Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/618,154, filed Sep. 14, 2012, which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/180,431, filed Jul. 25, 2008. Priority is claimed to both applications. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/618, 154 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/180,431 is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to the field of video analytics and, more particularly, to performing real-time analytics using a network processing solution able to directly ingest internet protocol (IP) camera video streams. 
     Intelligent video surveillance (IVS) plays a pivotal role in managing threats, maintaining safety, and assisting in security. IVS systems provide analytics, alert first responders during an incident event, and provide a deterrent to potential aggressors. Many intelligent video surveillance systems require intermediate systems such as video management systems (VMSs) to organize surveillance artifacts (e.g., cameras, locations, footage, etc). That is, a local VMS is effectively a local hub, which peripheral devices (e.g., video cameras, microphones, surveillance sensors, etc.) connect. Local VMSs can process the received input, can record timed video, and can perform other programmatic tasks. 
     A number of network solutions (IBM&#39;s Smart Surveillance Solution, for example) exist which provide services to enhance capabilities of existing VMSs. These network solutions can integrate data from multiple sensors and analog and digital cameras into one searchable system, can permit searching of data according to a broad range of parameters (e.g., time, date, alert, object, size, location, and color), can share data across agencies, countries and departments, can permit information to be accessed and viewed remotely from a Web browser, can prioritize critical events and store video associated with these events in long term storage, and can analyze footage for perpetrator identification, theft prevention and damage detection, customer behavior, etc. 
     Conventional network solutions are designed to only interact with VMSs. Many potential customers, however, do not possess a VMS and/or would desire to minimize their video surveillance costs by retiring an existing VMS, if an option existed to receive desired services directly from a network solution provider. For example, many individuals and/or entities desire capabilities of video analytics, which is a capability generally lacking or non-robust in all but the highest end VMSs. It would be beneficial if network solutions providing video processing capabilities, such as analytics, were made more accessible by eliminating the requirement, which often functions as an entry barrier, of possessing a VMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of scenario for directly ingesting raw video streams from internet protocol (IP) cameras and performing real-time analytics on the received video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for providing real-time analytics on directly ingested IP camera video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method for executing real-time analytics on directly ingested internet protocol (IP) camera video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention disclose a solution for performing real-time analytics using input from internet protocol (IP) cameras directly connected to a network, where the analytics are performed by a remotely located network element. In the solution, a network element providing intelligent video surveillance (IVS) services is able to directly interact with raw output of a set of one or ore IP cameras. No video management system (VMS) intermediary is needed or is existent between the IP cameras and the remotely located IVS service provider. The IVS service provider can perform real-time analytics a video stream directly ingested from one or more IP cameras. Real-time analytics performed on the stream can include face recognition, object tracking, motion detection, and the like. 
     In one embodiment, an owner of an IP camera or an establishment where the IP cameras are deployed can establish user/location specific profile settings. These profile settings can specify thresholds and elements to be examined by analytic processing operations and can establish user specific programmatic actions to be performed based the analytic processing results. Programmatic action can include, for example, notification, alerts, programmatic actions altering a localized system, and the like. Profile settings can be arbitrarily complex which can include multiple IP camera video streams, one or more analytics per stream, and the like. 
     Embodiments of the invention permit complex digital signal processing (DSP) and video based analytics to be performed in real time or near real time by network based computers. For example, these analytics can be performed as a Web service or other software service. Thus, instead of requiring end-users to host and purchase expensive video analytics hardware and software, raw video captured at a customer location can be analyzed. This analysis can occur rapidly, which permits real-time responses on location. 
     For example, a video capture device located in a store can capture a video of a theft, which is undetected by in-store personnel. This video can be streamed over a network, where metrics are extracted during processing. These metrics can be compared against established values to determine that a consumer is attempting to shoplift an item by hiding it in his/her closing without payment. Appreciably, such detailed analytics can require substantial computing processing power and logic, which is beyond the ability of all but the highest end security systems available today. Once the shoplifting attempt is determined, a TRUE comparison result can be generated, which triggers a programmatic action to immediately inform the store of the ongoing theft. When a FALSE comparison result (no shoplifting or other adverse event detected by video analysis), no action or message is sent. The store owners can be informed through a message, notification, call, or other electronic means. Thus, the programmatic action can be as simple as sending a message. The message may include a portion of the video showing the theft and/or an analysis of what occurred, which provides proof to the responder of the incident. 
