Method and apparatus for automated video surveillance

• US 20070200928A1
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fraudhalt Limited
• Original Assignee: Fraudhalt Limited
• Inventors: Hatfield, Roger, Smith, Patrick, McCarthy, Sean, O'Doherty, Phelim, Luna, Carlos, O'Kane, John, Kearns, Wayne, Taylor, Fergus
• Application Number:
  US11/705,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 3/003 Anti-theft control theft alarms G08B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19673 Addition of time stamp, i.e. time metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A surveillance system for an ATM utilizing multiple cameras aimed at the user, the card slot, and surrounding areas is disclosed. The cameras are powered and begin to record images after a sensor is activated. The system maintains a buffer of recorded imagery such that when the sensors are activated, the video processing equipment can store a pre-defined amount of time before the sensor is activated. The buffer allows for the video capture of events just prior to the activation of the sensor. A time stamp and any other relevant data from the cameras may also be included with the stored recorded video.

Claims

1. A device for processing video comprising:

at video camera focused on an area of interest,

a sensor for detecting an event in the area of interest, and

a processor coupled to the camera and the sensor, the sensor signaling the processor upon detection of the event to capture the data collected by the camera.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor records a buffer, the buffer added to the data collected by the camera.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the data collected by the camera comprises a time stamp.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the camera captures a first image of the area of interest, the processor comparing the first image to a second image, the second image captured by the camera at a time later than the capture of the first image.

5. A method of processing video comprising:

viewing an area of interest through a video camera;

storing a collection of data captured by a video camera upon the detection of an event in the area of interest by a sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

capturing a first image of the area of interest; and

comparing the first image to a second image of the area of interest, the second image captured at a time later than the capture of the first image.