Network camera with local control bus
AssigneeSeek Thermal, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Parrish, Blake Henry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
System or methods for a camera module with local intelligence and a network connection to network servers, and in particular Internet servers. The camera module may include a visible light camera, a thermal imager, or both. The module may also include a local bus controller, which is standard bus compatible in both software and bus interface with an array of off-the-shelf actuators, sensors and other devices. Control and activation of these bus compatible devices may be either from the server or if desired for fast response, for emergency situations, or other reasons under the camera module control directly.
Claims20
A camera module comprising;
- a camera;
- a local processor in communication with the camera;
- a network connection in communication with the processor and configured to communicate with a remote server;
- and
- a standard local bus comprising a bus controller and a bus interface,
- wherein the camera, the network connection, and the bus controller are controlled by or implemented within the processor, and
- wherein the local processor and the remote server execute applications configured to share, between the local processor and the remote server, acquisition of camera video data from the camera, communication with devices connected to the local bus, and control of devices connected to the local bus.
A method for operating an imaging and control module comprising a camera, a processor, a network interface, and a local bus, the method comprising:
- connecting the camera to a remote server via the network interface;
- receiving configuration and control information from the remote server;
- reporting information related to camera image capture to the remote server;
- connecting at least one bus compatible local device, including one or more sensors or actuators, to the local bus;
- and
- responsive to receiving information from the camera, activating the at least one local device by at least one of local processor control or network server control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.