SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING LOCATION OF PERSONS AND OBJECTS

• US 20120106778A1
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Cuddihy, Paul Edward, Schnore, Austars Raymond Jr., Theurer, Charles Burton, Salvo, Joseph James, Zhang, Li
• Application Number:
  US12/913,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20120106778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30196 Human being; Person
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/254 involving subtraction of images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A method for detecting changes in locations of persons and objects is disclosed. The method includes projecting a plurality of imaging planes across a specified area near a ground level and at none or least one pre-determined height from the ground level. The method also includes capturing respective imaging lines from the plurality of planes via one or more imaging components, observed when the objects or persons intersect the projected imaging planes. The method further includes recording a standard shape of the respective imaging lines in absence of any person or object within the specified area to establish a baseline image. The method also includes comparing each of successive captured imaging lines with the baseline image of the respective lines. The method further includes determining one or more changes in discontinuities in the captured imaging lines due to interception caused by movement of the object based upon the comparison. The method also includes translating the changes in discontinuities to determine an occurrence of an event of interest and alerting an operator in case of occurrence of the event of interest.

Claims

1. A method for detecting changes in the locations of persons and objects, comprising:

projecting a plurality of imaging planes across a specified area near ground level and at none or at least one pre-determined height from the ground level;

capturing respective imaging lines from the plurality of planes via one or more imaging components, observed when the objects or persons intersect the projected imaging planes;

recording a standard shape of the respective imaging lines in absence of any person or object within the specified area to establish a baseline image;

comparing discontinuities in each of successive captured imaging lines with the discontinuities in baseline image of the respective lines;

determining one or more changes in discontinuities in the captured imaging lines due to interception caused by movement of the object based upon the comparison;

translating the changes in discontinuities to determine an occurrence of an event of interest; and

alerting an operator in case of occurrence of the event of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said alerting comprises alerting via at least one of a wireless means, an audible means, a text message or a wired means.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating comprises determining changes in vertical discontinuity and horizontal discontinuity of the imaging lines captured near ground level and the at least one pre-determined height.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining an event of interest comprises detecting a fallen human being.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said alerting comprises alerting of the fall only when changes in discontinuities are observed in the imaging lines captured near ground level alone and not at the imaging lines captured at the one or more pre-determined heights.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining an event of interest comprises determining a burglary event.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said alerting comprises alerting of the burglary event when at least one of the imaging lines captured near ground level and the at least one pre-determined height are discontinuous.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating the changes in discontinuities comprises translating a change in location of the captured imaging lines relative to the baseline image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating the changes in discontinuities comprises translating a bend in the captured imaging lines relative to the baseline image.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said translating the changes in discontinuities comprises translating a break in the captured imaging lines relative to the baseline image.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said changes in discontinuities comprises translating an absence of the captured imaging lines relative to the baseline image.

12. A system for detecting movement of an object, comprising:

a plurality of radiation sources configured to project a plurality of imaging planes across a specified area near a ground level and at none or at least one pre-determined height from the ground level;

one or more imaging components configured to capturing respective imaging lines from the plurality of planes;

a processing subsystem configured to;

record a standard shape of the respective imaging lines in absence of any object within the specified area to establish a baseline image;

compare each of successive captured imaging lines with the standard shape of the respective lines;

determine one or more changes in discontinuities in the captured imaging lines based upon the comparison; and

translate the changes in discontinuities to determine occurrence of an event of interest; and

an alerting component configured to alert an operator in case of occurrence of the event of interest.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said alerting component comprises a wireless component.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said radiation sources comprise lasers or diodes.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said lasers comprises infrared lasers.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said diodes comprise infrared diodes.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein said event of interest comprises a fall of a human being or an animal.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a frame configured to rest on a floor, the frame having a vertical riser on which a first of the plurality of radiation sources is located between about 1 and about 4 inches above the ground level and on which a second of the plurality of radiation sources is located between about 15 and about 36 inches above the ground level, and wherein the one or more imaging components are disposed on the vertical riser.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein said event of interest comprises a burglary.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein said specified area comprises a living room or a bathroom.