GB2553312A

GB2553312A - A proxy device, a surveillance device, a method and a program for transferring video data from an imaging device to a receiving device

Info

Publication number: GB2553312A
Application number: GB1614754.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Posselt Vergmann Peter
Original assignee: Canon Europa NV
Current assignee: Canon Europa NV
Priority date: 2016-08-31
Filing date: 2016-08-31
Publication date: 2018-03-07
Also published as: GB201614754D0

Abstract

A proxy device 200 for transferring video data from an imaging device 110-112 to at least one receiving device 120-123, comprising a command interface configured to transmit data, a controller configured to connect the proxy device to the imaging device, a data input configured to receive data from the imaging device and a data output configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device, wherein the data output is configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device independently of the selection of the imaging device. An imaging device is preferably also a proxy device. The application relates to the transfer of data from an imaging device, such as a camera, to a receiving device. The invention itself is directed towards surveillance systems and in particular, a way of providing video data to a receiver so that the source of the streamed data can be easily changed in a way that requires no interaction between the receiver and the sources of the streamed data.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Canon Europa N.V (Incorporated in the Netherlands) Bovenkerkerweg 59-61,1185 XB Amstelveen, Netherlands (72) Inventor(s):

Peter Posselt Vergmann (56) Documents Cited:

US 20120327244 A1 US 20090074184 A1 US 20060161960 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL H04N Other: WPI, EPODOC

US 20090259754 A1 US 20060271695 A1 (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Canon Europe Ltd.

The Square, Stockley Park, UXBRIDGE, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A proxy device, a surveillance device, a method and a program for transferring video data from an imaging device to a receiving device

Abstract Title: A proxy device for transferring video data from a camera to a receiver (57) A proxy device 200 for transferring video data from an imaging device 110-112 to at least one receiving device 120-123, comprising a command interface configured to transmit data, a controller configured to connect the proxy device to the imaging device, a data input configured to receive data from the imaging device and a data output configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device, wherein the data output is configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device independently of the selection of the imaging device. An imaging device is preferably also a proxy device. The application relates to the transfer of data from an imaging device, such as a camera, to a receiving device. The invention itself is directed towards surveillance systems and in particular, a way of providing video data to a receiver so that the source of the streamed data can be easily changed in a way that requires no interaction between the receiver and the sources of the streamed data.

Fig. 2

1/5

100

Fig.l

2/5

Fig. 2

3/5

200

204

		L	1-
	Command Interface

Data input	Processor	Data output
) ) )

201

203

202

Fig. 3

4/5

S400

S410

S420

S430

S440

S450

Select an imaging device

Connect proxy device to imaging device

Proxy device receives data

Connect receiving device to proxy device

Proxy device transmits data

Fig.4

5/5

S500

S510

S520

S530

S540

S550

Command to change imaging device

Stop receiving data

Transmit default notification

Start receiving data

Start transmitting data

Fig. 5 [0001] Title [0002] A proxy device, a surveillance device, a method and a program for transferring video data from an imaging device to a receiving device.

[0003] Technical Field [0004] The present invention relates to surveillance, in particular the transfer of data from an imaging device to a receiving device.

[0005] Background [0006] Surveillance systems capture data such as video data and audio data, so that this data can be reviewed. The data is provided from a source to a receiver. These receivers are often capable of streaming video from a video management system (VMS). The receiver could be an external receiver, such as a video wall, a decoder and a television. Alternatively, the receiver could be an internal receiver that comprises part of the λ/MS.

[0007] There are two typical scenarios for a λ/MS setup. Firstly, an internal viewing client (receiver) of the λ/MS is configured with specialized client software components for showing predefined sequences of imaging devices or showing imaging devices based on commands. Secondly, an external system pulling video from the λ/MS connects to one imaging device in the VMS, listens to some event or command, and then disconnects from the one imaging device and connects to another. A disadvantage of both of these scenarios has been identified for the situation in which it is desired to change the source of the streamed data. In a conventional arrangement, it is necessary to reconfigure the receiver. For example, current software solutions require reconnecting with new parameters each time the source camera is changed.

[0008] Thus, it is not easy to reconnect the new source to the external receiver, because the parameters used by the new source are different to the parameters used by the previous source. Current VMS arrangements require the receiving device to listen out for a notification mechanism telling the receiving device what to show next, disconnect from current imaging device and connect to the new device. This is time consuming as both the notification listening mechanism and the image connection mechanism have to be developed. In order to include the extra functionality of supporting the changing of the imaging device, further development is needed to the receiving device, for example by adding control and timing mechanisms. Furthermore, another disadvantage of existing arrangements is that the disconnect and reconnect will typically cause a disruption in the resulting stream unless further steps like having overlapping connections is made, again requiring further development on the recipient side.

[0009] There is a demand for a way to provide video data to a receiver so that the source of the streamed data can be easily changed in a way that requires no interaction from the receiver.

[0010] Summary [0011] Aspects of the present invention are set out by the independent claims. A proxy device for transferring video data from an imaging device to a receiving device is provided according to claim 1. A surveillance system is provided according to claim 10. A method for transferring video data from an imaging device to a receiving device via a proxy device is provided according to claim 11. A program is provided according to claim 14. A computer-readable medium is provided according to claim 15.

[0012] Advantageously, from the perspective of the receiving device, the proxy device looks like any imaging device in the system. Consequently, existing means of accessing the data will work with the proxy device, and so the present arrangement is compatible with standard receiving devices. As a consequence, it is not necessary for any further development to be made

to ensure compatibility between the proxy device and	the
receiving	device .
0013] The	sequence or command reaction mechanism	is
configured/implemented as part of the VMS server;	and

all receiving devices, both internal and external, which simply connect to the VMS server in the same way as normally connecting to one imaging device. This greatly simplifies the coding and configuration needed in the receiving device .

[0014] The present arrangement includes a dedicated viewer for seeing input from either a predefined or command controlled sequence of imaging devices. Thus, the generic concept of a channel is provided by a generic device. This is in contrast to the previously known arrangement, for which a dedicated channel between the VMS and the receiving device needs to be set up every time the imaging device is changed. Consequently, the present arrangement advantageously does not require the user to change the channel each time a new imaging device is to be displayed, which saves time and reduces the burden on the user, because the proxy device contains all of the required software to maintain the connection between the VMS and the receiving device.

[0015] Brief description of the drawings [0016] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a surveillance system including a proxy device for transferring data from an imaging device to a receiving device via a VMS;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a surveillance system including a proxy device for transferring data from a plurality of imaging devices to a plurality of receiving devices via a VMS;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a proxy device;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing how a proxy device can be configured to transfer video data from an imaging device to a receiving device; and [0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how a proxy device can be configured to change the imaging device to another imaging device.

[0022] Detailed description [0023] Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments of the present invention described below can be implemented solely or as a combination of a plurality of the embodiments or features thereof where necessary or where the combination of elements or features from individual embodiments in a single embodiment is beneficial.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a surveillance system 10 including a video management system (VMS) 100 for transferring data from an imaging device 110 to a receiving device 120. The video management system includes a proxy device 200.

[0025] The proxy device 200 is a built in component of the VMS that connects to imaging device 110. The arrangement of the proxy device 200 as a component of the VMS 100 can include the installation of a physical device which performs the required functionality of the proxy device 200. Alternatively, the proxy device 200 can be configured by installing software on the VMS 100 so that a server of the VMS 100 performs the required functionality of the proxy device 200. Furthermore, the functionality of the proxy device 200 can be provided to the VMS 100 remotely, and so the proxy device 200 does not necessarily need to be physically attached to the VMS 100. Optionally, the proxy device 200 is an integrated component of the VMS. The proxy devices and imaging devices look the same to the receiving device 120, while the proxy device 200 comprises the sophisticated functionality that enables it to either be autonomously or externally controlled to provide video from a series of devices.

[0026] Thus, functions for transferring data from the imaging device 110 to the receiving device 120 can be performed by either the VMS 100 or the proxy device 200, in any combination.

[0027] The imaging device 110 is any device or software that is capable of creating or capturing the image data. An example of such an imaging device 110 is a physical camera that is accessible by the VMS via the network. Another example of such an imaging device 110 is another proxy device that has been arranged to pass on image data, and so it is possible to arrange a sequence of proxy devices using this arrangement.

[0028] The receiving device 120 is any device or software that is capable of receiving the data and using the data, such as displaying images to a user. Examples of the receiving device 120 include a server, a recording device, a video analytics device and a display. Consequently, it is not necessary for any further development to be made to the receiving device 120 to ensure that it is compatible with the VMS 100.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a surveillance system 20 including a VMS 100 that is capable of transferring data from a plurality of imaging devices 110-113 to a plurality of receiving devices 120-123. The VMS 100 comprises a proxy device 200, configured in FIG. 2 in the same way as described with reference to FIG. 1. Examples of the imaging device include video cameras 110-112 and another proxy device 113.

[0030] This provides an alternative arrangement to FIG. 1 for setting up the proxy device 200, for which a single imaging device 110 and a single receiving device 120 were connected to the proxy device 200.

[0031] The proxy device 200 receives data from one imaging device 110-113 at a time, but can switch between different imaging devices. Alternatively, the proxy device 200 is configured to receive input data simultaneously from the plurality of imaging devices 110-113, although the proxy device 200 will still only transmit data from one imaging device at a time.

[0032] The proxy device 200 is configured to transmit output data simultaneously to the plurality of receiving devices 120-123.

[0033] The proxy device 200 can be configured in any combination so that it can receive input data from any of the imaging devices 110-113 and transmit output data to any of the receiving devices 120-123. For example, the proxy device 200 could be configured to receive input data from only one imaging device and transmit the output data to a plurality of receiving devices.

[0034] Advantageously, proxy device 200 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 provides for the possibility of changing the imaging device to another imaging device, without any change being necessary to the connection between the proxy device 200 and the receiving device 120. Thus, the transmission of video data is simplified, because changing the imaging device is performed by a single proxy device 200, rather than the plurality of receiving devices 120-123.

[0035] A surveillance system 10, 20 can be provided for which the proxy device 200 is retrofitted as part of the VMS 100. This can be achieved by downloading software onto the VMS 100, so that the processor of the VMS 100 serves as the proxy device 200. Alternatively, the proxy device 200 can be hardware that comprises part of the VMS 100. As a further alternative, the VMS 100 is configured to include a plurality of proxy devices, which can each serve independently to transmit data that is output from different imaging devices. A further possibility is that the VMS 100 itself is a virtual device, configured by being installed on a processor, in which case the proxy device 200 also serves as a virtual device that has been installed on a processor.

[0036] FIG. 3 provides details of the proxy device 200. A data input 201 is configured to receive data from the imaging device 110-113. A data output 202 is configured to transmit data to the receiving device 120-123. A processor 203 handles the data that is received and transmitted by the proxy device 200.

[0037] The proxy device 200 includes a command interface 204, which is configured so that a user interface is presented by the VMS 100 to an administrator for providing instructions to the proxy device 200. The user interface presents to the administrator objects that represent all imaging devices 110 that can connect to the VMS 100. Thus, the receiving device 120 does not need to connect directly to the imaging device 110. Instead, the receiving device 120 connects to the imaging device 110 via the VMS 100, with an object of the user interface representing the imaging device 110. The proxy device 200 will be presented on the user interface as just another such object, which the receiving device 120 can then connect to in the same way as when connecting directly to the imaging device 110.

[0038] The data input 201 of the proxy device 200 behaves analogously to the input of a receiving device 120-123. The data output 202 behaves analogously to the output of an imaging device 110-113. Thus, the data output 202 is configured to transmit data to the receiving device independently of the selection of the imaging device. The data output 202 use internet protocol to transmit data to the receiving device 120, such that packets of data are transmitted to the receiving device, making use of IP addresses stored in headers of the packets of data .

[0039] The processor 203 of the proxy device 200 serves as a controller to connect the imaging device 110-113 to the proxy device 200 and pass the data input 201 on to the receiving devices 120-123. Connecting the receiving devices 120-123 to the proxy device 200 is performed independently of the connection between the proxy device 200 and the imaging device 110. Consequently, it is possible to change the imaging device 110 without making any change to the connection between the proxy device 200 and the receiving devices 120-123.

[0040] The processor 203 processes commands received by the command interface 204, to determine which of the imaging devices 110-113 will be connected to the proxy device 200.

