Method, system and program product for a plurality of cameras to track an object using motion vector data
First Claim
1. A method for a plurality of cameras to track an object using motion vector data, the method comprising the steps of:
- a first camera system having a first camera with a first field of view providing a sequence of video fields;
providing motion vector data for an object in the first field of view based on the sequence of video fields provided by the first camera;
predicting whether the object will enter a second field of view based on the motion vector data;
a second camera system having a second camera with the second field of view providing a sequence of video fields;
if the predicting step predicts that the object will enter the second field of view, providing tracking data to the second camera system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system and program product in accordance with the preferred embodiments use motion vector data to track an object moving between areas being monitored by a plurality of video cameras. Motion vector data are used to predict whether an object in a first field of view covered by a first camera system will enter a second field of view covered by a second camera system. If the prediction is that the object will enter the second field of view, tracking data are provided to the second camera system. The tracking data may include pan, tilt and/or zoom adjustment data, which may be provided to a PTZ adjustment mechanism of the second camera system, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, the tracking data may include pan/tilt motion vector data, zoom factor data and/or shrinkage/expansion data, which are provided to a motion tracking processor of the second camera system.
50 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for a plurality of cameras to track an object using motion vector data, the method comprising the steps of:
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a first camera system having a first camera with a first field of view providing a sequence of video fields;
providing motion vector data for an object in the first field of view based on the sequence of video fields provided by the first camera;
predicting whether the object will enter a second field of view based on the motion vector data;
a second camera system having a second camera with the second field of view providing a sequence of video fields;
if the predicting step predicts that the object will enter the second field of view, providing tracking data to the second camera system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for a plurality of cameras to track an object using motion vector data, comprising:
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a first camera system having a first camera with a first field of view providing a sequence of video fields, a video data processor providing motion vector data for an object in the first field of view based on the sequence of video fields provided by the first camera, and a motion tracking processor predicting whether the object will enter a second field of view based on the motion vector data provided by the video data processor;
a second camera system having a second camera with the second field of view; and
a system processor providing tracking data to the second camera system if the motion tracking processor of the first camera system predicts that the object will enter the second field of view. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A program product, comprising:
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(A) a prediction mechanism that predicts whether an object in a first field of view covered by a first camera system will enter a second field of view covered by a second camera system based on motion vector data provided by the first camera system;
(B) a handoff mechanism that provides tracking data to the second camera system if the prediction mechanism predicts that the object will enter the second field of view;
(C) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing (A) and (B). - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A program product, comprising:
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(A) a prediction mechanism that predicts whether an object in a first field of view covered by a first camera system will enter a second field of view covered by a second camera system based on motion vector data provided by the first camera system;
(B) a handoff mechanism that provides tracking data to the second camera system if the prediction mechanism predicts that the object will enter the second field of view;
(C) a tracking mechanism that provides at least one of pan, tilt and zoom adjustment data to a PTZ adjustment mechanism of the first camera system;
(D) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing (A), (B) and (C). - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification