Control of multiple image capture devices
First Claim
1. Control apparatus for receiving outputs from and controlling the operation of a plurality of image capture devices, at least some of said image capture devices being arranged to operate at any time in only one of at least two modes, the transmission bandwidth required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the second mode being substantially less than that required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the first mode, wherein all of the image capture devices are arranged, in use, to continuously transmit captured image data to the control apparatus, the control apparatus comprising monitoring apparatus for monitoring the outputs from one or more of said plurality of image capture devices, detection apparatus for detecting activity within the field of view of at least one of said image capture devices, and switching apparatus for switching or maintaining the operating mode of the image capture device within whose field of view activity is detected to the first operating mode, the image capture devices having fields of view within which no activity is taking place being arranged or caused to operate in said second operating mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a system having a plurality of video cameras. The cameras are linked to a control unit which has a motion detection apparatus for monitoring the images received from the cameras and detecting motion therein. The cameras are adapted to operate in at least two modes: a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. Under normal circumstances, cameras will be operating in low resolution mode to minimise use of system resources. If activity is detected within the field of view of one of the cameras, that camera is switched to high resolution, the other cameras remaining in the low resolution mode.
129 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. Control apparatus for receiving outputs from and controlling the operation of a plurality of image capture devices, at least some of said image capture devices being arranged to operate at any time in only one of at least two modes, the transmission bandwidth required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the second mode being substantially less than that required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the first mode, wherein all of the image capture devices are arranged, in use, to continuously transmit captured image data to the control apparatus, the control apparatus comprising monitoring apparatus for monitoring the outputs from one or more of said plurality of image capture devices, detection apparatus for detecting activity within the field of view of at least one of said image capture devices, and switching apparatus for switching or maintaining the operating mode of the image capture device within whose field of view activity is detected to the first operating mode, the image capture devices having fields of view within which no activity is taking place being arranged or caused to operate in said second operating mode.
- 10. Control apparatus for receiving outputs from and controlling the operation of a plurality of image capture devices, at least some of said image capture devices being arranged to operate in one of at least two modes, the transmission bandwidth required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the second mode being substantially less than that required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the first mode, the control apparatus comprising monitoring apparatus for monitoring the outputs from one or more of said plurality of image capture devices, detection apparatus for detecting activity within the field of view of at least one of said image capture devices, tracking apparatus for tracking the progress of said activities so as to determine when the occurrence of said activity has or will exit the field of view of said at least one image capture device, prediction apparatus for predicting which image capture devices field of view said activity will subsequently enter, and switching apparatus for switching or maintaining the operating mode of the image capture device within whose field of view activity is detected or predicted to the first operating mode, the image capture devices having fields of view within which no activity is detected or predicted being arranged or caused to operate in said second operating mode.
- 13. A method of controlling the operation of a plurality of image capture devices, at least some of said image capture devices being arranged to operate at any time in only one of at least two modes, the transmission bandwidth required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices in the second mode being substantially less than that required to operate image capture devices in the first mode, the method comprising the steps of providing monitoring apparatus for monitoring the outputs from said plurality of image capture devices, continuously transmitting captured image data from all of said image capture devices to said monitoring apparatus, detecting activity within the field of view of at least one of said image capture devices, and switching or maintaining the operating mode of the image capture device within whose field of view activity is detected to the first operating mode, the image capture devices having fields of view within which no activity is taking place being arranged or caused to operate in said second operating mode.
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15. A method of controlling the operation of a plurality of image capture devices, at least some of said image capture devices being arranged to operate in one of at least two modes, the transmission bandwidth required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the second mode being substantially less than that required to accommodate the outputs of image capture devices operating in the first mode, the method comprising the steps of monitoring the outputs from said plurality of image capture devices, detecting activity within the field of view of at least one of said image capture devices, tracking the progress of said activity so as to determine when the occurrence of said activity has or will exit the field of view of said at least one image capture device, predicting which image capture devices field of view said activity will subsequently enter, and switching or maintaining the operating mode of the image capture devices within whose field of view activity is detected or predicted to the first operating mode, the image capture devices having fields of view within which no activity is detected or predicted being arranged or caused to operate in said second operating mode.
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16. A method according to claim 16, including the step of controlling the image capture devices such that they are normally “
- off”
or operate in a relatively low resolution, low frame rate or monochrome mode, and switching an image capture device “
on”
or switching its mode to high resolution, high pressure rate, or colour operation in the event that activity is detected within their field of view.
- off”
Specification