Method and apparatus for tracking with identification

• US 20090231436A1
• Filed: 04/17/2002
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony E. Faltesek, Vassilios Morellas
• Original Assignee: Anthony E. Faltesek, Vassilios Morellas
• Inventors: Morellas, Vassilios, Faltesek, Anthony E.
• Application Number:
  US10/123,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20090231436A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30241 Trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/277 involving stochastic approaches, e.g. using Kalman filters
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/292 Multi-camera tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/33 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/147 Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/24 Aligning, centring, orientation detection or correction of the image
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/28 Quantising the image, e.g. histogram thresholding for discrimination between background and foreground patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/62 relating to a temporal dimension, e.g. time-based feature extraction; Pattern tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/52 Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects recognising microscopic objects G06V20/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands

Abstract

Combining and fusing the tracking of people and objects with image processing and the identification of the people and objects being tracked. Also, conditions of a person, object, area or facility can be detected, evaluated and monitored.

Claims

1. A tracking system comprising:

an imaging device;

a vision processor connected to said imaging device; and

an identifier connected to said vision processor.

2. The tracking system of claim 1 wherein said vision processor comprises:

an image processor; and

a tracker.

3. The tracking system of claim 2, further comprising a fusion processor connected to said vision processor and said identifier.

4. The tracking system of claim 3, further comprising a user interface component.

5. The tracking system of claim 4, further comprising a connection to at least one database.

6. The tracking system of claim 5, further comprising a sensor connected to said identifier.

7. The tracking system of claim 6, wherein said user interface component comprises an operator monitor.

8. The tracking system of claim 7, wherein said imaging device comprises a plurality of cameras.

9. The tracking system of claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises a detector of people and objects.

10. The tracking system of claim 9, wherein said identifier can positively identify people and objects detected by said detector.

11. A tracking system comprising:

means for imaging;

means for processing images from said means for imaging;

means for identifying;

means for fusing together said means for identifying and said

means for imaging; and

means for tracking connected to said means for imaging.

12. The tracking system of claim 11, wherein said means for tracking can track at least one person or object and identify that person or object.

13. The tracking system of claim 12, further comprising means for interfacing a user with said means for tracking.

14. The tracking system of claim 13, wherein said means for interfacing a user comprises a means for monitoring said means for tracking.

15. The tracking system of claim 14, further comprising a means for sensing connected to said means for identifying.

16. The tracking system of claim 15, further comprising a means for interacting with a database.

17. A method for tracking comprising:

attaining images of an item to be tracked;

processing the images;

tracking the item; and

identifying the item.

18. The method for tracking of claim 17, further comprising fusing the identifying the item with the tracking the item.

19. The method for tracking of claim 18, further comprising interfacing a user with the method for tracking.

20. The method for tracking of claim 19, further comprising interacting the method for tracking with a database.