[0041] The commands can come from either a user interface, with which the user can select the connections that are to be made by the proxy device 200 with imaging devices 110-113. Alternatively, the commands can come from rules for selecting connections that are to be made by the proxy device 200, so that the user can decide in advance which of the imaging devices 110-113 are to be connected to the proxy device 200. Examples of such rules can be predefined sequences or event based mappings. The commands can also come from an application programming interface (API) or a software development kit (SDK). A preconfigured sequence, such as a carousel can be used so that a sequence of cameras is cycled through with configured delays.

[0042] Which receiving devices 120-123 are to receive the data output 202 of the proxy device 200 is determined by these devices connecting to the proxy device 200. Any receiving device 120-123 connecting to a given proxy device 200 will receive the same data output.

[0043] The proxy device 200 shown in FIG. 3 may be configured to also serve as an imaging device 113, depending upon the arrangement of the surveillance system 20.

[0044] FIG. 4 provides a method S400 for transferring video data from the imaging device 110 to the receiving device 120 via the proxy device 200. The processor 203 is configured to implement a program that causes the proxy device 200 to perform this method S400. Such a program is stored by a computer-readable medium.

[0045] In step S410, a command is received by the proxy device 200 from the VMS 100. The command instructs the proxy device 200 to show a selected imaging device 110 from the plurality of available imaging devices 110113. The command is provided to the command interface 204 as a result of the user selecting the imaging device using the user interface. Alternatively, the command is received by the command interface 204 according to a rule that is stored by the VMS 100.

[0046] In step S420, the proxy device 200 is connected to the selected imaging device 110 in accordance with the command. The connection between the proxy device 200 and the imaging device 110 is established using the technique that would typically be used for connecting the VMS 100 to an imaging device 110-113, and so the proxy device 200 is provided in combination with a typical VMS 100. For example, the proxy device 200 is an integrated part of the VMS 100, and so connection between the proxy device 200 and the imaging device 110 is achieved by connecting the VMS 100 and the imaging device 110.

[0047] In step S430, data is received by the proxy device 200 from the imaging device 110. The received data comprises the video data. The received data may also comprise an address that provides the identity of the selected imaging device 110.

[0048] In step S440, a connection to the proxy device 200 is established by one or more of the plurality of receiving devices 120-123. It is not necessary for the proxy device 200 to receive any information from the receiving devices 120-123, and so transmitting of data by the proxy device 200 is performed regardless of whether any receiving device has been connected to the proxy device 200. Alternatively, it can be established by the proxy device 200 which receiving devices 120-123 are connected to the proxy device 200 if the receiving devices 120-123 provide the proxy device 200 with their identity. Optionally, the proxy device 200 is aware of whether or not any receiving devices 120-123 are connected, which proxy device 200 can use to decide whether to transmit data via the data output 202.

[0049] In step S450, data is transmitted to the receiving device 120. The transmitted data comprises the video data that was received by the proxy device 200 from the selected imaging device 110.

[0050] The connection between the proxy device 200 and the receiving device 120 is not affected by disconnecting the proxy device 200 and the imaging device 110. Consequently, the imaging device 110 can be replaced by another imaging device 111-113 without the need to reconfigure the connection to the receiving device 120. Furthermore, if the proxy device 200 is streaming to a plurality of receiving devices 120-123, then it is not necessary to interrupt this streaming of data, and instead the connection to the new imaging device 111-113 can be performed centrally at the proxy device 200.

[0051] FIG. 5 provides a method S500 for changing the imaging device 110 to another imaging device 111-113.

[0052] In step S510, a command is received to change the imaging device 110 to another imaging device 111-113. Such a command is received by the processor 203 via the command interface 204. The command is provided from the VMS 100 by the user selecting the change of the imaging device 110. Alternatively, a rule can be used to determine that it is necessary for the imaging device 110 to be changed. Consequently, the user interface can be used to instruct the processor 203 to execute a program for changing the imaging device 110 to the other imaging device 111-113.

[0053] In step S520, the proxy device 200 stops receiving data from the imaging device.

[0054] In step S530, the proxy device 200 transmits a default notice from the proxy device 200 to the receiving device 120, since no data is received by the proxy device 200 from any imaging device 110-113.

[0055] Step S530 is optional because it is not necessary for any default notification to be transmitted, and instead the proxy device 200 could wait until new input data is being received. However, the default notice is useful for identifying that the connection between the proxy device 200 and the receiving device 120 continues to be successfully established. The default notice includes details of the proxy device 200, in particular a stream to indicate that no camera has been assigned to the proxy device 200.

[0056] For example, the data output 202 is configured to transmit a notification that no data is available if no imaging device 110 is connected to the proxy device 200.

[0057] In step S540, the proxy device 200 starts receiving data from the other imaging device 111-113. The received data comprises the video data.

[0058] In step S550, the proxy device 200 starts transmitting data to the receiving device 120. The transmitted data comprises the video data.

[0059] The connection between the proxy device 200 and the receiving device 120 is not affected by the replacing of the imaging device 110 by the new imaging device 111-113.

[0060] As an alternative method for changing the imaging device 110 to another imaging device 111-113, it is not essential to stop the receiving of data from the imaging device 110 and subsequently start the receiving data from the other imaging device. Accordingly, steps S520 and S540 are not essential. Instead, the proxy device 200 could be configured to receive streams of data from a plurality of imaging devices 110-113, so that when the data from a chosen imaging device is to be transmitted, a selection can be made from the plurality of received streams of data, which would have the further advantage of not introducing any gaps in the transmitted stream.

[0061] The proxy device 200 significantly simplifies and in some cases even enables the process of displaying a changing sequence of video sources from the VMS 100. Also it enables multiple operators watching on different kinds of receivers 120-123 to monitor the same stream.

[0062] The contents of the stream can be controlled from a multitude of control mechanisms such as automated rules, UI controls and SDK methods. As an example, it can easily replace both the carousel and matrix plugins of the client and in the case of the matrix significantly increase the usability.

[0063] The above examples can also be realised by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described examples, and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described examples. For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., a computer-readable medium such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium).

[0064] While the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the principal features of the present invention. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A proxy device (200) for transferring video data from an imaging device (110) to at least one receiving device (120-123), comprising:

a command interface (204) configured to identify the selection of an imaging device (110);

a controller (203) configured to connect the proxy device (200) to the imaging device (110);

a data input (201) configured to receive data from the imaging device (110); and a data output (202) configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123);

wherein the data output (202) is configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120— 123) independently of the selection of the imaging device (110).

2. The proxy device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device (110-112) is a camera.

3. The proxy device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is another proxy device (113) .

4. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to transmit a default notification if no data is received by the proxy device (200) from any imaging device (110— 113) .

5. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to transmit a notification that no data is available if no imaging device (110-113) is connected to the proxy device (200) .

6. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to transmit data depending upon the execution of a rule.

7. The proxy device (200) according to claim 6, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to receive data from the imaging device (110) .

8. The proxy device (200) according to claim 6, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to stop receiving data from the imaging device (110) .

9. The proxy device (200) according to claim 8, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to start receiving data from another imaging device (110).

10. The proxy device (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the command interface (204) is configured to receive the rule.

11. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the command interface (204) is configured to provide a user interface.

12. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to use internet protocol to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123).

13. A surveillance system (10, 20), comprising: at least one imaging device (110-113); at least one receiving device (120-123); and at least one proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim.

14. A method (S400) for transferring video data from an imaging device (110) to at least one receiving device (120-123) via a proxy device (200), the method comprising:

selecting connecting imaging device receiving (S410) (S420) (110); (S430) an imaging device (110); the proxy device (200) data from the imaging to the device (110);

connecting (S440) the at least one receiving device (120-123) to the proxy device (200); and transmitting (S450) data to the at least one receiving device (120-123);

wherein the transmitting of data to the at least one receiving device (120-123) is independent of the imaging device (110) that has been selected.

15. The method (S400, S500) according to claim 14, further comprising:

receiving (S510) a command to change the imaging device (110) to another imaging device (111—113);

stopping receiving (S520) of data from the imaging device (110);

starting receiving (S540) of data from the other imaging device (111-113); and transmitting (S550) data to the at least one receiving device (120-123).

