Camera housing

Universal surveillance camera holder and adaptor

A universal adaptor that may be used to hold any of a number of different surveillance cameras for deployment in any of a number of different camera housings or enclosures. The adaptor is in the form of a bi-sectional open-ended generally rectangular assembly designed to snap together around a camera and its associated PC boards encapsulating them into a single unit. The assembly includes a plurality of internal slots for holding up to several PC boards associated with the camera, and optional frontal tabs for heating/defrost elements. The camera lens extends through a wide opening at one end of the adaptor. Ventilation, access and attachment openings are provided on the adaptor allowing access to the interior for adjusting PC board switches, running wires and attaching the unit inside a larger mounting enclosure.

Camera support and mounting assembly

The present invention is a camera mounting structure that is made using a minimal number of parts that are attached together without the use of hardware or fasteners. One or more motors are each mounted to a support bracket using locking tabs, boss registers, clips and/or tension members. Pins or registers on each motor correspond to openings or slots on each support bracket for precise positioning of the motor when attached to the bracket. Each motor support bracket is, in turn, attached to a rotatable ring that moves in a base without the use of hardware or fasteners. Motors and brackets are provided for the pan and tilt movements of the camera. The rotatable ring is journaled directly to the based using an annular channel in the base to further minimize the number of parts making up the mounting assembly, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, service and repair.

Flat screen monitor with multiple screens

Camera enclosure

Video surveillance camera

A video surveillance camera comprising an image sensor, first housing, second housing, electronic circuit, and thermal barrier. The image sensor is located in the first housing, and the electronic circuit is located in the second housing. The thermal barrier has first and second sides with the first side located adjacent to the first housing and the second side located adjacent to the second housing. The image sensor and other electronics, such as the processor board associated with the image sensor or the camera power supply, are located in separate housings or chambers that are separated and insulated from each other by a thermal barrier, thereby minimizing the heat generated by the processor electronics or power supply from being transferred to the area of the image sensor.

Video keyboard

Customizable security system component interface and method therefor

A video security system comprising the first device being configured to receive control signals and having an identifier associated therewith. A second device being operable to transmit control signals to the first device. The second device comprising a component interface configured to be electrically connected to the first device. The component interface being configured to receive the identifier of the first device and to transmit control signals to the first device. At lease one stored key map being configured to selectively transmit the control signals to the first device based on the identifier of the first device and selection of the device to be controlled.

Camera mounting enclosure and method of installation

A dual-purpose mounting structure and enclosure for a surface mounted surveillance camera system used alternatively to mount a camera system including back box directly onto a surface, or to mount the camera system such that the back box is recessed behind the surface. The enclosure and mount includes a back box having a flush flange assembly and a detachable surface mountable adaptor. For a surface mount, the adaptor is attached directly to the flush flange for mounting the enclosure onto a planar surface such as below a ceiling line. For a recessed mount, an opening is provided in the planar surface, the adaptor is inverted and placed around this opening on the opposite side of the planar surface, the back box is inserted through the opening and into the adaptor, and the adaptor is attached to the back box assembly.

Security identification system

This is a security and identification system designed to obtain improved images for use by real-time facial recognition and identification systems for screening individuals passing through secure entry or checkpoints such as airport passenger terminals, government offices, and other secure locations. The system detects the presence of a subject at the checkpoint, interactively instructs the subject to stop and move into position for proper identification and recognition, analyzes the facial features of the subject as (s)he passes through the checkpoint, and compares the features of the subject with those in a database. The system then generates different signals depending upon whether or not the subject is recognized. In one aspect of the invention, different methods and apparatus are provided for compensating for low ambient light so as to improve the quality of the facial image of the subject that is obtained.

Jog-shuttle control module

Universal surveillance camera holder and adaptor

A universal adaptor that may be used to hold any of a number of different surveillance cameras for deployment in any of a number of different camera housings or enclosures. The adaptor is in the form of a bi-sectional open-ended generally rectangular assembly designed to snap together around a camera and its associated PC boards encapsulating them into a single unit. The assembly includes a plurality of internal slots for holding up to several PC boards associated with the camera, and optional frontal tabs for heating/defrost elements. The camera lens extends through a wide opening at one end of the adaptor. Ventilation, access and attachment openings are provided on the adaptor allowing access to the interior for adjusting PC board switches, running wires and attaching the unit inside a larger mounting enclosure.

Water resistant surveillance camera housing and scanner with magnetic positioning stops

The present invention is a protective rotatable enclosure for the sensitive internal electrical and mechanical components of a surveillance camera scanner system that is particularly suited for deployment in an inverted position. The invention includes a sloped mounting base with an optional annular lip, a stepped relationship between the mounting base and the rotary spindle, and at least one O-ring seal. The invention also has the ability to set and adjust the limits of the scanning arc(s) of the scanner enclosure through the use of one or more fixed-position magnetically operable electronic sensors located inside the enclosure which are triggered by one or more external magnetic actuators adjustably deployed on the rotatable enclosure.

Camera enclosure wall mount

Surveillance camera mount assembly

A surveillance camera mount assembly for attaching a surveillance camera to a support comprising a surveillance camera housing having a top surface with a plurality of threaded members, a plurality of nuts having threads that mate with the threaded members, and a mount having a mechanical connector for attaching the mount to a support and having a plurality of elongated apertures that align with the plurality of threaded members. The elongated apertures having first and second aperture portions with the first aperture portion being sized so that one of the nuts can pass through it and a second aperture portion being sized so that one of the nuts cannot pass through it.

Controller

Cable locking clip

Water resistant scanner and housing

Method and apparatus for superimposing characters on video

A method and apparatus for superimposing a character on video for display on a video screen comprising providing a system capable of displaying a plurality of RGB pixel values on a video screen, designating a portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values to have special values, receiving video data having a first plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, superimposing a character on the video data to create a composite video having a second plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, determining if a first RGB pixel value from the second plurality of RGB pixel values is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, displaying the first RGB pixel value if the first RGB pixel value is not in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, determining the special value for the first RGB pixel value if first the RGB pixel value is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, and displaying the determined special ...

Quick connect/disconnect mechanism

A latching mechanism for latching the base of a surveillance camera and pan and tilt mechanism within the interior of an electrical receptacle box or housing comprises two components: a latch and a catch. The latch is the dynamic element of the latch mechanism, and is attached to or otherwise formed with the base which supports the pan and tilt mechanism and surveillance camera. The catch forms a part of the receptacle box or housing, and is the static element of the mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a dedicated latch that "latches" onto a dedicated catch of the catch mechanism in the base. The dedicated latch is spring-biased in the direction away from the center of the base and toward the catch mechanism, and also includes a downwardly depending release tab portion that is used for manually releasing the dedicated latch from the dedicated catch by enabling manual biasing of the dedicated latch in the direction toward the center of the base and away from the dedicated catch. It is ...

Bezel for surveillance equipment and the like

System and method for storing pattern data

A video surveillance system is provided for recording and executing camera operation patterns. Each pattern includes a plurality of records having a camera condition field and a count field. The system reads a camera condition and writes the condition to memory in a pattern record. The system compares each new camera condition with the condition stored in memory, and records a newly read condition into a new pattern record if the new camera condition is different from the condition data stored in the most recent pattern record. Otherwise, the count field is updated in the most recent pattern record by incrementing a count data therein. Patterns are executed by sequentially moving the camera through the camera condition stored in the pattern records, and keeping the system at a particular condition for a duration equal to the count data of each pattern record multiplied by a predetermined time interval.

Video system character list generator and method

A video apparatus and method which stores at least one main list of characters. An input device can be used to select characters from the main list and store them in memory as a working list. A central processing unit is electrically coupled to the memory and is configured to activate a selected working list, display the working list on a display monitor, and store selected characters corresponding to a camera view location being programmed.

Apparatus and method of storing video data

An apparatus for and method of storing video data comprising receiving an MPEG video stream comprising I-frames and P-frames, separating the I-frames from the P-frames, storing the I-frames and the P-frames separately, and providing information so that the I-frames and the P-frames can be combined to produce a full-motion video.

System and method for tracking objects and obscuring fields of view under video surveillance

A system and method is provided for processing video signals, tracking objects in view, and blanking fields of view in video surveillance systems. The system includes a camera having two rotational degrees of freedom, a display, and a combination of switches for routing the video signal. The displayed video signal is divided into an array of cells which may be individually masked, blanked, or blurred. The camera microcontroller captures and stores objects in view, and tracks such objects as the camera zooms, pans and tilts in spherical coordinates. Objects in view may be tracked and blanked by obscuring an agglomeration of the cells in response to a masking signal generated by the microcontroller.

Slip ring assembly and method

A slip ring assembly for use in a rotational camera. The camera has a rotating plate portion and a stationary base. The assembly comprises a housing, the housing having a body with a longitudinal axis, a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the housing includes an inner cylinder protruding therethrough, and upon the cylinder, a plurality of connectors rotationally coupled to the rotating portion of the camera. The second end of the housing is affixed to the stationary portion of the camera. The top end and the bottom end of the housing rotate with respect each other. The slip ring assembly acts as a connector, joining the rotational and the stationary portions of the rotational camera. The present invention minimizes component wear in the camera's stationary base since the end of the assembly in the stationary portion and all of the wires and electrical components coupled to it remain stationary during rotation of the camera. By eliminating the rotation of electrical components and ...

Method and apparatus for controlling a video surveillance camera

An apparatus for controlling a camera in a video surveillance system comprising a camera for providing a video signal having a vertical blanking interval, a controller for controlling the camera, the controller adapted to provide control signals to the camera during a vertical blanking interval in the video signal, a transmission line having a length such that the transmission of a control signal from the controller to the camera will have a propagation delay causing the control signal to arrive at the camera outside of the vertical blanking interval, a first transmitter connected to the camera and the transmission line and a first receiver connected to the controller and the transmission line, the first transmitter providing the video signal to the transmission line and the first receiver receiving the video signal, a second transmitter connected to the controller and the transmission line, the second transmitter providing control signals from the controller to the transmission line such ...

Environmentally sealed surveillance camera

A surveillance camera comprising a camera mounted in a housing, a trim ring and dome assembly, a flexible member and a clamping member. The housing and the trim ring and dome assembly have first and second surfaces. One of the first surface of the housing and the first surface of the trim ring and dome assembly has an indentation, and the flexible member is positioned in the indentation. The clamping member can be tightened and is shaped to contact the second surface of the housing and the second surface of the assembly such that when the clamping member is tightened the clamping member causes the housing and the assembly to compress the flexible member so that the flexible member provides a seal between the housing and the assembly.

Device and method for reducing flicker in a video display

A device and method is provided for reducing flicker on a video display. The device may be incorporated into a video surveillance system having a number of cameras, monitors, a keyboard controller, a switch, and a flicker reduction circuit. The flicker reduction circuit processes dual interlaced fields of video data with a field FIFO memory area, a line FIFO memory area, and a logic unit. The field memory area acts as a delay to store the field previous to the field being processed, while the line memory area stores the least recent line input from the field memory area. The logic unit computes the flicker-reduced scan line intensity for a given scan line by averaging the given scan line intensity with the resultant scan line intensity average of the two immediately adjacent scan lines in the complementary field.

Method and apparatus for compensating for movement of a video surveillance camera

A method of compensating for the movement of a video surveillance camera comprising the steps of moving an interlaced camera, capturing a first video field of a frame at a first point in time, capturing a second video field of a frame at a second point in time, determining the speed at which the camera is moving, and shifting the relationship between the first and second video fields based on the period of time between the first point in time and the second point in time and the speed at which the camera is moving.

Method of and apparatus for controlling surveillance system resources

An apparatus for and method of assigning access to system resources comprising the steps of providing a set of system permissions to access the system resources, providing a role creation permission to allow a role having a role set of permissions from the set of system permissions to create a role having a set of permissions, which is a subset of the role set of permissions, creating a first role having a first set of permissions including a permission from the system permissions and a role creation permission, assigning a user to the first role, and allowing the user to create a second role having a second set of permissions which include only permissions from the first set of permissions.

RETRACTABLE CAMERA MOUNTING MECHANISM

A viewing angle-dependent retractable surveillance camera mounting mechanism allowing for pivotal movement of the camera (tilt and retraction capability) fully up into the interior of the housing; and correlation of the camera tilt/retraction angle to the lens telephoto angle and zoom in order to provide a consistent view. A protective cover and a fixed or movable dome bubble may be provided with the camera mounting mechanism.

Camera housing

Apparatus and method for transmitting audio over a dedicated video line

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video ...

Recessed-mounted housing

A system for mounting a recessed electrical or electronic device housing in (behind or above) a wall or ceiling surface utilizes a pair of resilient spring clips that are threadedly attached to respective diametrically opposed threaded screws. The threaded screws are accessible from the front surface of the housing so that the recessed-mounted housing may be inserted into a hole in the wall or ceiling material and fixedly mounted therein by rotating the screws from the front (ceiling or wall) surface of the housing. Each spring clip includes a bearing tab that bears down against the back side of the wall or ceiling material to sandwich the ceiling material between the bearing tab and an annular flange on the front, open end of the housing. Each threaded screw is journaled in a shouldered bushing which is press-fitted into the housing annular flange. The length of the shouldered bushing approximates the thickness of the ceiling or wall material so that, when the spring clip bearing tab bears ...

Notched camera case

Self-adjusting pixel clock and method therefor

A pixel clock generating circuit is provided in which a digital circuit generates a first signal corresponding to the relative frequency of the pixel clock as compared with a predetermined desired pixel clock frequency. An analog circuit is electrically coupled to the digital circuit in which the analog circuit has a reverse biased variable capacitance device, an integrator and a comparator circuit. The reverse biased variable capacitance device has an anode and a cathode. The integrator has an input coupled to the digital circuit and an output coupled to the cathode of the reverse biased variable capacitor. The integrator is arranged to integrate the first signal received from the digital circuit and produce an output voltage across the reverse biased variable capacitance device such that the output voltage causes the capacitance of the reverse biased capacitor to change if the pixel clock is not operating at the predetermined desired pixel clock frequency. The comparator circuit is electrically ...

Method and apparatus for searching recorded video

A method of searching recorded video from a surveillance camera comprising the steps of displaying a first timeline representing a first period of time, using a first user input to select a first time on the first timeline, using a second user input to display a second timeline, said second timeline having a shorter duration of time than said first timeline, using a third user input to select a second time on the second timeline, and using a fourth user input to display the video that was recorded at the second time.

Flat screen monitor with multiple screens

Notched camera case with swivel base

The present invention provides a compact case for a surveillance camera having exterior notches, recesses and/or grooves for accommodating the electronic receptors, connectors, wires and/or cables leading from the back of the camera. The case is designed for use with a specialized mounting system and covers, or to fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which eliminate exposure of the electronic components in the notches to the outside. An adjustable protective base is provided in one embodiment.

Apparatus and method of storing video data

An apparatus for and method of storing video data comprising receiving an MPEG video stream comprising I-frames and P-frames, separating the I-frames from the P-frames, storing the I-frames and the P-frames separately, and providing information so that the I-frames and the P-frames can be combined to produce a full-motion video.

Joystick

Housing for electronic device

Surveillance camera mount with adjustable base plate and pivotable table

A camera mount (10) for a surveillance camera provides for adjusting the tilt of the surveillance camera (48) relative to the mounting surface for the camera mount inside an environmental camera enclosure or housing (44). The camera mount (10) includes a base plate (12) that is linearly adjustably attached to a mounting surface inside the environmental camera enclosure. A camera tilt table (16) is pivotally attached to the camera mount base plate (12) in a manner to permit the camera tilt table to pivot relative to the base plate in order to tilt the camera to vary the viewing angle of the camera relative to the mounting surface on which the environmental camera enclosure is mounted. The camera tilt table (16) includes an adjustment mechanism (26, 34) for permitting the camera installer to adjust the tilt or angle of the camera tilt table, and therefore the viewing angle of the surveillance camera, relative to the mounting surface on which the environmental camera enclosure is mounted.

Retained hardware system and method

A low profile captive screw assembly used, for example, for attaching a protective cover, such that the captive screw assembly can be retracted to remove the protective cover without damaging the protective cover's seals. The low profile captive hardware assembly providing a standoff including a proximal end region, a distal end region opposite the proximal end region, and a central bore defining an interior surface. The interior surface including a threaded section. The low profile captive hardware assembly further provides a fastener including a head and a shaft, the shaft having a shank and a fastener threaded section. The fastener threaded section being interposed between the head and the shank such that when the fastener is positioned through the proximal end region of the standoff the fastener threaded section and the standoff threaded section are in engageable relation. A retaining clip positioned about the shank, the retaining clip capturing at least a portion of the fastener within ...

Combined camera mount and camera housing

Mounting apparatus

A mounting apparatus for a work object dependent for operation upon at least one subsystem, the mounting apparatus comprising an assembly adapted for attachment to said work object; a main mount adapted to be secured on a means of support; and a frame mounted on and interconnecting said assembly and said main mount having at least one outwardly facing surface mounting said subsystem of the work object for ease of access thereto.

Joystick

A durable, reliable and comfortable joystick for use in precision applications such as controlling a surveillance camera. The joystick of the present invention incorporates mechanical linkages that convert the user's motion into the rotation of three different resistive potentiometers, one for each of 3 axes of movement (X, Y and Z). The potentiometers and linkages for the X- and Y-axes are incorporated into the joystick base, and the potentiometer and linkage for the Z-axis is uniquely incorporated into the joystick handle. Rotation of the handle is restricted in order to prevent damage to the internal parts and preserve the life of the joystick.

System and method for inductive line synchronization

A synchronization signal generating apparatus and method in which an input circuit is inductively coupled to an alternating current signal line. The input circuit generates a rectified signal. A switch has a switch input and a switch output in which the switch input is electrically connected to the input circuit and is enabled when the voltage of the rectified signal is greater than a predetermined voltage and is disabled when the rectified signal voltage is less than the predetermined voltage. A pulse generating circuit has a pulse generating circuit input and a pulse generating circuit output. The pulse generating circuit input is electrically connected to the switch output. The pulse generating circuit generates a pulse each time the switch is enabled. The synchronization signal generating apparatus is used in a synchronized television display system to signal a video switch to switch the video signal generated by a camera to a monitor based on the occurrence of the synchronization signal ...

Flat screen monitor

Apparatus and method for transmitting audio over a dedicated video line

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video ...

System and method for generating raster video test patterns

A device and method are provided device for generating a test pattern on a video display unit having a first quantity of raster scan lines, in which there is a logic processor and a memory. The memory is electrically connected to the logic processor. The memory stores test pattern data corresponding to a second quantity of raster scan lines in which the second quantity of raster scan lines is less than the first quantity of raster scan lines. The memory provides a digital video signal output.

Multiple simultaneous language display system and method

A system and method which provides simultaneous display of characters on one or more display monitors in multiple languages. The languages can include icon based languages such as Chinese and Japanese or can be traditional character based languages such as romance and Germanic languages. The system includes a main unit having a first memory in which the first memory includes character data stored in a plurality of languages. A portion of the character data in a first language corresponds to another portion of the character data in a second language, the portion of the character data in the first language and the portion of the character data in the second language are stored in the first memory at memory locations having an offset value from each other.

Camera enclosure

Housing for electronic device

Method and apparatus for extending dynamic range between CCD and DSP/ASIC

The present invention is a circuit for use with a video camera that extends the dynamic range of the camera allowing a limited-range output device to see brighter and darker portions of an image at the same time, and also increasing the low-light sensitivity of the camera, which is of great value in a security application. The circuit of the present invention matches the output dynamic range of a CCD imager to an ADC and subsequent DSP/ASIC by using a logarithmic function to fit a wider input dynamic range onto a narrower output dynamic range.

Security identification system

This is a security and identification system designed to obtain improved images for use by real-time facial recognition and identification systems for screening individuals passing through secure entry or checkpoints such as airport passenger terminals, government offices, and other secure locations. The system detects the presence of a subject at the checkpoint, interactively instructs the subject to stop and move into position for proper identification and recognition, analyzes the facial features of the subject as (s)he passes through the checkpoint, and compares the features of the subject with those in a database. The system then generates different signals depending upon whether or not the subject is recognized. In one aspect of the invention, different methods and apparatus are provided for compensating for low ambient light so as to improve the quality of the facial image of the subject that is obtained.

Notched camera case with swivel base

Notched camera case with swivel base

The present invention provides a compact case for a surveillance camera having exterior notches, recesses and/or grooves for accommodating the electronic receptors, connectors, wires and/or cables leading from the back of the camera. The case is designed for use with a specialized mounting system and covers, or to fit inside a secure enclosure having the same overall (and minimal) profile as the camera case itself which eliminate exposure of the electronic components in the notches to the outside. An adjustable protective base is provided in one embodiment.

Heavy duty pendant for a dome camera system

Water resistant surveillance camera housing and scanner with magnetic positioning stops

The present invention is a protective rotatable enclosure for the sensitive internal electrical and mechanical components of a surveillance camera scanner system that is particularly suited for deployment in an inverted position. The invention includes a sloped mounting base with an optional annular lip, a stepped relationship between the mounting base and the rotary spindle, and at least one O-ring seal. The invention also has the ability to set and adjust the limits of the scanning arc(s) of the scanner enclosure through the use of one or more fixed-position magnetically operable electronic sensors located inside the enclosure which are triggered by one or more external magnetic actuators adjustably deployed on the rotatable enclosure.

Device and method for displaying variable brightness characters

A device and method for displaying variable brightness characters in a video surveillance system is provided. The system includes cameras coupled to a switch having video display monitors and a controller. The switch includes a digital logic unit for generating characters, receiving the input brightness, comparing the input brightness with a critical level, and controlling the appearance of the characters. The character generator produces pixel data that includes a body for the each character, and a dark border surrounding each character. The character data enters a shift register for processing prior to superposition with the video signal. Character brightness is variably selectable by a user. A comparator in the logic unit compares the input brightness with a preset critical level stored in the logic unit. If the input brightness is at or below the critical level, the comparator commands the shift register to remove the dark border from the characters.

Slip ring assembly and method

A slip ring assembly for use in a rotational camera. The camera has a rotating plate portion and a stationary base. The assembly comprises a housing, the housing having a body with a longitudinal axis, a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the housing includes an inner cylinder protruding therethrough, and upon the cylinder, a plurality of connectors rotationally coupled to the rotating portion of the camera. The second end of the housing is affixed to the stationary portion of the camera. The top end and the bottom end of the housing rotate with respect each other. The slip ring assembly acts as a connector, joining the rotational and the stationary portions of the rotational camera. The present invention minimizes component wear in the camera's stationary base since the end of the assembly in the stationary portion and all of the wires and electrical components coupled to it remain stationary during rotation of the camera. By eliminating the rotation of electrical components and ...

Belt tensioning system and method

A system and method for tensioning a belt drive in a remotely controlled video camera is provided in which the belt drive tensioning system has an accessory pulley. A receptacle has a substantially circular opening and an extension. The extension is disposed partially around a periphery of an end of the circular opening and projects partially over the opening. A drive pulley is substantially coplanar with the accessory pulley. A housing has a body wall, a first longitudinal axis and a substantially circular tab provided at an end region of the body wall. The substantially circular tab has a second longitudinal axis which is parallel and eccentric to the first longitudinal axis. A drive pulley is substantially coaxially aligned along the first longitudinal axis and is rotatably coupled to the housing. The housing is configured to engage the receptacle in a first position where the drive pulley is at a first distance from the accessory pulley. The housing is rotatably transitionable between the first position and a second position within the receptacle so that the substantially circular tab is engaged by the extension when the housing is transitioned to the second position where the drive pulley is at a second distance from the accessory pulley. The second distance being greater than the first distance.

Front plate for an electronics enclosure

Digital video recorder file system

A method for storing video data files upon an array of multiple storage devices on a frame-by-frame basis, with the larger video frames placed upon devices having more free storage capacity, so as to preserve the video data stream continuity, optimize the capacity of the storage devices within the array, minimize or negate the need for any redundant storage, and at the same time, provide a means for easily expanding the overall storage capacity of the array.

Video keyboard

Retractable camera mounting mechanism

A viewing angle-dependent retractable surveillance camera mounting mechanism allowing for pivotal movement of the camera (tilt and retraction capability) fully up into the interior of the housing; and correlation of the camera tilt/retraction angle to the lens telephoto angle and zoom in order to provide a consistent view. A protective cover and a fixed or movable dome bubble may be provided with the camera mounting mechanism.

Method and apparatus for improved motor control through current/velocity correction

The present invention provides a method and apparatus, including a processor and software incorporating a table that contains sets of pre-determined correction values that are used to supply different amounts of power to an electric stepper motor when the motor is operating at different speeds. Use of the correction values in the table allows power to be supplied to the motor in differing amounts that are approximately the same as the power actually required by the motor at different motor speeds or ranges of speeds.

Camera enclosure wall mount

The present invention is an adjustable aesthetically pleasing support structure for a large surveillance camera that is resistant to water and moisture penetration and protects the wires connected to the camera while providing a wide range of adjustable viewing angles for the attached camera.

Method for prolonging CRT screen life by reduced phosphor burning

Disclosed is a method for reducing the burning of the phosphor of cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor screens used in television systems where necessary textual information is constantly displayed over a video image on the CRT screen. The method involves periodically changing the location of the textual information overlaid onto the video image without altering the information itself so that the information is continuously available, but does not remain in the same place for a prolonged time period which might otherwise burn into the phosphor of the CRT screen. The textual information may be moved as frequently as once per hour to as seldom as once every week or more; and may be move as little as one pixel to as much as several character positions. It is preferred that timing and location of movement of the textual information not be annoying to the user, and that the textual information be positioned discretely on the CRT screen in order to avoid blockage of the underlying video image as much ...

Camera enclosure

Camera enclosure wall mount

The present invention is an adjustable aesthetically pleasing support structure for a large surveillance camera that is resistant to water and moisture penetration and protects the wires connected to the camera while providing a wide range of adjustable viewing angles for the attached camera.

Combined layout and icons for a display screen

System and method for storing pattern data

A video surveillance system is provided for recording and executing camera operation patterns. Each pattern includes a plurality of records having a camera condition field and a count field. The system reads a camera condition and writes the condition to memory in a pattern record. The system compares each new camera condition with the condition stored in memory, and records a newly read condition into a new pattern record if the new camera condition is different from the condition data stored in the most recent pattern record. Otherwise, the count field is updated in the most recent pattern record by incrementing a count data therein. Patterns are executed by sequentially moving the camera through the camera condition stored in the pattern records, and keeping the system at a particular condition for a duration equal to the count data of each pattern record multiplied by a predetermined time interval.

Keypad control module

Camera mount and enclosure

Apparatus and method for transmitting audio over a dedicated video line

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for transmission of audio signals over a dedicated video transmission line in which the analog audio signal is inserted into and becomes a part of the video signal. Samples of the audio signal are inserted into the active video line, either at the beginnings or endings, or both, of each active video line scan signal. A defined amount of the active video interval is reserved from the active video line, and is replaced with samples of the analog audio signal. An analog switch in the modulator of the invention toggles to pick up the samples of audio and place them at the designated location (either at the beginnings or at the ends) of each active video line scan signal. A corresponding switch in the demodulator of the invention toggles to retrieve the audio samples from the active video line scans for output to the user. Stereo and/or bi-directional audio signals can be transmitted by insertion into both the beginnings and the endings of the active video ...

Memory module

The present invention provides an electronic memory module that retains information that is specific to physical location of a piece of surveillance equipment which can be used by any equipment that is deployed at that location. The memory module of the present invention is kept at the same physical location in order that it may be attached to and used by whatever surveillance equipment is subsequently placed there.

Method and apparatus for controlling a video surveillance display

A method and apparatus for controlling a video surveillance display comprising receiving an MPEG video stream comprising video data in I-frames and P-frames, storing the MPEG video stream in an input buffer, displaying the stored MPEG video stream in full-motion video, monitoring the amount of video data stored in the input buffer; and displaying only the I-frames of the stored MPEG video stream when the amount of video data stored in the input buffer is greater than a predetermined amount.

System and method for tracking objects and obscuring fields of view under video surveillance

A system and method is provided for processing video signals, tracking objects in view, and blanking fields of view in video surveillance systems. The system includes a camera having two rotational degrees of freedom, a display, and a combination of switches for routing the video signal. The displayed video signal is divided into an array of cells which may be individually masked, blanked, or blurred. The camera microcontroller captures and stores objects in view, and tracks such objects as the camera zooms, pans and tilts in spherical coordinates. Objects in view may be tracked and blanked by obscuring an agglomeration of the cells in response to a masking signal generated by the microcontroller.

