Method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system, the method comprising the steps of:
- displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked;
freezing the video image data of the scene having the target to be tracked to display a frame thereof; and
selecting at least distinguishing image characteristics of the target relative to the entire scene in the frame of the frozen video image data.
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Abstract
A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system. The method including the steps of: displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked; freezing the video image data to display a frame thereof; and selecting a desired target in the frame of the video image data. Also provided is an apparatus for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system and an automated video tracking system employing such methods and apparatus.
36 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a target in an automated video tracking system, the method comprising the steps of:
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displaying video image data of a scene having a target to be tracked;
freezing the video image data of the scene having the target to be tracked to display a frame thereof; and
selecting at least distinguishing image characteristics of the target relative to the entire scene in the frame of the frozen video image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
unfreezing the video image data after the selecting step; and
tracking the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data.
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3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises drawing a shape around at least a distinguishing portion of the desired target with an input device.
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4. The method of claim 3, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the shape is a rectangle.
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5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises indicating a region in which the desired target resides with an input device.
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6. The method of claim 5, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the indicating step comprises clicking on the region.
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7. An apparatus for selecting target in an automated video tracking system, the apparatus comprising:
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a camera for providing video image data of a scene having a desired target to be tracked;
a display for displaying the video image data;
means for freezing the video image data of the scene having a target to be tracked to display a frame thereof; and
an input device for selecting at least distinguishing image characteristics of the desired target relative to the entire scene in the frame of the frozen video image data. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
means for unfreezing the video image data after the image characteristics of the desired target are selected; and
an automated video tracking system having a controller for controlling the camera to track the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data.
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9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input device comprises means for drawing a shape around at least a portion of the desired target containing the distinguishing image characteristics.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the shape is a rectangle.
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11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the input device comprises means for indicating a region in which the desired target resides.
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12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the input device is a computer mouse and the means for indicating comprises clicking on the region.
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13. A video tracking system comprising:
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a camera for providing video image data of a scene having a desired target to be tracked;
a display for displaying the video image data;
means for freezing the video image data of the scene having a target to be tracked to display a frame thereof;
an input device for selecting at least distinguishing image characteristics of the desired target relative to the entire scene in the frame of the frozen video image data;
means for unfreezing the video image data after the image characteristics of the desired target are selected; and
a controller for controlling the camera to track the selected desired target in the unfrozen video image data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification