Patents by Inventor Ian Westmacott

Ian Westmacott has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11514768
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an EAS detection system. The methods comprise: detecting an Active Security Tag (“AST”) in an EAS detection zone; determining whether AST is coupled to an object identified in a list; and performing operations when a determination is made that AST is coupled to a listed object. The operations involve: accessing sensor data generated by at least one sensor device disposed on/near display equipment associated with the listed object; processing the sensor data to determine whether a person was within a defined distance range of AST during a period of time immediately preceding the detecting; concluding that a false alarm scenario exists when the sensor data indicates that a person was not within the defined distance range of AST during the period of time; and suppressing alarm issuance by the EAS detection system in response to the false alarm scenario conclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Ouellette, John C. Y. Huang, Steve E. Trivelpiece, Ian Westmacott
  • Patent number: 11470285
    Abstract: A video monitoring and analysis system detect subjects when they are entering and/or exiting from a room. The system enables a user to define a portal, such as doorway of the room. The system then monitors the movement of foreground objects in the room. Objects that appear only in the portal are classified as passing by the portal, e.g., doorway. Objects that initially appear in the portal and then are detected moving within the room are classified as having entered the room. Objects that are in the room and then disappear within the portal are classified as having exited the room. The system further has provisions for generating real-time alerts and performing forensic searches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Ian Westmacott, Christopher J. Buehler
  • Publication number: 20210056823
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an EAS detection system. The methods comprise: detecting an Active Security Tag (“AST”) in an EAS detection zone; determining whether AST is coupled to an object identified in a list; and performing operations when a determination is made that AST is coupled to a listed object. The operations involve: accessing sensor data generated by at least one sensor device disposed on/near display equipment associated with the listed object; processing the sensor data to determine whether a person was within a defined distance range of AST during a period of time immediately preceding the detecting; concluding that a false alarm scenario exists when the sensor data indicates that a person was not within the defined distance range of AST during the period of time; and suppressing alarm issuance by the EAS detection system in response to the false alarm scenario conclusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Glen OUELLETTE, John C.Y. HUANG, Steve E. TRIVELPIECE, Ian WESTMACOTT
  • Patent number: 10861163
    Abstract: A system and method for identification and suppression of time varying background objects is disclosed. A proposed surveillance security system includes an image analytics system and at least one surveillance camera. The image analytics system identifies objects within image data of a scene captured by the surveillance camera, and then analyzes the objects to determine whether each object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object. In examples, the image analytics system determines whether an object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object based upon movement and/or an appearance of the object. The surveillance security system does not send alerts to users of the system for objects determined to be dynamic background objects. When users request objects of interest, the dynamic background objects are also excluded from lists of objects sent in reply messages to the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Rajkiran Kumar Gottumukkal, Ian Westmacott, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Patent number: 10832545
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an EAS detection system. The methods comprise: detecting an Active Security Tag (“AST”) in an EAS detection zone; determining whether AST is coupled to an object identified in a list; and performing operations when a determination is made that AST is coupled to a listed object. The operations involve: accessing sensor data generated by at least one sensor device disposed on/near display equipment associated with the listed object; processing the sensor data to determine whether a person was within a defined distance range of AST during a period of time immediately preceding the detecting; concluding that a false alarm scenario exists when the sensor data indicates that a person was not within the defined distance range of AST during the period of time; and suppressing alarm issuance by the EAS detection system in response to the false alarm scenario conclusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Ouellette, John C. Y. Huang, Steve E. Trivelpiece, Ian Westmacott
  • Publication number: 20200242904
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an EAS detection system. The methods comprise: detecting an Active Security Tag (“AST”) in an EAS detection zone; determining whether AST is coupled to an object identified in a list; and performing operations when a determination is made that AST is coupled to a listed object. The operations involve: accessing sensor data generated by at least one sensor device disposed on/near display equipment associated with the listed object; processing the sensor data to determine whether a person was within a defined distance range of AST during a period of time immediately preceding the detecting; concluding that a false alarm scenario exists when the sensor data indicates that a person was not within the defined distance range of AST during the period of time; and suppressing alarm issuance by the EAS detection system in response to the false alarm scenario conclusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Ouellette, John C.Y. Huang, Steve E. Trivelpiece, Ian Westmacott
  • Patent number: 10645311