Joystick

A durable, reliable and comfortable joystick for use in precision applications such as controlling a surveillance camera. The joystick of the present invention incorporates mechanical linkages that convert the user's motion into the rotation of three different resistive potentiometers, one for each of 3 axes of movement (X, Y and Z). The potentiometers and linkages for the X- and Y-axes are incorporated into the joystick base, and the potentiometer and linkage for the Z-axis is uniquely incorporated into the joystick handle. Rotation of the handle is restricted in order to prevent damage to the internal parts and preserve the life of the joystick.

Orientation device

Disclosed is an orientation device that may be deployed in a mechanical assembly such as a surveillance camera or enclosure to positively determine the physical orientation and/or attitude (tilt), or any change in such physical orientation and/or attitude, of either the camera or the enclosure, and report that information electronically. The invention includes a sensor that is triggered by the movement of a weighted flag along a shaft caused by gravity or gravity in conjunction with the operation of a spring. As the invention is rotated through 360°, the force of gravity and force of the spring are exerted on the weighted flag, causing it to move along the shaft as the assembly is rotated. Each movement by the flag is detected by the sensor which sends an electronic signal indicating that a predetermined point has been reached. Multiple assemblies may be used, offset from each other, to provide additional and more precise position information.

Video surveillance camera

A video surveillance camera comprising a lens, lens holder, image sensor, base, and ring. The base has a plurality of slots, and the image sensor is mounted on the base. The lens is positioned in the lens holder, which has a plurality of arms with a pin. Each of the arms is positioned so that its respective pin is located in one of the plurality of slots in the base. The ring has a plurality of grooves for engagement with the pins and is rotatably engaged with the base such that rotation of the ring imparts axial movement to the lens relative to the image sensor.

Flat screen monitor

Enclosure for a security identification system

Camera enclosure

Security identification system

This is a security and identification system designed to obtain improved images for use by real-time facial recognition and identification systems for screening individuals passing through secure entry or checkpoints such as airport passenger terminals, government offices, and other secure locations. The system detects the presence of a subject at the checkpoint, interactively instructs the subject to stop and move into position for proper identification and recognition, analyzes the facial features of the subject as (s)he passes through the checkpoint, and compares the features of the subject with those in a database. The system then generates different signals depending upon whether or not the subject is recognized. In one aspect of the invention, different methods and apparatus are provided for compensating for low ambient light so as to improve the quality of the facial image of the subject that is obtained.

Console for surveillance system controller

Joystick control module

Combined layout and icons for a display screen

Heavy duty pendant with dome guard for dome camera system

A protective guard for the transparent dome of a surveillance camera system deployed in a harsh or dangerous outdoor environment. The guard is a hemispherically shaped metallic unit that covers the dome with a series of longitudinal arcuate ribs originating at the equator of the hemisphere and terminating at an open circle at the pole. The guard may be deployed on a surface-mounted dome having an upward, downward or sideways orientation, or it may be deployed on a heavy-duty dangling pendant enclosure. The pendant embodiment includes weather-resistant features including air insulation around the internal components, and slots that allow for the passage of fluid through the pendant for removal of moisture, cooling and evaporation.

Controllable sealed chamber for surveillance camera

A chamber for a surveillance camera that is designed to be mounted inside a larger camera housing. The chamber is sealed and provides a controlled internal environment for sensitive camera optics and internal electronics. A flush mount window is provided for the front lens of the camera, and a sealed feed-through electronic connector is provided for attachment to external controls. Valves for both adding and removing gasses to/from the chamber are provided. In one embodiment, temperature, pressure and/or humidity sensors may be deployed inside the chamber and connected electronically to a display or computer for monitoring and adjustment. In another embodiment of, a heating element is provided to evaporate moisture from the camera lens and/or from the window, and to help control the temperature inside the chamber.

Combined camera mount and camera housing

Digital video recorder file system

A method for storing video data files upon an array of multiple storage devices on a frame-by-frame basis, with the larger video frames placed upon devices having more free storage capacity, so as to preserve the video data stream continuity, optimize the capacity of the storage devices within the array, minimize or negate the need for any redundant storage, and at the same time, provide a means for easily expanding the overall storage capacity of the array.

Dome guard for dome camera system

Sealed chamber for a surveillance camera

Camera enclosure and mount

Housing for electronic device

Switched capacitor motor driver

The present invention is a method and apparatus that allows the torque of an electric motor to be increased allowing the motor to be operated at higher speeds and at higher torque without raising the supply voltage, thus allowing for a wider dynamic range of speed and torque to be realized. This is accomplished by connecting one or more capacitors in series with each motor winding, and selectively activating the capacitors at higher speeds where the frequency of the motor resonates with that of the capacitor(s). Switching a capacitor into the circuit with the motor in a particular frequency range allows higher currents to flow through the motor windings resulting in higher torque.

Method and System for Configuring a Sequence of Positions of a Camera

A method of configuring a camera to view a sequence of positions comprising the steps of displaying a graphical user interface, displaying a plurality of thumbnails on the graphical user interface with the plurality of thumbnails having associated respective positions of the camera and the respective thumbnails in the plurality of thumbnails providing the field of view of the camera in the respective positions, providing a workspace on the graphical user interface, enabling a user to drag and drop thumbnails to the workspace, and creating a tour for the camera based on the thumbnails in the workspace.

Zooming factor computation

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for determining a zooming factor for a camera in a pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) camera tracking system to enable a camera to keep an object at a constant size within the camera's viewing area, despite changes in the object's distance from the camera. This provides a complement to a camera's pan and tilt tracking of the moving object. For example, a PTZ camera tracking system that determines an object to track, utilizes information regarding images of the object of interest are used to determine a zooming factor (or other zooming value) for a camera in the PTZ camera tracking system. This information includes variables such as tilt angles of one or more cameras and a reference zooming factor.

STOPPED OBJECT DETECTION

A video surveillance system includes: an input configured to receive indications of images each comprising a plurality of pixels; a memory; and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the input and the memory and configured to: analyze the indications of the images; compare the present image with a short-term background image stored in the memory; compare the present image with a long-term background image stored in the memory; provide an indication in response to an object in the present image being disposed in a first location in the present image, in a second location in, or absent from, the short-term background image, and in a third location in, or absent from, the long-term background image, where the first location is different from both the second location and the third location. 1. A video surveillance system comprising:an input configured to receive indications of images each comprising a plurality of pixels;a memory; and analyze the indications of the images;', 'compare the present image with a short-term background image stored in the memory;', 'compare the present image with a long-term background image stored in the memory;, 'a processing unit communicatively coupled to the input and the memory and configured toprovide an indication in response to an object in the present image being disposed in a first location in the present image, in a second location in, or absent from, the short-term background image, and in a third location in, or absent from, the long-term background image, wherein the first location is different from both the second location and the third location.2. The system of wherein the processing unit is further configured to:update the short-team background image using the present image in response to lack of motion in images during a preceding short-term time threshold; andupdate the long-term background image using the present image in response to lack of motion in images during a preceding long-term time threshold.3. The system ...

OPTICAL COMPENSATION IN SURVEILLANCE DOMES

Techniques are discussed for correcting optical aberrations that exist in surveillance domes that have spherical and non-spherical parts. For example, the image quality of a surveillance camera is reduced when it focuses on an object through a non-spherical base of a surveillance dome. This image quality reduction could potentially compromise the security of the area monitored by the surveillance camera by failing to provide enough detail to identify individuals or other objects of interest. Utilizing a corrective optical element to provide curvature to a wavefront that travels through the non-spherical base, however, helps preserve the image quality of the camera and thereby helps maintain the integrity of the surveillance system. 1. An optical system for correcting optical aberrations , the optical system comprising:a dome comprising a spherical portion and a non-spherical portion, wherein the non-spherical portion is coupled to the spherical portion and the non-spherical portion has circular curvature along a first axis; andan optical element configured to provide circular curvature to an optical wavefront that travels through the non-spherical portion.2. The optical system recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical element is configured to provide circular curvature to the optical wavefront along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.3. The optical system recited in claim 2 , wherein the optical element comprises a cylindrical lens having curvature along the second axis.4. The optical system recited in claim 3 , wherein the curvature of the cylindrical lens along the second axis is substantially the circular curvature of the non-spherical portion along the first axis.5. The optical system recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises a diffractive optical element.6. The optical system recited in claim 1 , wherein the optical element comprises an adaptive optics element.7. The optical system recited in claim 1 , wherein the non-spherical portion ...

Multi-Resolution Image Display

An image display method includes: receiving, from a single camera, first and second image information for first and second captured images captured from different perspectives, the first image information having a first data density; selecting a portion of the first captured image for display with a higher level of detail than other portions of the first captured image, the selected portion corresponding to a first area of the first captured image; displaying the selected portion in a first displayed image, using a second data density relative to the selected portion of the first captured image; and displaying another portion of the first captured image, in a second displayed image, using a third data density; where the another portion of the first captured image is other than the selected portion of the first captured image; and where the third data density is lower than the second data density. 1. A computer program product residing on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and comprising instructions configured to cause a processor to:analyze first and second captured images from a camera, wherein a perspective of the camera is different between the first and second captured images;select a portion of the first captured image for display with a higher level of detail than other portions of the captured image, the selected portion corresponding to a first area of the first captured image, the first captured image having a first data density;produce first image information, representing a first image of the selected portion of the first captured image, using a second data density relative to the selected portion of the first captured image; andproduce second image information, representing a second image of a non-selected portion of the first captured image, using a third data density;wherein the non-selected portion of the first captured image is other than the selected portion of the first captured image; andwherein the third data density is lower than the ...

Tracking Moving Objects Using a Camera Network

Techniques are described for tracking moving objects using a plurality of security cameras. Multiple cameras may capture frames that contain images of a moving object. These images may be processed by the cameras to create metadata associated with the images of the objects. Frames of each camera's video feed and metadata may be transmitted to a host computer system. The host computer system may use the metadata received from each camera to determine whether the moving objects imaged by the cameras represent the same moving object. Based upon properties of the images of the objects described in the metadata received from each camera, the host computer system may select a preferable video feed containing images of the moving object for display to a user. 1. A method for tracking an object with a plurality of cameras , the method comprising: the plurality of cameras comprises the first camera;', 'the first set of frames comprises a first set of images of the object; and', 'the first set of frames is captured from a first point of view;, 'capturing, using a first camera, a first set of frames, wherein the plurality of cameras comprises the second camera;', 'the second set of frames comprises a second set of images of the object; and', 'the second set of frames is captured from a second point of view;, 'capturing, using a second camera, a second set of frames, whereindetermining, using the first camera, a presence of the object in the first set of frames;linking, by the first camera, metadata to the presence of the object, wherein the metadata indicates at least one characteristic of the first set of images of the object;transmitting the metadata from the first camera to a computing system; andidentifying, by the computing system, based at least in part on the metadata received from the first camera, that the second set of images captured by the second camera represents the same object as the object in the first set of images in the first set of frames.2. The method of ...

Video coding

Techniques are discussed for providing mechanisms for coding and transmitting high definition video, e.g., over low bandwidth connections. In particular, foreground-objects are identified as distinct from the background of a scene represented in a plurality of video frames received from a video source, such as a camera. In identifying foreground-objects, semantically significant and semantically insignificant movement (e.g., repetitive versus non-repetitive movement) is differentiated. Processing of the foreground-objects and background proceed at different update rates or frequencies.

SCENE ACTIVITY ANALYSIS USING STATISTICAL AND SEMANTIC FEATURES LEARNT FROM OBJECT TRAJECTORY DATA

Trajectory information of objects appearing in a scene can be used to cluster trajectories into groups of trajectories according to each trajectory's relative distance between each other for scene activity analysis. By doing so, a database of trajectory data can be maintained that includes the trajectories to be clustered into trajectory groups. This database can be used to train a clustering system, and with extracted statistical features of resultant trajectory groups a new trajectory can be analyzed to determine whether the new trajectory is normal or abnormal. Embodiments described herein, can be used to determine whether a video scene is normal or abnormal. In the event that the new trajectory is identified as normal the new trajectory can be annotated with the extracted semantic data. In the event that the new trajectory is determined to be abnormal a user can be notified that an abnormal behavior has occurred. 1. A method for providing trajectory information about a video scene , the method comprising:obtaining video scene metadata that includes information regarding trajectories for a plurality of objects moving through the video scene;clustering each of the plurality of trajectories into trajectory groups according to their relative distance from each other;extracting statistical features about each trajectory group;classifying each trajectory in the plurality of trajectories as a normal trajectory or an abnormal trajectory based at least in part on the clustering;extracting semantic data about each trajectory group or each normal trajectory; andannotating each trajectory with the semantic data.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the clustering comprises a plurality of clustering iterations using a plurality of different distance measures.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the distance measure comprises a distance measure selected from the group consisting of a minimum distance between trajectories claim 1 , a maximum distance between ...

SEARCHING RECORDED VIDEO

Embodiments of the disclosure provide for systems and methods for creating metadata associated with a video data. The metadata can include data about objects viewed within a video scene and/or events that occur within the video scene. Some embodiments allow users to search for specific objects and/or events by searching the recorded metadata. In some embodiments, metadata is created by receiving a video frame and developing a background model for the video frame. Foreground object(s) can then be identified in the video frame using the background model. Once these objects are identified they can be classified and/or an event associated with the foreground object may be detected. The event and the classification of the foreground object can then be recorded as metadata. 1. A method for creating metadata associated with a video frame , the method comprising:receiving a video frame;developing a background model for the video frame;separating a foreground object from the video frame using the background model;classifying the foreground object into a classification, wherein the classification characterizes the foreground object based on the object color, aspect ratio, and position; andrecording the classification of the foreground object in metadata.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein background model comprises a short-tern background model.3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein background model further comprises a long-term background model used in conjunction with the short-term background model.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein background model comprises a long-term background model.5. The method according to further comprising detecting and removing shadows from an image frame.6. The method according to further comprising detecting and removing reflections from an image frame.7. The method according to further comprising:detecting an event associated with the foreground object; andrecording the event in metadata.8. The method according to ...

