Portable image monitoring and identifying device

• US 7,860,271 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2006
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zippy Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zippy Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Chia-Lun
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta; Bhavesh M
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANSARI, TAHMINA N
• Application Number:
  US11/514,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 340/148, 340/438, 340/523, 340/541, 340/506, 340/539, 382/100, 382/104, 382/106, 382/107, 382/115, 382/190, 382/181, 382/224, 382/199, 348/143, 348/148
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23418 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

The present invention discloses a portable image monitoring and identifying device suitable for monitoring an activity in the image and/or identifying image contents and when an image activity and/or an identified image content triggers certain preset event, a command or trigger signal can be sent out for controlling other external devices to act and/or send out a message to the user. The portable device includes an image input unit for inputting an input video, a main processor unit for executing functions of processing image data, detecting activity and triggering event, a memory unit for storing an operation data of the main processor, an input port for connecting with an input device so as to support the necessary operation by the user, and a control output port for outputting the command or trigger signal described above so as to control other external devices connected to the control output port to act.

Claims

1. A portable image monitoring and identifying device in a single box, comprising:

an image input unit having an image input terminal capable of connecting with an external video source as an only signal input to said box for converting a captured image signal into a visual digital signal and outputting thereof;

a main processor for processing the visual digital signal outputted by the image input unit, wherein the main processor comprises different programs for being executed respectively according to a selected function mode so as to send out a command or trigger signal when an activity of at least one of the image and an identified image content triggers a preset event;

a memory unit for storing image data produced by the main processor;

an input port for connecting with an input device so as to support a necessary operation by the user; and

a control output port for outputting the command or trigger signal from the main processor so as to control the operation of other external devices, which are connected to the control output port, and send out a message to notify the user.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises a movement alarming mode, in which, through monitoring the image, once an activity is found, a signal is immediately outputted to the control output port so as to send out an audio/optical alarm.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises an anti burglary mode, in which a preset monitoring area in the image is monitored so that when the image of the monitored area has any change, a signal is outputted to the control output port so as to send out an alarm.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises an incursion mode, in which a moving area and a preset monitoring area are monitored so that when the two areas are overlapped or contacted, a signal is outputted to the control output port so as to send out an alarm.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises a time counting mode, in which the time the moving area stayed at a same location is counted and if a preset time period is achieved, a signal is outputted to the control output port so as to send out an alarm.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises a direction detecting mode, in which a preset moving direction is set and compared with a moving direction of a moving area, and if the two moving directions are different, a signal is outputted to the control output port for sending out an alarm.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an image identification program for performing a character or appearance identification on the content of the image.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises a vehicle license number identification for analyzing a license number of a vehicle and comparing the identified license number with a preload license number so as to, if matched, output a command or trigger signal for controlling a gate and a driving device thereof, or to start/close the ON/OFF of the gate for controlling the opening or closing of the gate.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function mode executed by the program comprises a human face identification, in which the user previously stores a face image of a target into the memory unit so that when the target passes through the predetermined monitoring range, a captured face image and the face image of the target are processed a comparison through an image software, and, as matched, a command or trigger signal is outputted for controlling the external devices which are connected with the control output port to act.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a digital image output terminal and/or analog image output terminal for adding an user-interface signal into the processed and monitored digital and/or analog image signal and then outputting thereof to the external devices.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a storage apparatus for storing monitored pictures or recording a procedure of event.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the storage apparatus is a disc drive, a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or the likes.

13. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a communication unit having a wireless communication module adopting standard protocol, a wired communication module or the combination thereof.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the wireless communication module is capable of adopting various kinds of protocols, including one of 433 MHz module, Z-Wave, Zigbee, GSM, and X-10.

15. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the wired communication module is an Ethernet module.

16. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the communication unit transmits a control signal or control command from the user to the main processor for executing an indication from the user through the main processor so as to achieve a remote control.

17. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory unit is a random access memory (RAM).

18. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input device is a mouse.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main processor contains a movement alarming mode, an anti burglary mode, an incursion mode, a time counting mode, a direction detecting mode, a vehicle license identification mode and a human face identification mode as function modes.