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`US 20070192464Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Tullberg et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2007 /0192464 Al
`Aug. 16, 2007
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`CONNECTING A MONITORING DEVICE TO
`A SERVICE SERVER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Joacim Tullberg, Lund (SE); Johan
`Adolfsson, Sodra Sandby (SE); Martin
`Gren, Malmo (SE)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`IP CREATORS
`P. 0. BOX 2789
`CUPERTINO, CA 95015 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: AXIS AB, Lund (SE)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/644,074
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 22, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/776,976, filed on Feb.
`25, 2006.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 22, 2005
`
`(EP) ................................... EP05112794.2
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 151173
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 709/223
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method according to the invention for connecting a
`monitoring device to a service server may comprise retriev(cid:173)
`ing an address relating to a control server from a memory of
`the monitoring device, sending a connection message from
`the monitoring device to the address relating to a control
`server in response to a connecting event, extracting, at the
`control server, an identifier from
`the communication
`between the monitoring device and the control server, iden(cid:173)
`tifying, at the control server, a service server associated with
`the extracted identifier, sending an address relating to the
`identified service server from the control server to the
`monitoring device, sending a connection message from the
`monitoring device to the identified service server in response
`to the receipt of the address related to the identified service
`server, establishing a service connection between the moni(cid:173)
`toring device and the identified server.
`
`620
`
`622
`
`624
`
`INITIATION OF
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`RETREIVING ADDRESS
`FROM NON VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAG
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`ADDRESS
`
`N
`
`628
`
`630
`
`STORING NEW
`SERVER SERVICE
`ADDRESS IN NON
`VOLATILE MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAGE
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`NEW SERVER ADDRESS
`
`INDICATION OF SERVER
`BEING SERVICE
`
`N
`
`634
`
`ESTABLISHING
`SERVICE
`CONNECTION
`WITH THE SERVER
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`20
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`44
`
`50 =~
`
`NETWORK
`
`42
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`30
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`FIG 1
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`600
`
`602
`
`604
`
`606
`
`FIG 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`MONITORING DEVICE
`
`INPUT
`MEANS
`
`202
`
`216
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE MEANS
`
`215
`
`20
`
`204
`
`206
`
`210
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`214
`
`212
`
`INITIATING
`MEANS
`
`PROCESSING
`MEANS
`
`NON VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`-IDENTITY ADDR 1
`ADDR2
`CODE
`-KEY
`
`ADDRX
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`208
`
`VIDEO CAMERA
`
`INPUT
`MEANS
`
`202
`
`208
`
`F/G3a
`
`20a
`
`218
`
`VIDEO CAMERA
`MEANS
`
`204
`
`210
`
`PROCESSING
`MEANS
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`20 6""
`
`NON VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`INITIATING
`MEANS
`
`-IDENTITY ADDR 1
`ADDR2
`CODE
`...
`-KEY
`/
`ADDRX
`l/
`
`214
`~
`
`212
`
`,,--
`215
`
`FIG3b
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`620
`
`622
`
`624
`
`INITIATION OF
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`RETREIVING ADDRESS
