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System and method for detecting and analyzing a queue

  • US 6,195,121 B1
  • Filed: 05/27/1999
  • Issued: 02/27/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting persons standing in a queue, comprising:

  • (a) a video camera positioned to view a selected area of interest, the video camera providing a video signal output;

    (b) a frame grabber for converting the video signal output into a digital video image;

    (c) a processing system for analyzing the digital video image, the processing system performing the following steps;

    (1) dividing the digital video image into a plurality of slots, each slot approximately the size of a person within the digital video image;

    (2) generating an image difference for each slot;

    (3) determining from the image difference whether a slot is occupied by a person; and

    (4) determining whether a person overlaps adjacent slots, if it is determined that neither adjacent slot is occupied by a person, by defining a slot overlapping the adjacent slots and detecting whether the overlapping slot is occupied by a person.

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