Methods and apparatus related to improved surveillance using a smart camera
First Claim
1. A method of operating a camera, comprising:
- storing in said camera a map corresponding to an area subject to monitoring by said camera;
providing, as an output of said camera, at least one image detected by said camera; and
providing, as an additional output of said camera, at least a portion of said map in conjunction with the output of said at least one image detected by said camera, said portion of said map being a map overlay corresponding to an area which is the same as the area to which said at least one image detected by said camera corresponds;
wherein providing, as an output of said camera, said at least one image detected by said camera includes providing a video output stream; and
wherein providing, as an additional output of said camera, at least a portion of said map includes providing overlay map information at a lower rate than the rate at which images in said video output stream are provided and providing new overlay map information when there is a change in a current field of vision of said camera.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus related to smart surveillance camera operation and implementation are described. A smart surveillance camera stores a map corresponding to an area subject to monitoring. The camera provides at least one image detected by said camera and at least a portion of the stored map in conjunction with the at least one image detected by said camera, e.g., to a wireless communications device of an emergency responder in its local vicinity. Current camera position and/or viewing controls such as camera angle setting and/or zoom, are sometimes used, to determine the portion of the overlay map to be communicated in conjunction with a video stream. Externally detectable trigger events, e.g., from a 911 call or from a gunshot audio detector, and/or internally detectable trigger events, e.g., a detected mob in the camera viewing area, are sometimes used to initiate transmission of a video stream and corresponding map overlay.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a camera, comprising:
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storing in said camera a map corresponding to an area subject to monitoring by said camera; providing, as an output of said camera, at least one image detected by said camera; and providing, as an additional output of said camera, at least a portion of said map in conjunction with the output of said at least one image detected by said camera, said portion of said map being a map overlay corresponding to an area which is the same as the area to which said at least one image detected by said camera corresponds; wherein providing, as an output of said camera, said at least one image detected by said camera includes providing a video output stream; and wherein providing, as an additional output of said camera, at least a portion of said map includes providing overlay map information at a lower rate than the rate at which images in said video output stream are provided and providing new overlay map information when there is a change in a current field of vision of said camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A monitoring system,
comprising: -
a first surveillance camera including; a stored map that corresponds to a surveillance area subject to monitoring by said first surveillance camera; an image sensor for sensing at least one of visible light and infrared energy; and an interface for outputting sensed images and at least a portion of said stored map which corresponds to at least one image sensed by said first surveillance camera; wherein said first surveillance camera is configured to; output said sensed images in a video output stream as an output of said first surveillance camera; and provide, as an additional output of said first surveillance camera, said portion of said stored map in conjunction with said at least one image sensed by said first surveillance camera, said portion of said stored map being a map overlay corresponding to an area which is the same as an area to which said at least one image sensed by said first surveillance camera corresponds; and said first surveillance camera being configured to provide map overlays at a lower rate than a rate at which images in said video output stream are provided and to provide new overlay map information when there is a change in a current field of vision of said first surveillance camera. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification