Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119, the benefit of priority from provisional application 60/925,905, with a filing date of Apr. 16, 2007, is claimed for this non-provisional application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The invention described was made in the performance of official duties by one or more employees of the Department of the Navy, and thus, the invention herein may be manufactured, used or licensed by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. This invention was created with federal government support under Contract No. N00178-05-F-1183 awarded to CapTech Ventures, Inc. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates generally to a method for automatically recording and replaying video surveillance imagery from multiple cameras. In particular, this invention relates to continuous buffered recording of multiple video streams to capture pre- and post-trigger imagery associated with multiple triggering events, especially for use in a road-mobile vehicle. 
     Video surveillance to provide situational awareness in combat vehicles demands efficient use of limited computing and networking resources. Triggering events are typically isolated and demand that the surveillance camera already be looking in the direction of the event. Even then, the triggering event causes the capture of images generated after the event, resulting in the loss of actual event data. 
     Many modem cameras address this problem by buffering the image stream in the camera memory. This limited buffer can then be delivered upon demand through the network. Challenges arise in obtaining video segments that exceed the capacity of the camera&#39;s built-in buffer. Additionally, this approach requires that commands be sent to the camera to initiate the downloading of the buffered data. In some camera models, new imagery cannot be buffered until the data transfer has been completed. 
     Cameras mounted on pan-tilt platforms require response time for the platform to correctly position the camera for aiming at the region of interest and thereby miss the triggering event unless the platform serendipitously points in that direction beforehand. 
     SUMMARY 
     Situational awareness in combat entails continuous spatial and temporal coverage, including timeliness of imagery before, during and after the triggering event, efficient storage of data with rapid retrieval, while maintaining the ability to replay specific segments of surveillance records. 
     Situational awareness is particularly beneficial for operators of vehicles with limited vision due to vehicle design and operational constraints. In many modern combat vehicles, efforts to provide protection from battlefield hazards sacrifices operational senses, such as sight and hearing. When operators lack confidence of adequate sensory input, they may expose themselves to hostile fire in an effort to augment the available information, thereby dramatically increasing their exposure to risk. 
     Conventional surveillance systems yield disadvantages addressed by various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In particular, embodiments provide continuously recording input from multiple cameras to expand buffering for capturing imagery over extended time, temporally overlapping the triggering event. Other various embodiments alternatively or additionally provide for buffering recorded images, archiving the buffered imagery in response to an external triggering signal, replaying a video stream on demand, including intervals before, during and after the trigger event. 
     Additional exemplary embodiments provide for recording still images from multiple camera to enable context interpretation of the recorded video segments, and to reduce network traffic to the camera, enabling less capable camera models to be used that are limited to producing the stream of images. 
     Various exemplary embodiments provide a method for supplying to an operator a video stream from at least one of a plurality of cameras that capture images. This includes connecting the cameras and a computer to a network and recording the images from each camera into a corresponding buffer accessible to the computer. Upon detecting a triggering event associated with an event-recording camera, further operations include responding to the triggering event by depositing the images from an event-recording buffer corresponding to the event-recording camera as the video stream into a reviewable memory, and retrieving the video stream from the reviewable memory for the operator. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the operator can be one of a commander using a command workstation, a lethal response operator using a lethal workstation, and a non-lethal response operator using a non-lethal workstation. Preferably, each workstation is assigned as one of a primary brain and failover brains. The primary brain functions to execute software and issue control signals, so that if the primary brain fails, one of the failover brains assumes these functions, with the designated workstation being selected in a sequential order. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and various other features and aspects of various exemplary embodiments will be readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like or similar numbers are used throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a hardware network diagram of a video surveillance system; 
         FIG. 2  is a data flow diagram for the video switch; 
         FIG. 3  is a software diagram of the video surveillance system; 
         FIG. 4  is a graphical user interface for camera control; 
         FIG. 5  is a graphical map view of geographical position; 
         FIG. 6  is a polar directional and range view of surveillance; 
         FIG. 7  is a photograph view of an adjacent position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a graphical map view with triggering icon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     Installing a video surveillance system in a vehicle provides extensive visual input to operators with an otherwise limited view. Camera views for full 360° planar horizon coverage can be accomplished with a limited number of fixed cameras depending on required resolution and field of view. Fixed cameras are necessary in order to capture images that can be generated before a triggering event from an unknown direction and distance. In security surveillance scenarios, pre-positioned cameras can provide continuous video imagery before, during and after an event, such as opening a window or door equipped with a sensor. 
       FIG. 1  shows a hardware network diagram  100  of the video surveillance system for a vehicle as described for various exemplary embodiments, such as installed in a road-mobile vehicle. A video server  110  provides network control and application software operation and connects to workstations  120  task-specific operators. The server  110  and workstations  120  can be state machines, such as computers. These workstations  120  include client interface terminals for a vehicle commander station  122 , a lethal weapons operator  124 , and a non-lethal instruments operator  126 . The lethal operator  124  controls a large-caliber gun having an optical gunsight. The non-lethal operator  126  controls a variety of devices, such as a loudspeaker bullhorn, laser dazzler, etc. 
     The server  110  and workstations  120  connect to a main communications bus  130  using transmission control protocol (TCP) communication for exchanging operational instructions and information, and a video bus switch  140  for providing user datagram protocol (UDP) video streams to the terminals. The communications bus  130  also connects to a gun-mount video (called remote weapons station or RWS) information  150 , infrared shot detection devices (called “overwatch” or OW)  160 , other non-video devices  170  and video devices  180 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a flow diagram  200  of information to and from the video switch  140 , which receives information from surveillance cameras  210 , video police tactical unit (PTU)  220 , OW video  160  and RWS video  150 . A video computer  230 , whether integral to, in communication with, or isolated from the server  110 , submits instructions to the video switch  140  and receives information, and provides for operator comparison information accessible from video storage  240  to provide to operator terminals for the commander  122 , the lethal operator  124  and the non-lethal operator  126 . 
     The visual information can be received by the computer  230  from the camera image providers  150 ,  160 ,  210 ,  220  for selected retrieval and review, such as after a triggering event. Video storage  240  can serve to separately buffer the input signals received from the cameras  210 . Alternatively, each camera  210  may contain an individual buffer whose contents can be retrieved by the computer  230  via the video switch  140 . The video storage  240  can also provide archival storage for previously buffered images to be retrieved for subsequent review of events captured by one or more specific cameras  210 . Additional sensors can be employed to augment situational awareness, such as acoustic-sensitive instruments. 
       FIG. 3  shows a software network diagram  300  for the workstations  120  connected to network architecture  310 . The vehicle commander station  122  includes a primary brain (e.g., computer)  320  with software installed for commander instance  325  (i.e., for instantiation of the relevant software application). The lethal operator  124  includes a primary failover brain  330  having installed software for lethal instance  335 . The non-lethal operator  126  includes a secondary failover brain  340  having installed software for non-lethal instance  345 . 
     The commander instance  325  provides communication with the primary brain  320  running as a service on the same computer for operations such as target acquisition. Sheriff represents an example of such application software for use in such terminals  120 . All communication for control of a resource passes through the primary brain  320  through the main communications bus  130  for passing signals through the network  310 . 
     Primary and secondary brains  330 ,  340  are synchronized to the primary brain  320 , so that in the event of primary brain disablement from the network  310 , the sequentially subsequent processor, in this case the primary failover brain  330 , becomes the primary. Upon returning online, the original primary is relegated to the last backup to become the new secondary failover brain. Similarly, in the event of primary failover disablement from the network  310 , the secondary failover brain  340  becomes the primary. 
     The primary brain  320  includes items  350  such as a target list, resource contention prioritization, and resource control protocol. The Sheriff software  360  as code on the instances  325 ,  335 ,  345 , includes a graphical user interface (GUI), state machine (for determining and operating on logic states) and a hardware layer for signal exchange. 
       FIG. 4  shows a GUI display  400  including a window  410  for camera control on a pan-tilt unit. The window  410  displays the live video feed from a selected camera. An upper menu  420  provides enlarge (+), reduce (−), reset zoom to default, and magnification ratio (1×) of the captured image. A button  420  (identified as “VC” for vehicle commander) identifies the operator who currently controls the camera. A circle  430  (located in the window&#39;s center) enables the operator to capture a still image of the current video frame on display. Directional arrows  450  along the border of the window  410  enable the operator to reposition the camera on its platform in any one of eight directions. 
       FIG. 5  shows a first exemplary window  500  for the GUI used in Sheriff  360 . The upper menu  510  includes buttons for system, filter, a sequential toggle  520  for polar direction and range view, create record and delete record. A view window  530  includes a map (featuring a naval reservation) centered about the vehicle&#39;s position  540  superimposed by a compass rose  550 . Auxiliary adjacent thumbnail images of an exterior camera view  560  and a direction-range polar plot  570  are displayed to the left of the view window  530 . Auxiliary cornmand side menu buttons  580  and bottom menu buttons  590  provide additional commands for operations. 
       FIG. 6  shows a second exemplary window  600  for the GUI in response to the operator selecting the toggle  520 . In response, the toggle alters to video view icon on the button, now labeled  610 . The view window, now labeled  620 , displays a polar coordinate compass rose with geographical orientation and ranges (in meters) from the center icon  630 . The adjacent thumbnail images include the exterior camera view  560  and a map view  640 , as shown on the view window  530 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a third exemplary window  700  for the GUI in response to the operator selecting the toggle  610 . In response, the toggle switches to map view icon on the button, now labeled  710 . An image view  720  includes an enlarged render of the camera imagery. Several smaller images surround this window  720 , in this example showing the same image, but available for showing images  730  from alternate cameras from several vantages. The adjacent thumbnail images to the right of the window  720  include the exterior camera view  560  and the map view  630 . The image view  720  represents the full resolution display of any of the adjacent thumbnail images  730 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a fourth exemplary window  800  for the GUI used in Sheriff  360  similar to the first exemplary window  500  with the sequential toggle  520  returned to polar direction and range view. The view window  810  includes a map modestly zoomed out from the map window  530  and the compass rose  820  about the center corresponding to the vehicle&#39;s map position  540 . A rounded cruciform icon  830  identifies a location relative to the vehicle&#39;s position  540  where sensors detect occurrence of a triggering event. The icon  830  corresponds to an entity of unknown intent. Alternate icons can be employed for friendly, neutral and confirmed hostile positions. The upper right window  840  displays a video feed from a record retrieved from an event-registering buffer corresponding to the video from the surveillance camera that pointed in the direction of the triggering event. (The window  840  shows an interior laboratory image for demonstration purposes.) The upper left window  850  displays video stream from the gunsight optics, which can slew towards the event direction. 
     If the operator selects the icon  830 , the permanently recorded images are then displayed to the operator in a video loop shown in the window  840 . This loop contains image sequences before, during, and after the event. Thus, if an antagonist were to emerge from a place of hiding (e.g., the corner of a building), fire a shot, and then retreat to resume hiding, the recorded image sequence shows the building enabling the operator to view the antagonist emerge from behind the building, shoot, and go back behind the building. Thus, the system provides automatic recording of this sequence for the operator to view the pre- and post-event images and thereby assess the nature of the event for further attention. 
     While on patrol, a vehicle equipped with multiple surveillance cameras  210  can scan a wide area while personnel remain within the confines of that vehicle to provide protection. This enables continuous spatial coverage for a limited temporal interval before the buffer memory recycles storage. Shortly subsequent to an event registered by a sensor that triggers a response, the archival memory automatically retrieves buffer contents from a surveillance camera that points to the sensor-indicated direction of the event, while video recording continues into the buffer. 
     The memory contains images over a first interval prior to the event, as well as over a second interval after the event, in order to more complete context to circumstances surrounding the event. The operator is alerted and may select the archived video recording from the archival memory. The operator can be alerted by a sensor, which may be installed in each camera, such as an optical flash photometer or an audio shock transducer. This selection can be made by the operator or performed automatically in response to a specified sensor stimulus. Meanwhile the cameras  210  continue to record visual images at a specified frame rate. 
     The archive thereby contains continually sequential visual records before, during and after the triggering event, which can be immediately reviewed to assess the event&#39;s hazardous nature against which a response (lethal or non-lethal, if any) may then be decided. Such operation enables visual information to be obtained more rapidly and completely with which to issue critical instructions in the field. Because the workstations  120  have interoperable redundancy, the failover of any single platform does not jeopardize receipt and process of the visual information for evaluation. Artisans of ordinary skill will recognize that such methods and systems are applicable for stationary buildings, in addition to road-mobile vehicles. 
     VideoSlinger provides a subsystem for Sheriff that streams video from various cameras around the vehicle to the operator of the Sheriff video surveillance system. VideoSlinger enables the operator to interact with the camera systems to view targets, reposition, and zoom the cameras. The VideoSlinger subsystem includes the following capabilities in relation to various exemplary embodiments: (a) retrieve video from various cameras and display the video to the operator and store video for deferred viewing; (b) snap still images of targets upon detection; (c) enable the operator to select camera video streams for discretionary viewing; (d) enable the operator to capture selected still images of the video streams; (e) enable the operator to pan/tilt/zoom selected cameras under camera control; (f) maintain reliability of direct control of the VideoSlinger cameras, such as by brain failover hardware features; (g) manually control the cameras in a first-come, first-serve priority basis; (h) automated control assumed of a specified camera to capture an image of a new target in response to a specified event, thereby suspending manual control by the operator until the system completes its required assignments; (i) inhibition of manual control transfer to another operator until current operator has released control authority. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the operator maintains control of the cameras in the following manners: (a) monitor display for the camera shows directional buttons for directions N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, and displays a center capture image for manual screen capture; (b) the directional display is configurable enabling the operator to select how and whether the buttons appear, such as always, never or hover (i.e., when the operator moves the cursor into a defined region), (c) zoom in, zoom out, current zoom ratio and reset buttons are above the video feed; (d) zoom ratio is displayed (e.g., “1×”, “2×”, etc.) at a screen position (e.g., upper right corner above the video feed), with digital zoom indicated by a supplemental “D”, and reset returning the camera to the default ratio; (e) identity of the operator in control is displayed at a screen position (e.g., in the upper left corner), such as “VC” for vehicle commander, “LE” for lethal operator and “NL” for non-lethal operator, or other designators as desired; (f) directional indicators for the camera can be indicated by a compass rose and/or other mount indicators. 
     While certain features of the embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments.

Technology Category: 5