`FROM NON VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAG
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`ADDRESS
`
`626
`N
`
`RECEIVING
`A NEWSERVER
`ADDRESS
`
`632
`
`STORING NEW
`SERVER SERVICE
`ADDRESS IN NON
`VOLATILE MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAGE
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`NEW SERVER ADDRESS
`
`628
`
`630
`
`RECEIVING
`INDICATION OF SERVER
`BEING SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`N
`
`y
`
`634
`
`ESTABLISHING
`SERVICE
`CONNECTION
`WITH THE SERVER
`
`FIG4a
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`-- - - - - - - , 620
`INITIATION OF
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`622
`
`624
`
`625
`
`RETREIVING ADDRESS
`FROM NON VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAG
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`ADDRESS
`
`SENDING IDENTITY CODE
`AND AND AN
`AUTHENTICATION CODE TO
`THE SERVER
`
`626
`N
`
`RECEIVING
`A NEWSERVER
`ADDRESS
`
`632
`
`STORING NEW
`SERVER SERVICE
`ADDRESS IN NON
`VOLATILE MEMORY
`
`SENDING A
`CONNECTION MESSAGE
`TO THE SERVER
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE
`NEW SERVER ADDRESS
`
`628
`
`630
`
`RECEIVING
`INDICATION OF SERVER
`BEING SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`N
`
`y
`
`634
`
`ESTABLISHING
`SERVICE
`CONNECTION
`WITH THE SERVER
`FIG4b
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`CONTROL SERVER
`312
`
`PROCESSING
`MEANS
`
`317
`
`310
`
`AUTHENT(cid:173)
`ICATOR
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`IDENTITY
`XTRACTOR
`
`32
`
`IDENTITY
`32' ~ ........ CODE
`EXTRACTOR
`
`30
`
`MEMORY
`
`314
`
`320
`
`RECONFIGURATION
`MESSAGE
`GENERATOR
`
`MATCHING
`MEANS
`
`DATA BASE
`ACCESS
`MEANS
`
`FIGS
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`RECEIVING CONNECTION MESSAGE
`FROM MONITORING DEVICE
`
`ESTABLISHING CONNECTION
`WITH MONITORING DEVICE
`
`710
`
`712
`
`714
`
`EXTRACTING THE IDENTIFIER AND
`THE AUTHENTICATION CODE
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE MONITORING
`DEVICE FROM THE COMMUNICATION
`
`715
`N
`
`716
`
`MATCHING EXTRACTED
`IDENTIFIER TO A SERVICE
`PROVIDER IN DATA BASE
`
`718
`
`N
`
`SERVICE
`PROVIDER FOUND
`
`END PROCESS
`
`y
`
`722
`
`RETRIEVING SERVER ADDRESS
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE MATCHED
`SERVICE PROVIDER
`
`GENERATE AND
`SEND ERROR
`MESSAGE
`
`GENERATING A
`RECONFIGURATION MESSAG
`INCLUDING THE RETRIEVED
`ADDRESS
`
`724
`
`726
`
`SENDING THE
`RECONFIGURING MESSAGE
`TO THE MONITORING DEVICE
`
`FIG6a
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`RECEIVING CONNECTION MESSAGE
`FROM MONITORING DEVICE
`
`ESTABLISHING CONNECTION
`WITH MONITORING DEVICE
`
`710
`
`712
`
`714
`
`EXTRACTING THE IDENTIFIER AND
`THE AUTHENTICATION CODE
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE MONITORING
`DEVICE FROM THE COMMUNICATION
`
`715
`N
`
`716'
`
`N
`
`722'
`
`MATCHING EXTRACTED
`IDENTIFIER TO A SERVER
`IN DATA BASE
`
`SERVER FOUND
`
`RETRIEVING SERVER ADDRESS
`ASSOCIATED WITH THE MATCHED
`SERVER
`
`724
`
`726
`
`GENERATING A
`RECONFIGURATION MESSAG
`INCLUDING THE RETRIEVED
`ADDRESS
`
`SENDING THE
`RECONFIGURING MESSAGE
`TO THE MONITORING DEVICE
`
`END PROCESS
`
`GENERA TE AND
`SEND ERROR
`MESSAGE
`
`FIG6b
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`SERVICE SERVER ~ - - - - ~
`PROCESSING
`MEANS
`
`410
`
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`412
`
`IDENTITY
`,,-- 'EXTRACTOR
`418
`IP ADDRESS
`EXTRACTOR
`-
`
`420 -
`422 -- CODE
`
`IDENTITY
`
`EXTRACTOR
`
`40
`
`416
`
`424
`
`MONITORING
`DATA
`PRESENTATION
`MEANS
`
`AUTHENT(cid:173)
`ICATOR
`
`FIG7
`
`FROM MONITORING DEVICE
`
`1
`
`IDENTIFYING AND AUTHENTICATING
`1
`MONITOR! NG DEVICE
`
`810
`
`811
`1.,.../
`
`812
`
`RECEIVING CONNECTION MESSAGE v
`'
`•
`ESTABLISHING CONNECTION v
`
`WITH MONITORING DEVICE '
`~
`814
`RECIEVING MONITORING DATA FROM v
`/
`THE MONITORING DEVICE
`
`~
`PROCESSING
`/
`MONITORING DATA
`
`816
`..,.,/
`
`818 FIGS
`
`•
`
`STORING MONITORING/ _,/
`DATA
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`21
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`o-----,
`
`20
`
`NETWORK
`
`40
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`30
`
`41
`
`44
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`FIG9
`
`20
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40
`
`20
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`44
`
`42
`
`NETWORK
`
`40
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`FIG 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`20
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`30
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`NETWORK
`
`44
`
`42
`
`22
`
`MONITORING
`DEVICE
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`41
`
`FIG 11
`
`62
`
`LOGIN
`SERVER
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`40
`
`31
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`810
`/ v
`A MONITORING DEVICE IS
`MANUFACTURED AND PROVIDED WITH
`AN IDENTITY CODE AND A UNIQUE KEY
`
`•
`81 2
`THE IDENTITY CODE AND THE
`UNIQUE KEY IS STORED IN THE DATf>- ,/
`BASE OF THE CONTROL SERVER
`
`814
`THE IDENTITY CODE IS
`ASSOCIATED TO A SERVICE_/ v
`PROVIDER IN THE DATA BASE
`
`1'
`
`/
`A USER BUYS THE
`MONITORING DEVICE AND
`CONNECT IT TO THE NETWORK
`
`816
`
`818
`
`CAMERA CONNECTS TO
`SERVICE SERVER BY V
`MEANS OF INITIALLY
`CONTACTING CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`USER LOGS IN ON
`SERVICE SERVER
`
`820
`.-,/
`
`I
`
`822
`
`/
`USER ACCESSES DATA
`FROM THE MONITORING ,
`DEVICE OR SENDS
`INSTRUCTIONS TO
`MONITORING DEVICE
`
`FIG 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`,,.
`r
`A MONITORING DEVICE IS
`MANUFACTURED AND PROVIDED WITH
`AN IDENTITY CODE AND A UNIQUE KEY
`
`910
`
`•
`
`THE IDENTITY CODE AND THE
`912
`UNIQUE KEY IS STORED IN THE DAT> l/
`BASE OF THE CONTROL SERVER
`+
`A USER BUYS A CAMERA
`AND CONNECT IT TO THE
`/
`NETWORK
`+
`THE USER LOGS IN TO A
`/
`SERVICE PROVIDER SITE
`ENTERING AN IDENTITY CODE
`AND A USER AUTHENTICATION
`CODE
`T
`SERVICE PROVIDER SENDS INSTRUCTIONS,}"_./
`INCLUDING IDENTIFIER AND USER
`AUTHENTICATION CODE, TO A CONTROL
`SERVER FOR ASSOCIATING THE MONITORING
`DEVICE WITH THE SERVICE PROVIDER
`
`914
`.-,/
`
`916
`_./
`
`918
`
`+
`920
`CAMERA CONNECTS TO v
`/
`SERVICE SERVER BY
`MEANS OF INITIALLY
`CONTACTING CONTROL
`SERVER
`+
`USER LOGS IN ON
`SERVICE SERVER
`+
`USER ACCESSES DATA 1
`FROM THE MONITORING
`DEVICE OR SENDS
`INSTRUCTIONS TO
`MONITORING DEVICE
`
`I
`
`924
`,-/
`
`922
`
`FIG 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 16, 2007 Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`30:1
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`30:3
`
`30:2
`
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`. ··1
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`40
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40
`
`30:6
`
`SP
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40 ~
`1
`t
`40 j
`
`30:7
`
`SP
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40
`
`40:3
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`-,
`1--1- -
`I I
`I I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`SP
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`40:1
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40:2
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`30:4
`
`SP
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`SERVICE
`SERVER
`
`40
`
`30:5
`
`SP
`CONTROL
`SERVER
`
`FIG 14
`
`

`

`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`Aug. 16, 2007
`
`1
`
`MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
`CONNECTING A MONITORING DEVICE TO A
`SERVICE SERVER
`
`the service server via a computer connected to the computer
`network and register the monitoring device at the service
`server.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior filed
`co-pending Provisional Application No. 60/776,976 filed on
`Feb. 25, 2006 entitled "Monitoring System and Method for
`Connecting a Monitoring Device to a Service Server" (Atty.
