Motion detecting web camera system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A web camera system for uploading pictures to a web site comprising:
- a video camera;
a current frame buffer to hold a current image captured by the video camera;
a previous frame buffer to hold a previous image captured prior to the current image;
a candidate buffer to hold a most recent image for periodic uploading to the web site;
logic circuitry to perform a pixel comparison between the current image and the previous image, the logic circuitry asserting a motion signal when the pixel comparison exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
the web camera system operating according to one of a plurality of modes, in a first mode of operation the current image is loaded into the candidate buffer responsive to the motion signal and in a second mode of operation the current image is loaded into the candidate buffer after a certain duration has elapsed following assertion of the motion signal.
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Abstract
A camera system that includes a video camera and a processor, which periodically uploads images captured by the video camera to a web server in accordance with one of a plurality of motion detection algorithms. A first motion detection algorithm captures a current image frame when a pixel comparison between successive image frames exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A web camera system for uploading pictures to a web site comprising:
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a video camera;
a current frame buffer to hold a current image captured by the video camera;
a previous frame buffer to hold a previous image captured prior to the current image;
a candidate buffer to hold a most recent image for periodic uploading to the web site;
logic circuitry to perform a pixel comparison between the current image and the previous image, the logic circuitry asserting a motion signal when the pixel comparison exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
the web camera system operating according to one of a plurality of modes, in a first mode of operation the current image is loaded into the candidate buffer responsive to the motion signal and in a second mode of operation the current image is loaded into the candidate buffer after a certain duration has elapsed following assertion of the motion signal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
a circular buffer to store successive current images when the motion signal is asserted; and
whereinin a third mode of operation one of the current images stored in the circular buffer is selected for loading into the candidate buffer once the motion signal has been de-asserted for a predetermined time.
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3. A method of operating a web camera system comprising:
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capturing a current image frame from a video camera;
asserting a motion detection signal when a pixel comparison between the current image and a previous image frame exceeds a predetermined threshold;
storing in a buffer successive image frames captured from the video camera while the motion detection signal is asserted;
de-asserting the motion detection signal when the predetermined threshold is no longer exceeded for the current image frame;
selecting from the buffer a certain one of the successive image frames as a candidate picture once the motion detection signal has been de-asserted for a certain duration; and
uploading the candidate picture to a web site. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a web camera system comprising:
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capturing a current image frame from a video camera;
asserting a motion detection signal when a pixel comparison between the current image and a previous image frame exceeds a predetermined threshold;
storing in a buffer successive image frames captured from the video camera while the motion detection signal is asserted;
de-asserting the motion detection signal when the predetermined threshold is no longer exceeded for the current image frame;
selecting as a candidate picture either;
(i) the current image when the motion detection signal is asserted;
(ii) the current image a first duration following de-assertion of the motion detection signal;
or(iii) a certain one of the successive image frames from the buffer once the motion detection signal has been de-asserted for a second duration; and
uploading the candidate picture to a web site.
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11. A computer-readable storage medium having a configuration that represents data and instructions that cause a processor to:
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assert a motion detection signal when a pixel comparison between the current image frame captured from a video camera and a previous image frame exceeds a predetermined threshold;
store in a buffer successive image frames captured from the video camera while the motion detection signal is asserted;
de-assert the motion detection signal when the predetermined threshold is no longer exceeded for the current image frame;
select from the buffer a certain one of the successive image frames as a candidate picture once the motion detection signal has been de-asserted for a certain duration; and
upload the candidate picture to a web site. - View Dependent Claims (12)
select as a candidate picture either;
the current image when the motion detection signal is asserted;
the current image a first duration following de-assertion of the motion detection signal;
ora certain one of the successive image frames from the buffer once the motion detection signal has been de-asserted for a second duration.
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Specification