Image data analysis security camera

• US 20050156737A1
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Osama Othman Mostaeen Al-Khateeb
• Original Assignee: Osama Othman Mostaeen Al-Khateeb
• Inventors: Al-Khateeb, Osama Othman Mostaeen
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1968 Interfaces for setting up or customising the system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19691 Signalling events for better perception by user, e.g. indicating alarms by making display brighter, adding text, creating a sound

Abstract

An image data analysis security camera having internal logic circuits and remote user controls. The image data analysis security camera samples an initial image and compares subsequent images thereto, if a deviation between the two images is detected the image data analysis camera will initiate a remote alarm. The image data analysis security camera may also be provided with wireless communication capabilities and an internal battery thereby enabling the user to move the camera to another location quickly and easily.

Claims

1. An image data analysis security camera comprising:

a) means for scanning a selected field of view;

b) means for converting the scanned image field into electrical signals and distributing said image signals;

c) an image circuit for transferring said image signals to a remote location;

d) memory means for sampling and storing an initial image delivered from said image conversion means;

e) a processor for comparing said sampled image in said memory with subsequent real time images delivered from said image conversion means;

f) user controls disposed at a remote location to allow an operator to control the function and operation of said image data analysis camera

g) a power source; and

h) an alarm disposed in a remote location in communication with said processor.

2. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image scanning means is a lens.

3. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image conversion and distribution means is a light-sensitive electronic chip.

4. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said memory means comprises:

a) a memory chip for storing said sampled image; and

b) a memory control circuit to reset said memory and overwrite said sampled image with a current image.

5. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said user controls include a plurality of control switches comprising:

a) a power and monitor switch to turn on the camera and supply power from said power source to power dependant components, said power and monitor switch remains on during the operation of said image data analysis security camera and will turn it off when opened;

b) a memory control switch to deliver current to said memory control circuit when closed, said memory control switch being a contact switch that is always open except while momentarily closed by the user to activate said memory control circuit in order to transfer the current image delivered from said light-sensitive electronic chip to said memory to overwrite the image stored therein and will return to the open position once released;

c) a security mode switch in line between said light-sensitive electronic chip and said processor to deliver the current image from said light-sensitive electronic chip to said processor, said security mode switch remains closed for the duration of the security mode; and

d) an image capture switch in line between said light-sensitive electronic chip and said memory to transfer the current image from said light-sensitive electronic chip to said memory where it will be stored, said image capture switch being a contact switch that is always open except while momentarily closed by the user and will return to the open position once released.

6. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 5, wherein said user controls further include an variable alarm sensitivity switch in communication with said processor to allow the user to adjust the degree of deviation between the sampled image and the subsequent images required to activate said remote alarm.

7. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image circuit transfers real time streaming video to a monitor in a remote location.

8. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image circuit transfers real time streaming video to a recording device in a remote location.

9. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said camera is turned on from a remote location when the user closes said power and monitor switch thereby energizing said image circuit which reads the image signal from said light-sensitive electronic chip and transmits it to said monitor and said recording device thereby providing remote monitoring of the field of view of said lens.

10. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said camera is put into the image capture mode when said image capture switch is momentarily closed in order to send an image signal transmitted from said light-sensitive electronic chip to said memory for delivery to said processor for comparison with subsequent images received from said light-sensitive electronic chip when placed in security mode.

11. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said processor is constantly comparing subsequent images transmitted from said light-sensitive electronic chip with said sample image in said memory while in security mode, said alarm is activated if a deviation is detected between the two images that exceeds the degree of deviation as determined by said variable alarm sensitivity switch.

12. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said alarm is disabled when in alarm mode by the operator closing said memory control switch thereby energizing said memory control circuit which transmits the current image from said light-sensitive electronic chip to said memory where it overwrites the previously captured image, said processor then detects no deviation between the newly stored image in said memory and the subsequent images sent from said light-sensitive electronic chip and deactivates said alarm thereby returning to security mode.

13. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is external.

14. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 13, wherein said power source is low voltage.

15. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is an internal battery.

16. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, that can be connected to a computer interphase that enable a plurality of image data analysis cameras to be linked to a computer and the user controls of each camera can be accessed by keystrokes.

17. An image data security analysis camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said camera has wireless communication capabilities with said user controls, said monitor, said recording device and said alarm.

18. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 10, wherein said memory is cleared once the power and monitor switch is opened thereby turning off said camera.

19. An image data analysis security camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said image data analysis camera can be in communication with said alarm and said user controls without a link-up to a monitor or recording device