IEC 62676-2-31:2019

Overview

IEC 62676-2-31:2019 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that focuses on video surveillance systems used for security applications. This standard specifically addresses live streaming and control based on web services, defining procedures that enable communication between network video clients and video transmitter devices.

By providing well-defined, vendor-neutral interfaces, IEC 62676-2-31 facilitates interoperability and integration of network video systems composed of devices from different manufacturers. The standard covers key functionalities such as media and imaging configuration, real-time streaming of audio and video, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) control, and analytics.

The interfaces are based on widely adopted web services technology, with Annex F containing XML schema and WSDL (Web Service Description Language) definitions for these network services. This modern approach supports scalable, flexible, and extensible video surveillance systems that meet the demands of today’s security environments.

Key Topics

• Device IO Service
  Defines control and status interfaces related to video and audio inputs and outputs, supporting functions like querying and configuring video outputs and sources.

• Media Service
  Covers creation and management of media profiles, configurations of video and audio sources/encoders, and real-time streaming. Includes support for unicast and multicast streaming, snapshot URI retrieval, and on-screen display (OSD) and privacy mask management.

• Imaging Service
  Provides mechanisms to configure imaging parameters to improve picture quality, including focus operations and preset management to optimize camera performance.

• PTZ Control
  Enables precise control over camera pan, tilt, and zoom functions through standardized interfaces, essential for effective surveillance monitoring.

• Analytics Integration
  Though analytics device services were excluded in this edition, the standard supports analytics configuration as part of media service, allowing integration with video analysis technologies.

• Web Services Interfaces
  Ensures interoperability via standardized web service protocols making it possible for multi-vendor systems to communicate seamlessly, enhancing system flexibility and scalability.

Applications

IEC 62676-2-31:2019 is applicable to a wide range of security video surveillance solutions, particularly those requiring:

• Networked video streaming with multi-vendor compatibility
• Real-time controls for PTZ cameras in environments like city surveillance, transportation hubs, and commercial facilities
• Remote camera configuration and media streaming over IP networks
• Integration of video surveillance with enterprise security management systems
• Implementation of privacy controls through configurable masking and OSD
• Enhanced security monitoring solutions that leverage web services for flexible deployment

Organizations deploying IP-based video security infrastructures will find this standard crucial for designing interoperable and future-proof surveillance systems.

Related Standards

IEC 62676-2-31:2019 is part of the IEC 62676 series, which deals comprehensively with video surveillance systems used in security contexts. It replaces and updates IEC 62676-2-3:2013 and works in conjunction with other related standards, including:

• IEC 60839-11-31: Security Systems - Electronic Access Control Systems
• IEC 62676-2-32: Video Surveillance Systems - Video Analytics
• Other parts of IEC 62676 series that define video system architecture, data exchange, and quality requirements

Adherence to this standard alongside companion standards ensures robust, interoperable, and scalable implementations of video security systems that comply with international best practices.

Keywords: IEC 62676-2-31, video surveillance standards, live streaming, web services, network video systems, PTZ control, media configuration, video security interoperability, IP video surveillance, security system standards.