipment for viewing, monitoring and/or recording of video images. This is known as closed circuit TV or CCTV. 
         [0003]    Such systems  100  generally ranged in complexity but, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , all included analog cameras  101 , power supplies  108 , recording equipment  106 , such as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and a method of viewing or monitoring video. The viewing was commonly done at a head end location where the individual cameras feed into a multiplexer unit  105 . The multiplexer  105 , commonly referred to as a “mux”, allowed a user to view individual or multiple cameras on a monitor  107 . Other systems commonly included PTZ (Pan/Tilt/Zoom) cameras  109  which enable an operator to move the video camera and zoom in for better viewing. 
         [0004]    Further, as shown, there is a variety of cabling in these systems. The video signal from the analog cameras  101  typically use coaxial cables  102 , while 16 or 18 AWG twin-lead wire  103  was most often used to power the cameras  101 , and 18 to 24 AWG twisted pair (UTP) wire  104  is used for the PTZ control  109 . 
         [0005]    Generally, CCTV systems can range from a few cameras to hundreds of cameras and are an important part of the security systems used in airports, casinos, jails, and many other locations. The coaxial cable  102  and UTP cable  104  used can often be as long as 1500 feet or more and often run through many communication closets on the way back to a head-end location  110 . Power to operate the cameras often comes from several separate locations, different from the head-end  110 . Having separate wiring increases the complexity of installing and maintaining a CCTV system. 
         [0006]    In recent years, due to the introduction of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, there has been a migration away from using analog video. IP cameras offer certain capabilities which many CCTV system designers and integrators find superior and advantageous. This migration has continued to gather momentum to a point where IP cameras are now being considered for most new security system designs. 
         [0007]    Some of the advantages of IP cameras include higher image resolution, system flexibility for moves, adds and changes, local video analytics, video, power and PTZ commands via a single network cable, and the replacement of numerous Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and Multiplexer units by a single Network Video Recorder (NVR) or server based recording/viewing system. The change from analog cameras to IP cameras has also been accompanied by the implementation of Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power the IP cameras and other network devices. 
         [0008]    IP cameras were introduced in the late 1990&#39;s for use on computer networks. An IP camera is primarily identified by the fact that it has an Ethernet jack to communicate video, in a compressed format, over a computer network and/or the Internet. An Internet Protocol (IP) based network is a network of devices that share a common physical connection and use Internet Protocols for network communication. 
         [0009]    Standard IP video network installations utilize category cabling to interconnect all of the IP camera devices in a system. Category cable is also called CATS or CAT6 wire and refers to four pair cable used in computer networking. IEEE specifications limit these network segments over category cable to a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet) when using network switches and devices. This limitation necessitates implementation of communication closets, commonly called IDF facilities, every 100 meters when standard network devices are utilized. In its simplest configuration, an IDF requires the use of a network switch and a power source. This can be a limiting and inconvenient problem in security applications. 
         [0010]    For example, as noted above, security cameras can be located in numerous different locations in directions far from the head-end, sometimes well beyond 100 meters. While a typical computer network is focused inward to the office areas of a facility, security systems often focus outward to the perimeter of a facility. The logistical issues are abundant and clear. By comparison, standard RG59U coaxial cable has been used in many CCTV security systems to connect cameras often at lengths beyond 300 meters (over 1,000 feet). In analog camera CCTV systems, utilizing coaxial cable to connect cameras to head-end equipment was the industry standard for many years and is used in the great majority of CCTV installations. 
         [0011]    The concept of sending Ethernet over Coax is commonly referred to as “EOC” and has existed in various configurations to operate IP cameras over coaxial cable, the first version of EOC was Token ring. The concept has not, however, been integrated as a complete system to include multi-port receiver units with separate controlled PoE channels, thereby providing PoE on demand and including built-in managed gigabit network switches with numerous specific network based monitoring and analytical functions that can be accessed and viewed remotely. An EOC system requires a transceiver-type unit at each end of the coaxial cable. Additionally, new IP cameras operate using PoE power and the power draw of these cameras can vary widely. Such additional functions and features can be of great benefit in security systems but add to the complexity of the system. 