Color Similarity Sorting for Video Forensics Search

Systems and methods of sorting electronic color images of objects are provided. One method includes receiving an input representation of an object, the representation including pixels defined in a first color space, converting the input image into a second color space, determining a query feature vector including multiple parameters associated with color of the input representation, the query feature vector parameters including at least a first parameter of the first color space and at least a first parameter of the second color space and comparing the query feature vector to multiple candidate feature vectors. Each candidate feature vector includes multiple parameters associated with color of multiple stored candidate images, the candidate feature vector parameters including at least the first parameter from the first color space and at least the first parameter from the second color space. The method further includes determining at least one of the candidate images to be a possible match to the desired object based on the comparison. 1. A method of sorting electronic color images of objects , the method comprising:receiving an input representation of a desired object, the input representation including first data representing at least one color of the desired object, the first data being in a first color space;converting the first data in the first color space into second data in a second color space different than the first color space;determining an indication of desired saturation of the at least one color;comparing the desired saturation indication to a plurality of candidate saturation indications associated with a plurality of stored candidate images;if the candidate saturation indication associated with a presently compared one of the stored candidate images is not in a prescribed range of saturation indications, the prescribed range of saturation indications including the desired saturation indication, discarding the presently compared candidate image as a ...

Inference Engine for Video Analytics Metadata-Based Event Detection and Forensic Search

Embodiments of the disclosure provide for systems and methods for searching video data for events and/or behaviors. An inference engine can be used to aide in the searching. In some embodiments, a user can specify various search criteria, for example, a video source(s), an event(s) or behavior(s) to search, and an action(s) to perform in the event of a successful search. The search can be performed by analyzing an object(s) found within scenes of the video data. An object can be identified by a number of attributes specified by the user. Once the search criteria has been received from the user, the video data can be received (or extracted from storage), the data analyzed for the specified events (or behaviors), and the specified action performed in the event a successful search occurs. 1. A forensic video method comprising:receiving an indication from a user specifying a video source, wherein the video source specifies video data associated with a camera of interest;receiving an indication from the user specifying a behavior to detect within the video data;receiving an indication from the user specifying an action to undertake in the event the behavior is detected;receiving video data associated with the camera of interest;analyzing the video data for the specified behavior; andin the event the specific behavior is found, undertaking the action specified.2. The forensic video method of claim 1 , wherein the behavior comprises a behavior associated with an image of an object found within the video data.3. The forensic video method of claim 2 , wherein the behavior is a behavior selected from the group of object behaviors consisting of: the object crosses a line within the video scene claim 2 , the object loitering claim 2 , the object entering a zone claim 2 , the object leaving a zone claim 2 , the object appearing in a zone claim 2 , the object disappearing from within a zone claim 2 , the object dwelling in a zone claim 2 , the object becoming abandoned claim 2 , ...

SEARCHING RECORDED VIDEO

Embodiments of the disclosure provide for systems and methods for creating metadata associated with a video data. The metadata can include data about objects viewed within a video scene and/or events that occur within the video scene. Some embodiments allow users to search for specific objects and/or events by searching the recorded metadata. In some embodiments, metadata is created by receiving a video frame and developing a background model for the video frame. Foreground object(s) can then be identified in the video frame using the background model. Once these objects are identified they can be classified and/or an event associated with the foreground object may be detected. The event and the classification of the foreground object can then be recorded as metadata. 1. A method comprising:receiving a search query from a user through a user interface, wherein the search query includes information for searching for either or both a classification of an object and an event associated with an object;retrieving metadata files associated with the search query, wherein the metadata files comprise information regarding either or both object classifications and object events within a video frame;searching the retrieved metadata files for metadata that matches the search query; andproviding a listing of video segments that match the search query through the user interface.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the search query comprises either or both of object classifications and object events and the searches for metadata that match either or both of object classifications and object events.3. The method according to further comprising:receiving an indication from the user identifying a video segment in the listing of video segments;retrieving the indicated video segment; anddisplaying the retrieved video segment to the user.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the search query comprises information identifying an object location in the field of view of a ...

POPPET VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTROLLING A PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR

A poppet valve assembly to control a pneumatic actuator may include a housing having a central bore. A first module may be disposed within the central bore, and the first module may have a first and second poppet valve. A second module may also be disposed within the central bore, and the second module may have a third and fourth poppet valve. A supply of pressurized fluid may be in fluid communication with a plurality of control valves such that pressurized fluid from the control valves opens and closes the poppet valves. The supply of pressurized fluid may also be in fluid communication with the first module and the second module such that the opening and closing of the poppet valves controls the position of the pneumatic actuator. 1. A poppet valve assembly comprising:a valve housing having a central bore;a first module disposed within the central bore, the first module comprising a first normally closed poppet valve and a second normally closed poppet valve, wherein each of the first and second normally closed poppet valves has an open position and a closed position;a central port formed in the first module, wherein the central port of the first module is adapted to be coupled to a first volume of a pneumatic cylinder;an exhaust port formed in the first module such that the central port is in fluid communication with the exhaust port when the first poppet valve is in the open position; anda supply port formed in the first module such that the central port is in fluid communication with the supply port when second poppet valve is in the open position,wherein the supply port is configured to be in fluid communication with a supply of pressurized fluid such that when the second poppet valve is in the open position, pressurized fluid is provided to the first volume of the pneumatic cylinder, andwherein the exhaust port is configured to vent pressurized fluid from the first volume of the pneumatic cylinder when the first poppet valve is in the open position.2. The ...

VALVE SIGNATURE DIAGNOSIS AND LEAK TEST DEVICE

A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position. 1. A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device for a control valve , the valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device comprising:a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position, the spool valve including a first control fluid inlet, a first control fluid outlet, and a second control fluid outlet, the first control fluid inlet being fluidly connected to a supply of control fluid and the first control fluid outlet being configured to be connected to a valve actuator;a blocker valve fluidly connected to the second control fluid outlet; andan electrical module operatively connected to the pilot valve, the supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or a closed position,wherein the open position of the spool valve fluidly connects the first control fluid inlet to the first control fluid outlet and the closed position of the spool valve fluidly connects the first control fluid outlet to the second control fluid outlet.2. The valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device of claim 1 , wherein the electrical module includes a main ...

WIRELESS MONITORING AND CONTROL OF SAFETY STATIONS IN A PROCESS PLANT

A safety station for use in a process plant includes one or more leverless limit switches to detect activation of one or more parts of the safety station. The safety station further includes a wireless transmitter coupled to the leverless limit switches to transmit signals associated with the safety station to a base station device, which is communicatively coupled to one or more control and/or monitoring devices. 1. A safety station for use in a process plant , the safety station comprising:one or more leverless limit switches to detect activation of one or more parts of the safety station; anda wireless transmitter coupled to the leverless limit switches to transmit signals associated with the safety station to a base station device, wherein the base station device is communicatively coupled to one or more control and/or monitoring modules.2. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein the leverless limit switch is a GO® switch manufactured by the TopWorx corporation.3. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein the leverless limit switch remains latched until physically reset.4702. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is the Rosemount dual input transmitter manufactured by the Emerson corporation.5. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is an intrinsically safe wireless transmitter.6. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein the safety station is a safety shower and/or an eye wash station.7. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more control and/or monitoring stations is a remote touch screen panel.8. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more control and/or monitoring stations is a paperless recorder.9. The safety station of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more control and/or monitoring stations is a workstation.10. A safety station monitoring and control system in a process plant claim 1 , the system comprising:one or more safety stations ...

SWITCH MODULE

A switch module used for position sensing may be operated in a number of modes for compatibility with a number of legacy position sensing products. A dry switch circuit can be configured to provide a direct output, emulating dry reed, high-side or low-side switched configurations. Alternatively, the dry switch circuit can be connected to an input of a NAMUR circuit to provide the known current output for that standard. In another configuration the dry switch can be selectively coupled to one of two NAMUR circuits allowing the switch module to provide a low-to-high current NAMUR output or a high-to-low current NAMUR output. 1. A switch module arranged and adapted to report a position of a moveable element external to the switch module , the switch module comprising:a first external connection, a second external connection, and a third external connection;a dry contact relay having a relay contact position responsive to a position of a component external to the switch module, the dry contact relay having a common connection, a normally open connection and a normally closed connection, where the normally open connection corresponds to a first position of the moveable element and the normally closed connection corresponding to a second position of the moveable;a NAMUR circuit having a first input connection pair and a first output connection pair;an electrical connection from the normally open connection of the dry relay to a first input of the first input connection pair of the NAMUR circuit;a selector operable to connect the common connection of the dry contact relay to i) a null contact of the selector or ii) a second input of the first input connection pair of the NAMUR circuit;a second electrical connection from the first output of the NAMUR circuit to one of the first external connection or the second external connection; anda third electrical connection between the second output of the NAMUR circuit to the third external connection;a first jumper that removeably ...

SEARCHING RECORDED VIDEO

Embodiments of the disclosure provide for systems and methods for creating metadata associated with a video data. The metadata can include data about objects viewed within a video scene and/or events that occur within the video scene. Some embodiments allow users to search for specific objects and/or events by searching the recorded metadata. In some embodiments, metadata is created by receiving a video frame and developing a background model for the video frame. Foreground object(s) can then be identified in the video frame using the background model. Once these objects are identified they can be classified and/or an event associated with the foreground object may be detected. The event and the classification of the foreground object can then be recorded as metadata. 1. A method for creating metadata associated with a video frame , the method comprising:receiving a video frame;developing a background model for the video frame;separating a foreground object from the video frame using the background model;classifying the foreground object into a classification, wherein the classification characterizes the foreground object based on the object color, aspect ratio, and position; andrecording the classification of the foreground object in metadata.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein background model comprises a short-tern background model.3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein background model further comprises a long-term background model used in conjunction with the short-term background model.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein background model comprises a long-term background model.5. The method according to further comprising detecting and removing shadows from an image frame.6. The method according to further comprising detecting and removing reflections from an image frame.7. The method according to further comprising:detecting an event associated with the foreground object; andrecording the event in metadata.8. The method according to ...

Method and System for Color Adjustment

A method of adjusting the color of images captured by a plurality of cameras comprises the steps of receiving a first image captured by a first camera from the plurality of cameras, analyzing the first image to separate the pixels in the first image into background pixels and foreground pixels, selecting pixels from the background pixels that have a color that is a shade of gray, determining the amount to adjust the colors of the selected pixels to move their colors towards true gray, and providing information for use in adjusting the color components of images from the plurality of cameras. 1. A method of adjusting the color of images captured by a plurality of cameras comprising the steps of: receiving a first image captured by a first camera from the plurality of cameras; analyzing the first image to separate the pixels in the first image into background pixels and foreground pixels; selecting pixels from the background pixels that have a color that is a shade of gray; determining the amount to adjust the colors of the selected pixels to move their colors towards true gray; and providing information for use in adjusting the color components of images from the plurality of cameras.2. A method as recited in wherein the selecting step comprises selecting a range of pixels wherein true gray is included in the selected range.3. A method as recited in wherein the determining step comprises determining the maximum bins in the histograms of the Cb and Cr components of the selected pixels.4. A method as recited in wherein the determining step comprises determining the mean colors for the color components of the selected pixels.5. A method as recited in further comprising the step of adjusting the color of the plurality of cameras by using the provided information.6. A method as recited in further comprising determining an overlap region in the field of views of the plurality of cameras claim 1 , and wherein the selecting step comprises selecting pixels from the background ...

Method and System for Image Centering during Zooming

The methods and systems described herein are directed to image processing. More specifically, the image processing described herein may include centering an object in the field of view during zooming. The image processing methods and systems may further include setting a magnification factor, positioning the camera in a first field of view capturing a first image, setting a second magnification factor, and capturing a second image. Additionally, the described techniques may include altering the first image to determine an offset and adjusting the camera based on the offset. 1. A method of centering an object in the field of view of a camera during zooming comprising the steps of setting a camera zoom to a first magnification factor so that the camera has a first field of view; positioning the camera so that an object is in a first position in the first field of view; capturing a first image with the camera at the first magnification factor; setting the camera zoom to a second magnification factor so that the camera has a second field of view with the second magnification factor being greater than the first magnification factor; capturing a second image with the camera at the second magnification factor; digitally altering a portion of the first image to create a third image that has a magnification factor equivalent to the second magnification factor; comparing the third image with the second image to determine the offset of the object from the first position of the object to the position of the object in the third image; and adjusting the camera based on the offset determined in the comparing step when the camera is zoomed.2. A method as recited in wherein the step of positioning the camera so that an object is in a first position in the first field of view comprises positioning the camera so that the object is centered in the first field of view.3. A method as recited in further comprising capturing a fourth image with the camera at a third magnification factor; ...

INTEGRATED VIDEO QUANTIZATION

Techniques for processing video content in a video camera are provided. The techniques include a method for processing video content in at video camera according to the disclosure includes capturing thermal video data using a thermal imaging sensor, determining quantization parameters for the thermal video data, quantizing the thermal video data to generate quantized thermal video data content and video quantization information, and transmitting the quantized thermal video data stream and the video quantization information to a video analytics server over a network. 1. A method for processing video content in a video camera , the method comprising:capturing thermal video data using a thermal imaging sensor;determining quantization parameters for the thermal video data;quantizing the thermal video data to generate quantized thermal video data content;transmitting the quantized thermal video data stream and the video quantization parameters to a video analytics server over a network.2. The method of wherein determining the quantization parameters for the thermal video data further comprises constructing a histogram of the thermal video data captured by the thermal imaging sensor claim 1 , and wherein the method further comprises calculating an accumulated histogram based on the thermal video data.4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:determining a low-bound threshold and a high-bound threshold for the thermal video data; anddetermining a quantization step for the thermal video data.7. The method of wherein determining quantization parameters for the video data further comprises generating a lookup table to map the quantized data for previously received thermal video content to quantization data for the thermal video content.8. A thermal video camera comprising:means for capturing thermal video data using a thermal imaging sensor;means for determining quantization parameters for the thermal video data;means for quantizing the thermal video data to generate a ...

Transformation between Image and Map Coordinates

Systems and methods for transformations between image and map coordinates, such as those associated with a video surveillance system, are described herein. An example of a method described herein includes selecting a reference point within the image with known image coordinates and map coordinates, computing at least one transformation parameter with respect to a location and a height of the camera and the reference point, detecting a target location to be tracked within the image, determining image coordinates of the target location, and computing map coordinates of the target location based on the image coordinates of the target location and the at least one transformation parameter. 1. A method of identifying map coordinates of a location within an image captured by a camera , the method comprising:selecting a reference point within the image with known image coordinates and map coordinates;computing at least one transformation parameter with respect to a location and a height of the camera and the reference point;detecting a target location to be tracked within the image;determining image coordinates of the target location; andcomputing map coordinates of the target location based on the image coordinates of the target location and the at least one transformation parameter.2. The method of wherein the at least one transformation parameter comprises a rotation angle and a tilt angle of the camera relative to the reference point.3. The method of wherein computing the map coordinates of the target location comprises computing a horizontal displacement angle and a vertical displacement angle from a center of the image to the target location within the image.4. The method of wherein computing the map coordinates of the target location comprises determining a position of the target location relative to an Earth-based coordinate system based on the horizontal displacement angle claim 3 , the vertical displacement angle claim 3 , the location and height of the camera ...

SONAR SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING LOCATION OF DEVICES

Systems and methods are described for determining device positions in a video surveillance system. A method described herein includes generating a reference sound; emitting, at a first device, the reference sound; detecting, at the first device, a responsive reference sound from one or more second devices in response to the emitted reference sound; identifying a position of each of the one or more second devices; obtaining information relating to latency of the one or more second devices; computing a round trip time associated with each of the one or more second devices based on at least a timing of detecting the one or more responsive reference sounds and the latency of each of the one or more second devices; and estimating the position of the first device according to the round trip time and the position associated with each of the one or more second devices. 1. A method of calculating position of a device within a video surveillance system , the method comprising:generating a reference sound;emitting, at a first device, the reference sound;detecting, at the first device, a responsive reference sound from each of one or more second devices in response to the emitted reference sound;identifying a position of each of the one or more second devices;obtaining information relating to a latency of each of the one or more second devices;computing a round trip time associated with each of the one or more second devices based on at least a timing of detecting each of the one or more responsive reference sounds and the latency of each of the one or more second devices; andestimating the position of the first device according to the round trip time and the position associated with each of the one or more second devices.2. The method of wherein the estimating comprises converting the round trip time associated with each of the one or more second devices to the distance between the first device and each of the one or more second devices based on a sample rate of the reference ...

Method and System for Displaying a Timeline

A method of displaying a timeline of recorded video comprising the steps of dividing the recorded video into timespans, providing a thumbnail and a timestamp for each timespan that has recorded video, providing a gap and a timestamp between thumbnails for each timespan in which there is no recorded video, displaying a first timeline containing the provided thumbnails and timestamps and the provided gaps and timestamps having an uncompressed format, receiving user input requesting that the first timeline be compressed, removing the gaps and their respective timestamps from the first timeline and moving the thumbnails and their timestamps located on either side of the gaps so that the thumbnails on either side of the gaps are adjacent to provide a compressed timeline, and displaying the compressed timeline. 1. A method of displaying a timeline of recorded video comprising the steps of: dividing the recorded video into timespans; providing a thumbnail and a timestamp for each timespan that has recorded video; providing a gap and a timestamp between thumbnails for each timespan in which there is no recorded video; displaying a first timeline containing the provided thumbnails and timestamps and the provided gaps and timestamps having an uncompressed format; receiving user input requesting that the first timeline be compressed; removing the gaps and their respective timestamps from the first timeline and moving the thumbnails and their timestamps located on either side of the gaps so that the thumbnails on either side of the gaps are adjacent to provide a compressed timeline; and displaying the compressed timeline.2. A method as recited in further comprising the step of providing an indicator where there was a gap so that the indicator is in between the thumbnails that were located on either side of the gap.3. A method as recited in further comprising the step of receiving input from a user requesting that the compressed timeline be changed to an uncompressed format.4. A ...

Cloud-Based Video Surveillance Management System

Systems and methods are described herein that provide a three-tier intelligent video surveillance management system. An example of a system described herein includes a gateway configured to obtain video content and metadata relating to the video content from a plurality of network devices, a metadata processing module communicatively coupled to the gateway and configured to filter the metadata according to one or more criteria to obtain a filtered set of metadata, a video processing module communicatively coupled to the gateway and the metadata processing module and configured to isolate video portions, of video the content, associated with respective first portions of the filtered set of metadata, and a cloud services interface communicatively coupled to the gateway, the metadata processing module and the video processing module and configured to provide at least some of the filtered set of metadata or the isolated video portions to a cloud computing service. 1. A method of managing a video surveillance system , the method comprising:obtaining video content and metadata relating to the video content from a plurality of network devices;filtering the metadata according to one or more criteria to obtain a filtered set of metadata;isolating video portions, of the video content, associated with respective first portions of the filtered set of metadata; andproviding at least some of the filtered set of metadata or the isolated video portions to a cloud computing service.2. The method of wherein the plurality of network devices comprise at least one of cameras or video encoders.3. The method of wherein respective ones of the plurality of network devices are associated with respective ones of a plurality of local networks claim 1 , and wherein each of the plurality of local networks is associated with distinct geographic locations.4. The method of wherein the filtering comprises:evaluating quality of the metadata according to the one or more criteria;classifying second ...

Visual Command Processing

An example method for processing visual communications at a video camera according to the disclosure includes analyzing video content captured by the video camera to identify a visual command presented to the camera by a user in the field of view of the camera, executing the visual command identified from the video content captured by the video camera, wherein executing the visual command includes setting one or more operating parameters of the video camera, determining a command completion indication corresponding to whether the command was successfully executed, and providing a command completion indication, corresponding to the command completion indication, to the user. 1. A method for processing visual commands at a video camera , the method comprising:analyzing video content captured by the video camera to identify a visual command presented to the camera by a user in the field of view of the camera;executing the visual command identified from the video content captured by the video camera, wherein executing the visual command includes setting one or more operating parameters of the video camera;determining a command completion indication corresponding to whether the command was successfully executed; andproviding a command completion indication, corresponding to the command completion indication, to the user.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:detecting authentication credentials in the video content captured by the video camera; anddetermining that a user is authorized to send command information to the video camera based on the authentication credentials detected.3. The method of wherein providing the command completion indication to the user includes sending an email message to the user.4. The method of wherein providing the command completion indication to the user includes sending a text message to the user.5. The method of wherein providing the command completion indication to the user includes illuminating one or more indicator lights on the ...

CAMERA CALIBRATION USING FEATURE IDENTIFICATION

Disclosed are methods, systems, computer readable media and other implementations, including a method to calibrate a camera that includes capturing by the camera a frame of a scene, identifying features appearing in the captured frame, the features associated with pre-determined values representative of physical attributes of one or more objects, and determining parameters of the camera based on the identified features appearing in the captured frame and the pre-determined values associated with the identified features. 1. A method to calibrate a camera , the method comprising:capturing by the camera a frame of a scene;identifying features appearing in the captured frame, the features associated with pre-determined values representative of physical attributes of one or more objects; anddetermining parameters of the camera based on the identified features appearing in the captured frame and the pre-determined values associated with the identified features.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying features appearing in the captured frame comprises:automatically detecting at least one object appearing in one or more frames;automatically classifying the detected at least one object appearing in the one or more frames; andautomatically identifying features of the classified at least one object, the automatically identified features associated with pre-determined values representative of physical attributes for the at least one classified object.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein automatically classifying the detected at least one object comprises:determining aspect ratios based on dimensions of the at least one detected object;determining object type for the at least one object based on the determined aspect ratios; andcomparing the dimensions of the at least one object to statistical measures stored in a cluster corresponding to the determined object type.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein comparing the dimensions of the at least one object comprises:updating, ...

Method and System for Video Coding with Noise Filtering

Techniques are discussed herein for providing mechanisms for coding and transmitting high definition video, e.g., over low bandwidth connections. In particular, foreground-objects are identified as distinct from the background of a scene represented by a plurality of video frames. In identifying foreground-objects, semantically significant and semantically insignificant movement (e.g., non-repetitive versus repetitive movement) is differentiated. For example, the swaying motion of a tree's leaves being minor and repetitive, can be determined to be semantically insignificant and to belong in a scene's background. Processing of the foreground-objects and background proceed at different update rates or frequencies. For example, foreground-objects can be updated 30 or 60 times per second. By contrast, a background is updated less frequently, e.g., once every 10 seconds. In some implementations, if no foreground-objects are identified, no live video is transmitted (e.g., if no motion is detected, static images are not configured to be repeatedly sent). Techniques described herein take advantage of the realization that, in the area of surveillance and wireless communications, updating video of semantically significant movement at a high frame rate is sufficient. 1. A method of video coding comprising: receiving a video image having a plurality of pixels; selecting a plurality of Gaussian models for each pixel in the plurality of pixels in the image; classifying each pixel as a background pixel or foreground pixel based on the probability of the model that the pixel fits best; dividing the image into M×M pixel blocks; comparing for each block the motion pixels in the current frame with motion pixels in the previous frame to determine if the number of pixels with motion change is greater than a first threshold; triggering a counter for a block if the number of pixels with motion change is greater than the first threshold; determining if an accumulated count in the counter ...

Clustering-based object classification

An example of a method for identifying objects in video content according to the disclosure includes receiving video content of a scene captured by a video camera, detecting an object in the video content, identifying a track that the object follows over a series of frames of the video content, extracting object features for the object from the video content, and classifying the object based on the object features. Classifying the object further comprises: determining a track-level classification for the object using spatially invariant object features, determining a global-clustering classification for the object using spatially variant features, and determining an object type for the object based on the track-level classification and the global-clustering classification for the object.

Method and System for Video Composition

A method of presenting video comprising receiving a plurality of video data from a video source, analyzing the plurality of video data; identifying the presence of foreground-objects that are distinct from background portions in the plurality of video data, classifying the foreground-objects into foreground-object classifications, receiving user input selecting a foreground-object classification, and generating video frames from the plurality of video data containing background portions and only foreground-objects in the selected foreground-object classification. 1. A method of presenting video comprising: receiving a plurality of video data from a video source; analyzing the plurality of video data; identifying the presence of foreground-objects that are distinct from background portions in the plurality of video data; classifying the foreground-objects into foreground-object classifications; receiving user input selecting a foreground-object classification; and generating video frames from the plurality of video data containing background portions and only foreground-objects in the selected foreground-object classification.2. A method as recited in further comprising: processing data associated with a foreground-object in a selected foreground-object classification based on a first update rate;processing data associated with the background portions based on a second update rate;transmitting data associated with a foreground-object in a selected foreground-object classification dynamically; and transmitting data associated with the background portions based on the second update rate, wherein the first update rate is greater than the second update rate,3. A method as recited in further comprising: receiving a user request for a storyboard image for a first foreground-object classified in a selected foreground-object classification; analyzing the generated video frames to obtain a plurality of frames containing the first foreground-object; and generating an image ...

CONTEXT AWARE MOVING OBJECT DETECTION

An image capture system includes: an image capture unit configured to capture a first image frame comprising a set of pixels; and a processor coupled to the image capture unit and configured to: determine a normalized distance of a pixel characteristic between the first image frame and a second image frame for each pixel in the first image frame; compare the normalized distance for each pixel in the first image frame against a pixel sensitivity value for that pixel; determine that a particular pixel of the first image frame is a foreground or background pixel based on the normalized distance of the particular pixel relative to the pixel sensitivity value for the particular pixel; and adapt the pixel sensitivity value for each pixel over a range of allowable pixel sensitivity values. 1. An image capture system comprising:an image capture unit configured to capture a first image frame comprising a set of pixels; and determine a normalized distance of a pixel characteristic between the first image frame and a second image frame for each pixel in the first image frame;', 'compare the normalized distance for each pixel in the first image frame against a pixel sensitivity value for that pixel;', 'determine that a particular pixel of the first image frame is a foreground or background pixel based on the normalized distance of the particular pixel relative to the pixel sensitivity value for the particular pixel; and', 'adapt the pixel sensitivity value for each pixel over a range of allowable pixel sensitivity values., 'a processor coupled to the image capture unit and configured to2. The system of wherein the processor is configured to compute the pixel sensitivity value for each pixel based on a base sensitivity value.3. The system of wherein the processor is configured to adjust the base sensitivity value based on ratios of strong motion pixels to total motion pixels in identified blobs in the frames.4. The system of wherein the processor is configured to:determine a ...

Sharing video in a cloud video service

A security system images a large amount of data through routine use which is difficult to transfer or share. In one embodiment, through the use of a cloud-based video service and an application program interface, the methods and systems disclosed herein comprise accepting a communication that identifies parameters associated with a video on a video server accessible via a network. The methods and systems further cause the video server to transfer the video via the network to a cloud-based video service location in response to the communication, and transmit a notification to a receiving party (or cause the cloud-based video service location to transmit the notification) in concert with the transfer of the video, which provides availability information of the video at the cloud-based service location. The methods and systems facilitate video sharing amongst parties.

SMART SHIFT SELECTION IN A CLOUD VIDEO SERVICE

A cloud-based network service provides intelligent access to surveillance camera views across multiple locations and environments. A cloud computing server maintains a database of time periods of interest captured by the cameras connected to the network. The server also maintains defined motion data associated with recorded video content. Video segments are generated from the recorded video content according to both the motion data and the time periods of interest. The server causes the video segments to be transmitted to a user interface, where a user can remotely monitor an environment through the video segments. 1. A method of managing a video surveillance system , the method comprising:defining motion data corresponding to recorded video content from at least one of a plurality of cameras;storing a plurality of entries to a database, each entry including time data indicating start and stop times of a respective time period of interest;generating at least one video segment from the recorded video content, the at least one video segment having time boundaries based on the motion data and the time data of at least one of the plurality of entries; andcausing the at least one video segment to be transmitted to a user interface.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defining claim 1 , storing claim 1 , generating and causing are performed by a cloud-based server claim 1 , and wherein at least a subset of the plurality of cameras are connected to distinct nodes of a network in communication with the cloud-based video server claim 1 , and further comprising enabling claim 1 , at the user interface claim 1 , selection of the at least one video segment based on the nodes.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein generating the at least one video segment includes combining the recorded video from a plurality of cameras of the subset.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one of the plurality of entries further includes at least one tag indicating one or more of: the respective ...

Method and System for Counting People Using Depth Sensor

A sensor system according to an embodiment of the invention may process depth data and visible light data for a more accurate detection. Depth data assists where visible light images are susceptible to false positives. Visible light images (or video) may similarly enhance conclusions drawn from depth data alone. Detections may be object-based or defined with the context of a target object. Depending on the target object, the types of detections may vary to include motion and behavior. Applications of the described sensor system include motion guided interfaces where users may interact with one or more systems through gestures. The sensor system described may also be applied to counting systems, surveillance systems, polling systems, retail store analytics, or the like. 1. A method , comprising:obtaining depth data from a depth sensor, the depth sensor mounted to provide a top view of a scene;discerning foreground objects from background objects from within the depth data; anddetermining a given foreground object, from among the foreground objects, matches a single-scale reference model of a target object based on the depth data.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:calculating a relative object size of the given foreground object;deriving a head size based on depth data and relative object size;defining properties of a detection window based on the head size; andgenerating a scene population count based on an application of the detection window to the given foreground object.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking claim 1 , from frame to frame of the depth data claim 1 , one or more foreground objects determined to match the reference model from among the foreground objects.4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising resetting the scene population count to zero in an event of no motion within a scene for a predetermined temporal period.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising obtaining visible images from a visible spectrum camera and ...

Method and Apparatus for Detecting People by a Surveillance System

Surveillance systems may be found in both private and public spaces. In private spaces, they can be designed to help provide and monitor secure premises. Similarly, public spaces may also use surveillance systems to determine an allocation of public resources. A camera surveillance system according to an embodiment of the invention uses advanced image processing techniques to determine whether an object moving across a scene is a person. The camera surveillance system achieves an accurate and efficient classification by selectively processing a set of features associated with the object, such as features that define an omega shape. By selectively processing the set of features associated with the object, the methods and systems described herein reduce the computational complexity of standard image processing/object detection techniques. 1. A method for detecting people by a surveillance system , the method comprising:identifying a foreground contour shape within a scene and a track of the foreground contour shape from at least two frames in a video file;determining features of the foreground contour shape within the scene and the track of the foreground contour shape; andclassifying at least a portion of the foreground contour shape using a shape feature and the track of the foreground contour shape to determine whether the foreground contour shape matches a person reference model.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:applying an intra-frame local detector to the foreground contour shape to determine whether the foreground contour shape matches the person reference model.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:identifying a plurality of foreground contour shapes within the scene and a plurality of tracks associated with each one of the plurality of foreground contour shapes in the video file; andassigning a plurality of intra-frame local detectors to visited scene locations;applying each one of the assigned plurality of intra-frame detectors to each ...

Method And System For Metadata Extraction From Master-Slave Cameras Tracking System

An embodiment of the present invention includes a master camera that may record master metadata regarding an object of interest and communicate the master metadata to a slave camera. The slave camera may zoom, pan, or tilt to isolate and record more detailed image data regarding the object of interest based on the master metadata. In addition, the slave camera may record slave metadata regarding the object of interest. The master and slave metadata may be stored associated with the recorded image data enabling a later search for the object of interest to be expedited. The recorded image data including the object of interest may be identified with greater ease as it may be guided by the master or slave metadata, or a combination thereof. According to embodiments presented herein, processing time for searching and identifying an object of interest may be reduced by enabling a search on the metadata associated with image data, rather than by searching the image data itself.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENTLY PRIORITIZING ELEMENTS IN A VIDEO STREAM FOR LOW-BANDWIDTH TRANSMISSION

Processing video for low-bandwidth transmission may be complex. At a content source embodiment of methods disclosed herein may include assigning the content identifier as a function of content in a packet of a packet stream on a packet-by-packet basis. The method may further comprise forwarding the content identifier with the packet to enable a downstream network node or device to effect prioritization of the packet within the packet stream. The downstream network node or device may make drop decisions that are guided by a content identifier. Packets, or video frames that contain useful information may be prioritized and have a higher probability of being delivered. 1. A method for prioritizing packets in a communications network , the method comprising:mapping content to a content identifier;at a content source, assigning the content identifier as a function of the content in a packet of a packet stream on a packet-by-packet basis; andforwarding the content identifier with the packet to enable a downstream network node to effect prioritization of the packet within the packet stream.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the content source is a video camera claim 1 , a video recorder claim 1 , or a gateway.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the content is contained within a video frame.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the content identifier maps the content to a substantive object identifier.5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the substantive object identifier indicates a face claim 4 , a license plate claim 4 , or a personalized identifier.6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein mapping content to the content identifier includes utilizing a standard content mapping table.7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the downstream node assigns prioritization using the standard content mapping table.8. The method according to claim 1 , further including assigning a priority to the content identifier.9. The method according to ...

OBJECT REMOVAL DETECTION USING 3-D DEPTH INFORMATION

A novel object removal detection method and corresponding apparatus is described. The method employs a combination of detecting a change in a scene pattern and a change in the depth of field. The method significantly reduced false alarms caused by occlusion or rearrangement of the monitored objects. 1. A method for monitoring a content of a volume , the method comprising:constructing a representation of a content in a reference image of a monitored volume to create a reference representation;assigning a reference depth of field value to the reference representation;constructing a representation of a content in a subsequent image of the monitored volume to create a subsequent representation, the subsequent image being time-ordered with respect to the reference image;comparing the subsequent representation to the reference representation to determine motion of the content; assigning a subsequent depth of field value to the subsequent representation; and', 'comparing the subsequent and reference depth of field values of the subsequent representation and the reference representation, respectively, to determine whether the content was subjected to rearrangement, removal or occlusion., 'in an event motion of the content is detected2. The method of claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , in an event the motion in the content is not detected claim 1 , the method further includes:replacing the subsequent image with a new subsequent image, time-ordered with respect to the subsequent image;constructing a representation of a content in the new subsequent image of the monitored volume to create a new subsequent representation;comparing the new subsequent representation to the reference representation to determine motion of the content; and assigning a depth of field value to the new subsequent representation; and', 'comparing the depth of field values of the new subsequent representation and the reference representation to determine whether the content was subjected to rearrangement, ...

CONFIGURABLE PROCESS CONTROL DEVICE WITH ELECTRONIC DISPLAY ASSEMBLY

A configurable process control device, which includes a field device, such as a valve position controller, that can be configured by a user to emulate any one of a plurality of different types of process control devices, is provided with an electronic display assembly. The electronic display assembly is operatively connected with a control circuit that is arranged to respond to the specific configuration of the field device to cause the electronic display assembly to display information relevant to the specific type of control device the field device has been configured to emulate. The information may include safety certification information specific to each of the different types of process control devices that the field device can be configured to emulate. 1. A configurable process control device for use in a plurality of use environments , wherein at least one of a pre-defined plurality of certifications must be displayed in conjunction with the configurable process control device depending on which of the use environments the configurable process control device is to be used in , the configurable process control device comprising:a field device;a first control circuit operatively coupled to the field device, the first control circuit arranged to control the field device and arranged to be reconfigured by a user to allow the field device to selectively emulate any of a plurality of different process control device types;an electronic display assembly, the electronic display assembly arranged to selectively display different information; anda second control circuit, the second control circuit operatively coupled to the electronic display assembly and the first control circuit, the second control circuit having access to a plurality of different certification information sets, each certification information set corresponding to a different one of the plurality of different process control device types;wherein the second control circuit causes the electronic display ...

Window Blanking for Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera

Network cameras employing advanced video analytics are increasingly being used in both public and private settings. Unlike fixed surveillance cameras, pan/tilt/zoom cameras provide a dynamic field-of-view. Some regions within a given field-of-view can be designated as private and may not be recorded. A window-blanking feature, according to an embodiment of the invention, enables an ability to block out defined portions of the video where a privacy zone may otherwise appear. Through use of the embodiment, consistent privacy is provided during dynamic surveillance to ensure compliance with privacy regulations or contractual arrangements relating to use of a surveillance camera having a privacy zone within the given field-of-view. 1. A method of window-blanking for a camera , the method comprising:computing a pan/tilt angle relative to world ground coordinates for each vertex of a privacy zone within a field-of-view of the camera;determining coordinates for each vertex based on an updated or predicted camera field-of-view; andblocking-out the privacy zone using the coordinates for each vertex.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:calculating the pan/tilt angles for each vertex of the privacy zone based, at least in part, on an internal camera location and an external camera location, wherein the internal camera location is defined by a pan attribute, tilt attribute, and zoom attribute and the external camera location is defined relative to the world ground coordinate by an x-attribute, y-attribute, and height attribute.3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising determining an adjusted pan/tilt angle for each vertex of the privacy zone.4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising generating a predictive pan/tilt adjustment angle for each vertex in the privacy zone as a function of the adjusted pan/tilt angle.5. The method of claim 2 , wherein blocking-out the privacy zone includes effecting color at a display location by a change to values received from an ...

PIEZOELECTRIC LOUDSPEAKER

The present invention discloses a piezoelectric loudspeaker. The piezoelectric loudspeaker comprises a sound producing plate, a resonant sound-box, a surround and a reflective sound-box. The sound producing plate comprises a piezoelectric ceramic element. The resonant sound-box includes a first opening comprising a first carrying part. The sound producing plate is disposed on the first carrying part. A cavity resonator is formed between the sound producing plate and the resonant sound-box. The surround is disposed between the first carrying part and the sound producing plate. The reflective sound-box includes a second opening and a reflective output opening. The second opening comprises a second carrying part. The resonant sound-box is disposed on the second carrying part. A reflective cavity body is formed between the resonant sound-box and the reflective sound-box, and the reflective cavity body is connected the reflective output opening. 1. A piezoelectric loudspeaker , comprising:a sound producing plate including at least one piezoelectric ceramic element being able to vibrate the sound producing plate;a resonant sound-box including a first opening comprising a first carrying part, the sound producing plate being disposed on the first carrying part, and a cavity resonator being formed between the sound producing plate and the resonant sound-box;a surround disposed between the first carrying part and the sound producing plate; anda reflective sound-box including a second opening and a reflective output opening, a second carrying part formed on a partial of an inner edge of the seconding opening, the resonant sound-box being disposed on the second carrying part, a reflective cavity body being formed between the resonant sound-box and the reflective sound-box, the reflective output opening being disposed on a side of the reflective sound-box, and the reflective cavity body being communicating with the reflective output opening.2. The piezoelectric loudspeaker of ...

Item Eligibility and/or Promotion Determination Application

In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods of utilizing an application operating on a mobile device to determine any applicable offers or eligibility and rank such offers and eligibility for user selection. More specifically, a process may be conducted by a processor in communication with a mobile device and data stores including user data, retailer data, and/or product and service data, the process including comparing identification information associated with a product or service received from the mobile device with data in the data stores; determining the product or service and identifying any associated promotional offers or plan eligibility associated with the product or service, the user, and/or the retailer; ranking any promotional offers or plan eligibility based at least in part on size of promotion; transmitting to the mobile device an identifier of applicable promotional offers or plan eligibility. 1. A system , comprising:a processor; user data, including memberships, groups, plans, and/or entitlements associated with a user;', products and services offered by a retailer;', 'any promotional offers offered by the retailer;, 'retailer data, including, 'product and service data, including identification information of each product and service, and any promotional offers or plan eligibility associated with the product or service;, 'one or more data stores, the one or more data stores storing data comprisingwherein the processor is in selective communication with one or more retailers, manufacturers, membership plans, insurance providers, and/or entitlement providers to populate and update the one or more data stores;wherein the processor is in selective communication with a mobile device of the user; comparing first media data comprising identification information associated with a product or service received from the mobile device with product and service data stored in the one or more data stores;', 'based at least in part on the ...

QUICK DISCONNECT CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

A quick-disconnect connector assembly includes a housing having a bore that extends up to but not through a first end of the housing. The connector assembly also includes a proximity switch disposed within the bore, and the proximity switch includes a switch body, a first contact member, and a second contact member. A portion of each of the first and second contact members extends from the switch body towards a second end of the housing. In a first switch position, a contact of a displaceable switching assembly is in contact with the first contact member, and in a second switch position, the contact is in contact with the second contact member. The connector assembly also includes an external connection assembly including a first pin that is electrically coupled to the first contact member and a second pin that is electrically coupled to the second contact member. 1. A quick-disconnect connector assembly comprising:a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a longitudinally-opposite second end, the housing including one or more interior surfaces that cooperate to define a bore that extends from the second end to a point adjacent to the first end such that the bore does not extend through the first end of the housing, wherein the bore includes a first bore portion; a switch body extending along a body longitudinal axis, the switch body having a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and a longitudinally-opposite second end; and', 'a first contact member and a second contact member, each of the first and second contact members having a first end and a longitudinally-opposite second end, the second end being disposed within the switch body and the first end being disposed external to the switch body, wherein a portion of each of the first and second contact members extends from the second end of the switch body towards the second end of the housing,', 'wherein in a first switch position, a contact of a displaceable ...

Auto-learning smart tours for video surveillance

Traditional approaches to automated monitoring using a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) video security system involve the use of programmed patterns/preset tours. Systems and methods described herein provide for configuring a camera tour based on operation of a surveillance system during a period of active operation by a user. The configuration accounts for frequency of given views and other measures to provide an automated tour. The automated tour is displayed when the system is not under active control, and can be updated during further periods of active control.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING UTILITY PANEL ELEMENTS

Switch boxes and other such utility boxes must some time be monitored by video. And most of the time, they are behind a door for security and safety reasons In order to image them, the imaging system must then be located very close to them, that is, inside the enclosure. Disclosed herein are systems and corresponding methods for imaging and monitoring utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface. Example embodiments include an optical focusing element to focus rays from utility panel elements and image the elements onto an imaging plane that is non-parallel with a utility surface, and an imaging surface configured to acquire a representation of the image. Example systems and corresponding methods provide for thermal imaging of utility panel elements at close proximity to the elements and within an enclosure. An advantage of these systems and methods is that utility panel elements such as fuses and switches may be imaged even when located within an enclosure and remotely monitored. 1. A system for imaging utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface , the system comprising:an optical focusing element configured to focus rays from the utility panel elements and to form an image of the utility panel elements at an imaging plane, the imaging plane being non-parallel with the utility surface; andan imaging surface situated at the imaging plane and configured to acquire a representation of the image.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rays are infrared light rays.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the utility surface claim 1 , focusing element claim 1 , and imaging surface are encompassed by an enclosure claim 1 , the system further comprising:a communications interface encompassed by the enclosure and configured to communicate information associated with the representation of the image of the utility panel elements to a receiver outside of the enclosure.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the communications interface is at least one of an electrical ...

Surveillance System With Intelligently Interchangeable Cameras

An embodiment of the invention provides a surveillance system with intelligently interchangeable cameras. The system includes multiple bases, each with a respective base identifier, and multiple cameras configured to learn the respective base identifiers while in proximity with a respective base. The cameras in the system are configured to employ a camera configuration corresponding with the respective learned base identifier. Each camera in the system employs the appropriate camera configuration for its placement in the system because each camera employs the camera configuration associated with the base identifier learned by the camera. This allows the cameras to be easily replaced, swapped, and moved throughout the surveillance system. 1. A surveillance system , comprising:bases having associated therewith respective base identifiers;cameras configured to be interchangeably coupled to multiple bases, and a given camera configured to learn a respective base identifier while in proximity with a given base and to employ a camera configuration corresponding to the respective base identifier.2. The system of further comprising:a system controller having access to camera configuration information associated with the base identifiers and communicatively coupled to the cameras to provide respective camera configuration information to the cameras for the respective base identifiers.3. The system of wherein the cameras are configured to transmit the learned base identifier to the system controller and to receive the corresponding camera configuration information based upon the transmitted base identifier.4. The system of wherein the cameras modify their respective camera configuration to comply with the received camera configuration information.5. The system of wherein the system controller is communicatively coupled to each base and wherein each base is configured to transmit a signal to the system controller indicating a camera has been removed from a base.6. The system ...