`Docket# AWAPP0014P); and European Patent Application
`No. EP05112794.2, filed Dec. 22, 2005 entitled "Monitoring
`System and Method for Connecting a Monitoring Device to
`a Service Server" which are incorporated herein by refer(cid:173)
`ence in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to monitoring sys(cid:173)
`tems and devices of such a system. In particular the inven(cid:173)
`tion relates to a method for connecting a monitoring device
`to a service server and to a monitoring system enabling such
`connection.
`
`[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0005] Monitoring systems for monitoring of premises,
`areas of particular interest and/or processes connected via a
`computer network to monitoring or surveillance servers are
`increasingly popular, in particular such monitoring systems
`including digital monitoring cameras. One reason for the
`popularity of such systems may be that the systems in great
`extent may utilize an existing network, if a computer net(cid:173)
`work already is in place.
`
`[0006] Another reason for using a general computer net(cid:173)
`work as a surveillance network may be that the network that
`has to be built for the monitoring system may be used to
`connect other types of equipment, e.g. computers, servers
`and peripherals. For these reasons the technology suits
`organizations/persons in need of only a single or few moni(cid:173)
`toring devices as well as organizations/persons in need of a
`great number of monitoring devices.
`
`[0007]
`In one such monitoring system the monitoring
`devices are arranged to send their monitoring data to a
`service server which processes the monitoring data or infor(cid:173)
`mation in order to prepare the data for access to monitoring
`data by a user, for logging monitoring information, for
`storing monitoring data, or for other purposes known to a
`person skilled in the art of monitoring systems.
`
`[0008]
`In general the monitoring devices of such system
`are manufactured by one company and the service server is
`maintained by a monitoring service provider, being another
`company. The monitoring service provider may be a com(cid:173)
`pany or organization specialized in providing such services.
`The monitoring service provider may, however, also be a
`company related to the monitored premises, areas and/or
`processes, i.e. the company owning or operating at the
`monitored sites. In the systems of today each monitoring
`device may be provided with the address to a service server
`by the user keying the address directly into the monitoring
`device. Another method for achieving a connection between
`the monitoring device and a service server is to connect to
`
`[0009] Today, such programming of an address to a ser(cid:173)
`vice provider or registration of a monitoring device in a
`service server is performed by the user of or a person
`installing the monitoring device during the process of
`installing the monitoring device.
`
`[0010] Some general problems associated with the above
`described monitoring systems are that the person performing
`the installation may not be experienced in programming
`monitoring devices, the progrannning may be time consum(cid:173)
`ing, the person may enter erroneous data into the monitoring
`device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] One object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved monitoring system.
`
`[0012] The object is achieved by means of a method for
`connecting a monitoring device to a service server according
`to claim 1 and by means of a monitoring system according
`to claim 11, a control server according to claim 18, and a
`monitoring device according to claim 21. Embodiments of
`the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
`
`[0013]
`In particular, according to a first aspect of the
`invention a method for connecting a monitoring device to a
`service server, comprises retrieving an address relating to a
`control server from a memory of the monitoring device,
`sending a connection message from the monitoring device to
`the address relating to a control server in response to a
`connecting event, extracting, at the control server, an iden(cid:173)
`tifier from the communication between the monitoring
`device and the control server, identifying, at the control
`server, a service server associated with the extracted iden(cid:173)
`tifier, sending an address relating to the identified service
`server from the control server to the monitoring device,
`sending a connection message from the monitoring device to
`the identified service server in response to the receipt of the
`address related to the identified service server, establishing
`a service connection between the monitoring device and the
`identified server.
`
`[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention the
`monitoring system comprises a monitoring device, a control
`server, a plurality of service servers and a network connect(cid:173)
`ing the servers and the monitoring device.
`
`[0015] The monitoring device includes a memory includ(cid:173)
`ing a connection address initiating means arranged to send
`a connection message over the network to the connection
`address in response to an initiation event, and means
`arranged to send a new connection message to an address
`received in a message via said network.
`
`[0016] The control server includes an identity extractor
`arranged to extract an identifier from a communication
`between the monitoring device and the control server,
`matching means arranged to match the extracted identifier to
`a control server or a service server and retrieve an address
`to the matched service server, and a message generator
`arranged to generate a message including the retrieved
`address and to send the generated message to the monitoring
`device.
`
`

`

`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`Aug. 16, 2007
`
`2
`
`[0017] Each service server includes means for receiving
`and processing monitoring data from a monitoring device.
`
`[0018] An advantage with the above described method and
`system is that the maintenance and installation of the device
`may be facilitated because of the monitoring device being
`guided to a preferred service server by a control server
`instead of requiring a person to key in the address to a
`preferred service server. Additionally, in this way the system
`may be more efficiently maintained, because the control
`server may be easier or more effective to keep updated with
`new or changing service server addresses than the user or the
`person maintaining the monitoring device.
`
`[0019] A further advantage is that the monitoring device
`initiates all connections with the control server/servers and
`the service server/servers, which facilitate the integration of
`monitoring devices from behind access limiting devices, e.g.
`a firewall, a NAT (Network Address Translation), an ISP
`(Internet Service Provider) providing dynamic addresses,
`into a system reaching outside such access limiting devices.
`
`[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention
`an initial retrieval of an address relating to a control server
`from a memory of the monitoring device in the above
`mentioned method returns a preconfigured address relating
`to a control server and wherein an initial sending of a
`connection message from the monitoring device to the
`preconfigured address is performed in response to an initia(cid:173)
`tion event of the monitoring device.
`
`[0021] The advantage of arranging an initial control server
`like this is that the installation and customization of moni(cid:173)
`toring devices of the system is facilitated. The installation is
`facilitated as a result of the initiation of the monitoring
`device automatically contacts a predetermined control
`server upon initiation of the monitoring device, thus no need
`to provide any addresses to the monitoring device during
`installation. The customization is facilitated because specific
`properties relating to the monitoring device may be provided
`by the control server upon initial communication between
`the monitoring device and the control server, i.e. the initial
`control server. Accordingly, the manufacturer of the moni(cid:173)
`toring device does not need to have different manufacturing
`processes for different batches of monitoring devices.
`
`[0022]
`In other words the system according to this
`embodiment of the invention may solve problems of the
`manufacturer relating to customization of devices. For
`example, during manufacturing the monitoring devices of
`the monitoring systems of today have to be associated with
`different service providers and then each device associated
`with a service provider has to be programmed in a process
`that is customized for the associated service provider. Thus,
`the manufacturer has to provide a plurality of different
`manufacturing processes for devices intended for different
`service providers. More over the devices so programmed for
`a specific service provider have to be delivered and sold to
`the specific service provider or customers of the specific
`service provider.
`
`[0023] Another advantage of this embodiment is that it
`enables central management of monitoring devices.
`
`[0024] According to yet another embodiment the sending
`of a connection message from the monitoring device to a
`control server is performed at least one time prior to sending
`
`a connection message from the monitoring device to a
`control server which provides an address of a service server
`to the monitoring device.
`
`[0025] The advantage of arranging a plurality of control
`servers and directing a monitoring device to another control
`server is that the responsibility of directing the monitoring
`device to a correct service server may be changed from an
`entity responsible of the general functionality of the system,
`e.g. the manufacturer of the monitoring device, to an entity
`responsible for providing the required service, e.g. the
`service provider.
`
`[0026] According to a further embodiment the act of
`identifying a service server further includes the acts of
`extracting a network address relating to the monitoring
`device from the communication between the monitoring
`device and the control server, matching the network address
`to a service provider, and selecting a service server associ(cid:173)
`ated with the matched service provider.
`
`[0027] By using the network address relating to the moni(cid:173)
`toring device in this way it may be easy to identify the
`service provider, at least in those cases the service provider
`providing the network connection is associated to a provider
`of a monitoring service or if those service providers are the
`same.
`
`[0028] According to yet another embodiment the act of
`identifying a service server further includes the acts of
`extracting an identification code included by the monitoring
`device in the communication between the monitoring device
`and the control server, matching said identification code to
`a service provider, and selecting a service server associated
`with the matched service provider.
`
`[0029] By using an identification code in this way the
`monitoring devices may be customized and connected to a
`specific monitoring service provider based on various cri(cid:173)
`teria. For instance a batch of monitoring devices may be
`dedicated to a specific monitoring service provider offering
`a discount when buying the monitoring device with the
`reservation that the device will be connected to service
`servers of that monitoring service provider. Thus, the service
`provider get the identification codes registered in the control
`server as identification codes belonging to the service pro(cid:173)
`vider and is thereby able to ensure the connection of the
`monitoring device to the services of the service provider.
