Video-type universal motion and intrusion detection system

• US 3,988,533 A
• Filed: 09/30/1974
• Issued: 10/26/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Video TEK Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Video TEK Incorporated
• Inventors: Beck, Donald, Mick, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/510,627
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 178/DIG. 33, 178/6.8
• US Class Current: 348/155
• 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: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19671 Addition of non-video data, i.e. metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1968 Interfaces for setting up or customising the system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19689 Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera

Abstract

A motion and intrusion detection system utilizing video techniques samples fixed points during a video scan of the field of view of a camera and stores information concerning the fixed scanned points. During subsequent scans, information concerning the respective scanned points is compared with previous scans and threshold conditions are set up in order to detect an alarm condition. Further, apparatus is provided to change the field of view of the video system and in order to automatically focus and zoom in to magnify a particular portion of the field of view. Still further, means is provided to display a "map" of the alarmed areas on the screen of the television monitor.

Claims

1. A motion and intrusion detection system comprising:

a video camera for viewing a given field of view and for generating video signals corresponding to said field of view;

means responsive to said video signals for converting said video signals into a plurality of coded digital signals which correspond to the grey level of said video signal at a plurality of points in said field of view of said camera;

storage means for selectively storing said coded information corresponding to said plurality of points;

means for comparing predetermined coded information corresponding to said plurality of points from a first scan of said camera with the coded information corresponding to said plurality of points generated during a subsequent scan of said camera on a point-by-point basis;

means for generating an alarm signal when the difference between said compared signals for corresponding points exceeds a predetermined value; and

means responsive to said alarm signals for generating an alarm indication.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said storage means includes means for selectively re-circulating the information corresponding to a complete scan of the field of view of said camera at selected periods of time.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alarm indication means includes means for generating an alarm indication after receipt of a predetermined number of said alarm signals.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said converting means comprises an analog-to-digital converter for converting the video signal into a digital signal;

means coupled to the output of said converting means for detecting maximum and minimum values of the output of said converting means; and

means for adjusting the high and low conversion level of said analog-to-digital converter.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for displaying said video signals on a monitor;

and means for modulating the points on said displayed video signal at which alarm detection is to be carried out.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means coupled to said alarm indication means for transmitting alarm information to remote points.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for displaying video signals on a monitor;

and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the output of said storage means for generating analog signals corresponding to the contents of said storage means, said analog signals being coupled to said display means for displaying a digital-type representation of the field of view of said camera.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for displaying the video signals received from said camera on a video monitor;

and means responsive to the output of said alarm signal generating means for modulating the video signal displayed on said monitor so as to impart a predetermined characteristic to the display on said monitor at portions where alarm signals are generated.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said modulator modulates said portions where an alarm signal is generated so as to darken the display at said portions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a camera control means responsive to said alarm signals which are coupled to said alarm indication means for controlling the position of said camera as a function of said alarm signals.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said video camera comprises a zoom lens, and wherein said camera control means comprises means for varying the focal length of said zoom lens responsive to said alarm signals coupled to said alarm indication means.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for selecting at least one random area of the field of view of said video camera;

said means for generating an alarm signal being responsive to the output of said random area selecting means for generating said alarm signal only during said selected random areas.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 comprising means for displaying the video signal on a monitor, and wherein said random area selecting means comprises a light pen adapted to be located adjacent said display on said monitor for generating a signal corresponding to the position said light pen is placed adjacent said display.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 comprising a register means responsive to the outputs of said light pen for storing an indication of the position of said light pen on said display, and means for generating signals corresponding to the positions of said light pen on said display such that said alarm signals are coupled to said alarm indication means only when they occur during said at least one selected area.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 comprising a buffer register coupled to said register means for storing one line of information, and means responsive to the output of said register means and to the output of said buffer register for coupling the output of at least one of said register and buffer register to said means for generating said alarm signal.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alarm signal generating means includes means for selecting at least one rectangular portion of the field of view of said camera such that alarm signals are coupled to said alarm indication generating means only for alarm signals generated within said selected rectangular portion.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said alarm signal generating means includes alarm gating means responsive to said means for selecting said portion of said field of view for gating said alarm signals to said alarm indication means.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means for selecting at least one portion of said field of view of said camera comprises first means for generating a signal of predetermined time duration and having a predetermined delay relative to the beginning of a scan of the field of view of said camera;

second means for generating a signal having a predetermined duration and having a predetermined time delay relative to the beginning of scanning of each line of said field of view of said camera; and

coincidence means for gating the outputs from said first and second means to said alarm gating means.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first means comprise a pair of serially connected one-shot multivibrators having adjustable time delays, and said second means comprises a pair of serially connected one-shot multivibrators having adjustable time delays.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 comprising means for generating horizontal sync signals and vertical sync signals, said first means being responsive to said vertical sync signals and said second means being responsive to said horizontal sync signals.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alarm signal generating means includes means for generating gating signals only at times corresponding to the timing of predetermined points of a given scan of said camera;

and alarm gating means responsive to said gating signals for gating selected alarm signals to said alarm indication means.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said camera produces a plurality of successive scanning fields, and wherein said means for generating gating signals, comprises:

means for selecting predetermined fields of said plurality of fields and for generating a field-select signal during the time that said predetermined fields are present;

means for selecting predetermined scanning lines within a field and generating a line-select signal during the presence of said predetermined scanning lines;

means for selecting predetermined scanning points on said scanning lines and for generating a point-select signal when said predetermined points are present; and

means responsive at least to said field-selelct, line-select and point-select signals for generating said gating signals.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said alarm gating means comprises means responsive to said alarm signals to said gating signals for generating gated alarm signals.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 comprising means for generating synchronized vertical sync signals, horizontal sync signals and sample point clock signals, and wherein said means for selecting predetermined fields of said plurality of fields includes a counter responsive to said vertical sync signals and adjustable decoding means responsive to the output of said counter.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said means for selecting predetermined scanning lines comprises a counter responsive to said horizontal sync signals and adjustable decoding means coupled to said counter.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said means for selecting predetermined scanning points comprises a counter responsive to said sample point clock signal and adjustable decoding means coupled to the output of said counter.