Multi-media apparatus with JPEG 2000 compression and autofocus

1. A network compatible, multimedia surveillance device having support for dynamic addressing, the surveillance device adapted to acquire and provide digital data items on a TCP/IP network, the surveillance device comprising:

an image capture device for acquiring video images as digital data items;

a processor component for processing the digital data items;

a JPEG 2000 compression component;

an encryption component for encrypting all communications between the surveillance device and said TCP/IP network; and

an automated focal point adjustment component;

wherein the surveillance device is adapted to support dynamic IP addressing;

wherein said JPEG 2000 compression component is in operative communication with said processor component to provide compression of the video images;

wherein said focal point adjustment component is adapted to receive adjustment parameters from a host computer or other network device attached to the TCP/IP network and operates in cooperation with said processor component and image capture device to make focal point adjustments in response to parameters received from said host computer or said other network device to improve quality of video images being acquired; and

wherein said processor component is adapted to receive frame rate settings from said host computer or said other network device.

2. The surveillance device of claim 1 further comprising a digital photo-sensor, wherein said digital photo-sensor provides information on lighting conditions to said processor component to influence aperture and iris settings in said image capture device.

3. The surveillance device of claim 1 further comprising a temperature monitoring component, said temperature monitoring component capturing the temperature readings of the ambient environment of the surveillance device and providing said information to other network devices via the IP network.

4. The surveillance device of claim 3 having said temperature monitoring component adapted to provide an alarm signal to the IP network when ambient temperature readings exceed one or more programmable temperature limits whereby said alarm signal is available to other network device.

5. The surveillance device of claim 4 , wherein the processor component is adapted to activate upon the occurrence of said alarm signal or one or more from a group consisting of: a network signal, an alarm light, a solenoid, and a siren.

6. The surveillance device of claim 4 , wherein said alarm signal is an Ethernet alarm notification that also provides an SMTP message.

7. The multimedia surveillance device of claim 1 , wherein the multimedia surveillance device is adapted to support dynamic multiple frame rates, and wherein said frame rates may be adjusted by a network device external to the multimedia surveillance device.

8. The multimedia surveillance device of claim 1 further comprising:

a pre-event recording component, wherein a circular buffer provides data capture prior to the occurrence of a trigger signal that signifies the starting moment for image capture.

9. A video camera apparatus comprising:

a CCD camera;

an NTSC decoder;

a JPEG 2000 compression device;

a microprocessor;

a network interface;

a memory store; and

a complex programmable logic device; said logic device connected in communication to said NTSC decoder and said microprocessor, to provide digital logic functions;

said CCD camera connected in communication to said NTSC decoder to provide analog composite video, and to said microprocessor;

said NTSC decoder connected in communication to said compression device and said complex programmable logic device;

said compression device connected in communication to said memory store and said microprocessor, to provide compressed video data;

said microprocessor adapted to communicate through said network interface to one or more networked devices for sending images and data, and dynamically receiving frame rate information and focal point adjustment parameters, from a device on the IP network in real time; said memory store further comprising:

a flash memory for nonvolatile storage of an operating environment and application instructions; and

a synchronous dynamic random access memory for interactive execution of said application instructions with said microprocessor and for providing pre-event recording;

said microprocessor further adapted to communicate via a serial interface to one or more external devices from a group consisting of: a motion sensor; a photo-sensor; a temperature monitor; a microphone; and an opto-coupler.

10. A video camera apparatus comprising:

means for capturing images and converting the images into digital format;

means for implementing compression of the converted images;

means for providing auto-focus functions on said camera to enhance the quality of the captured images;

means for providing secure connectivity and encrypted communication to a TCP/IP network

means for supporting dynamic IP addressing;

an environment sensor, wherein signals from said environment sensor are processed by the video camera and made available for communication to said TCP/IP network;

means for providing notification of one or more alarm signals in connection with the signals from said environment sensor to devices on said IP network; and

means for receiving from an external device on said TCP/IP network focal point adjustment parameters.

11. The video camera of claim 10 wherein said means for implementing compression implements JPEG 2000 compression.

12. The video camera apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising means for automatic detection of day or night.

13. The video camera apparatus of claim 10 wherein said environment sensor is a temperature sensor.

14. The video camera apparatus of claim 10 wherein said environment sensor is a sound detection device.

15. The video camera apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for providing a non-network signal in connection with said one or more alarms, wherein said non-network signal may be used to activate a notification device external to said video camera.

16. A network compatible, multimedia surveillance device having support for dynamic addressing, the surveillance device adapted to acquire and provide digital data items on an IP network, the surveillance device comprising:

an image capture device for acquiring video images as digital data items;

a processor component for processing the digital data items;

a JPEG 2000 compression component;

an encryption component for encrypting communications between the surveillance device and said IP network; and

an automated focal point adjustment component;

a pre-event recording component, wherein a circular buffer provides data capture prior to the occurrence of a trigger signal which signifies the starting moment for image capture;

wherein said JPEG 2000 compression component is in operative communication with said processor component to provide compression of the video images;

wherein the multimedia surveillance device is adapted to support dynamic multiple frame rates, and wherein said frame rates may be adjusted by a network device external to the multimedia surveillance device; and

wherein said focal point adjustment component is adapted to receive adjustment parameters from a host computer or other network device attached to the IP network and operates in cooperation with said processor component and image capture device to make focal point adjustments in response to parameters received from said host computer or said other network device to improve quality of video images being acquired.