Method and Apparatus For Mobile Device Localization

Because GPS does not work indoors, mobile electronics devices that use GPS for activities do not work inside a building. An embodiment of the present invention is uses ultrasonic tone generators in each room. The ultrasonic tone generators can be built into cameras or separate devices. Each device may emit a unique tone that has a high enough frequency that most people cannot hear the frequency or combination of frequencies. Using a built-in microphone on a mobile device, the incoming audio may be analyzed in the frequency domain to determine the loudest tone above the human hearing threshold. This tone may be mapped to a specific room that can then be sent to the mobile electronics device to perform any location-aware actions. 1. A method of providing indoor localization , the method comprising:emitting signals at multiple fixed locations within an indoor facility, the signals being unique at each location relative to the signals at adjacent locations.2. The method according to wherein emitting the signals includes emitting human-imperceptible signals.3. The method according to wherein emitting the human-imperceptible signals includes emitting ultrasonic signals.4. The method according to wherein emitting the human-imperceptible signals includes emitting signals at non-visible optical wavelengths.5. The method according to wherein emitting the signals includes emitting signals perceptible by a mobile electronics device.6. The method according to wherein emitting the signals perceptible by a mobile electronic device includes emitting signals encoded to match a location within the facility known to the mobile electronics device by way of a look-up table.7. The method according to wherein emitting the signals includes emitting multiple tones at or above 20 kHz separated by at least 250 Hz and at or below 40 kHz at each location within the indoor facility claim 1 , wherein the combination of tones at each location is different from the combination of tones at each ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ENERGY SAVING HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) CONTROL SYSTEM

Embodiments of methods and apparatus disclosed herein may employ depth, visual, or motions sensors to enable three-dimensional people counting and data mining to enable an energy saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system. Head detection methods based on depth information may assist people counting in order to enable an accurate determination of room occupancy. A pattern of activities of room occupancy may be learned to predict the activity level of a building or its rooms, reducing energy usage and thereby providing a cost savings. 1. A method of controlling environmental comfort of at least one boundary zone , the method comprising:detecting motion of living beings of the at least one boundary zone, the at least one boundary zone having parameters associated therewith available to be used in adjusting an environmental control setting of the at least one boundary zone;determining a number of living beings present in the at least one boundary zone based on the motion detected; anddetermining at least one environmental control setting to enable control of environmental comfort of the at least one boundary zone based on the number of living beings determined and the parameters associated with the at least one boundary zone.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the parameters associated with the at least one boundary zone include dimensions for the at least one boundary zone claim 1 , an exhaust fan size for a fan corresponding to the at least one boundary zone claim 1 , or a combination thereof.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein detecting motion includes:monitoring at least one motion or visual sensor mounted within the at least one boundary zone; andcollecting motion or visual data from the at least one motion or visual sensor to verify and provide error correction for the number of living beings present in the at least one boundary zone determined.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein detecting motion includes: ...

Adjustable orthotic foot brace and method for adjusting a foot brace

The orthotic foot brace for a person wearing a footwear generally has: a lower leg holder securable to a lower leg of the person for use, a lower leg strut connected to the lower leg holder and extending downwardly towards the footwear during use; a foot strut structurally connected to the lower leg strut and having at least one side portion, each side portion extending forwardly along a respective side of the footwear and extending outwardly along a respective side of the footwear; an instep strut provided in the form of an extension of the foot strut along a long axis of the footwear, the instep strut having a distal portion securable to the footwear, and at least a proximal portion being slidably connected to the foot strut in a manner to allow adjusting the extension distance of the distal portion to a selected position.

TRACEABLE METALLIC PRODUCTS AND METALLIC SUPPORT FOR NANOSTORAGE

The invention relates to traceable metallic products, methods of uses and methods of making same. The metallic products may be made traceable for integrity purposes, identification purposes, counterfeit avoidance and the like. The invention also relates to metallic supports for nanostorage of various compounds and samples. 1. A traceable metallic product , wherein said metallic product comprises a porous surface layer formed by anodization , and wherein said porous surface layer comprises at least one traceable biological compound.2. (canceled)3. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one traceable biological compound is selected from the group consisting of nucleic acids claim 1 , peptidic molecules claim 1 , lipids claim 1 , mono and polysaccharides claim 1 , hormones claim 1 , vitamins claim 1 , and derivatives thereof.4. (canceled)5. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said at least one traceable biological compound is carried in nanopores of the porous surface layer claim 1 , and wherein said at least one traceable compound is recoverable from said porous surface layer for detection claim 1 , identification and/or utilization purposes.6. (canceled)7. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said traceable metallic product consists of a metallic support for nanostorage of compound and samples.8. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said porous surface layer is sealed.9. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said porous surface layer further comprises an electrodeposit of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver claim 1 , gold claim 1 , copper claim 1 , nickel claim 1 , zinc claim 1 , tin claim 1 , cadmium claim 1 , palladium and platinum.10. The traceable metallic product of claim 1 , wherein said traceable metallic product consists of a traceable piece of aluminum comprising a porous surface layer formed by anodization claim 1 , and wherein said porous ...

Dynamic Media Transcoding for P2P Communications

An apparatus for distributing video content includes one or more video input modules each adapted to receive a video signal from a video source, and a video combiner for receiving the video signals from the one or more video inputs and generating a video packet data stream. The apparatus also includes at least one video output module adapted to transmit the video packet data stream, and a processor coupled to the video combiner and the at least one video output. The processor cooperates with one or both of the video combiner and the at least one video output to transcode at least a portion of the video packet data stream. 1. An apparatus for distributing video content , comprising:one or more video input modules each adapted to receive a video signal from a video source;a video combiner that receives the video signals from the one or more video input modules and generates a video packet data stream;at least one video output module adapted to transmit the video packet data stream; anda processor coupled to the video combiner and the at least one video output module, the processor configured to cooperate with one or both of the video combiner and the at least one video output module to transcode at least a portion of the video packet data stream.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the video combiner is configured to store the video signals from the one or more video input modules.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the video combiner further includes a memory device configured to store the video signals from the one or more video input modules.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive information describing traffic conditions between the at least one video output and a destination of the video packet data stream claim 1 , and to use the information to determine how to transcode the at least a portion of the video packet data stream.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the information describing traffic conditions includes ...

AUTOMATED MEASUREMENT OF END-TO-END LATENCY OF VIDEO STREAMS

A system and method is provided to measure latency on a video management system having a computer system and a camera. The computer system initiates a presentation of a video stream comprising a plurality of video frames on a display device. Each video frame of the video stream includes a changing image which represents frame information for tracking the video frame. The computer system receives a live video stream representative of the presented video stream from the camera, which is directed at an output of the display device to capture in real-time the presented video stream. The image of one or more video frames of the received stream is processed to identify the frame information from the one or more video frames. The end-to-end latency of the video stream is determined based on at least identified frame information of the one or more video frames of the received stream. 1. A method of measuring latency on a video management system having a computer system and one or more cameras , the method comprising:initiating through the computer system a presentation of a video stream comprising a plurality of video frames on a display device, each video frame of the video stream including a changing image which represents frame information for tracking the video frame;receiving at the computer system a live video stream representative of the presented video stream from at least one camera, which is directed at an output of the display device to capture in real-time the video stream presented on the display device;processing the image of one or more video frames of the received live video stream to identify the frame information from the one or more video frames; anddetermining end-to-end latency of the video stream based on at least identified frame information of the one or more video frames of the received live video stream.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame information of each video frame is associated with a presentation order of the corresponding video ...

METHOD OF ALIGNING TWO SEPARATED CAMERAS MATCHING POINTS IN THE VIEW

A method and system are provided to calibrate multiple camera devices to perform multi-camera tracking of one or more objects. The method and system identifies one or more common (or matching) calibration points on both of a first image or video stream captured by a first camera device and a second image or video stream captured by a second camera. Each of the one or more common calibration points are in a field of view of the first and second camera devices. The method and system further determines coordinate information for the first and second camera devices from the one or more common calibration points, and evaluates the coordinate information to determine alignment parameters, which reflect a location and orientation of the second camera device relative to the first camera device. 1. A computer-implemented method of calibrating multiple camera devices to perform multi-camera tracking of one or more objects , comprising:identifying one or more common calibration points on both of a first image or video stream captured by a first camera device and a second image or video stream captured by a second camera device, each of the one or more common calibration points being in a field of view of the first and second camera devices;determining coordinate information for the first and second camera devices from the one or more common calibration points; andevaluating the coordinate information to determine alignment parameters, which reflect a location of the second camera device relative to the first camera device.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more common calibration points lie on a ground plane or plane of object motion.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more common calibration points comprises at four common calibration points identified on both of the first image or video stream and the second image or video stream.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coordinate information comprises a pan or tilt angle as viewed from the first and ...

Multi-camera tracking

A method includes processing a video stream on at least one first camera device to identify actionable motion objects (AMOs). The at least one first camera device or computer system in communication therewith is caused to transmit metadata associated with the identified AMOs to at least one second camera device. A viewing area of the at least one second camera device is dynamically controlled in response to the metadata to enable the at least one second camera device to track and focus on at least one of the identified AMOs.

Smart Video Digest System and Method

A method of summarizing events in a video recording includes evaluating at least one video recording to identify event that violate at least one rule. The method further includes excerpting a fragment of the at least one video recording. The fragment contains a depiction of the event. The method also includes causing the fragment to be included in a summary video recording. The rules may relate to a threshold amount of motion in a physical space being recorded in the at least one received video recording, or a threshold duration of motion in a physical space being recorded in the at least one received video recording.

VALVE SIGNATURE DIAGNOSIS AND LEAK TEST DEVICE

A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.

Video stabilization method with non-linear frame motion correction in three axes

A method and system are provided to perform electronic image stabilization of images captured by an image sensor on a camera device. In the method and system, non-linear motion of a camera device is measured with a motion sensor during an exposure time for each line of a frame captured by the image sensor of the camera device. A first line of the frame has a first exposure time, and subsequent lines of the frame have an exposure time that is later than a previous line of the frame, each line of the frame having an associated position in the frame. The position of each line of the frame is adjusted based, at least in part, on the measured non-linear motion to create a modified frame that corrects for non-linear motion that occurred for each line of the frame.

Compositions and Methods for siRNA Inhibition of Angiogenesis

System for cleaning and sanitizing

The present invention provides a system ( 10 ) for cleaning and sanitizing surfaces that incorporates a high pressure fluid supply ( 52 ) and a low pressure fluid supply ( 42 ), often carrying an ozonated fluid, and alternates directed streams of the two fluids for application to contaminated surfaces through a single applicator ( 70, 100 ).

COMPOSITION

Video surveillance camera

A video surveillance camera comprising an image sensor, first housing, second housing, electronic circuit, and thermal barrier. The image sensor is located in the first housing, and the electronic circuit is located in the second housing. The thermal barrier has first and second sides with the first side located adjacent to the first housing and the second side located adjacent to the second housing. The image sensor and other electronics, such as the processor board associated with the image sensor or the camera power supply, are located in separate housings or chambers that are separated and insulated from each other by a thermal barrier, thereby minimizing the heat generated by the processor electronics or power supply from being transferred to the area of the image sensor.

Cysteine engineered antibodies and conjugates withCysteine engineered antibodies and conjugates with a free cysteine amino acid in the heavy chain a free cysteine amino acid in the heavy chain

Disclosed is a cysteine engineered antibody compriDisclosed is a cysteine engineered antibody comprising a free cysteine amino acid having a thiol reasing a free cysteine amino acid having a thiol reactivity value in the range of 0.6 to 1.0; and a sectivity value in the range of 0.6 to 1.0; and a sequence in the heavy chain selected from SEQ ID NOSquence in the heavy chain selected from SEQ ID NOS: 11, 12, 13, and 15: LVTVCSASTKGPS SEQ ID NO:11 : 11, 12, 13, and 15: LVTVCSASTKGPS SEQ ID NO:11 LVTVSCASTKGPS SEQ ID NO:12 LVTVSSCSTKGPS SEQ ID LVTVSCASTKGPS SEQ ID NO:12 LVTVSSCSTKGPS SEQ ID NO:13 HTFPCVLQSSGLYS SEQIDNO:15 where the cysteiNO:13 HTFPCVLQSSGLYS SEQIDNO:15 where the cysteine in SEQ ID NOS: 11, 12, 13, and 15 is the free cne in SEQ ID NOS: 11, 12, 13, and 15 is the free cysteine amino acid. Also disclosed are antibody-drysteine amino acid. Also disclosed are antibody-drug conjugate compounds with the cysteine engineereug conjugate compounds with the cysteine engineered antibody described above and a drug moiety selecd antibody described above and a drug moiety selected from a maytansinoid, an auristatin, a dolastatted from a maytansinoid, an auristatin, a dolastatin, and a calicheamicin. in, and a calicheamicin.

The flicker detection of spatial variations

一种成像系统包括：图像模块，其被配置为以帧速率F产生图像帧，该图像模块被配置为在不同时间捕获图像帧的每个的第一部分和第二部分；频率确定模块，其被通信地耦合到图像模块，被配置以确定与在N个、多个图像帧上的第一部分和第二部分相关联的频率分量；以及闪烁分析模块，其被通信地耦合到频率确定模块，被配置成确定第一部分和第二部分的任何频率分量是否指示可察觉的闪烁。

Solenoid actuated butterfly valve

A butterfly valve (100) and a valve system using the butterfly valve are disclosed. The butterfly valve includes a valve body (102) and a valve disk (112) disposed in the body such that the valve disk may be rotated between at least a first position and a second position using a linear actuator. The actuator may be a linear solenoid coupled to the valve disk spaced a distance from the axis of rotation of the valve disk.

Multivalent antibodies and uses therefor. Multivalent antibodies and uses thereof.

