Image-detectable monitoring system and method for using the same
First Claim
1. A monitoring system to detect and record an image at a monitored position, the system comprising:
- an image-capturing photographing unit adapted to capture at least one photographic image and communicate said image as an image video signal;
a candidate area detection and decision unit adapted to evaluate said image video signal to detect a human skin color candidate area within said image and if detected, to direct said image-capturing photographing unit to capture at least one enlarged photographic image of said human skin color candidate area and output said enlarged photographic image as an enlarged image video signal;
a face detection unit adapted to evaluate said enlarged image video signal to detect a face video signal within said enlarged image video signal; and
a storage and retrieval unit to receive and store said detected face video signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring system and method that can detect and capture an image at a monitored position as an analog video signal, and in response, convert the analog video signal into a digital video signal for enlargement, analysis and storage of detected facial images therein.. The system comprises a candidate area detection unit for comparing a color difference signal level of the converted digital video signal with a reference range for detecting at least one skin color candidate area. The system further comprises a control unit for outputting a zooming control signal to the image-capturing unit to capture enlarged images of each detected skin color candidate area and a face detection unit for detecting a face video signal from the enlarged images. A compression/recording unit is provided for then compressing and recording the detected face image video signal, and allowing a user to easily perform a search for a subject'"'"'s face when searching recorded video data.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A monitoring system to detect and record an image at a monitored position, the system comprising:
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an image-capturing photographing unit adapted to capture at least one photographic image and communicate said image as an image video signal;
a candidate area detection and decision unit adapted to evaluate said image video signal to detect a human skin color candidate area within said image and if detected, to direct said image-capturing photographing unit to capture at least one enlarged photographic image of said human skin color candidate area and output said enlarged photographic image as an enlarged image video signal;
a face detection unit adapted to evaluate said enlarged image video signal to detect a face video signal within said enlarged image video signal; and
a storage and retrieval unit to receive and store said detected face video signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A monitoring system for analysis, storage and retrieval of an image, the system comprising:
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an image photographing unit adapted to capture at least one of a normal and an enlarged video signal of an image;
a candidate detection unit adapted to evaluate said captured normal video signal to detect a human skin candidate area based upon a color range and control said image photographing unit to capture an enlarged video signal of said human skin candidate area;
a face detection unit adapted to evaluate said captured enlarged video signal of said human skin candidate area to detect a facial image video signal; and
a storage and retrieval unit adapted to store said facial image video signal. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method to detect and record an image at a monitored position, the method comprising the steps of:
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converting an analog image video signal taken at a predetermined magnification factor through an image capturing unit into a digital image video signal and evaluating said digital image video signal to determine if a human skin color candidate area is detected, and if said candidate area is detected, controlling said image capturing unit to capture an enlarged analog image video signal of said human skin color candidate area; and
converting said enlarged analog image video signal into an enlarged digital image video signal and evaluating said enlarged digital signal to determine if a face image video signal is detected, and if said face image video signal is detected, recording said face image video signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification