Image Processing Sensor Systems

• US 20160188965A1
• Filed: 03/07/2016
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tko Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tko Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: McClure, Neil L., Wieland, Ralph David
• Granted Patent: US 9,740,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 31/002 Detecting animals in a given area
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/2413 based on distances to training or reference patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1961 Movement detection not involving frame subtraction, e.g. motion detection on the basis of luminance changes in the image
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19663 Surveillance related processing done local to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/043 detecting an emergency event, e.g. a fall
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras

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.

Claims

1. A method of image processing, comprising the steps of:

constructing a results key at a first processing station

making the results key available to a central computer system that includes at least one 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 central computer system 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 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. The image capture and processing device of claim 11, further including a remotely monitored data display unit configured to display an alarm upon receipt of the output signal.

13. The image capture and processing device of claim 11, wherein the means for analyzing includes an artificially intelligent algorithm that is trained to detect the specific human movement.