Patent Description:
These video security systems typically include surveillance, e.g., security, cameras that connect via a security network to a control system. Additional components include network video recorder (NVR) systems, also known as video management systems, and monitors for displaying images such as video from the security cameras.

The security cameras typically have a lenses and imager systems that are fixed, adjustable, or motorized. A fixed security camera will have the lens and imager system permanently fixed in a set position (i.e., lens and imager system cannot change position with respect to camera body). On the other hand, an adjustable security camera's lens and imager system is movable with respect to camera body (e.g., installer can move the lens and imager system to different positions) so that it can be pointed down a hall or at a door, for example. A motorized security camera, such as a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) security camera, utilizes motor(s) to automatically move the lens and imager system to different positions usually under operator or automatic control.

Multi-sensor security cameras, also known as multi-imager cameras, have also been deployed to capture a wide field of view. A typical multi-sensor security camera comprises two to four sensor modules. Each sensor module has a lens and imager system. The sensor modules are positioned or repositioned to cover the panoramic field of view while minimizing or eliminating blind spots. Typically, multi-sensor security cameras are designed either with sensor modules that are fixed in place or with a mechanical positioning system that can tilt the sensor modules up and down or sideways according to the specific mechanical design of the security camera system.

More recently, security cameras have been proposed that implement a single, universal design for a security camera system with a variable number of sensor modules and fields of view. An example of one such system is described in <CIT> (formerly <CIT>, entitled "SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM WITH MULTI-DIRECTIONAL MOUNT AND METHOD OF OPERATION". The security camera system includes a base unit, including a mounting dome, the surface of which includes several mounting sockets to which a variable number of sensor modules are attached mechanically or magnetically. The sensor modules can be powered wirelessly via magnetic induction. Similarly, the sensor modules might communicate with a base unit of the security camera system via low power wireless technology such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), near-field communication (NFC), LiFi, and visible light communication (VLC), among other examples. The availability of several mounting sockets on the mounting dome provides practically unlimited arrangements of sensor modules, eliminating the blind spots imposed by previous mechanical designs. The variable number of sensor modules also allows for a single, universal design, regardless of the desired field of view of the security camera system, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of design, manufacturing and installation, as well as the development cycle time.

<CIT> discloses a surveillance camera mounting apparatus formed of a lightweight, elastically deformable material, such as foam plastic, for mounting a surveillance camera in a transparent enclosure of the type used on a building surface such as a ceiling or wall. The mounting apparatus comprises an elastically deformable body element which includes a camera-receiving opening for receiving and holding a surveillance camera therein. The resiliency of the body element enables a portion of the body element which surrounds the camera-receiving opening to elastically deform thereby permitting the camera-receiving opening to dilate to accommodate the surveillance camera. <CIT> discloses a way to track a moving object using images. The images are captured and digitized in a continual sequence S of discrete images of the scenes at a respective sequence T of points in time. During this capture sequence, a first plurality of reference signals are established corresponding to a plurality of respective captured images. In this manner, a plurality of reference images are generated on-line, during movement of the object or cameras. A second plurality of detected signals corresponding to a second plurality of captured images, are individually correlated with the respective next previous reference signal of the sequence, thereby establishing a relative position of the object or camera, for each detected signal. <CIT> discloses a surveillance device with a support secured to a structure, a first image collection device secured to the support, second image collection device and a servo motor, the second image collection device being moveable with respect to the support by the servo motor, the second image collection device having an optical axis whereby the servo motor is constructed and arranged to regulate the direction of the optical axis of the second image collection device. <CIT> discloses a method for determining the position and orientation of a camera which does not rely on the use of special markers. A set of reference images are stored, together with camera pose and feature information for each image. A first estimate of camera position is determined by comparing the current camera image with the set of reference images. A refined estimate can be obtained using features from the current image matched in a subset of similar reference images, and in particular, the 3D positions of those features. <CIT> discloses a camera position and/or orientation determining method for virtual or augmented reality systems, involving detecting a real-image object, and determining a camera position and/or orientation based on the reference image objects and the real-image object.

The flexibility offered by these multi-sensor security camera systems in creating customized panoramic fields of view by attaching different combinations of sensor modules to different mounting sockets of a mounting dome presents an additional challenge of determining the location and orientation of the sensor modules and associating the location and orientation of the different sensor modules with image data captured by those sensor modules in order to perform image stitching and other image analytics functions.

The present invention concerns the automatic detection of each sensor module's location on the mounting dome.

In an example which is not comprised in the scope of the invention, an application running on a mobile computing device is used to determine the location of a sensor module. When the sensor module is attached to a mounting socket, an image of the configuration is captured by the mobile computing device. The mobile application uses image analysis to determine where the sensor module was located and sends a corresponding signal to the control electronics or software. This image analysis can also be performed on the base unit of the security camera system or on a remote server, among other examples.

In another example which is not comprised in the scope of the invention, image analytics using external points of reference is used to determine the locations of sensor modules on the dome. For example, at least three visually identifiable objects (points of reference) can be placed in an area surrounding the security camera system. The sensor modules are positioned on the dome. A panoramic source image of the surrounding area as seen from the installed location of the security camera system is uploaded, and a reference image is generated with three or more points of reference identified as markers in each quadrant. The base unit determines the sensor modules' locations by comparing and matching the image data from each sensor module to the reference image, using the points of reference and markers to reduce processing time and resource consumption.

In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a security camera system as set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The reference images are generated based on images captured by mobile computing devices. The reference images are based on captured images depicting the security camera system itself. The mapping module detects the presence of sensor modules in the reference images and determines the positions of the detected sensor modules relative to a reference point visible on an exterior surface of the security camera system depicted in the reference images.

On the other hand, in an example which is not comprised in the scope of the invention, the reference images can also be based on captured images depicting an area surrounding the security camera system. In this case, the area surrounding the security camera system would include a plurality of points of reference. For example, the points of reference would include three or more visually identifiable objects placed in the area. A marker module generates the reference images with markers designating the points of reference depicted in the captured images of the area surrounding the security camera system. The mapping module determines the positions of the sensor modules based on comparisons of the image data generated by the sensor modules to the reference images.

In both examples, the mapping module can execute on the base unit of the security camera system or on a mobile computing device and/or a remote server, in which case the mapping module sends identification information for the mounting points having attached sensor modules to the security camera system.

In general, according to another aspect, the invention features a method for configuring a multi-sensor security camera system as set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a security camera system <NUM> to which the present invention is applicable.

The security camera system <NUM> includes a base unit <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM> and a transparent bubble <NUM>. The transparent bubble <NUM> is shown exploded off the security camera system <NUM>.

The base unit <NUM> includes a camera base <NUM> and a mounting dome <NUM>. The camera base <NUM> is a cylindrical assembly, a top circular surface of which faces and attaches to a surface of a building or other structure on which the security camera system <NUM> is mounted, typically a ceiling or wall or mounting bracket. The mounting dome <NUM> is a dome, such as a hemispherical dome, protruding from a bottom circular surface of the camera base <NUM> to which the sensor modules <NUM> attach.

The mounting dome <NUM> includes several mounting points, which are particular locations on the surface of the mounting dome at which sensor modules <NUM> are attached to the mounting dome <NUM> of the base unit <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the mounting points are mounting sockets <NUM>, which are identically-sized regions of the surface of the mounting dome <NUM> defined by raised ridges along the perimeters of the sockets and/or depressed regions within the interior of the sockets. The mounting sockets <NUM> are arrayed across the entire round surface of the mounting dome <NUM> such that the mounting sockets <NUM> face radially outward from a center of the hemispherical mounting dome <NUM> at regularly spaced intervals. Other examples of mounting points can include mesas and/or raised regions of the surface of the mounting dome <NUM>, or even undifferentiated points on the surface of the mounting dome <NUM>, among other examples.

In the illustrated example, the mounting sockets <NUM> are hexagonal depressions. The front portion of the mounting dome <NUM> (visible in the illustration) includes about thirty mounting sockets <NUM>, and the mounting dome <NUM> in its entirety (including portions of the mounting dome <NUM> not visible in the illustration) would have about sixty mounting sockets <NUM> in total, as the mounting sockets <NUM> extend to cover the entire outer surface of the mounting dome <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the mounting sockets <NUM> can be other shapes such as circles, octagons, pentagons, or triangles, among other examples. The size and number of the mounting sockets <NUM> could also vary, based on the different embodiments. In general, there are at least <NUM> mounting sockets, but <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> or more is preferred. Regions between the mounting sockets <NUM> can separate the different mounting sockets <NUM>, or the mounting sockets <NUM> can tile across the surface of the mounting dome <NUM> without any regions between the mounting sockets <NUM>.

In general, the mounting sockets <NUM> represent regions of the mounting dome <NUM> to which the sensor modules <NUM> can be attached.

Each sensor module <NUM> includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end engages the exterior surface of the mounting dome <NUM> at a particular mounting point. At the distal end of the sensor module is a mounting plug <NUM>. The mounting plug <NUM> is prismatic shaped in the illustrated embodiment, with a distal exterior surface sharing the same shape and approximate size as each of the mounting sockets <NUM> and engaging with the exterior surface of the mounting dome <NUM> within the perimeter of one of the mounting sockets <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the mounting plug <NUM> is a hexagonal prism, matching the hexagonal shape of the mounting sockets <NUM> depicted in the same illustration. However, in other embodiments in which the mounting sockets <NUM> take different shapes, the distal surface of the module mounting plug <NUM> would correspond to the shape of the mounting sockets <NUM>.

At the proximal end of the sensor module <NUM> is a lens system <NUM>, which is encased in a cylindrical assembly. In general, the sensor module <NUM> generates image data from light captured via the lens system <NUM>, with the lens system forming an image of that light onto an image sensor, inside the module.

The sensor modules <NUM> are attached to the mounting dome <NUM> such that their optical axes extend radially from the center of the mounting dome <NUM> in different elevational and azimuthal directions, corresponding to the positions of the different mounting sockets <NUM> along the surface of the dome. In general, the number of sensor modules <NUM> and the selection of mounting sockets <NUM> to which the modules attach determines a field of view of the security camera system <NUM>.

The transparent bubble <NUM> is a hollow, rigid, hemisphere of transparent material. A circular rim <NUM> (forming the perimeter of a circular, flat face of the transparent bubble <NUM>) inserts into an attachment ridge <NUM> along the perimeter of the bottom face of the camera base <NUM> and is secured via an attachment mechanism such as a snap fit.

The transparent bubble <NUM> is secured to the camera base <NUM> such that it encases the mounting dome <NUM> and attached sensor modules <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the base unit <NUM> of the security camera system <NUM> without any sensor modules <NUM> attached to it, depicting the camera base <NUM>, mounting dome <NUM>, mounting sockets <NUM> and attachment ridge <NUM>. Here more of the mounting sockets have been labeled, specifically <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>, to illustrate the number of potential locations at which the modular sensor modules <NUM> can be installed. A similar number of mounting sockets are available on the backside of the unit, but not shown in this view.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the sensor module <NUM>, depicting the lens system <NUM> and module mounting plug <NUM>.

Also shown is a bubble contact ring <NUM>, which is a ring of elastic material that compresses around the proximal end of the assembly containing the lens system <NUM> defining the module's entrance aperture. An interior surface of the transparent bubble <NUM> presses against the bubble contact ring <NUM> preventing movement and/or vibration of the sensor modules <NUM> and urging the sensor modules into their respective sockets.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the base unit <NUM> and the sensor module <NUM> according to the current invention.

The base unit <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>, a base inductive power supply <NUM>, a base controller <NUM>, a wireless transceiver <NUM>, a network interface <NUM>, and several mounting sockets <NUM>. In the figure, only <NUM> mounting sockets are shown, but in the typical embodiment, the number of mounting sockets <NUM> would be at least <NUM>, but typically <NUM> or more are provided. Each mounting socket includes a socket magnetic mount <NUM>, an inductive power transmitter <NUM>, a wireless antenna <NUM>, and a socket identification (ID) module <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> includes a module controller <NUM>, a power conditioner <NUM>, a module wireless transceiver <NUM>, a lens system <NUM> and imager <NUM>, and a module mounting plug <NUM>, which includes a module magnetic mount <NUM>, an inductive power receiver <NUM>, a wireless antenna <NUM> and an ID reader module <NUM>.

In general, the sensor module <NUM> generates image data. Incoming light is collected and focused by the lens system <NUM> on an imager <NUM>, such as a CCD or CMOS imager. The image data is sent the base unit <NUM>. The base unit <NUM> receives image data from one or more sensor modules <NUM> and associates the image data from each sensor module <NUM> with elevation and azimuth information associated with the mounting socket <NUM> to which the sensor module <NUM> is attached.

The power source <NUM> provides power to the components of the base unit <NUM> including the base controller <NUM> and the base inductive power supply <NUM>. In different examples, the power source can be a battery, an AC 24V power supply, a DC 12V power supply, or a power supply utilizing Power over Ethernet (PoE) or PoE+ technologies.

The base controller <NUM> executes firmware instructions and, in general, sends instructions to and receives data from the base inductive power supply <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM> via the wireless transceiver <NUM> and wireless antenna(s) <NUM>, and the network interface <NUM>. More specifically, the base controller <NUM> receives image data from the sensor modules <NUM> and sends it to a network video distribution system <NUM> via the network interface <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base unit <NUM> wirelessly provides power to the sensor modules <NUM> via the base inductive power supply <NUM>, inductive power transmitters <NUM>, inductive power receivers <NUM>, and the power conditioner <NUM>. When the sensor module <NUM> is attached to the mounting socket <NUM>-<NUM>, the inductive power transmitter <NUM>-<NUM> at or near the surface of the mounting dome <NUM> in the region containing the mounting socket <NUM>-<NUM> come into proximity with the inductive power receiver <NUM> of the sensor module <NUM>. The base inductive power supply <NUM> supplies an alternating current to the inductive power transmitter <NUM>, which is, for example, a coil. An oscillating magnetic field is formed, which induces an alternating current in the inductive power receiver <NUM>, as illustrated as a wireless power link <NUM>. This alternating current is then conditioned by the power conditioner <NUM>, for example, by converting it to direct current to power the sensor module <NUM>.

The module controller <NUM> receives power from the power conditioner <NUM> and image data from the imager <NUM> (based on light captured by the lens system <NUM>). The module controller <NUM> also sends instructions to and receives ID information (for the mounting socket <NUM> to which the sensor module <NUM> is attached) to and from the ID reader module <NUM>. The module controller <NUM> sends the image data and the ID information to the base unit <NUM> via the wireless transceiver <NUM>.

The base wireless transceiver <NUM> and the module wireless transceiver <NUM> wirelessly (e.g. via near-field communication, visible light communication or LiFi technologies) send and receive information to each other via a wireless communications link <NUM> between the base wireless antenna <NUM> and the module wireless antenna <NUM>, respectively.

In general, the socket ID module <NUM> is a physical representation of a socket ID, which, in turn, is a unique identifier associated with each mounting socket <NUM>. The socket ID is detected by the ID reader module <NUM> interacting with the socket ID module <NUM>.

A configuration file <NUM> of the base unit <NUM> (for example, stored in nonvolatile memory of the base controller <NUM>) includes information about the elevation and azimuth associated with the different fields of view from the mounting sockets <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, in which each mounting socket <NUM> includes a socket ID module <NUM>, the configuration file <NUM> directly associates the elevation and azimuth information for the different mounting sockets <NUM> with the socket IDs of the mounting sockets <NUM> (for example, in a table). In other examples, however, the configuration file <NUM> includes other identification information in addition to or instead of the socket IDs, including position information of the mounting sockets <NUM> (for example, with respect to a predetermined point on the base unit <NUM>). Typically, this mapping of elevation and azimuth information to mounting sockets <NUM>, using socket IDs and/or other identification information, was provided during an initial configuration of the base unit <NUM> during manufacturing.

The sensor modules <NUM> attach to the mounting sockets <NUM> via the socket magnetic mount <NUM> and the module magnetic mount <NUM>. In one example, the magnetic mounts <NUM>, <NUM> are formed of ferromagnetic material and/or magnets that are attracted to each other.

In the illustrated example, three mounting sockets <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-n are depicted, and the sensor module <NUM> is attached to mounting socket <NUM>-<NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> would be attached to the mounting socket <NUM>-<NUM> in such a way to allow the inductive transmitter <NUM>-<NUM>, wireless transceiver <NUM>-<NUM> and socket ID module <NUM>-<NUM> of the mounting socket <NUM>-<NUM> to interface with the inductive power receiver <NUM>, wireless transceiver <NUM> and ID reader module <NUM> of the sensor module <NUM>. In different examples, this may involve the components of the mounting socket <NUM> to come in direct contact with their counterparts on the sensor module <NUM>, or to simply come in close proximity.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a mobile computing device <NUM> and the security camera system <NUM> according to the present invention, in which the positions of the sensor modules <NUM> are determined based on reference images <NUM> depicting the security camera system <NUM>.

An image analytics mapping module <NUM> receives the reference image <NUM> depicting the security camera system <NUM>, including the base unit <NUM> and any attached sensor modules <NUM>, and determines the positions of the sensor modules <NUM> based on detecting the presence of the sensor modules <NUM> in the reference images <NUM>. In one example, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> determines the positions of the detected sensor modules <NUM> relative to a reference point <NUM>, which is one or more markings that are visible on an exterior surface of the security camera system <NUM> (for example, the base unit <NUM>) and depicted in the reference images <NUM>. The image analytics mapping module <NUM> translates the positions of the detected sensor modules <NUM> relative to the reference point <NUM> to identification information (such as socket IDs) for the mounting sockets <NUM> corresponding to the positions, based on predetermined configuration settings or the configuration file <NUM>, among other examples.

In the illustrated embodiment, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> executes on a mobile computing device <NUM>. The mobile computing device <NUM> could be a laptop computer, tablet computer, phablet computer (i.e., a mobile device that is typically larger than a smart phone, but smaller than a tablet), or smart watch, to list a few examples. Typically, such devices include an operating system <NUM> (such as the IOS operating system from Apple Corp. or Android operating system from Google, Inc. ) executing on a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> executes on a remote server or on the base unit <NUM> itself.

The image analytics mapping module <NUM> sends to the security camera system <NUM> identification information (such as the socket ID) for the mounting sockets <NUM> which have attached sensor modules <NUM>. In order to communicate with the security camera system <NUM>, the mobile computing device <NUM> includes a wireless and/or wired network interface <NUM>. The identification information can be sent from the mobile computing device <NUM> to the security camera system <NUM> directly, via a peer-to-peer wireless network, or via intermediaries like a public network such as the internet and/or a connected network video distribution system <NUM>, among other examples. Information exchanged between the mobile computing device <NUM> and security camera system <NUM> can be encrypted or unencrypted, and can be sent via a secure tunneling protocol such as Secure Shell (SSH), among other examples.

In the illustrated example, the reference image <NUM> is generated by the mobile computing device <NUM> based on an image captured via a camera <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary reference image <NUM> depicting the security camera system <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, a directional marker <NUM> indicates that the reference image <NUM> would be captured from directly below the security camera system <NUM>, for example, by the mobile computing device <NUM>. The reference point <NUM>, which is illustrated as two perpendicular lines marked on the exterior of the base unit <NUM>, is depicted in the reference image <NUM>, allowing the image analytics mapping module <NUM> to determine the correct positions of the sensor modules <NUM> with respect to the reference point <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which the base unit <NUM> determines the location of the sensor modules <NUM> based on an analysis of a reference image <NUM> depicting the security camera system <NUM> and then reports to a network video distribution system <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, one or more sensor modules <NUM> are attached to the base unit <NUM> at mounting points such as mounting sockets <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the base unit <NUM> provides power to the sensor module <NUM>. This can be done inductively as previously described or via a wired connection.

In step <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM> initializes itself in response to receiving power from the sensor module <NUM>. In one example, the sensor module <NUM> runs self-tests/diagnostic procedures and establishes wireless communications with the base unit <NUM> as well as sends unique identification information for the sensor module <NUM>, such as a sensor module ID, to the base unit <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> receives the reference image <NUM> depicting the security camera system <NUM>. In one example, the reference image <NUM> is captured from directly below the security camera system <NUM> by the mobile computing device <NUM> via the camera <NUM> and depicts the base unit <NUM>, all attached sensor modules <NUM>, and the reference point <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> analyzes the reference image <NUM> and generates identification information (such as the socket ID) for the mounting sockets <NUM> having attached sensor modules <NUM>. In one example, this is done by determining the positions of attached sensor modules <NUM> with respect to the reference point <NUM> and translating the positions to socket IDs for the corresponding mounting sockets <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, image analytics mapping module <NUM> sends the socket ID(s) to the base unit <NUM>. In one example, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> executes on the mobile computing device <NUM> and sends the socket ID(s) to the base unit <NUM> via the network interface <NUM>, directly, or via intermediaries such as the public network or the network video distribution system <NUM>. In another example, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> executes on a remote server and sends the socket ID(s) to the base unit <NUM> in a similar fashion. In yet another example, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> executes on the base unit <NUM> and simply returns the socket ID(s) to a different process or module of the base unit <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the base unit <NUM> translates the socket ID received from the sensor module <NUM> into elevation/azimuth information for the sensor module's <NUM> field of view by, for example, retrieving the elevation/azimuth information associated with the socket ID from the configuration file <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM> captures image data, which is then encoded and transmitted to the base unit <NUM> in step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the base unit <NUM> aggregates the image data from all of the sensor modules <NUM> or, alternately, stitches together the image data from each of the sensor modules <NUM> based on the elevation/azimuth information. In step <NUM>, depending on the step <NUM>, either the aggregated image data comprising the separate streams for each sensor module <NUM>, along with the corresponding elevation/azimuth information, or the stitched image data, are sent to the network video distribution system <NUM>. In one example, the elevation/azimuth information is included as meta-data of the image data.

Finally, in step <NUM>, the network video distribution system <NUM> uses the elevation/azimuth information pertaining to each of the sensor modules <NUM> to stitch together the image data if it was not previously stitched together by the base unit <NUM>.

The previously described process can occur for individual sensor modules <NUM> or groups of sensor modules <NUM>. In one example, after a single sensor module <NUM> is attached to a mounting socket <NUM>, a reference image <NUM> is generated and processed by the image analytics mapping module <NUM>, allowing the base unit <NUM> to receive identification information such as a device ID for the sensor module <NUM> from the sensor module <NUM> and associate the sensor module device ID with the single socket ID returned by the image analytics mapping module <NUM>. This process would then repeat, as a new sensor module <NUM> is attached, and a new reference image <NUM> is generated depicting the previously identified sensor module <NUM> and the newly attached sensor module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the mobile computing device <NUM> and the security camera system <NUM> according to an example which is not comprised in the scope of the invention, in which the positions of the sensor modules <NUM> are determined based on reference images <NUM> depicting an area surrounding the security camera system <NUM>.

As opposed to the previous embodiment, now the reference image <NUM> depicts the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM> and includes a plurality of points of reference <NUM> (for example, three or more). The points of reference <NUM> are visually identifiable objects that exist or are deliberately placed in the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM>. The image analytics mapping module <NUM> receives the reference image <NUM> and determines the positions of the sensor modules <NUM> based on comparing the image data generated by the sensor modules <NUM> to the reference image <NUM>. More specifically, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> matches the points of reference <NUM> depicted in the reference image <NUM> with the same points of reference <NUM> detected in the image data from the sensor modules <NUM> in order to determine field of view information (such as elevation/azimuth information) of the different sensor modules <NUM>. The image analytics mapping module <NUM> translates the field of view information to identification information (such as socket IDs) for the mounting sockets <NUM> having attached sensor modules <NUM>, again based on predetermined configuration settings or the configuration file <NUM>, among other examples.

In the illustrated example, the reference image <NUM> is generated by an image analytics marker module <NUM> executing on the mobile computing device <NUM>. The reference image <NUM> is based on a source image <NUM>, which is a panoramic image of the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM> captured via the camera <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>. The image analytics marker module <NUM> detects the points of reference <NUM> (for example, via object recognition) and the points of reference are indicated with markers <NUM> to facilitate the analysis. The image analytics marker module <NUM> sends the reference image <NUM> to the image analytics mapping module <NUM>, which, in this embodiment, executes on the base unit <NUM>. As before, in different embodiments, the two modules <NUM>, <NUM> could execute on any combination of the mobile computing device <NUM>, the base unit <NUM>, and/or a remote server, among other examples.

<FIG> is an illustration of an exemplary security camera system <NUM> showing an area surrounding the security camera system <NUM> with multiple external points of reference <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, the security camera system <NUM> includes three sensor modules <NUM> with different fields of view based on the different elevational and azimuthal directions of the mounting sockets <NUM> to which the sensor modules <NUM> are attached. Five points of reference <NUM> are distributed throughout the area at varying distances from the security camera system <NUM> and from each other. In one example, the points of reference <NUM> are visually identifiable objects placed in the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM>, for example, by a technician <NUM> installing and configuring the security camera system <NUM>. A panoramic source image <NUM> of this area will be generated, for example, via the camera <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary reference image <NUM> generated by the image analytics marker module <NUM> showing markers <NUM> indicating each of the external points of reference <NUM>. The markers <NUM> include information about the points of reference <NUM> including, for example, position information for the points of reference <NUM> with respect to the reference image, location information, including information about the points' of reference <NUM> location with respect to the security camera system <NUM>, and identification information for distinguishing the different points of reference <NUM> from each other, among other examples.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which the base unit <NUM> determines the location of the sensor modules <NUM>, based on a comparison of the reference image <NUM> generated by the image analytics marker module <NUM> to the image data captured by the sensor modules <NUM>, and then reports to the network video distribution system <NUM>.

Steps <NUM> and <NUM> proceed as previously described.

Now, however, in step <NUM>, the image analytics marker module <NUM> receives the source image <NUM> (e.g. a panoramic image depicting the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM>) including multiple points of reference <NUM>. In step <NUM>, the image analytics marker module generates the reference image <NUM> based on the source image <NUM> with the points of reference <NUM> indicated with markers <NUM>. The reference image <NUM> is sent from the image analytics marker module <NUM> to the image analytics mapping module <NUM> in step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the sensor modules <NUM> capture image data depicting portions of the area surrounding the security camera system <NUM> based on the different fields of view of the sensor modules <NUM> including any points of reference <NUM> visible to the sensor modules <NUM>. The image data is sent from the sensor modules <NUM> to the base unit <NUM> in step <NUM> and from the base unit <NUM> to the image analytics mapping module <NUM> in step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the image analytics mapping module <NUM> compares the image data from all of the sensor modules <NUM> to the reference image <NUM> and generates identification information (such as the socket IDs) for the mounting sockets <NUM> to which the sensor modules <NUM> are attached.

Finally, steps <NUM> and <NUM> through <NUM> proceed as previously described.

Claim 1:
A security camera system (<NUM>), comprising:
a base unit (<NUM>) including a plurality of mounting points (<NUM>);
sensor modules (<NUM>) for attaching to the base unit (<NUM>) at the mounting points (<NUM>) and generating image data; and
a mapping module (<NUM>) for receiving reference images (<NUM>) and determining the positions of the sensor modules (<NUM>) based on the reference images (<NUM>),
wherein the reference images (<NUM>) are generated based on images captured via a camera (<NUM>) of a mobile computing device (<NUM>), and the reference images depict the security camera system (<NUM>), including the base unit (<NUM>) and any attached sensor modules (<NUM>).