Television camera substitution in video security/surveillance system

摘要

A video camera substitution system is embodied in a control computer 40 of a video security system and includes one or more pan-tilt (PTZ) cameras 70b. Typically, a plurality of the fixed position cameras 70A are directed at fixed targets in an area and a lesser number of the PTZ cameras 70b are spread out amongst the fixed position cameras 70a so that the PTZ cameras 70b can substantially view the same field as the plurality of fixed position cameras 70a and to be used to view moving targets. The controller 40 has information concerning the relative positions of the PTZ cameras 70b and the fixed position cameras 70a. The information includes which of the PTZ cameras 70b are capable of covering the viewing areas of each of the fixed position cameras 70a. The controller 40 is connected to the PTZ cameras 70b via a communication control module 74 so that in the event that a particular one of the fixed position cameras 70a ceases to operate the controller can automatically determine which one of the PTZ cameras 70b can be used in its place and then control the PTZ camera 70b via its controller 76 to pan, tilt, zoom and focus to view the target viewed by the camera 70a which failed.