Abstract: An imaging system includes: an image module configured to produce image frames at a frame rate F, the image module being configured to capture first and second portions of each of the image frames at different times; a frequency determination module, communicatively coupled to the image module, configured to determine frequency components associated with the first and second portions over a plurality, N, of the image frames; and a flicker analysis module, communicatively coupled to the frequency determination module, configured to determine whether any of the frequency components of the first and second portions are indicative of perceptible flicker.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of configuring a storage device for recording video data from a plurality of video sources comprising the steps of providing a list of parameters that control settings of the plurality of video sources that affect the amount of video data that will be provided by a video source from the plurality of video sources, allowing a user to select a parameter from the list, allowing the user to change the selected parameter, determining the effect of changing the selected parameter on the amount of video storage available; and providing the user with feedback concerning the effect of changing the selected parameter.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of refocusing a video surveillance camera includes performing a first focusing operation of a camera at a first time, sensing a first temperature of the camera at the first time, sensing a second temperature of the camera at a second time, determining if a change in temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature change, sensing a level of light in a field of view of the camera at the second time, determining if the level of light sensed in the field of view of the camera at the second time is within a predetermined light level range, determining if a period of time between the first time and second time is greater than a predetermined period of time, and performing a focus operation if the change in temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature change, the level of light sensed in the field of view of the camera at the second time is within the predetermined light lev

Abstract: 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.