Image Processing Sensor Systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of image processing, comprising the steps of:
- constructing a results key at a first processing station;
providing the results key to an image capture and processing device remote from the first processing station, where the image capture and processing device is operable to capture an image presented to a field of view of the image capture and processing device;
using the image capture and processing device remotely from the first processing station to analyze the field of view image in cooperation with the results key, and to provide an output signal based on the results of the analysis; and
;
detecting specific human movements or postures and provides an output signal when said specific movements occur.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An image processing sensor system functions as a standalone unit to capture images and process the resulting signals to detect objects or events of interest. The processing significantly improves selectivity and specificity of detection objects and events in a series of motions that may precede a patient who is at elevated risk of falling.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method of image processing, comprising the steps of:
-
constructing a results key at a first processing station; providing the results key to an image capture and processing device remote from the first processing station, where the image capture and processing device is operable to capture an image presented to a field of view of the image capture and processing device; using the image capture and processing device remotely from the first processing station to analyze the field of view image in cooperation with the results key, and to provide an output signal based on the results of the analysis; and
;detecting specific human movements or postures and provides an output signal when said specific movements occur.
-
-
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the results key is performed by using a portable memory component.
-
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the results key is performed by using a wireless transmission.
-
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the results key includes a cable interconnect.
-
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises using data from one or more property sensors to facilitate said analysis.
-
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capture and processing device further includes one or more property sensors configured to provide property sensor output and the step of using the image capture and processing device includes use of the property sensor output to facilitate the analysis.
-
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capture and processing device further includes a real time clock function configured to provide a time output signal and the step of using the image capture and processing device includes use of the time function output signal to facilitate the analysis.
-
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capture and processing device further includes GPS circuitry configured to provide a GPS output signal and the step of using the image capture and processing device includes use of the GPS output signal to facilitate the analysis.
-
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capture and processing device includes an artificial electromagnetic energy source and the step of using the image capture and processing device includes using the artificial electromagnetic energy source to facilitate image capture.
-
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively actuating a device through use of the control output signal conditioned upon a result of the analysis.
-
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing one or more output signals conditioned upon a result of the analysis, and using a plurality of results keys sequentially during a course of the analysis.
-
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of providing the results key with means for preventing spoofing of the system.
-
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the image processing and capture device contains a lens that has a total field of view and the step of using the image processing and capture device includes performing the analysis using a selected portion less than the total field of view.
-
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the lens has a 360°
- total field of view.
-
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the Results Key accommodates lens distortion in the total field of view.
-
16. The method of claim 1, wherein step of using the image capture and processing device includes providing the output control signal based upon observed interaction over time between a plurality of discrete objects of interests.
-
17. The method of claim 1, wherein step of using the image capture and processing device includes changing the system sampling rate based upon a detected event.
-
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the results key includes the method of making an improved results key available to the image capture and processing device at a future time, where the improved results key provides a higher degree of specificity of the object of interest.
-
19. In an image capture and processing device that detects human movements, the improvement comprising:
-
means for analyzing the human movements to ascertain specific movements related to at least one action selected from the group consisting of characteristic movement patterns consistent with a human getting out of bed; and means for providing an output signal when the specific movements occur in the field of view.
-
-
20. The image capture and processing device of claim 19, further including a remotely monitored data display unit configured to display an alarm upon receipt of the output signal.
-
21. The image capture and processing device of claim 19, wherein the means for analyzing includes an artificially intelligent algorithm that is trained to detect the specific human movement.
Specification