     In another example, a street level camera can capture video of an accident. This raw video can be streamed over the network for processing. The processing can automatically indicate an incident has occurred, which evaluates as a TRUE comparison result. The programmatic action triggered can be to provide the accident video to a device of a responding officer, who can utilize this information for his/her report. In another embodiment, a report can be partially generated/completed automatically based on video analytics, which can save a responding officer a considerable amount of time. Additionally, programmatic actions can immediate contact responders, such as an ambulance service, to ensure that help arrives on a scene as rapidly as possible. Similar analytic actions can detect a fire in progress (evaluated as a TRUE condition), which triggers a programmatic action of informing fire department responders. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction handling system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction handling system, apparatus, or device. 
     Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. 
     These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a set of scenario  105 ,  160  for directly ingesting raw video streams from internet protocol (IP) cameras and performing real-time analytics on the received video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In scenario  105 , warehouse  114  owner  142  can utilize a surveillance service to monitor property  110 . Service provided by computing environment  130  can include IP cameras  112  directly connected to an intelligent video surveillance (IVS) system  132 . Ingested video  116  can be used to surveil property  110  using real-time analytics. When incident events occur, alert  150  can be conveyed to owner  142  via mobile computing device  140 . Scenario  160  can represent a contemplated embodiment of scenario  105  unlike prior art where IP cameras  112  are connected indirectly to an IVS system  130  via a video management system. In one embodiment, standard communication protocols can be utilized for communicating between the IP camera  112  and the IVS system  132  and between the IVS system  132  and the mobile computing device  140 . 
     In scenario  105 , IP cameras  112  can be connected to intelligent video surveillance system  132  via communication port  118 . Communication port  118  can include physical connections such as Ethernet, twisted pair, wireless communication ports, and the like. Physical layer components and network technologies can vary based on camera  112 , port  118  and network  120  configurations. Raw video stream  116  can be conveyed from property  110  via network  120  directly to IVS system  132  without being treated by a video management system. 
     Engine  134  can receive and decode raw video stream  116  prior to performing analytics on stream  116 . Default analytics established by computing environment  130  and IVS system  132  can be combined with owner  142  settings to provide customized monitoring for property  110 . For instance, to reduce the likelihood of false alerts from facial recognition, owner  142  can provide portrait pictures of authorized personnel for property  110 . Analytics engine  134  can be used to detect incident events which can include, motion detection, object tracking, presence detection, and the like. 
     Mobile computing device  140  can be a portable hardware/software device able to receive alerts  150  and communicate with computing environment  130 . Device  140  can include mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop, ultra-mobile computing devices, and the like. The device  140  need not be a portable device, but can be any device (e.g., a personal computer, a home telephone, etc.) able to receive communicated notifications. 
     Computing environment  130  can include a set of software components able to provide monitoring and analysis functionality. For example, environment  130  can be a JAVA 2 ENTERPRISE EDITION (J2EE) environment  130 , such as IBM&#39;s WEBSPHERE. Functionality can be embodied as Web services which can include remote control, monitoring, reporting, and the like. Components can include intelligent video surveillance system  132  and analytics engine  134 . In one embodiment, IVS system  132  can be implemented within a middleware software platform. 
     In scenario  160 , an IP camera  180  can convey a raw video stream to a smart surveillance engine (SSE)  184 . SSE  184  utilizing DIRECT SHOW filter  182  can process the raw video stream received from IP camera  180 . DIRECTSHOW filter  182  can be a software application programming interface (API) able to decode Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG), Motion Joint Photographic Expert Group (M-JPEG), and the like. Decoded video streams can be analyzed in real-time by SSE  184  to provide notifications and alerts to appropriate entities. Middleware for Large Scale Surveillance (MILS) server  168  can provide consolidation, management, and access for video streams processed by SSE  184 . In one embodiment, MILS server  168  can be a JAVA 2 ENTERPRISE EDITION (J2EE) software platform. Metadata exported from video streams can be indexing and managed using database  118 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  200  for providing real-time analytics on directly ingested IP camera video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In system  200 , intelligent video surveillance system  240  can provide real-time analysis of video stream  216  provided by directly connected IP camera  210 . System  240  determining an incident event (e.g., unattended object) can respond by notifying/alerting associated entities, altering the state of cameras  210  and/or surveillance system  210 . 
     As used herein, IP cameras  210  can include cameras able to convey a video stream to an IVS system using one or more internet protocols. The IVS system  240  can be one or more component systems lacking an intermediate video management system. System  240  can be able to record, monitor, perform real-time analytics, and reporting on IP camera  210  streams. Real-time analytics can encompass real-time and near real-time analysis of video streams. 
     IP camera  210 , which can include volatile memory  212  and transceiver  214 , can convey raw video stream  216  to IVS  240 . Video information received from camera  210  optics can be temporarily stored in volatile memory  212  prior to transmission. Transmission of video stream  216  to IVS  240  can be facilitated by transceiver  214  which can convey stream  216  via network  220 . In one embodiment, raw video stream  216  can include an H.264 MPEG4 encoded video stream. 
     IVS  240  can receive and process raw video stream  116  to condition the stream for analytics. Processing can be predicated on camera modules  248  which can allow IVS  240  to interface with vendor specific camera configurations. In one embodiment, modules  248  can be a plug-in based framework allowing vendor specific application programming interfaces (APIs) to interoperate with IVS  240 . Modules  248  can enable IVS  240  to perform actions such as query camera data, enable remote control of cameras, and the like. 
     Once processed, video stream  216  can be analyzed and incident events can be identified. Analytics engine  246  can perform one or more examinations of video stream  216 . In one embodiment, one or more frames of video stream  216  can be analyzed based on one or more specialized algorithms. Algorithms can include, but is not limited to, face recognition, path tracking, object tracking, motion detection, presence detection, and the like. Extracted data from video stream  216  can be stored in data store  264 . Data can include, but is not limited to, attribute data  266 , incident information, actions taken in response to incident events, and the like. For instance, attribute table  266  data can be used to index and search processed video streams quickly. 
     Profile manager  242  can permit user and/or camera specific settings to be maintained for a set of IP cameras  210 . For instance, analytics such as object tracking and license plate identification can be enabled for cameras surveilling a loading dock at a warehouse. Manager  242  can be utilized to maintain user notification settings which can vary based on camera, analytics, incident events, and the like. 
     Notification engine  244  can be used to provide alerts to users, authorities, first responders, and the like. When an incident event occurs, notification engine  244  can communicate messages to one or more user configured devices. Further, engine  244  can be used to manage varying degrees of critical alerts. For instance, when motion is detected in a non-critical area of surveillance, a text exchange message can be delivered to a user notifying of a possible presence. 
     Communication server  242  can enable IVS  240  to execute one or more communication functions in response to real-time analytics performed. Server  242  can include, but is not limited to, a text exchange server, telephony server, facsimile server, and the like. Although presented as a separate entity communication server  242  functionality can be expressed in IVS system  240 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method  300  for executing real-time analytics on directly ingested internet protocol (IP) camera video streams in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  300  can be performed in the context of system  200 . In method  300 , one or more IP cameras can convey video streams directly to an intelligent video surveillance (IVS) system which can initiate real-time analytics on the video streams. 
     As used herein, IP cameras can include cameras able to convey a video stream to an IVS system using one or more internet protocols. The IVS system can be one or more component systems lacking an intermediate video management system able to record, monitor, perform real-time analytics, and reporting. Real-time analytics can encompass real-time and near real-time analysis of video streams. The analytics, which need not occur in real time, can also be performed after an arbitrary delay. 
     In step  302 , one or more IP cameras can establish a direct connection to an IVS system. In step  305 , the IVS system can identify a raw video stream originating from an IP camera. In step  310 , the raw video stream from the IP camera can be received. In step  315 , the raw video stream can be decoded and processed. In step  320 , real-time analytics can be performed on the video stream based on one or more processing criteria and/or user profile settings. Criteria/settings can include, face recognition, path tracking, object tracking, motion detection, and the like. In step  325 , if analytics identifies an incident event has occurred, the method can proceed to step  330 , else return to step  310 . In step  330 , a programmatic action can be performed by the IVS system. Actions can include notification and/or alerting appropriate entities, altering a localized system state (e.g., zooming/panning a camera), adjusting analytics, and the like. In step  335 , the IVS system can optionally log the incident event in a system log, user history log, and the like. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be processed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be processed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Category: 3