Energy activated printing process

给出了反应性油墨和在基材上使用反应性且热激活的油墨产生图像的方法。在基材上印刷图像，而不使该油墨中的反应试剂反应。随后，使该反应试剂反应而将图像显著持久且牢固地固定到基材上。还将印刷的升华或类似热激活的染料印刷在该基材上。该升华或类似热激活的染料被激活，并且对施加到基材上的聚合物具有亲合性。

Method and apparatus for making insulating translucent panel assemblies

A method of making an insulating translucent panel assembly (10) such as a window or door lite is provided. In the method, a spacer (16) between two translucent panels (12) of glass or plastic includes a thermo- responsive sealing material (22). When heat and compression are applied to the spacer (16), the thermo-responsive sealing material (22) softens and fully seals the spacer (16) to the two translucent panels (12). A spacer (16) designed to be used in this method is also provided.

Conversion between image coordinate and map reference

本文描述了用于图像坐标和地图坐标之间的转换的、例如那些与视频监控系统相关联的系统和方法。本文所描述的方法的实例包括：选择图像内的具有已知的图像坐标和地图坐标的参考点；根据摄像机的位置和高度以及参考点计算至少一个转换参数；检测图像内将被追踪的目标位置；确定目标位置的图像坐标；以及基于目标位置的图像坐标和至少一个转换参数，计算目标位置的地图坐标。

Liquid flourescent dye concentrate for flow cytometry evaluation of virus-size particles and related products and methods

A kit, and method for flow cytometry include a liquid dye concentrate for fluorescent staining of virus-size particles with a plurality of fluorogenic dyes in a liquid medium. The liquid dye concentrate includes a plurality of fluorogenic dyes and one or both of (i) the liquid medium comprising a liquid mixture including water and liquid phase organic material and (ii) disaccharide dissolved in the liquid medium.

Excitation element for television antenna and television antenna including such an excitation element

Excitation element for television antenna, characterised in that it includes a dipole part comprising two straight wires 16, 17 oriented symmetrically transversely to an axis of a support arm 3 and a trombone part 18 linking the said wires together by a flattened loop with two symmetric turns 19, 20 and in that the said dipole part and the said trombone part are electrically series-parallel mounted by electrical connections established on the axis of symmetry on the one hand between the said loop and the earth 13 of the support arm, and on the other hand between each of the said wires and a core strand 24 and the armour 26 respectively of a coaxial conductor cable.

Camera calibration using feature identification

Disclosed are methods, systems, computer readable media and other implementations, including a method to calibrate a camera that includes capturing by the camera a frame of a scene, identifying features appearing in the captured frame, the features associated with pre-determined values representative of physical attributes of one or more objects, and determining parameters of the camera based on the identified features appearing in the captured frame and the pre-determined values associated with the identified features.

Method of constructing and executing a process

Disclosed is a method of constructing and executing a process. A conventional process is minutely divided into minimum unit subprocesses, and the minutely divided subprocesses are classified into a decision subprocesses and a routine subprocess by whether they require decision-making. Any subprocess which is executable using the setup condition in a specific decision subprocess is classified into the routine subprocess in such a manner that the classified routine subprocess follows on the specific decision subprocess. One or a series of decision subprocesses are combined with one or a series of routine subprocesses which are executable on the condition of the completion of the decision subprocesses to form one unit process, and a job-support computer program is created to allow the plurality of subprocesses included in the one unit process to be successively executed. A plurality of subprocesses which are executable in accordance with common input data are detected from the minutely divided minimum unit subprocesses, and a job flow is constructed to allow the respective jobs in the plurality of subprocesses to be simultaneously initiated and executed in parallel. The present invention can drastically reduce the lead-time of a process while facilitating execution of the entire process with high efficiency.

Enclosed proximity switch assembly

An enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure that are coupled to form an interior volume. A shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the top enclosure, and an interior bore portion having an enclosed volume is defined within the shaft protrusion to form a portion of the interior volume. A first end of a vertical shaft is rotatably disposed within the interior bore portion such that the shaft rotates relative to the top and bottom enclosures. A samarium cobalt target magnet is coupled to the shaft, and the target magnet interacts with a samarium cobalt driver magnet within a proximity switch when the target magnet is rotated within a predetermined distance of a top portion of the proximity switch. The interaction causes a switch to move from a first state to a second state, or vice versa.

Camera calibration using feature identification

被公开的内容是一些方法、系统、计算机可读媒介和其它实现方式，其中包括有校准摄像机的方法，所述校准摄像机的方法包括：通过摄像机捕获场景的帧；识别出现在所捕获到的帧中的特征，所述特征与代表一个或多个对象的物理特性的预先确定的值相关联；以及，基于出现在捕获到的帧中的被识别特征和与被识别特征相关联的预先确定的值来确定摄像机的参数。

Adjust the method and system of color

一种调整由多个相机捕获的图像的颜色的方法，包括接收由所述多个相机中的第一相机捕获的第一图像的步骤，分析所述第一图像以区分所述第一图像的像素为背景像素和前景像素，从所述背景像素选择有点灰色的像素，确定调整所述被选的像素的所述颜色朝着正灰色移动的总数，并提供用于调整所述多个相机的图像颜色分量的信息。

liquid fuel scrubber

Apparatus for maximizing signal strength in wireless devices

A device for performing one of the functions from the group of functions of wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of a signal comprising a housing having a cavity on the outside surface of the housing and an antenna assembly comprising an antenna mounted on a member, the member having a ball at one end that mates with the cavity, the member having a plate having an aperture sized so that it can be moved along the member and attached to the housing so that the antenna can be moved in three dimensions and then fixedly secured in the cavity by the plate.

Security camera housing

Stackable foundation anchors

A screw-in foundation anchor for traffic, lighting and utility poles and the like. The anchor comprises a shaft with an upper end fixed to a base plate on which the pole base is attachable. A helical blade on the shaft allows the anchor to be driven into the earth by rotation. At least two notches are provided on the edges of the base plate, each notch sized to engage the shaft of an adjacent anchor. Multiple anchors can be strapped together in groups or bundles for storage and shipment, with the notches engaging adjacent anchor. Such an arrangement prevents dislodgement or shifting of the anchors in transit. This reduces the cost of shipping the anchors, decreases the likelihood of damage to the anchors during shipment, and improves the safety of handling the bundles and unloading the individual anchors.

Data generating device, data generating method and data generating program

Method and system for video composition

A method of presenting video comprising receiving a plurality of video data from a video source, analyzing the plurality of video data; identifying the presence of foreground-objects that are distinct from background portions in the plurality of video data, classifying the foreground-objects into foreground-object classifications, receiving user input selecting a foreground-object classification, and generating video frames from the plurality of video data containing background portions and only foreground-objects in the selected foreground-object classification.

Method and system for metadata extraction from master-slave cameras tracking system

An embodiment of the present invention includes a master camera that may record master metadata regarding an object of interest and communicate the master metadata to a slave camera. The slave camera may zoom, pan, or tilt to isolate and record more detailed image data regarding the object of interest based on the master metadata. In addition, the slave camera may record slave metadata regarding the object of interest. The master and slave metadata may be stored associated with the recorded image data enabling a later search for the object of interest to be expedited. The recorded image data including the object of interest may be identified with greater ease as it may be guided by the master or slave metadata, or a combination thereof. According to embodiments presented herein, processing time for searching and identifying an object of interest may be reduced by enabling a search on the metadata associated with image data, rather than by searching the image data itself.

Method of improving video images by removing the effects of camera vibration

A method of improving a video image by removing the effects of camera vibration comprising the steps of, obtaining a reference frame, receiving an incoming frame, determining the frame translation vector for the incoming frame, translating the incoming frame to generate a realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the reference frame, determining the absolute difference between the filtered pixels in the reference frame and the filtered pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the temporal domain on the pixels in the realigned frame to generate the output frame if the absolute difference is less than a predetermined threshold, and providing the realigned frame as the output frame if the absolute difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Systems and methods for providing, reloading, and redeeming stored value cards used in transit applications

The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.

Portable welding jig

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable welding jig consisting of a pressure plate shaped to engage a minor peripheral portion of the circum-ference of a conduit, lever arm members pivotally mounted on the pressure plate and having their outer ends spaced from one another and disposed above the pressure plate, flexible conduit embracing means extending between the ends of the lever arm members to embrace a conduit and drive means disposed above the pressure plate and connecting the outer ends of the lever arms for moving the lever arms towards and away from one another to cause the flexible conduit embracing means to tighten against a conduit to drive the pressure plate radially inwardly to deflect the portion of the conduit engaged by the pressure plate radially inwardly to permit spot welding of the inwardly deflected portion of the conduit with respect to a second conduit.

Accessible pedestrian pushbutton station

An accessible pedestrian pushbutton station. The station includes an articulating rear mounting structure to facilitate accurate positioning of the station on either a curved or flat surface. Additionally, slots in the rear mounting structure allow for minor positional adjustments during installation. The crossing direction arrow is easily repositioned on the front of the station without disassembling the housing. After removing the screw-mounted arrow, the plunger can be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise using only a flat-head screw driver. The plunger is balanced between oppositely biased springs. The spring-balanced plunger indirectly actuates an offset piezo bender using a flexible spring actuator and a second, offset stem bumper. This protects the piezo bender from direct pressure and potential damage. The station includes an internal speaker and the housing includes bilateral sound vents to project the sound emitted by the speaker. Baffles may be inserted in one or both of the sound vents.

Tracking moving objects using a camera network

描述了用于使用多个安全摄像机跟踪运动对象的技术。多个摄像机可以捕获包含运动对象的图像的帧。这些图像可以由摄像机处理以创建与对象的图像相关联的元数据。每个摄像机的视频馈入的帧和元数据可以被发送到主计算机系统。主计算机系统可以使用从每个摄像机接收的元数据来确定由摄像机捕获的运动对象是否表示相同的运动对象。根据从每个摄像机接收到的元数据中描述的对象图像的属性，主计算机系统可以选择包含运动对象的图像的优选的视频馈入用于显示给用户。

Transformation between image and map coordinates

Systems and methods for transformations between image and map coordinates, such as those associated with a video surveillance system, are described herein. An example of a method described herein includes selecting a reference point within the image with known image coordinates and map coordinates, computing at least one transformation parameter with respect to a location and a height of the camera and the reference point, detecting a target location to be tracked within the image, determining image coordinates of the target location, and computing map coordinates of the target location based on the image coordinates of the target location and the at least one transformation parameter.

Dual/variable gain oil pump control valve

A solenoid fluid control valve is disclosed for controlling a variable displacement pump. The solenoid fluid control valve comprises a fixed solenoid component (702), a movable armature component (710), a fixed nozzle body (722), a movable spool (720) within the fixed nozzle body, and a valve member (714). The valve member regulates fluid pressure in a first (746, 748) and second feedback chamber. Fluid in the second feedback chamber establishes a second feedback pressure that acts on the movable spool with a motive feedback force in a first axial direction. The movable spool moves in the first axial direction in response to the motive feedback force.

Line Tapping Method of Video Amplification for Unshielded Twisted Pair Active Receiver

Embodiments of the present invention include systems, methods and apparatus for amplifying a composite video signal transmitted over long distance unshielded twisted pair cabling. The apparatus and system may include a plurality of amplifiers, an analog switch, and a control unit. The control unit generates a configuration signal to enable the output of one or more amplifiers (which may be serially connected) and configure the analog switch. A user input may be provided for manually configuring the amplifiers and analog switch. When the video signal is a color signal, the control unit may automatically configure the amplifiers and analog switch with reference to the amplitude of the color burst.

Scene activity analysis using statistical and semantic feature learnt from object trajectory data

Trajectory information of objects appearing in a scene can be used to cluster trajectories into groups of trajectories according to each trajectory's relative distance between each other for scene activity analysis. By doing so, a database of trajectory data can be maintained that includes the trajectories to be clustered into trajectory groups. This database can be used to train a clustering system, and with extracted statistical features of resultant trajectory groups a new trajectory can be analyzed to determine whether the new trajectory is normal or abnormal. Embodiments described herein, can be used to determine whether a video scene is normal or abnormal. In the event that the new trajectory is identified as normal the new trajectory can be annotated with the extracted semantic data. In the event that the new trajectory is determined to be abnormal a user can be notified that an abnormal behavior has occurred.

Apparatus for mounting a surveillance camera

An apparatus for mounting a recessed electric fixture in a hole in a support surface having a housing and flexible member with attached spring clips to secure the housing against the support surface is disclosed. The flexible member and spring clips are attached to the recessed electric fixture by tightening members, and inward pressure applied to the tightening members causes the flexible member to bend so that the spring clips are moved inwardly towards the housing, allowing the spring clips and the flexible member to pass through the hole in the support surface. The flexible member unbends when the pressure on the tightening members is removed, allowing the spring cops to move outwardly from the housing so that a surface-bearing section of the spring clips bears against the back side of the support surface and retains the electric fixture in the support surface hole.

Auto-learning smart tours for video surveillance

Traditional approaches to automated monitoring using a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) video security system involve the use of programmed patterns/preset tours. In contrast, a camera tour is configured based on operation of a surveillance system during a period of active operation by a user. The configuration accounts for frequency of given views and other measures to provide an automated tour. The automated tour is displayed when the system is not under active control, and can be updated during further periods of active control.

Online learning system for people detection and counting

People detection can provide valuable metrics that can be used by businesses, such as retail stores. Such information can be used to influence any number of business decisions such a employment hiring and product orders. The business value of this data hinges upon its accuracy. Thus, a method according to the principles of the current invention outputs metrics regarding people in a video frame within a stream of video frames through use of an object classifier configured to detect people. The method further comprises automatically updating the object classifier using data in at least a subset of the video frames in the stream of video frames.

Inference engine for video analytics metadata-based event detection and forensic search

Embodiments of the disclosure provide for systems and methods for searching video data for events and/or behaviors. An inference engine can be used to aide in the searching. In some embodiments, a user can specify various search criteria, for example, a video source(s), an event(s) or behavior(s) to search, and an action(s) to perform in the event of a successful search. The search can be performed by analyzing an object(s) found within scenes of the video data. An object can be identified by a number of attributes specified by the user. Once the search criteria has been received from the user, the video data can be received (or extracted from storage), the data analyzed for the specified events (or behaviors), and the specified action performed in the event a successful search occurs.

Method and system for color adjustment

一种调整由多个相机捕获的图像的颜色的方法，包括接收由所述多个相机中的第一相机捕获的第一图像的步骤，分析所述第一图像以区分所述第一图像的像素为背景像素和前景像素，从所述背景像素选择有点灰色的像素，确定调整所述被选的像素的所述颜色朝着正灰色移动的总数，并提供用于调整所述多个相机的图像颜色分量的信息。