Method and apparatus for surveying a predetermined surveillance area
First Claim
1. A process for surveying a given surveillance area, using a detection device, especially at least one video camera and/or microphone, comprising the steps of:
- a) during a surveillance period, continuously determining a plurality of characteristic data sets from instantaneous signal segments of signals generated by the detection device by automatic signal analysis;
b) continuously storing said plurality of characteristic data sets in a database;
c) performing a statistical comparison between a characteristic data set of an instantaneous signal segment of a signal generated by the detection device and at least one decision area generated from said plurality of characteristic data sets stored in the database;
d) generating an alarm signal if the statistical deviation calculated by the statistical comparison exceeds a statistically determined value range calculated from the plurality of characteristic data sets stored in the database.
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Abstract
The invention relates to an automatic surveillance system whereby characteristic data are first determined from a section of a signal (an instantaneous video image) using an automatic image analysis. This data is then stored temporarily or permanently with a time tag, so that it can be compared statistically with certain other time references. This statistical comparison enables the inventive surveillance system to identify abnormal situations and to selectively bring them to the attention of the surveillance officer. The invention is characterized in that the system itself identifies which situations are abnormal and require closer examination. It is not necessary to specify in advance what constitutes abnormal in a given surveillance situation, since after a certain period of running, the system itself will have collected the data corresponding to a normal situation.
69 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A process for surveying a given surveillance area, using a detection device, especially at least one video camera and/or microphone, comprising the steps of:
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a) during a surveillance period, continuously determining a plurality of characteristic data sets from instantaneous signal segments of signals generated by the detection device by automatic signal analysis;
b) continuously storing said plurality of characteristic data sets in a database;
c) performing a statistical comparison between a characteristic data set of an instantaneous signal segment of a signal generated by the detection device and at least one decision area generated from said plurality of characteristic data sets stored in the database;
d) generating an alarm signal if the statistical deviation calculated by the statistical comparison exceeds a statistically determined value range calculated from the plurality of characteristic data sets stored in the database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for surveying a given surveillance area, using a detection device, especially at least one video camera and/or microphone, comprising:
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a) means for continuously determining a plurality of characteristic data sets from instantaneous signal segments of signals generated by the detection device by automatic signal analysis solely during a surveillance period;
b) a database for continuously storing said plurality of characteristic data sets;
c) means for performing a statistical comparison between a charateristic data set of segment and at least one decision area generated from said plurality of characteristic data sets stored in the database;
d) means for generating an alarm signal if the statistical deviation calculated by the statistical comparison exceeds a statistically determined value range calculated from the plurality of characteristic data sets stored at an earlier time of the surveillance period in the database.
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Specification