Method of tracking objects with an imaging device

• US 6,061,055 A
• Filed: 03/21/1997
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Marks, Richard Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US08/823,302
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 345/327, 345/328, 345/330, 345/348, 345/349, 345/354, 345/346, 345/970, 345/972, 348/169, 348/170, 348/214, 348/213, 348/15, 382/103, 382/209, 382/218
• US Class Current: 382/276
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/24 Aligning, centring, orientation detection or correction of the image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/972 Inserted real-time video in operator interface

Abstract

A method of tracking a target object using a computer system. The computer system includes a computer, a display device, and an imaging device. The computer is coupled to the display device and the imaging device. The method comprises the following steps. Capture a first image using the imaging device, the first image corresponds to the target object. Generate a second image from the first image, the second image also corresponds to the target object. Display the second image on the display device. Responsive to receiving a selection signal, the computer system sends control signals to the imaging device to track the target object. The selection signal corresponds to a selection of the second image.

Claims

1. A method of tracking a target object using a computer system, the computer system including a computer, a display device, and an imaging device having a field of view, the computer being coupled to the display device and the imaging device, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing a first image from within said field of view of the imaging device using the imaging device, said first image corresponding to said target object;

generating a second image from the first image, the second image corresponding to said target object;

displaying the second image on the display device; and

responsive to receiving a selection signal, the computer system controlling the imaging device to track and capture additional images of said target object from within said field of view of the imaging device, the selection signal corresponding to a selection of the second image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said capturing said first image includes digitizing a first frame received from said imaging device and displaying said first image on said display device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said second image from said first image includes:

receiving a selection of a first area, said first area defining a portion of said first image including an image of the target object; and

creating a reduced image of said first image, where said second image includes said reduced image.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said second image from said first image includes making a copy of said first image, said copy being said second image.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said second image from said first image includes making a thumbnail image of said first image, said thumbnail image being said second image.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said second image from said first image is performed in response to the following steps:

searching said first image for an object corresponding to a predetermined type of object; and

identifying said object in said first image, said target object corresponding to said object.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said type of object corresponds to a human being.

8. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of said imaging device capturing a plurality of images corresponding to said field of view, and generating a model from said first image, said model corresponding to said target object, and wherein said computer system controlling the imaging device to track said target object includes the following steps:

receiving a subset of said plurality of images;

causing said computer system to use said model to search said plurality of images for images of said target object; and

responsive to said searching, generating imaging device control commands to cause the imaging device to keep said target object in said field of view.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said second image corresponds to a first area on said display device and wherein said receiving said selection signal includes receiving a mouse click signal corresponding to a mouse click within said first area.

10. A method of tracking a primary target object using a computer system, a video camera, and a display device, said computer system coupled to said video camera and said display device, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of frames;

identifying a plurality of target objects in said plurality of frames;

generating a set of images from said plurality of frames, each image of said set of images corresponding to a different target object of said plurality of target objects;

displaying said set of images;

receiving a selection of an image of said set of images causing a selection of said primary target object; and

responsive to causing said selection of said primary target object, said video camera tracking and capturing additional images of said primary target object.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said generating said set of images includes selecting a set of areas from a subset of said plurality of frames, each area of said set of areas corresponding to one of said different target objects, and each image of said set of images corresponding to a frame of said plurality of frames.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said selecting said set of areas includes receiving a bounding box selection for said each area, said bounding box selection defining said each area.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said selecting said set of areas includes identifying a first target object of said plurality of target objects, said identifying including searching at least a first frame of said plurality of frames for an object of a predetermined type and finding a first area of said first frame corresponding to said object of said predetermined type, and wherein said generating said set of images includes including a first image, corresponding to said first frame, into said set of images.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said predetermined type corresponds to a human being.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said displaying said set of images includes displaying said set of images on said display device, each image corresponding to a different selection area on said display device, and wherein said receiving said selection includes receiving a mouse selection in one selection area.

16. A system for tracking a target object comprising:

means for capturing a first image using an imaging device from within a field of view of the imaging device, said first image corresponding to said target object;

means for generating a second image from the first image, the second image corresponding to said target object;

means for displaying the second image; and

means for controlling said imaging device to track and capture additional images of said target object from within said field of view of the imaging device, in response to receiving a selection signal corresponding to a selection of the second image.