Method and apparatus for an omni-directional video surveillance system

• US 7,940,299 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technest Holdings, Inc. (AccelPath, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Technest Holdings, Inc. (AccelPath, Inc.)
• Inventors: Geng, Z. Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US10/215,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071891A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,196 Days
• Field of Search: 348 36- 39, 348151-155, 348169-172, 348/14.03, 348/143, 348/159, 348/207.99, 382/228
• US Class Current: 348/143
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/58 Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

A surveillance system uses an image from an omni-directional camera to identify objects or events of interest on which a higher-resolution camera can be trained.

Claims

1. A surveillance system comprising:

an omni-directional camera comprising an imaging unit optically coupled to a convex mirror, said omni-directional camera being configured to continuously capture an omni-directional image;

a higher-resolution camera configured to capture a higher-resolution image of a portion of said omni-directional field of view, wherein said higher-resolution camera is integrated with said omni-directional camera such that said omni-directional camera including said convex mirror and imaging unit extend from and are supported below said higher-resolution camera; and

a host computer connected to and controlling both said omni-directional camera and said higher-resolution camera;

wherein said host computer controls said higher-resolution camera based on said omni-directional image from said omni-directional camera.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said higher-resolution camera has a pan/tilt/zoom platform.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said host computer drives said pan/tilt/zoom platform.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said host computer comprises an image processing application that processes said omni-directional image from said omni-directional camera to identify an event or object in said omni-directional image that is of interest according to pre-defined parameters, said host computer then training said higher-resolution camera on said event or object of interest.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an audio communications channel between said omni-directional camera and said host computer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said omni-directional camera is mounted above said higher-resolution camera.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of higher-resolution cameras each of which is independently controlled and oriented by said host computer; and

a user interface which simultaneously displays images output from said higher-resolution cameras along with said omni-directional image from said omni-directional camera.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said omni-directional camera and said higher-resolution camera are mounted co-axially.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said convex mirror corresponds to a hyperboloid.