         [0012]    Installing and maintaining CCTV systems can be greatly improved by having an ability to check and report the status of all the components. For example, being able to determine that video from a camera was lost because a cable was cut 300 feet from the head-end or that the camera is no longer drawing power even though all the cables are intact and working, means that a technician can know where a problem is before going to a job site. This can significantly shorten downtime and save cost. 
         [0013]    The present system and methods solve the above-problems as well as other problems associated with some existing CCTV systems. Embodiments of the disclosed system are able to simplify overall cabling, reuse existing coax cable (if available), reduce overall equipment requirements, increase system capabilities, and provide status and diagnostic information. The disclosed system and methods provide such features without sacrificing performance, capacity, reliability or cost-effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    An IP video security interface system which operates over a network, as well as methods for implementing and operating such a system, are described. Generally speaking, the disclosed system comprises at least one Internet protocol (IP) camera connected to a transmitter, a receiver/controller/management (RCM) unit connected to the transmitter of each IP camera via standard CCTV coaxial cable, and a recording/viewing station electronically coupled to the RCM. 
         [0015]    In a specific embodiment, the system utilizes unique transmitters and multi-channel receiver devices which include a power supply for powering the transmitter units and the cameras attached to the transmitters. The system combines camera video, control functions, PoE power for network equipment and cameras, system analytics and system management capabilities. The combined system provides the delivery of these functions over standard CCTV coaxial cable. The combined IP video security system data, functions and PoE are designed to operate within IEEE standards and coexist within an IP network. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the IP video security interface provides a method of integrating a complete IP video solution for operation over existing infrastructure coaxial cable. Preferably, the multi-channel RCM unit interfaces with a gigabit switch to the IP network and also connects to individual coaxial cable from corresponding transmitter units. The transmitters are connected by category cable to the IP cameras. If the transmitter is not powered separately, PoE power is supplied from the RCM unit to each of the transmitters and then in turn to the cameras. Preferably, power is supplied only when required by the connected network cameras or other network devices. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment of the RCM unit, it is designed to monitor critical network functions, i.e., link status, link speed, cable length, cable continuity, distance to a cable open or short, status of cable pairs, and potentially similar data. The RCM may also provide real-time current readings of each of the network devices, control of individual current settings for each PoE output, thermal shutdown alert, and temperature level monitoring. The RCM may provide for logging of events, e.g., current overloads and thermal shutdowns. 
         [0018]    A user interface provides for viewing a Web page for the RCM. The web page allows users to view and interact with the analytical and monitoring capabilities of the RCM. An access code/user name and password restrict access to the Web interface of the RCM. 
         [0019]    An aspect of an embodiment of the video system is the provision of an IP-based multi-channel head-end receiver/controller/management unit (RCM) in a video security system to provide all of the required operational, control and monitoring functions over a single coaxial cable to each IP camera or network device. 
         [0020]    Another aspect of an embodiment of the system is a remote unit that communicates over coaxial cable and receives power from the RCM, operating in conjunction with the RCM sending video and status information to the RCM. 
         [0021]    Another aspect of an embodiment is the capability of the remote unit to provide IP video to the RCM, PoE to IP cameras and other network devices (if a valid PoE signature is detected), receive control data from the RCM and provide unique management and analytical information to the RCM, all to be transmitted over the single coaxial cable. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the embodiment is the remote unit meets IEEE standard for providing and controlling voltage supplied to the IP cameras. It does this through detecting the signature provided from the IP camera or other POE power device. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of embodiments of the system is that it will provide all of the required operational, control and monitoring functions over a single coaxial cable at a distance of 500 meters (1,640 feet). 
         [0024]    Another aspect of embodiments of the system is the provision in the RCM of one or more gigabit switch devices to enable unrestricted data throughput and to interface with the network by means of standard category cables. 
         [0025]    A still further aspect of embodiments is the capability of the RCM to provide critical monitoring functions over the single coaxial cable, including, but not limited to, link status, link speed, cable length, cable continuity, distance to a cable open or short and status of cable pairs. 
         [0026]    A still further aspect of embodiments is the capability of the RCM to provide additional monitoring, including but not limited to, real-time current readings of each of the network devices, control of individual current settings for each PoE output, thermal shutdown alert and temperature level monitoring. 
         [0027]    In an alternate embodiment of the system is to replace the coaxial cables with a single twisted pair wire. All other aspects of the system would remain as described in the embodiments. 
         [0028]    In a still further alternate embodiment of the system a plurality of wire pairs can replace the coaxial cable. In such an embodiment short cable under 100 meters in length would not need a transmitter unit but lengths over 100 meters could use a transmitter and would function as described in all of the other embodiments. 
         [0029]    Finally, without being an exhaustive list of features, further aspects of embodiments include the capability of the RCM to provide for logging of events, including, but not limited to current overloads and thermal shutdowns; a user webpage interface that provides for viewing a webpage for the RCM that allows users to view and interact with the analytical and monitoring capabilities of the RCM, either on a local network or over the internet; the capability of a user webpage interface to provide a layered entry capability that allows access to basic simple features by less qualified users and allows access to the advanced features of the system by advanced users; and, the capability of a user webpage to provide user name and password for secured access to each layer of entry. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic of a prior art CCTV system using analog cameras; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of an embodiment of the present CCTV system using IP cameras; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of an embodiment of a transmitter unit in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of an embodiment of a RCM unit in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of ( a ) a coax cable interface for the transmitter unit of  FIG. 3 , and ( b ) a UTP cable interface for the transmitter unit of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic ( a ) a coax cable interface for the RCM unit of  FIG. 4 , and ( b ) a UTP cable interface for the RCM unit of  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , there are illustrated embodiments of a CCTV video system, including components of the system, generally designated by the numeral  10 . Such a system  10  consists of at least two items: a receiver and a transmitter. Specifically, the receiver or head end unit is capable of monitoring, controlling and management functions of the system  10 . The preferred head end unit is known as an RCM (receiver/controller/management) unit. The transmitter unit is preferably a remote device. 
         [0039]    The RCM unit  17  and transmitter units  12  work in tandem to gather data about the overall system  10 . The transmitter unit  12  is capable of testing the cable between itself and the camera  16  or any other IP device to which it is connected. Additionally, the transmitter unit  12  will be able to monitor functions such as voltage, current communication speed and temperature. After gathering such data it can communicate that data back up the cable  11  to the RCM unit  17 . The RCM unit  17  incorporates an Ethernet connection or other means to allow access for the purposes of troubleshooting, monitoring, and measuring the performance of system  10 . These features go beyond what is required for basic Ethernet communication and the purpose is to provide technical information about the stability and operation of system  10 , as well as minimize downtime and speed up installation. 
         [0040]    Generally, a complete IP camera video system  10  includes at least one IP camera  16  connected to a transmitter unit  12 , which connects via coaxial cable runs  11  to a receiver/controller/management (RCM) unit  17 . The RCM unit  17  interfaces with an IP network for data manipulation, the scope of which is described below. A preferred network includes a network video recorder (NVR)  13  and a user viewing/work station  14 . 
         [0041]    A typical configuration of an embodiment of the present system  10 , which is capable of using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure  102  of an analog camera system as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is shown in  FIG. 2 . The IP cameras  16  replace the old analog cameras ( 101  of  FIG. 1 ). Each IP camera  16  connects to a transmitter unit  12 , preferably via a standard network patch cable  18 . Each transmitter unit  12  connects to an existing coaxial cable run  11  at the camera end. The RCM unit  17  replaces the multiplexer unit ( 105  of  FIG. 1 ). The RCM unit  17  connects to the head-end side of the coaxial cable runs  11  and is also connected to the NVR  13  (or a server unit) for recoding and viewing of the IP camera data. Preferably, power for operating the IP cameras  16  is supplied by the RCM unit  17  to the transmitter units  12  through the coax cable runs  11  and into the IP cameras  16 . 
         [0042]    The NVR  13  is a software based recording and viewing system which allows for the controlling of a pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) camera unit  15 . Viewing of the camera images can be done, for example, on a standard computer monitor  14  connected to a network, such as the IP network. Alternatively, the viewing can take place remotely from another computer terminal connected to the Internet and logged to a dedicated website. 
         [0043]    Upon startup the system begins in a test and diagnostic mode. In this mode it gathers data and statistics about the network connected to the RCM unit  17 . The transmitter units  12  are then powered up and each may begin to gather information about their status of operation, including information related to an attached/detached IP camera, power requirements, and similar operational information. Such data may be gathered and sent to the head-end RCM unit  17  where it may be combined with additional information. The information may be displayed on a web page or other interface page for a service technician or network administrator to review. 
         [0044]    Further, different alarm levels may be set up for static parameters. For example, if a unit were to fall below a set level of voltage, current, data speed or any other fault point, an alarm could be sent to a service tech or network administrator to alert them. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , internal components and operation of an embodiment of transmitter unit  12  can be seen in greater detail. The transmitter unit  12  is located at a remote end of the existing communication cable—i.e., the coaxial cable run  11 . The unit  12  communicates to the RCM unit  17  via the coaxial cable run  11 . An incoming signal from the RCM unit  17  is applied to matching transformer  230  (see coaxial cable interface,  FIG. 5(   a )). The matching transformer  230  is used to provide proper impedance matching between the communication cable and the internal transceiver circuits and can be adjusted as needed depending on the application. 
         [0046]    In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), the cable interface can easily be changed to UTP/category cable simply by changing the matching transformer, the cable connector and the DC-coupled low-pass filter. All other components of system  10  would remain the same. Whereas a coaxial matching transformer  230  is usually designed to couple 75 ohm coax to a 100 ohm EtherStretch™ transceiver, the UTP matching transformer  330  is designed for 100 ohm to 100 ohm coupling. Such is the operation of the EtherStretch™ transceiver that the UTP cable could be a single pair of wires, as coaxial cable is just two conductors, or it could be up to four pair of conductors, as in normal network cabling. The incoming signal consists of an AC communication signal and a DC power signal. The DC power signal passes through a low-pass filter  237  into both a low-voltage power supply  40  and a PSE controller  38 . The low-voltage power supply  40  is used to provide a regulated voltage for the internal circuits of the transmitter unit  12  and only needs a small amount of current and voltage to begin operation. 
         [0047]    The AC communication signal passes through the matching transformer  30  and is coupled to a transceiver  31 . Preferably, transceiver  31  is an EtherStretch™ transceiver designed, manufactured and sold by Nitek International, LLC of Rolling Meadows, Ill. The EtherStretch™ transceiver  31  works much like a standard Ethernet PHY. In fact, the EtherStretch™ transceiver is a preferred embodiment because it can work as both a standard PHY for network communication with category wire or over a single pair of wires like one wire pair or a coaxial cable. Therefore, the EtherStretch™ PHY can easily be coupled to several different wire types to meet potential applications. It transmits data to and receives data from the RCM unit  17 . The transceiver  31  also adjusts its communication as needed to facilitate communication with the RCM unit  17 . The transceiver  17  provides a standard MII communications bus for connection to a 10/100 Ethernet PHY  32  and it has a MIDO port for communication with a microprocessor  35 . The 10/100 PHY  32  is used to handle communication with the IP camera or another attached Ethernet device. It is coupled to a standard RJ45 Ethernet jack  36  via a matching transformer  33 . The 10/100 PHY  32  is also coupled to the microprocessor  35  via a MIDO bus. It can be seen that communication between any standard Ethernet device and the RCM unit  17  is easily facilitated via the transmitter unit  12 . 
         [0048]    In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitter unit  12  additionally has the ability to provide PoE power to Ethernet devices, including IP cameras  16 . The PSE controller  38  is coupled to a RJ45 Ethernet jack  36  via low-pass filter  39 . Most commonly this low-pass filter  39  is a function of the matching transformer  33  and could be provided as a single component—i.e., a matching transformer and low-pass filter in one. The PSE controller  38  is controllable via the microprocessor  35 . 
         [0049]    In some cases the cable  11  between the RCM unit  17  and the transmitter unit  12  is too long or too small of a wire gage to carry enough current to operate a PoE device beyond the transmitter unit  12 , or there may be times when it is not desired to transmit the DC voltage from the RCM unit  17  to the transmitter unit  12 . For such cases a DC power jack  41  allows for directly powering each transmitter unit  12 . 
         [0050]    Preferably, the microprocessor  35  has connections to incoming and outgoing communications and the PSE controller  38 . While the unit may function without a microprocessor  35 , the preferred microprocessor  35  is designed to poll components and monitor functions of the system  10 —microprocessor  35  is for controlling and polling the transmitter unit  12  and the IP camera connection, while, as noted below, the RCM unit  17  has its own microprocessor for polling and communication with system  10 . 
         [0051]    The RCM unit  17  includes a CPU controller  56 . The RCM CPU controller  56  preforms several task, preferably one of which is to also monitor components of the system  10 . The CPU controller  56  will include connections to incoming and outgoing communications and the PoE+ controller  60 . Monitored functions can include determining speed of communication, whether an IP device is connected to the RCM unit  17 , whether a cable is connected, the length of the cable, whether the cable is operable, whether PoE power is on, how much current a connected device is using, and other similar operational parameters and functions. Such information may be critical during system installation and during downtime situations. Also, it can be used to monitor whether a system is changing in such a way that future failures could be detected before they occur. 
         [0052]    The transmitter units  12  can also be used to detect where a fault occurred. For example, if a cable is cut, the system  10  could inform an operator of the distance from the transmitter unit to the IP camera where the cut occurs. An additional feature of the transmitter unit  12  is the fact that it communicates to the RCM unit  17  via an MDIO port of the EtherStretch™ transceiver  31 . Information on system status can be communicated via “Next Page” messaging of the EtherStretch™ transceiver  31 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the RCM (receiver/controller/management) unit  17  is illustrated. The RCM unit  17  is located at the monitoring end of CCTV system  10 . The RCM unit  17  communicates with each transmitter unit  12  via coaxial cable runs  11 . The coaxial cable runs  11  are connected between a BNC output jack  257  of the RCM unit  17  and the BNC jack  234  of the transmitter unit  12  (see also  FIG. 6(   a )). 
         [0054]    Alternately, with reference to  FIG. 6(   b ), the BNC jacks  257  and  234  could be replaced with RJ45 jack  357  and  334 , respectively, or another connector for UTP/category wire. Again, this is enabled because the EtherStretch™ transceiver can function as both a standard PHY or communicate on a single pair of wires. Therefore, while the main parts of system  10  are unchanged, at least three different types of cabling can be addressed: 1) the interfacing to a coaxial cable; 2) the interfacing to a single twisted pair; and 3) the interfacing to a multi-pair cable. In the case of the use of multi-pair cable, this is designed to interface primarily to network cabling. 
         [0055]    While embodiments of a coaxial interface are described in detail and embodiments of a single twisted pair are easily translated from the two conductors of the coax, multi-pair interface embodiments require the following further explanation. 
         [0056]    Commonly 10/100 network cabling is installed using structured twisted pair wire, also called category cable. This cable is constructed of four separate twisted pair wires. Signals of 10 and 100-megabit are commonly communicated over only two pairs for normal network communication. Gigabit communication uses all four pairs. By design, the EtherStretch™ transceiver can communicate with standard PHY transceivers. Therefore it can be seen that an RCM unit with the EtherStretch™ transceiver coupled to an RJ45 network could function as a common POE network switch. Further, it can be seen that when combining a transmitter unit  12  with such an RCM unit  17 , standard network cabling lengths can be greatly extended. Such a system would allow for network runs of 600 meters or more without having to repeat the signal each 100 meters. 
         [0057]    Upon power up, the RCM unit  17  establishes communication with each of the remote transmitter units  12 . As noted above, the transmitter units  12  can get operational power from the RCM unit  17  or they can be powered independently. Preferably, the RCM unit  17  will power the transmitter units  12 . Power up occurs by first supplying DC power to the transmitter units  12 . DC power is supplied through and controlled by POE+ controller  60  of the RCM unit  17 . The POE+ controller  60  couples power through the DC low-pass filter  61  to the BNC jacks  57 . Once the transmitter units  12  are powered up, communication can begin. 
         [0058]    The EtherStretch™ transceiver  54  of the RCM unit  17  establishes a connection to the EtherStretch™ transceiver  31  of the transmitter unit  12 . During the start up of communication, the status of the transmitter unit  12  operation is passed to the RCM unit  17 . If no transmitter unit is connected to the end of the coax cable run  11 , the RCM unit  17  could, using the EtherStretch™ transceiver  54 , determine if the cable is open or shorted and even the length of the cable. Again, as previously noted, this feature can be helpful during installation as well as in repairing the system due to operational faults. 
         [0059]    The status of the transmitter unit  12  can include, but is not limited to, current and voltage used by the transmitter unit, communication status of the network port of the transmitter, whether a PoE device is connected to the transmitter, whether the network port of the transmitter unit is connected to a damaged or non-functional network cable, and other similar operational parameters. Again, this data may be helpful in determining status of operation, reasons for failure of the system  10 , and system advanced diagnostics. 
         [0060]    The EtherStretch™ transceiver  54  of the RCM unit  17  couples communication data through matching transformer  255 . The matching transformers  255  are used for electrical isolation of the EtherStretch™ transceiver  54  from the coaxial cable run  11  and to properly match the impedance of the connected coaxial cable  11  to the RCM unit  17 . As was stated earlier, the matching transformer  255  of the RCM could be changed to a matching transformer  355  for UTP/category cable operation. 
         [0061]    It is important to point out that the changing of just three components between the coaxial cable interface and the UTP/category cable interface will allow the same system to work over many different cable types. All other functions of the design can remain the same. 
         [0062]    The RCM unit  17  also incorporates a multiport gigabit switch  51 . The gigabit switch  51  couples all of the ports of the RCM unit  17  together and functions as a standard switch. It can function as a layer  2  or layer  3  switch and the management functions of the RCM unit  17  will not be affected. The RCM unit  17  should also preferably incorporate a CPU controller  56 . The CPU controller  56  also monitors components of the system  10 . The CPU controller  56  communicates via standard buses and communication ports to various components of the RCM unit  17 . Some of the common buses include the MDIO and I2C buses. Using these buses, the CPU controller  56  communicates with the EtherStretch™ transceivers  54 , gigabit switch  51 , gigabit PHY  52 , LED display  59 , POE controller  60 , and web client  58 . 
         [0063]    The gigabit PHY  52  is used as a connection to a LAN. Generally, the EtherStretch™ transceiver ports are communicating at 10 Mb or 100 Mb. The gigabit switch  51  of the RCM unit  17  combines the numerous lower speed ports into a higher speed port for passing large amounts of data upstream to recorders and display systems. Also, the gigabit switch  51  allows for connection to add-on boards, which allow the RCM unit  17  to incorporate many more ports into a single unit. The gigabit switch  51  can also be connected to fiber devices such as a BiDi or SFP laser for optically interfacing to the network. 
         [0064]    The LED display  59  allows for a visual indication of the system status and can be used to display system malfunctions. The use of the LED display  59  would offer the advantage of not needing a web client connection if, for example, a service technician is so inclined. 
         [0065]    The PoE controller  60  allows for the monitoring of voltage and current coupled to the communication cables, remote transmitters and remote PoE equipment. 
         [0066]    A separate port is shown for the web client connection. While the CPU controller  56  could be connected directly to the internal gigabit switch  51  allowing the diagnostics to be viewed from anywhere in the system, the separate port dedicated to the web client allows for the physical control of this port. Alternatively, it could be connected to a special port allowing direct connection outside the network. This feature allows a service technician, for example, to connect into the system  10  remotely and view the status of the system  10  without actually having access to the network or being able to actually view the cameras. For security and privacy reasons this offers a unique advantage. 
         [0067]    Finally, it should be noted that the system  10  is powered up from a main power input. A 52V DC supply  63  is preferably used because it can operate on a wide range of input voltages, for example 100 to 240 VAC. The 52V DC supply  63  feeds several low-voltage power supplies  62  which in turn supply the internally needed voltages for operating the electronics. One of the internal supplies is a 12V DC supply  64  used to operate system cooling fans. The system cooling fans could also be monitored by the CPU  56 , if desired. 
         [0068]    In the present embodiment of system  10 , the PoE+ controller  60  incorporates a temperature monitoring function and, as such, would allow the CPU  56  to notify service personal either via an audible signal, visual signal, electronic record (e.g., email or text message) or a combination of these indicators, that specific system parameters (e.g., temperature) are exciding recommended operating conditions. 
         [0069]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.