`Further, the batch of monitoring devices may be dedicated to
`a company having a service server of their own for the
`monitoring of their own premises.
`
`[0030]
`In all the embodiments it is the monitoring device
`which sends the connection message to the control server or
`to the service server. The advantage of this is that the servers
`may be arranged to send control messages in the responses
`to the messages from the monitoring device, e.g. in the
`response to a http request. Thus the control server may
`exercise control over the monitoring device despite possible
`access hindering devices, e.g. firewalls, NAT servers, etc.,
`arranged between the monitoring device and the server.
`Such a communication scheme is disclosed in WO 2006/
`073348, by Axis AB, Emdalavagen 14, S223 69 Lund, SE.
`
`[0031] According to one embodiment the system includes
`a plurality of control servers including at least one initial
`control server, being a high level, or even a top level, control
`server in an hierarchy of control servers. Such initial control
`
`

`

`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`Aug. 16, 2007
`
`3
`
`server is arranged to access address information enabling at
`least indirect connection to any control server and service
`server in the system.
`
`[0047] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram over another con(cid:173)
`figuration of a monitoring system according to the present
`invention,
`
`[0032] By arranging the system like this it is possible to
`distribute responsibilities among the servers. For instance,
`the initial control server may be given an overall responsi(cid:173)
`bility of directing a monitoring device to the correct sub(cid:173)
`system of control servers and service servers, while a control
`server in such a subsystem may be given the responsibility
`to direct the monitoring device to the most suitable service
`server.
`
`[0033] A further scope of applicability of the present
`invention will become apparent from the detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion given below. However, it should be understood that the
`detailed description and specific examples, while indicating
`preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of
`illustration only, since various changes and modifications
`within the spirit and scope of the invention will become
`apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed descrip(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0034] Other features and advantages of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion will become apparent from the following detailed
`description of a presently preferred embodiment, with ref(cid:173)
`erence to the accompanying drawings, in which
`
`[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a monitoring
`system according to the present invention,
`
`[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic timing diagram over signal(cid:173)
`ing in one embodiment of the invention,
`
`[0037] FIG. 3a is a schematic block diagram of a moni(cid:173)
`toring device according to one embodiment of the invention,
`
`[0038] FIG. 3b is a schematic block diagram of a video
`camera acting as monitoring device according to one
`embodiment of the invention,
`
`[0039] FIG. 4a is a schematic flowchart of the process of
`a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the
`invention,
`
`[0040] FIG. 4b is a schematic flowchart of the process of
`a monitoring device according to another embodiment of the
`invention,
`
`[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control
`server according to one aspect of the invention,
`
`[0042] FIG. 6a is a schematic flowchart of the process of
`a control server according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion,
`
`[0043] FIG. 6b is a schematic flowchart of the process of
`a control server according to another embodiment of the
`invention,
`
`[0044] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a service
`server according to one embodiment of the invention,
`
`[0045] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of the process of a
`service server according to one embodiment of the inven(cid:173)
`tion,
`
`[0046] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram over one configu(cid:173)
`ration of a monitoring system according to the present
`invention,
`
`[0048] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram over yet another
`configuration of a monitoring system according to the
`present invention,
`
`[0049] FIG. 12 is a schematic flowchart of a scenario for
`connecting a monitoring device to a service server and
`providing a user access to the monitoring device,
`
`[0050] FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another sce(cid:173)
`nario for connecting a monitoring device to a service server
`and providing a user access to the monitoring device, and
`
`[0051] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram over possible
`handover relations in a possible configuration of a monitor(cid:173)
`ing system according to the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`In FIG. 1 an overview of a monitoring system 10
`[0052]
`according to one embodiment of the invention is showed.
`The monitoring system 10 includes a monitoring device 20,
`a control server 30, a service server 40 and a user terminal
`in the form of a client computer 42 or a mobile telephone 44.
`The monitoring device 20, the control server 30, and the
`service server 40 are connected to each other via a computer
`network 50, such as Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network),
`a WAN, (Wide Area Network). The computer network 50
`may include wireless and/or wired communication channels.
`The monitoring device 20 may be a digital camera, a motion
`detector, an audio detector, an IR-detector, a passage control
`device, an electronic door lock, an elevator control system,
`a card reader, etc. The user terminals 42,44 are connected to
`the network communicating with the service server for
`accessing a monitoring device or accessing monitoring
`service implemented on the service server.
`
`In FIG. 2 a general signaling scheme between the
`[0053]
`different devices are schematically depicted. The specifics of
`the communication between devices may vary depending on
`the communication protocols used and the physical network.
`However, details regarding how to implement general com(cid:173)
`munications via a network are known to persons skilled in
`the art of computer communications and are therefore not
`described herein. The monitoring device 20 is arranged to
`send a connection message 600 in response to an initiation
`action or an initiation event to an address stored within the
`monitoring device 20. The connection message is received at
`a control server 30 residing at said address. The control
`server 30 receives the connection message and the monitor(cid:173)
`ing device 20 and the control server 30 establish a connec(cid:173)
`tion. The control server also extracts an identifier from the
`communication received from the monitoring device 20.
`The identifier is used to match the monitoring device to a
`service provider and a service server. When the control
`server 30 has found a match it sends an address in a message
`602 to the monitoring device. The message is identified as a
`change of address message or a reconfiguration message at
`the monitoring device 20. In response to this message 602
`the monitoring device 20 stores the new address and sends
`a connection message 600 or 604 to the new address. The
`address received from the control server 30 may address
`another control server 30 or a service server 40 depending on
`the structure of the system, this will be explained below.
`
`

`

`US 2007/0192464 Al
`
`Aug. 16, 2007
`
`4
`
`[0054] When the address in the reconfiguration message
`602 received at the monitoring device is associated with a
`service server 40 and, accordingly, the next connection
`message 604 sent from the monitoring device 20 is sent to
`a service server 40, the service server 40 and the monitoring
`device 20 then establish a service connection 606 enabling
`communication of monitoring data to the service server 40
`and possibly, but not necessary, configuration parameters to
`the monitoring device. Thus, the monitoring device 20 has
`been connected to a server that is enable to provide the
`monitoring services. The service server 40 to which the
`monitoring device 20 has been directed may then be the
`most suitable service server 40 in regard of geographic
`location, location in the network, available services, and/or
`customer specific reasons. Which one of these criteria that is
`applicable in regard of specific monitoring devices 20 may
`be controlled by the data provided to the control server 30
`or control servers 30 directing the monitoring device 20 to
`the service server 40.
`
`[0055] According to one embodiment the monitoring
`device 20 may include an input means 202, a processing
`means 204, a non volatile memory 206, a volatile memory
`208, a network interface 210, an initiating means 212, a
`monitoring device means 216 as shown in FIG. 3a and in
`FIG. 3b. FIG. 3a is a schematic view ofa general monitoring
`device and FIG. 3b is a schematic view of a monitoring
`device 20 being a digital camera. In order to facilitate the
`understanding of the invention the FIGS. 3a and 3b do not
`show all means needed to make the device perform its
`normal functions, i.e. the means that makes an IR detector
`function as an IR detector or that makes a digital camera
`function as a digital camera. All means, such as hardware
`and software, required to make the monitoring device work
`as a monitoring device is indicated by the monitoring device
`means 216 in FIG. 3a. In FIG. 3b the corresponding means
`of the camera is referred to as video camera means 218. The
`means and arrangements required for making an ordinary
`monitoring device network enabled are known to a skilled
`person. An example of such network enabled monitoring
`devices on the market today are the networked digital
`cameras from Axis Communications AB, Emdalavagen 14,
`S-223 69 Lund, Sweden.
`
`[0056] As described above the monitoring device 20 may
`be any type of a plurality of types of devices and the input
`means 202 of the monitoring device 20 is different in
`different types of monitoring devices. For instance, the input
`means 202 of the digital camera 20a in FIG. 3b may be an
`image sensor, e.g. a CCD, the input means of an audio
`detector may be a microphone, etc. The main function of the
`input means 202 is to detect, sample or measu

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