Sensor and imaging system

• US 7,522,745 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald P. Grasso, John Sonn, Steve Johnson
• Original Assignee: Donald P. Grasso, John Sonn, Steve Johnson
• Inventors: Sonn, John, Grasso, Donald P., Johnson, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Tabatabai; Abolfazl
• Application Number:
  US10/363,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20050074140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,790 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/181, 351/200, 351/205, 351/206, 351/209, 351/210, 351/246, 348/169
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20092 Interactive image processing based on input by user
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20224 Image subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30108 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/00 Image enhancement or restoration
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/00 Image analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/12 Edge-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/246 using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19604 involving reference image or background adaptation with time to compensate for changing conditions, e.g. reference image update on detection of light level change
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19619 Details of casing
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19645 Multiple cameras, each having view on one of a plurality of scenes, e.g. multiple cameras for multi-room surveillance or for tracking an object by view hand-over
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1968 Interfaces for setting up or customising the system

Abstract

A system is disclosed having a camera, a processor, and a user interface. The camera transmits image data responsive to a scene within a field of view. In response to the image data, the processor indicates whether a condition has been satisfied. The user interface is operably connected to the processor and allows a user to select criteria for detection of objects, for indicating criteria selected, and for providing visual confirmation that an object has been detected.

Claims

1. An input device for communication with a controller for an automatic door comprising:

a first sequencing key which is configured to prompt a user to enter a first set of data into the device when actuated a first time and prompt the user to enter a second set of data when actuated a second time;

at least one input key;

at least one input; and

,

a display for displaying user input and pre-stored user options for selection in response to prompts from the first sequencing key.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the display displaying only a portion of the pre-stored data to be displayed for each actuation of the at least one input key.

3. The device of claim 1 including an input selector which accepts and stores user input when actuated.

4. The device of claim 1 including a second sequencing key which is configured to prompt a user to enter a third set of data into the device using a first display key when actuated a first time and prompt the user to enter a fourth set of data into the device using the first display key when actuated a second time.

5. The device of claim 4 including a third sequencing key which is configured to prompt a user to enter a fifth set of data into the device using a first display key when actuated a first time and prompt the user to enter a sixth set of data into the device using the first display key when actuated a second time.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the first and third sequencing keys are configured with a hierarchy, the hierarchy allowing the first sequencing key to override operation of the third sequencing key.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the first, second and third sequencing keys are configured with a hierarchy, the hierarchy allowing the first sequencing key to override the operation of the second and third sequencing keys.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein the first and second sequencing keys are configured with a hierarchy, the hierarchy allowing the first sequencing key to override operation of the second sequencing key.

9. The device of claim 1 including a second sequencing key which is configured to prompt a user to enter a third set of data into the device using the first display key when actuated a first time and prompt the user to enter a fourth set of data into the device using a second display key when actuated a second time.

10. The device of claim 1 including a third sequencing key which is configured to prompt a user to enter a fifth set of data into the device using a first display key when actuated a first time and prompt the user to enter a sixth set of data into the device using a second display key when actuated a second time.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one input is a numerical input.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one input is an alpha input.

13. A sensor system for controlling an automatic door which has a door panel selectively blocking an opening comprising:

a sensor having a field of view of areas of interest about the opening and a signal output relative to objects sensed in the field of view of the sensor;

a signal processor responsive to sensor output signals;

a door drive responsive to the signal processor; and

,

an input device having a signal output, the signal processor responsive to output signals from the input device,

wherein the input device having a pose input for permitting input data indicative of the pose of the sensor as mounted to obtain the field of view, the pose input including at least one of the group consisting of installed height of the sensor, width of the opening, and distance of the sensor from the opening.

14. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes a nominal height of the sensor.

15. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes a model number of the door associated with the field of view.

16. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes the side of the opening on which the sensor is installed.

17. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes a length of the opening.

18. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes a first position of an activation zone.

19. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the pose input includes a second position of an activation zone.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein the sensor is a camera.

21. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the sensor signal output includes object boundary coordinates.

22. The sensor system of claim 13 wherein the signal processor is selected from at least one of the group consisting of CPUs, FPGAs, and video digitizers.

23. A sensor system for controlling an automatic door which has a door panel selectively blocking an opening, the sensor system comprising:

a sensor configured to sense objects in a field of view; and

,

an input device having an output for communication with a controller for the automatic door, and an input relative to at least one of the group consisting of installed sensor height, width of the opening, and distance of the sensor from the opening.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the input device having a data set stored relative to door model.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the sensor is a camera.

26. A system for controlling an automatic door which selectively blocks an opening, the system comprising:

a sensor configured and adapted to sense one of either active or passive energy or both from a field of view;

an imager configured to form an image from the energy sensed by the sensor;

an image analyzer responsive to the imager, the image analyzer being configured and adapted to define image content information from the image;

a decision maker responsive to the image analyzer, the decision maker being adapted and configured to make determinations about the objects in the field of view based upon the image content information, and having a first decision metric, the first decision metric being based upon the relationship of selected image information content to a first predetermined area of zone within the image; and

,

a door controller for controlling at least the opening and closing of the door, the door controller being responsive to the decision maker.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the decision maker having a first decision metric, the first decision metric being based upon the relationship of selected image information content to a second predetermined area or zone within the image.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the selected image information content is indicative of the presence of a stationary object.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the relationship to the area or zone includes whether at least a portion of the object is within the first or second predetermined zones.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein the relationship to the area or zone includes whether at least a portion of an object is within the first or second predetermined zones.

31. The system of claim 26 including a geometry mapper which translates the dimensions and geometries of the field of view to coordinates.

32. The system of claim 31 wherein the coordinates represent the edges of the objects in the field of view.

33. The system of claim 31 wherein the image content information includes polar coordinates related to an object in the field of view.

34. The system of claim 26 wherein the sensor is a camera.

35. The system of claim 26 wherein the energy sensed by the sensor to form an image includes boundary information.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein the boundary information includes boundary coordinates representing edges of an object.

37. The system of claim 26 wherein the image content information includes boundary coordinates.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the boundary coordinates represent edges of an object.

39. The system of claim 26 wherein the imager is selected from at least one of the group consisting of CPUs, FPGAs, signal processing devices and video digitizers.

40. The system of claim 26 wherein the image analyzer is selected from at least one of the group consisting of CPUs, FPGAs, signal processing devices and video digitizers.

41. The system of claim 26 wherein the decision maker selected from at least one of the group consisting of CPUs, FPGAs, signal processing devices and video digitizers.

42. A system for controlling a door comprising:

a sensor for collecting image data;

a control unit receiving the data from the sensor, wherein the control unit has a means for defining at least a portion of an image as a control zone;

a drive motor for controlling the opening and closing of the door, the drive motor receiving control signals from the control unit; and

,

a first control zone wherein selected image data within the first control zone will cause a control signal to open the door.

43. The system of claim 42 including a second control zone wherein selected image data within the second control zone will generate a first control condition preventing the door from closing.

44. The system of claim 43 wherein

the control unit analyzes the image data in the second control zone at a first time;

the control unit analyzes the image data in the second control zone at a second time; and

the control unit compares the image data at the first time and the image data at the second time to determine whether an object is present in the first control zone.

45. The system of claim 43 further including a third control zone wherein selected image data within the third control zone will generate a second control condition preventing the door from closing.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein the second control zone comprises a plurality of predetermined shapes.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the third control zone comprises a plurality of predetermined shapes, the shapes of the third control zone being complementary to the shapes of the second control zone.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein

the control unit analyzes the image data in the third control zone at a first time;

the control unit analyzes the image data in the third control zone at a second time; and

the control unit compares the image data at the first time and the image data at the second time to determine whether an object is present in the third control zone.

49. The door of claim 42 wherein the means for defining includes defining the image as a pixel map and choosing coordinates from all pixel coordinates by direct access within the control zone.

50. The system of claim 42 wherein the means for defining includes choosing from multiple predefined zones.

51. The system of claim 42 wherein the means for defining includes putting real objects in a field of view so as to delineate boundary coordinates and the real objects become part of the image data, the control zone being defined from the real objects image data.

52. The system of claim 42 wherein

the control unit analyzes the image data in the first control zone at a first time;

the control unit analyzes the image data in the first control zone at a second time; and

the control unit compares the image data at the first time and the image data at the second time to determine whether an object is present in the first control zone.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the object is analyzed to determine if any portion of the object is within the first control zone.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein the selected image data within the first control zone causes the control signal to open the door if any portion of the object is within the first control zone.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein the control unit chooses a portion of the object to determine a bottom edge of the object.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein the control unit analyzes the bottom edge to determine if the bottom edge is within the first control zone.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein a fourth control zone is defined adjacent the first control zone, the fourth control zone possessing objects between the first control zone and the sensor.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the fourth control zone is between the first control zone and the camera.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein the presence of the object in the fourth control zone will prevent the first control zone from sending the control signal to open the door.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the presence of the object in the fourth control zone will cause the first control zone to send the control signal to open the door.

61. The system of claim 42 wherein the first control zone includes means for comparing the image data to a plurality of user specified dimensions.

62. The system of claim 42 wherein the sensor senses energy selected from the group consisting of:

visible light waves, infrared lights waves, microwaves, radar, laser, and sound waves.

63. The system of claim 42 wherein a user can enter data to define at least one control zone parameter from the group consisting of area, location, shape, number of control zones and control criteria.

64. The system of claim 42 wherein the sensor is a camera.

65. The system of claim 42 wherein the image data includes boundary coordinates.

66. The system of claim 65 wherein the boundary coordinates are polar coordinates.

67. A system for controlling a door comprising:

a sensor, the sensor having, for example, a beam for sensing coherent energy from objects near the door;

a control unit receiving electronic values from the sensor indicative of energy sensed by the camera;

a drive motor for controlling the opening and closing of the door, the drive motor receiving control signals from the control unit; and

means for defining a portion of a beam pattern as a control zone wherein the control zone is defined within a beam pattern.

68. The system of claim 67 wherein the electronic values representing energy sensed by the sensor are coordinate values.

69. The system of claim 68 wherein the coordinate values represent boundaries of the energy sensed.