Methods and apparatus related to improved surveillance

• US 20080030577A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SightLogix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SightLogix, Inc.
• Inventors: Cleary, Geoffrey Alan, Chin, Danny
• Granted Patent: US 8,139,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19663 Surveillance related processing done local to the camera

Abstract

A smart camera device incorporates a first processing path for video display processing and a second processing path for detection and/or tracking processing. A sensor device provides input signals including first size data units to both processing paths, at least some of the same input signals are processed by both processing paths. The video display processing generates second size data units which are smaller than first size data units. First size data units provide more information to the detection/processing module than second size data units would have provided if used. IR detection capability is improved by using first size data units. Detection and/or target tracking operations generate control signals used to control the video display processing to enhance the visual perceptibility of a detected target. Detection and/or target tracking operations generate target information signals conveying an indication of target detection, target identification information, target location information, and/or camera control signal.

Claims

1. A method of operating an integrated camera assembly, comprising:

operating a sensor module to generate first fixed size image data units;

performing an image processing operation on at least some of said first fixed size data units to produce second size data units, said second size data units being of a second fixed size which is smaller than said first fixed size;

generating an image output signal from said second size data units; and

processing at least some of said first fixed size data units, which are also processed by said image processing operation, to perform at least one of a target detection and a target tracking operation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing to perform at least one of a target detection and a target tracking operation includes generating a target information signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the target information signal communicates at least one of:

an indication that a target has been detected, information identifying the target, information characterizing a detected target, a camera positioning control signal, a second cameral control signal used to control a second camera, and location information relating to tracking the target.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said processing to perform at least one of a target detection and a target tracking operation includes generating a target information signal, the method further comprising:

generating an image control signal used to control said image processing operation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said image processing operation is a non-uniform image compression operation.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said non-uniform compression operation is adjusted as a function of said image control signal to enhance the visual perceptibility of a detected target.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said sensor module senses visible light.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said sensor module senses infrared electromagnetic radiation.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

discriminating between targets and non-target objects based on detected infrared signals.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said discrimination is based on first sized data units which provide more information than said second size data units.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said discriminating includes comparing a temperature of a possible target to a background temperature.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

generating said background temperature from sensed first size data units.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said discriminating further includes:

determining if said possible target changes position with time.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said discriminating includes comparing a temperature of a possible target to a detection temperature threshold corresponding to an expected target temperature.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein said method is performed within a single camera housing, said single camera housing being located in a system including a plurality of cameras coupled to a common control center.

16. An integrated camera assembly, comprising:

a camera housing;

a sensor module for generating first fixed size image data units;

an image processing module located in said camera housing for performing an image processing operation on at least some of said first fixed size data units to produce second size data units, said second size data units being of a second fixed size which is smaller than said first fixed size;

a video compression module coupled to said image processing module for generating a compressed image output signal from said second size data units; and

a secondary processing module, included in said camera housing, for processing at least some of said first fixed size data units, which are also processed by said image processing module, said secondary processing module for performing at least one of a target detection and a target tracking operation.

17. The integrated camera assembly of claim 16, wherein said secondary processing module includes a detection and tracking module for generating a target information signal.

18. The integrated camera assembly of claim 17, wherein the target information signal communicates at least one of:

an indication that a target has been detected, information identifying the target, information characterizing a detected target, a camera positioning control signal, a second cameral control signal used to control a second camera, and location information relating to tracking the target.

19. The integrated camera assembly of claim 17, wherein said secondary processing module includes:

an image processing control module for generating an image processing control signal used to control said image processing performed by said visual processing module.

20. The integrated camera assembly of claim 19, wherein said visual processing module is a non-uniform image compression module.

21. The integrated camera assembly of claim 20, wherein said image control signal controls said non-uniform image compression module to enhance the visual perceptibility of a detected target.

22. The integrated camera assembly of claim 19, wherein said sensor module includes a visible light sensor.

23. The integrated camera assembly of claim 19, wherein said sensor module includes an infrared electromagnetic radiation sensor.

24. The integrated camera assembly of claim 23, wherein said secondary processing module includes a target discrimination module for discriminating between targets and non-target objects based on detected infrared signals.

25. The integrated camera assembly of claim 24, wherein said discrimination is based on first sized data units which provide more information than said second size data units.

26. The integrated camera assembly of claim 24, wherein said target discrimination module includes a comparator for comparing a temperature of a possible target to a background temperature.

27. The integrated camera assembly of claim 26, wherein said target discrimination module further comprises:

a background temperature determination module for generating said background temperature from sensed first size data units.

28. The integrated camera assembly of claim 26, wherein said discrimination module further includes:

a position determination module for determining if said possible target changes position with time.

29. The integrated camera assembly of claim 24, wherein said discriminating module includes a comparator for comparing a temperature of a possible target to a detection temperature threshold corresponding to an expected target temperature.

30. The integrated camera assembly of claim 17, wherein said camera assembly is located in a system including a plurality of cameras coupled to a common control center.