Vision system

• US 4,739,400 A
• Filed: 06/03/1987
• Issued: 04/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simon J. Veitch
• Original Assignee: Simon J. Veitch
• Inventors: Veitch, Simon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US07/056,934
• Time in Patent Office: 321 Days
• Field of Search: 358/108, 358/105, 358/93, 358/903, 358/88, 358/91, 358/92, 358/3, 84/1.01, 84/1.18, 84/DIG. 19, 84/DIG. 23
• US Class Current: 84/644
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/00 Image analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/455 Camera input, e.g. analyzing pictures from a video camera and using the analysis results as control data

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for viewing a target volume by two spaced apart viewing devices which create respective two dimensional video picture frame signals. The picture frame signals are divided into discrete areas. If there is an image change in one of the discrete areas then analyzing means provides control signals which feed a reaction providing means, which in turn is then responsive to a change of an object within the volume.

Claims

1. Apparatus for viewing a target volume and for providing a reaction consequent on a changing image therein comprising,

(a) two means for viewing the target volume at spaced apart locations and for creating respective two dimensional video picture frame signals of the target volume which collectively define said target volume,

(b) analyzing means for analyzing the signals relating to at least one discrete area within each respective picture frame, said analyzing means having feeding means for feeding control signals generated therein to a reaction providing means, said control signals being generated during a respective single frame of each respective picture frame, to provide said reaction consequent on there being an image change in the at least one discrete area from an earlier frame.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said analyzing means is dynamically alterable so that said discrete area can be changed automatically to a succession of changing patterns over a plurality of successive picture frames consequent on there being a change occurring in the target volume during a picture frame.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the analyzing means is programmable so that a number of discrete areas will change, consequent on there being a change in any one of the discrete areas in a picture frame, said change being in accordance with programme instructions.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reaction providing means is a synthesizer and the apparatus is configured for playing music consequent on a changing image in the target volume.

5. A method for providing a reaction based on a changing image in a target volume under view, said method comprising:

(a) viewing said target volume at two spaced apart locations and creating respective two dimensional video picture frame signals the target volume;

(b) analyzing the signals relating to at least one discrete area within each picture frame;

(c) feeding control signals to a reaction providing means to provide a reaction in said reaction providing means consequent on there being an image change analyzed in step (b).

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, comprising dynamically altering the discrete areas automatically if there is a change in the target area during one or more successive picture frames, so that said discrete areas are changed automatically to a succession of changing patterns over a plurality of successive picture frames.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising causing said discrete area to concentrate on an area in each picture frame where there is a change occurring from previous picture frames, whereby to provide a more detailed examination of the volume where an image change occurs.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising causing a number of the discrete areas to change consequent on there being a change in any one of the discrete areas in a picture frame.

9. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising feeding said control signals to a synthesizer.