Virtual mask for use in autotracking video camera images
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surveillance camera system comprising:
- a camera having an adjustable field of view and configured to acquire images; and
a processing device operably coupled to said camera and configured to;
allow a user to define a virtual mask to mask an area of static motion within an acquired image, wherein said virtual mask defines a masked area completely encircling an unmasked area;
adjust a field of view of the camera by altering a pan angle, a tilt angle and a zoom setting of the camera with the processing device to automatically track a moving object of interest in the acquired images and to maintain the moving object within the field of view of the camera with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask; and
transform a location of the virtual mask by scaling, rotating and translating the virtual mask to align the virtual mask with an acquired image based on the adjustments to the field of view of the camera made while automatically tracking the moving object.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surveillance camera system includes a camera that acquires images and that has an adjustable field of view. A processing device is operably coupled to the camera. The processing device allows a user to define a virtual mask within the acquired images. The processing device also tracks a moving object of interest in the acquired images with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask.
92 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A surveillance camera system comprising:
-
a camera having an adjustable field of view and configured to acquire images; and a processing device operably coupled to said camera and configured to; allow a user to define a virtual mask to mask an area of static motion within an acquired image, wherein said virtual mask defines a masked area completely encircling an unmasked area; adjust a field of view of the camera by altering a pan angle, a tilt angle and a zoom setting of the camera with the processing device to automatically track a moving object of interest in the acquired images and to maintain the moving object within the field of view of the camera with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask; and transform a location of the virtual mask by scaling, rotating and translating the virtual mask to align the virtual mask with an acquired image based on the adjustments to the field of view of the camera made while automatically tracking the moving object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of operating a surveillance camera system, said method comprising:
-
acquiring images with a camera having an adjustable field of view; defining a virtual mask to mask an area of static motion within an acquired image, wherein said virtual mask defines a masked area completely encircling an unmasked area; adjusting a field of view of the camera by using a processing device coupled to the camera to automatically alter a pan angle, a tilt angle and a zoom setting of the camera to automatically track a moving object of interest in the acquired images and to maintain the moving object within the field of view of the camera with a reduced level of regard for areas of the acquired images that are within the virtual mask; and transforming a location of the virtual mask by scaling, rotating and translating the virtual mask to align the virtual mask with an acquired image based on adjustments to the field of view of the camera while automatically tracking the moving object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of operating a surveillance camera system, said method comprising:
-
acquiring images with a camera having an adjustable field of view; creating a motion mask based upon the acquired images; locating a source of static motion within the acquired images; defining a virtual mask over the source of static motion within an acquired image, wherein said virtual mask defines a masked area completely encircling an unmasked area; modifying the motion mask by use of the virtual mask; adjusting a field of view of the camera by using a processing device coupled to the camera to automatically alter a pan angle, a tilt angle and a zoom setting of the camera to automatically track a moving object of interest in the acquired images based upon the modified motion mask to maintain the moving object within the field of view of the camera; and transforming a location of the virtual mask by scaling, rotating and translating the virtual mask to align the virtual mask with an acquired image based on adjustments to the field of view of the camera while automatically tracking the moving object. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification