Video based monitoring system

• US 20060024020A1
• Filed: 07/27/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelliview Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelliview Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Badawy, Wael
• Granted Patent: US 7,612,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/228
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19641 Multiple cameras having overlapping views on a single scene
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A video-based monitoring system has a video recording device having a field of view, wherein plural zones are defined within the field of view of the video recording device, each zone having an algorithm corresponding to movement in that zone, and a processing unit for receiving and processing video data from the video recording device.

Claims

1. A video-based monitoring system, the monitoring system comprising:

a video recording device having a field of view; and

a processing unit for receiving and processing video data from the video recording device, wherein the processing unit is configured to define plural zones within the field of view of the video recording device, each zone being associated with an algorithm, stored in the processing unit, for detecting and classifying movement in the respective zone.

2. The video-based monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the processing unit comprises an analysis unit for classifying a movement in a zone based on the algorithm, and a control unit for activating a response based on the classification

3. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the analysis unit classifies the movement as one of no motion, motion-allowed, motion-required, motion-risky or motion-prohibited.

4. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the processing unit further comprises a detection unit for detecting movement and a video recording unit for recording the event.

5. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the processing unit further comprises a storage unit for storing a record the movement for future reference.

6. The video-based monitoring system of claim 5 wherein the storage unit stores the movement according to time and classification.

7. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the response activated by the control unit comprises a remote monitor, a wireless device, a visual signal, an audio signal, or a dial-up connection.

8. The vide-based monitoring system of claim 1 wherein data is transmitted over a wireless network.

9. The video-based monitoring system of claim 1 wherein more than one video recording device is present.

10. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the control unit receives data from plural recording devices.

11. The video-based monitoring system of claim 2 wherein the analysis unit receives data from plural recording devices.

12. The video-based monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the field of view is a hospital room.

13. The video-based monitoring system of claim 12 wherein the zones comprise one or more of a bed zone, a door zone, an activity zone, and a high risk zone.

14. A method of monitoring movement in an area, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving data from plural zones within the field of view of a sensor; and

detecting movement in each zone according to respective motion detection algorithms corresponding to each zone.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising classifying a movement in a zone based on the corresponding algorithm, and a control unit for activating a response based on the classification.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising classifying the movement as one of no motion, motion-allowed, motion-required, motion-risky or motion-prohibited.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising activating a response according to the classification of the movement.

18. The method of claim 14 used to monitor movement in a hospital room.

19. The method of claim 18 in which the plural zones comprises more than one bed zone.

20. The method of claim 14 in which the plural zones comprise one or more of a bed zone, door zone, activity zone and a high-risk zone.