16. The method according to claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting (S530) to the at least one receiving device (120-123) a default notification if no data is received by the proxy device (200) from any imaging device (110-113) .

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising:

transmitting a notification that no data is available if no imaging device (110-113) is connected to the proxy device (200).

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the data is transmitted according to the execution of a rule.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein execution of the rule causes a data input (201) of the proxy device (200) to receive data from the imaging device (110) .

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein execution of the rule causes a data input (201) of the proxy device (200) to stop receiving data from the imaging device (110).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to start receiving data from another imaging device (110) .

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein a user interface is provided for the selecting (S410) of the imaging device (110).

23. A computer-readable medium storing a program

10 according to claim 22.

07 04 17

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1614754.8 Examiner: Mr Rhys Miles

23. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein internet protocol is used to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123) .

10

24. A program that, when implemented by a proxy device (200), causes the proxy device (200) to perform a method according to any one of claims 14 to 23.

25. A computer-readable medium storing a program

15 according to claim

24.

Claims

07 04 17

1. A proxy device (200) for transferring video data from an imaging device (110) to at least one receiving

5 device (120-123), comprising:

a command interface (204) configured to identify a selection of an imaging device (110);

10 a data input (201) configured to receive data from the imaging device (110); and a data output (202) configured to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123);

wherein the data output (202) is configured to

15 transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120— 123) independent of the selection of the imaging device (110), and to transmit to the at least one receiving device (120-123) a default notification if no data is received by the proxy device (200) from any imaging

20 device (110-113).

25 3. The proxy device (200) according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is another proxy device (113) .

4. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to

30 transmit a notification that no data is available if no imaging device (110-113) is connected to the proxy device (200) .

07 04 17

5. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to transmit data depending upon the execution of a rule.

6. The proxy device (200) according to claim 5, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to receive data from the imaging device (110) .

10 7. The proxy device (200) according to claim 5, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to stop receiving data from the imaging device (110) .

8. The proxy device (200) according to claim 7, wherein

15 execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to start receiving data from another imaging device (110).

9. The proxy device (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the command interface (204) is

20 configured to receive the rule.

10. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the command interface (204) is configured to provide a user interface.

11. The proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim, wherein the data output (202) is configured to use internet protocol to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123).

12. A surveillance system (10, 20), comprising: at least one imaging device (110-113);

07 04 17 at least one receiving device (120-123); and at least one proxy device (200) according to any preceding claim.

5 13. A method (S400) for transferring video data from an imaging device (110) to at least one receiving device (120-123) via a proxy device (200), the method comprising:

selecting (S410) an imaging device (110);

10 connecting (S420) the proxy device (200) to the imaging device (110);

receiving (S430) data from the imaging device (110);

connecting (S440) the at least one receiving device 15 (120-123) to the proxy device (200); and transmitting (S450) data to the at least one receiving device (120-123);

wherein the transmitting of data to the at least one receiving device (120-123) is independent of the

20 selection (S410) of the imaging device (110), and transmitting (S530) to the at least one receiving device (120-123) a default notification if no data is received by the proxy device (200) from any imaging device (110— 113) .

14. The method (S400, S500) according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving (S510) a command to change the imaging device (110) to another imaging device (111-113);

30 stopping receiving (S520) of data from the imaging device (110);

07 04 17 starting receiving (S540) of data from the other imaging device (111-113); and transmitting (S550) data to the at least one receiving device (120-123).

15. The method according to claims 13 or 14, further comprising:

transmitting a notification that no data is available if no imaging device (110-113) is connected to

10 the proxy device (200).

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the data is transmitted according to the execution of a rule.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein execution of the rule causes a data input (201) of the proxy device (200) to receive data from the imaging device (110) .

20 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein execution of the rule causes a data input (201) of the proxy device (200) to stop receiving data from the imaging device (110).

25 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein execution of the rule causes the data input (201) to start receiving data from another imaging device (110) .

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19,

30 wherein a user interface is provided for the selecting (S410) of the imaging device (110).

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein internet protocol is used to transmit data to the at least one receiving device (120-123) .

5 22. A program that, when implemented by a proxy device (200), causes the proxy device (200) to perform a method according to any one of claims 13 to 21.