Method and apparatus for subject physical position and security determination

• US 20020044682A1
• Filed: 09/06/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mary ANN Winter And Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carecord Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Weil, Josef Oster, Winsor, Niels K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,106,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/154
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/50 Depth or shape recovery
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/55 from multiple images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/593 from stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/158 Switching image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/243 using three or more 2D image sensors

Abstract

Method and apparatus for analyzing an orientation of a subject. An image of an area that includes a subject to be monitored is captured, so that a model can be produced. A consistency test is then performed on the produced model to determine predetermined features of the subject. In response to a predetermined result of the consistency test, an undesired orientation of the subject is indicated.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing an orientation of a subject, comprising:

capturing an image of an area that includes a subject to be monitored;

producing a model from the captured image;

performing a consistency test on the produced model to determine predetermined features of the subject; and

indicating an undesired orientation of the subject in response to a predetermined result of the consistency test.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein producing a model comprises producing at least one of a two dimensional model and a three dimensional model.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein

capturing an image comprises capturing an image of an area that includes an individual to be monitored, and wherein

performing a consistency test comprises analyzing features related to the individual to determine whether the individual is in the undesired orientation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein indicating an undesired orientation comprises issuing an alarm when the predetermined result indicates the subject is substantially horizontal.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein

capturing an image comprises capturing an image of an area that includes an individual to be monitored, and wherein

performing a consistency test comprises performing a consistency test on the at least one of the two dimensional model and the three dimensional model to determine whether an orientation of the individual is substantially horizontal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein indicating an undesired orientation comprises activating an alarm.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising interfacing the alarm to an existing alert system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing an image comprises capturing an image with a stereoscopic sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing an image comprises capturing an image with a plurality of sensors.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein capturing an image comprises capturing at least one of color information and texture information of the monitored subject to derive a condition of the monitored subject.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a pattern generator to project a distinctive marking into the area.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an audio capture device that captures sounds emitted by the subject.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said processing device additionally analyzes said emitted sounds to derive cues pertaining to a position of the subject.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said processing device derives said cues from at least one of a voice recognition of said emitted sounds and a voice stress analysis of said emitted sounds.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said processing device further comprises a database of derived parameters as a function of time.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a reporting device that provides at least one of a numerical and graphical report of a status of the subject as indicated by said derived parameters.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said notification device and said processing device are located in different locations.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said processing device analyzes past movements of the subject in said predetermined volume to anticipate said horizontal position of the subject.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said image capture device comprises a stereoscopic sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said image capture device comprises a plurality of sensors.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a visual display device that provides a visual image of the subject when said notification device provides said notification that the subject is substantially horizontal.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of the notification device and said visual display device additionally provides supplemental information related to the subject.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said notification device provides an intruder notification when said processing device determines that a non-authorized subject has entered said predetermined area.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising capturing sounds emitted by the subject.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising analyzing the emitted sounds to derive cues pertaining to the position of the subject.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein analyzing the emitted sounds comprises deriving the cues from at least one of a voice recognition of the emitted sounds and a voice stress analysis of the emitted sounds.

29. The method of claim 25, further comprising maintaining a database of derived parameters as a function of time.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising reporting at least one of a numerical and graphical report of a status of the subject as indicated by the derived parameters.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising analyzing past movements of the subject in the volume to anticipate the horizontal position of the subject.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein capturing an image comprises using a stereoscopic sensor to capture an image of the predetermined volume.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein capturing an image comprises using a plurality of sensors to capture an image of the predetermined volume.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a visual image of the subject when the subject is determined to be substantially horizontal.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing supplemental information related to the subject.

36. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing a notification when a non-authorized subject is determined to have entered the predetermined volume.

37. The method of claim 25, wherein providing a notification comprises providing a verbal notification.

38. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

enabling a verbal communication with the subject when the notification has been provided; and

enabling the subject to respond to the verbal communication.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein enabling the subject to respond to the verbal communication allows the subject to modify the notification.

12. An apparatus for monitoring an orientation of a subject in a predetermined volume, comprising:

an image capture device that captures an image of the predetermined volume;

a processing device that processes said captured image, said image processing device producing at least one of a two dimensional model and a three dimensional model of said captured image, said image processing device analyzing said at least one of said two dimensional model and three dimensional model for indications that the subject is in a substantially horizontal position; and

a notification device that provides a notification when the processing device determines that the subject is substantially horizontal.

25. A method for monitoring an orientation of an subject in a predetermined volume, comprising:

capturing an image of the predetermined volume;

processing the captured image to produce at least one of a two dimensional model and a three dimensional model of the captured image, the at least one of a two dimensional model and a three dimensional model being analyzed for indications that the subject is in a substantially horizontal position; and

providing a notification when the subject is determined to be substantially horizontal.