Method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system

• US 20020140813A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Trajkovic, Miroslav, Cohen-Solal, Eric, Lyons, Damian M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,771,306 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/170
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7865 using correlation of the live video image with a stored image

Abstract

A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system. The method including the steps of: displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked; freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and selecting a desired target in the frame of the video image data. Also provided is an apparatus for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system and an automated video tracking system employing such methods and apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked;

freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and

selecting a desired target in the frame of the video image data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

unfreezing the video image data after the selecting step; and

tracking the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises drawing a shape around at least a portion of the desired target with an input device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the shape is a rectangle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises indicating a region in which the desired target resides with an input device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the indicating step comprises clicking on the region.

7. An apparatus for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system, the apparatus comprising:

a camera for providing video image data of a scene having a desired target to be tracked;

a display for displaying the video image data;

means for freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and

an input device for selecting the desired target in the frame of the video image data.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

means for unfreezing the video image data after the desired target is selected; and

an automated video tracking system having a controller for controlling the camera to track the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input device comprises means for drawing a shape around at least a portion of the desired target.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the shape is a rectangle.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input device comprises means for indicating a region in which the desired target resides.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the means for indicating comprises clicking on the region.

14. The video tracking system of claim 13, wherein the input device comprises means for drawing a shape around at least a portion of the desired target.

15. The video tracking system of claim 14, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the shape is a rectangle.

16. The video tracking system of claim 13, wherein the input device comprises means for indicating a region in which the desired target resides.

17. The video tracking system of claim 16, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the means for indicating comprises clicking on the region.

13. A video tracking system comprising:

a camera for providing video image data of a scene having a desired target to be tracked;

a display for displaying the video image data;

means for freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof;

an input device for selecting the desired target in the frame of the video image data;

means for unfreezing the video image data after the desired target is selected; and

a controller for controlling the camera to track the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data.