Abstract: A motion detection method of a video camera includes calculating differences for a sum of accumulated differences (?SAD) for corresponding macro blocks in successive frames of video. The method may include identifying motion-generative macroblocks and regions of connected macroblocks. Candidate-motion regions may be defined in a frame and a bounding box may be formed around each of the candidate-motion regions. If corresponding bounding boxes in a plurality of successive frames have substantially the same location, size, and shape in the plurality of successive frames, and if the plurality of successive frames are in a temporal window of successive frames, then the corresponding bounding boxes may indicate motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for notifying a user of a video monitoring system event while other video monitoring system related functions may be performed in the background of a multi-use computing environment. For example, a graphical pop-up, priority image, and/or notification sound may be transmitted to a user within a multi-use environment to alert the user that a particular video monitoring system related event has occurred. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a video monitoring system disposed within a multi-use computing and communication environment. The system includes a video input source, and a control module disposed within a multi-use computing environment. The control module includes a user notification system configured to continuously monitor the video data for local video monitoring related events and transmit a notification to a user of the multi-use computer system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for combining video data to optimize video performance for use with distributed multiple video monitoring systems. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer controlled surveillance system including distributed multiple real-time video display. The system includes a local data transmission system, a global data transmission system, a plurality of video capture devices, a control module, and a client module. The control module includes a combination module configured to generate a combined video data signal including a data combination of the plurality of video devices. The combined video data signal includes independently identifiable simultaneous representations of each of the video data signals packaged so as to posses a transmission bandwidth equal to approximately that of one of the video data signals. The client module is configured to display the combined video data signal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer based remote video monitoring system including a set of video input sources, a control module, and a client module. The video input sources are coupled to the control module via a local data transmission system such as a local area network. The client module is indirectly data coupled to the control module through an intermediary data server via a global data transmission system such as the Internet. The indirect data coupling between the client module and the control module is limited to an outbound data limited communication protocol such as an instant messaging protocol specifically including the messaging and presence protocol XMPP. The indirect data coupling enables the client module to perform various video monitoring system management related functions including controlling the control module so as to effect the video data signals produced by the video input sources.

Abstract: A video surveillance system includes one or more cameras communicatively coupled to a control system via a dual use medium. The video surveillance system includes a setup mode, a live viewing mode, a record mode, and a search/playback mode, some of which may operate simultaneously. In a live viewing mode, a user can view video data from one or more cameras using a graphical user interface. In the record mode, a user can independently set the record modes and schedules of the cameras, specify multiple motion detection zones per camera, and record in panic mode. In the search/playback mode, a user can search for and view, previously recorded video segments and perform file operations on the recorded video segments.