    Abstract: A system and method for automated operation of a camera system provides for a positioning system that moves the camera system to a field of view to search for objects or events of interest to track. If objects or events of interest are detected prior to the expiration of a dwell timer, the dwell timer is interrupted and tracking of the objects or events of interest is initiated. To prevent the security camera from being distracted indefinitely by unimportant objects, the positioning system changes the field of view of the security system upon expiration of a track timer. Alternatively, if the security camera does not identify an object to track prior to expiration of a dwell timer, then the positioning system changes the field of view of the camera system to search for other objects or events of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Ian Westmacott
  • Publication number: 20200034974
    Abstract: A system and method for identification and suppression of time varying background objects is disclosed. A proposed surveillance security system includes an image analytics system and at least one surveillance camera. The image analytics system identifies objects within image data of a scene captured by the surveillance camera, and then analyzes the objects to determine whether each object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object. In examples, the image analytics system determines whether an object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object based upon movement and/or an appearance of the object. The surveillance security system does not send alerts to users of the system for objects determined to be dynamic background objects. When users request objects of interest, the dynamic background objects are also excluded from lists of objects sent in reply messages to the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Rajkiran Kumar Gottumukkal, Ian Westmacott, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Patent number: 10475191
    Abstract: A system and method for identification and suppression of time varying background objects is disclosed. A proposed surveillance security system includes an image analytics system and at least one surveillance camera. The image analytics system identifies objects within image data of a scene captured by the surveillance camera, and then analyzes the objects to determine whether each object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object. In examples, the image analytics system determines whether an object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object based upon movement and/or an appearance of the object. The surveillance security system does not send alerts to users of the system for objects determined to be dynamic background objects. When users request objects of interest, the dynamic background objects are also excluded from lists of objects sent in reply messages to the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Rajkiran Kumar Gottumukkal, Ian Westmacott, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Publication number: 20190220982
    Abstract: A system and method for identification and suppression of time varying background objects is disclosed. A proposed surveillance security system includes an image analytics system and at least one surveillance camera. The image analytics system identifies objects within image data of a scene captured by the surveillance camera, and then analyzes the objects to determine whether each object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object. In examples, the image analytics system determines whether an object is a foreground object or a dynamic background object based upon movement and/or an appearance of the object. The surveillance security system does not send alerts to users of the system for objects determined to be dynamic background objects. When users request objects of interest, the dynamic background objects are also excluded from lists of objects sent in reply messages to the users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Rajkiran Kumar Gottumukkal, Ian Westmacott, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Publication number: 20190007630
    Abstract: A system and method for automated operation of a camera system is disclosed. A positioning system moves the camera system to a field of view to search for objects or events of interest to track. If objects or events of interest are detected prior to the expiration of a dwell timer, the dwell timer is interrupted and tracking of the objects or events of interest is initiated. To prevent the security camera from being distracted indefinitely by unimportant objects, the positioning system changes the field of view of the security system upon expiration of a track timer. Alternatively, if the security camera does not identify an object to track prior to expiration of a dwell timer, then the positioning system changes the field of view of the camera system to search for other objects or events of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Ian Westmacott
  • Patent number: 10070077
    Abstract: A system and method for automated operation of a camera system is disclosed. A positioning system moves the camera system to a field of view to search for objects or events of interest to track. If objects or events of interest are detected prior to the expiration of a dwell timer, the dwell timer is interrupted and tracking of the objects or events of interest is initiated. To prevent the security camera from being distracted indefinitely by unimportant objects, the positioning system changes the field of view of the security system upon expiration of a track timer. Alternatively, if the security camera does not identify an object to track prior to expiration of a dwell timer, then the positioning system changes the field of view of the camera system to search for other objects or events of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Ian Westmacott
  • Patent number: 10043105
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing video data in a security system. An analysis compares a current frame to a background model. The analysis system compares the background model to the current frame to identify changed pixel patches. The analysis system uses morphological image processing to generate masks based on the changed pixel patches. Next, the analysis system applies the masks to the background model and the current frames to determine whether the changed pixel patches are characteristic of abandoned or removed objects within the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Changchun Li, Ian Westmacott, Mirko Ristivojevic, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Patent number: 9965684
