System and method for counting people
First Claim
1. A system for counting people in a specified area, the system comprising:
- a camera for capturing an image of the specified area; and
a computer for receiving the captured image, the computer analyzing the image to detect people;
wherein the computer analyzes the image by forming an edge pattern of a general shape of a head of a person, utilizing the edge pattern to search the captured image in a gray scale and hue of the captured image, and detecting a human head when detecting a strong edge gradient around the edge pattern;
wherein the computer detects head or face shapes within the image and counts the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for counting people in a specified area. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the specified area and a computer for receiving the captured image. The computer analyzes the image to detect people by detecting head or face shapes in the image. The computer counts the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area. The computer may confirm that the head or face shapes are human by determining if the shapes have the approximate coloration of a human. The system may detect stationary or moving persons. In addition, the system may detect the presence of video recording devices in a room. The system may also detect if a seat is occupied by determining that a pattern in the seat is blocked or the outline of the seat is blocked.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for counting people in a specified area, the system comprising:
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a camera for capturing an image of the specified area; and a computer for receiving the captured image, the computer analyzing the image to detect people; wherein the computer analyzes the image by forming an edge pattern of a general shape of a head of a person, utilizing the edge pattern to search the captured image in a gray scale and hue of the captured image, and detecting a human head when detecting a strong edge gradient around the edge pattern; wherein the computer detects head or face shapes within the image and counts the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of counting people in a specified area, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing an image by a camera of the specified area; analyzing the image to detect people by the computer, the computer detecting head or face shapes, wherein the step of analyzing the image to detect people includes the steps of; forming an edge pattern of a general shape of a head of a person; utilizing the edge pattern to search the captured image in a gray scale and hue of the captured image; and detecting a human head when detecting a strong edge gradient around the edge pattern; and counting the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification