Techniques in Pan-Tilt-Zoom Operations of IP Network Camera for Visual IoT

One of the objectives of Visual IoT is to realize safe and secure society via remote video transmission. Low-cost cameras play an important role since we need to distribute many cameras in the society. To achieve wide coverage of monitoring with single IP network camera, remote PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) function is one of the preferable solutions that is installed in IP network camera at high location such as at the top of mountains. In this paper we propose techniques of PTZ remote control of low-cost IP cameras for Visual IoT systems over mobile networks. At first, one of the regulations of PTZ remote-control, ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) Profile S, is introduced for remote operations over IP networks. We then design and implement remote ONVIF commands in our Visual IoT system. Finally the system performances are examined in both laboratory environment and outdoor fields. The remote PTZ operations is practically successful while issues are discussed to achieve area monitoring with a high precision using low-cost IP network cameras.