Image analysis using a pre-calibrated pattern of radiation

• US 8,229,228 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2008
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Security Systems Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH), Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Petricoin, Dennis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Seth, Manav
• Application Number:
  US12/211,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20100067738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 382100-310
• US Class Current: 382/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30208 Marker matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30232 Surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/194 involving foreground-background segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning

Abstract

A system and method of image content analysis using a pattern generator that emits a regular and pre-calibrated pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation from a surface in range of a camera adapted to perceive the pattern. The camera captures images of the perceived pattern and other objects within the camera'"'"'s range, and outputs image data. The image data is analyzed to determine attributes of the objects and area within the camera'"'"'s range. The pattern provides a known background, which enables an improved and simplified image analysis.

Claims

1. An image content analysis security system comprising:

one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters attached in a pattern to a wall or floor;

a camera configured to perceive the pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation, capture images including an object and at least a portion of the pattern, and output captured images as image data; and

an image analysis device configured to receive calibration information, receive the image data, and determine attributes of the object based on the image data and calibration information.

2. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the attributes that the image analysis device is configured to determine include one of an outline of the object, a size of the object, and a position of the object.

3. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters are configured to passively produce the pattern using electromagnetic radiation or chemical reactions.

4. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters are configured to actively produce the pattern using an electric power supply.

5. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared electromagnetic radiation.

6. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the image analysis device is further configured to determine room dimensions.

7. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the calibration information includes at least one of camera calibration information or pattern calibration information, wherein the camera calibration information includes at least one of the height of the camera, the distance between the camera and a first wall, an angle between the camera and a second wall;

and the pattern calibration information includes at least one of a type of pattern, a spacing between any elements within the pattern, and a wavelength range of the non-visible electromagnetic radiation of the pattern.

8. The image content analysis security system of claim 1, wherein the image analysis device is configured to determine object attributes based on image data and calibration information by identifying one or more portions of the pattern that are blocked in the image data.

9. A method of analyzing image content for a security system comprising the steps of:

attaching one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters to a wall or a floor in a pattern;

providing calibration information to an image analysis device;

emitting a pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation from the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters;

positioning a camera at a location so that the camera perceives the pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation;

capturing images with the camera of an area containing an object and at least a portion of the pattern;

outputting the captured images as image data to the image analysis device;

determining attributes of the object based on the image data and the calibration information; and

outputting at least one determined attribute.

10. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

determining dimension attributes of the area in which the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters positioned.

11. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, wherein the step of emitting a pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation from the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters includes an active emission using an electric power supply.

12. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, wherein the step of emitting a pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation from the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters includes a passive emission using incoming electromagnetic radiation or chemical reactions.

13. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, wherein the step of providing calibration information to an image analysis device includes providing at least one of camera calibration information and pattern calibration information, wherein the camera calibration information includes at least one of the height of the camera, the distance between the camera and a first wall, an angle between the camera and a second wall;

and the pattern calibration information includes at least one of a type of pattern, a spacing between any elements within the pattern, and a wavelength range of the non-visible electromagnetic radiation of the pattern.

14. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, wherein the pattern emitted from the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters is one of a grid, a fractal pattern, a dot-arrangement, repeating triangles, repeating circles, and repeating rectangles.

15. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters based on an image resolution of the camera and the distance between the camera and the one or more non-visible electromagnetic radiation emitters.

16. The method of analyzing image content for a security system of claim 9, wherein the step of determining attributes of the object based on image data and calibration information includes:

determining an object is present because one or more portions of the pattern are blocked in the image data; and

calculating at least one of the size of the object, the position of the object, and an outline of the object based on the one or more portions of the pattern that are blocked and the calibration data.

17. An image content analysis security system comprising:

a pattern generator means to produce a pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation, the pattern generator means attached to a wall or floor;

a camera means to perceive the pattern of non-visible electromagnetic radiation, capture images including an object and at least a portion of the pattern, and output captured images as image data; and

an image analysis means to receive calibration information, receive the image data, and determine attributes of the object based on the image data and calibration information.

18. The image content analysis security system of claim 17 further comprising:

a storage means to store the determined attributes; and

a display means to display the image data and determined attributes.

19. The image content analysis security system of claim 17, wherein the calibration information includes at least one of camera calibration information and pattern calibration information, the camera calibration information includes at least one of the height of the camera, the distance between the camera and a first wall, an angle between the camera and a second wall;

and the pattern calibration information includes at least one of a type of pattern, a spacing between any elements within the pattern, and a wavelength range of the non-visible electromagnetic radiation of the pattern.

20. The image content analysis security system of claim 17, wherein the image analysis means determines attributes of the object based on image data and calibration information by identifying one or more portions of the pattern that are blocked in the image data.