Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of a bridge includes: a video camera stably positioned at a selected distance from a bridge and having an unobstructed view of a selected portion of the bridge structure; and, a data processing system to analyze the output of the video camera over a selected time interval and calculate a physical parameter related to movement of the selected portion of said bridge structure as a function of time, and further including: a GUI that displays: a fixed image frame from the video camera, corresponding to a particular user-selected time within the time interval; an area selector, movable by the user to select a portion of the structure for analysis; and, a display of the physical parameter versus time for the selected portion over the selected time interval. The processor may perform some tasks, e.g., area selection, autonomously or via predetermined rules.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a bridge includes: stably positioning a video camera at a selected location with an unobstructed view of a selected portion of the bridge structure; collecting a video file of the structure over a selected total time interval; using a data processing system to analyze the video and calculate a physical parameter related to movement of the selected portion as a function of time, wherein the data processing system is controlled through a graphical user interface (GUI) having the following features: a display of a single video frame corresponding to a selected time; a movable area selector in the video frame to indicate the selection of an area of the structure for analysis; and, a display of displacement versus time for the selected area over the total time interval. The processor may perform some tasks, e.g., area selection, autonomously or via predetermined rules.

Abstract: An apparatus for visualizing physical movements includes: a device for acquiring video image files; a data analysis system including processor and memory; a computer program operating in the processor to identify an area in the images where periodic motions associated with physical movement of an object may be detected and quantified, and compute a new image sequence in which the motions are visually amplified; and, a user interface that displays the motion-amplified video image of the mechanical component. An associated method for using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring machine components includes: a device for acquiring video image files; a data analysis system including processor and memory; a computer program operating in said processor to identify an area in said images where periodic movements associated with a mechanical vibration may be detected and quantified using an adaptive array comparison procedure; and, an interface to output said vibration information in a usable form. The apparatus may further include a graphical user interface and an accessible database.

Abstract: A system for analyzing periodic motions includes: a device for acquiring video files; a data analysis system including a processor and memory; a computer program to automatically analyze the video images, identify an area in the images where periodic movements may be detected and quantified using an Adaptive Array Comparison method; and, an interface to provide an output signal related to at least one parameter characteristic of said periodic movement. A graphical user interface may be provided and may display various analytical results along with the video imagery or a single frame therefrom.

Abstract: A system for monitoring vital signs includes: an imaging device for acquiring video image files of a living individual; a data analysis system including a processor and memory; a computer program running in the data analysis system to automatically analyze the video images, autonomously identify an area in the images where periodic movements associated with a selected vital sign may be detected and quantified; and, an interface that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the waveform of the selected vital sign. The system may include a Graphical User Interface, which may display a visual graph of the waveform and a single video frame or a video stream of the individual.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the condition of a bridge includes: stably positioning a video camera at a selected location with an unobstructed view of a selected portion of the bridge structure; collecting a video file of the structure over a selected total time interval; using a data processing system to analyze the video and calculate a physical parameter related to movement of the selected portion as a function of time, wherein the data processing system is controlled through a graphical user interface (GUI) having the following features: a display of a single video frame corresponding to a selected time; a movable area selector in the video frame to indicate the selection of an area of the structure for analysis; and, a display of displacement versus time for the selected area over the total time interval. The processor may perform some tasks, e.g., area selection, autonomously or via predetermined rules.