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing queues in frames of video enables operators to preferably draw three regions of interest overlaid upon the video as short, medium, and long queue regions that form a notional queue area within the video. The regions are drawn with knowledge of, or in anticipation of, foreground objects such as individuals and vehicles waiting for service in a queue. Examples include retail point of sale locations or for automated teller machine (ATM) transactions. In conjunction with a video analytics system that analyzes the movement of the foreground objects relative to the queue regions, the system determines the number of objects occupying each queue region, length of the queue, and other queue-related statistics. The system can then create reports and send messages that include the queue analysis results for directing operators to change their staffing resources as part of a real-time queue servicing and optimization response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Westmacott, Changchun Li
  • Patent number: 9886634
    Abstract: An analytical device is disclosed that analyzes whether a first image is similar to (or the same as) as a second image. The analytical device analyzes the first image by combining at least a part (or all) of the first image with at least a part (or all) of the second image, and by analyzing at least a part (or all) of the combined image. Part or all of the combination may be analyzed with respect to the abstraction of the first image and/or the abstraction of the second image. The abstraction may be based on a Bag of Features (BoF) description, based on a histogram of intensity values, or based on other types of abstraction methodologies. The analysis may involve comparing one or more aspects of the combination (such as the entropy or randomness of the combination) with the one or more aspects of the abstracted first image and/or abstracted second image. Based on the comparison, the analytical device may determine whether the first image is similar to or the same as the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Kuntal Sengupta, Ian Westmacott, Serdar Ince
  • Publication number: 20160224838
    Abstract: An analytical device is disclosed that analyzes whether a first image is similar to (or the same as) as a second image. The analytical device analyzes the first image by combining at least a part (or all) of the first image with at least a part (or all) of the second image, and by analyzing at least a part (or all) of the combined image. Part or all of the combination may be analyzed with respect to the abstraction of the first image and/or the abstraction of the second image. The abstraction may be based on a Bag of Features (BoF) description, based on a histogram of intensity values, or based on other types of abstraction methodologies. The analysis may involve comparing one or more aspects of the combination (such as the entropy or randomness of the combination) with the one or more aspects of the abstracted first image and/or abstracted second image. Based on the comparison, the analytical device may determine whether the first image is similar to or the same as the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Kuntal Sengupta, Ian Westmacott, Serdar Ince
  • Publication number: 20160180173
    Abstract: A system and method for analysing queues in frames of video enables operators to preferably draw three regions of interest overlaid upon the video as short, medium, and long queue regions that form a notional queue area within the video. The regions are drawn with knowledge of, or in anticipation of, foreground objects such as individuals and vehicles waiting for service in a queue. Examples include retail point of sale locations or for automated teller machine (ATM) transactions. In conjunction with a video analytics system that analyses the movement of the foreground objects relative to the queue regions, the system determines the number of objects occupying each queue region, length of the queue, and other queue-related statistics. The system can then create reports and send messages that include the queue analysis results for directing operators to change their staffing resources as part of a real-time queue servicing and optimization response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Ian Westmacott, Changchun Li
  • Publication number: 20160092753
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing video data in a security system. An analysis compares a current frame to a background model. The analysis system compares the background model to the current frame to identify changed pixel patches. The analysis system uses morphological image processing to generate masks based on the changed pixel patches. Next, the analysis system applies the masks to the background model and the current frames to determine whether the changed pixel patches are characteristic of abandoned or removed objects within the video data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Changchun Li, Ian Westmacott, Mirko Ristivojevic, Matthew A. Gruenke
  • Publication number: 20160094793
    Abstract: A system and method for automated operation of a camera system is disclosed. A positioning system moves the camera system to a field of view to search for objects or events of interest to track. If objects or events of interest are detected prior to the expiration of a dwell timer, the dwell timer is interrupted and tracking of the objects or events of interest is initiated. To prevent the security camera from being distracted indefinitely by unimportant objects, the positioning system changes the field of view of the security system upon expiration of a track timer. Alternatively, if the security camera does not identify an object to track prior to expiration of a dwell timer, then the positioning system changes the field of view of the camera system to search for other objects or events of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Ian Westmacott
  • Patent number: 9237316
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing video data in a security system. An analysis compares a current frame to a background model. The analysis system compares the background model to the current frame to identify changed pixel patches. The analysis system uses morphological image processing to generate masks based on the changed pixel patches. Next, the analysis system applies the masks to the background model and the current frames to determine whether the changed pixel patches are characteristic of abandoned or removed objects within the video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Changchun Li, Ian Westmacott, Mirko Ristivojevic, Matthew A. Gruenke