Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for encoding raw image content encoded using one or more virtual intra-frames. In an exemplary method, a stream of video content may be encoded to generate compressed video data that includes an intra-flame and a plurality of corresponding inter-frames. The compressed video data may be stored within a buffer, and when the amount of data in the buffer exceeds a threshold value, a virtual intra-frame may be computed based on decoded inter-frame data. The virtual intra-frame may be output for storage in the buffer.

Abstract: A monitoring camera includes a camera lens, an image sensor, and a housing enclosing the image sensor. The housing encloses a volume of Phase Changing Material (PCM) having the characteristic of not beginning a phase change until its temperature rises above a predetermined phase changing temperature. The phase changing temperature is in the range of 20-80 degrees Celsius, and the PCM is arranged to enclose the camera lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for encoding raw image content encoded using one or more virtual intra-frames. In an exemplary method, a stream of video content may be encoded to generate compressed video data that includes an intra-frame and a plurality of corresponding inter-frames. The compressed video data may be stored within a buffer, and when the amount of data in the buffer exceeds a threshold value, a virtual intra-frame may be computed based on decoded inter-frame data. The virtual intra-frame may be output for storage in the buffer.

Abstract: There is provided a system, including a tag device and a camera arrangement, for following an object marked by the tag device with a camera. The tag device may measure a horizontal plane position and an altitude of the tag device according to different measurement principles, and transmit the measured values to a camera arrangement. The camera arrangement may measure a horizontal plane position and an altitude related to the camera according to different measurement principles. The camera arrangement may then control the pan and tilt settings of the camera based on differences in horizontal plane positions and altitudes between the camera and the tag device such that the camera is oriented in the direction of the tag device.

Abstract: A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint.

Abstract: A video processing device for producing a frame of a merged digital video sequence. A memory storing a first and a second digital video sequence depicting the same scene. The first digital video sequence has a higher pixel density than the second digital video sequence. A scaler generating an up-scaled version having the same pixel density as the first video sequence. A decoder decoding a frame of the first digital video sequence and a skip block identifying a position for a skip block and a non-skip block in the frame of the first digital video sequence. A block extractor extracting a block of pixels from the frame of the second digital video sequence based on the skip block and a block of pixels from the frame of the first digital video sequence based on the non-skip block. A merging unit merging both extracted blocks to produce the merged video sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for encoding digital video data corresponding to a sequence of digital source images using a cache memory, each of the digital source images having an equal source image width corresponding to a first number of blocks, the cache memory having a cache width corresponding to a second number of blocks, wherein the second number of blocks is smaller than the first number of blocks.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining the reliability of a fault detection of a camera in a camera system. According to the method data relating to environmental conditions are received (204) and compared to accessed (202) criteria relating to environmental conditions external to the camera and affecting the reliability of the fault detection test. If the received data complies with the criteria it is determined (206) that the fault detection test gives a reliable result. This is advantageous in that false fault detection tests may be identified.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining the reliability of a fault detection of a camera in a camera system. According to the method data relating to environmental conditions are received (204) and compared to accessed (202) criteria relating to environmental conditions external to the camera and affecting the reliability of the fault detection test. If the received data complies with the criteria it is determined (206) that the fault detection test gives a reliable result. This is advantageous in that false fault detection tests may be identified.

Abstract: A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing interlaced video includes receiving a first video field and a second video field of an interlaced video frame, generating a first video frame from the first video field and a first synthesized video field, where video data of the first synthesized video field is based exclusively on video data of the first and second video fields, generating a second video frame from the second video field and a second synthesized video field, where video data of the second synthesized video field is based exclusively on the video data of the first and second video fields, and outputting two de-interlaced video frames for every received interlaced video frame. The first (second) synthesized video field is generated by combining image data from the second (first) video field with image data from corresponding lines of an up-scaled first (second) field generated by a scaler.

Abstract: A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing interlaced video includes receiving a first video field and a second video field of an interlaced video frame, generating a first video frame from the first video field and a first synthesized video field, where video data of the first synthesized video field is based exclusively on video data of the first and second video fields, generating a second video frame from the second video field and a second synthesized video field, where video data of the second synthesized video field is based exclusively on the video data of the first and second video fields, and outputting two de-interlaced video frames for every received interlaced video frame. The first (second) synthesized video field is generated by combining image data from the second (first) video field with image data from corresponding lines of an up-scaled first (second) field generated by a scaler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating real-time motion video. The method comprises receiving, at a video processing device, calibration data from a memory in an image sensor unit, the calibration data relating to properties of the image sensor unit. The video processing device receiving real-time raw image data from the image sensor unit via a communication cable and a communication protocol. The video processing device processing the real-time raw image data received from the image sensor unit, where the processing includes adjusting received image data based on at least part of the received calibration data and encoding the image data to a predetermined video format, and outputting the processed image data in real time.

Abstract: A network connector device and a method for making image information sent through a first digital network accessible by a second digital network. A first and a second network connector are arranged to pass on digital network traffic, a network traffic buffer buffers the digital network traffic, an image session identifier identifies a network session from the buffered digital network traffic, containing image information. An image session tracker tracks the identified network session containing image information, an image extractor extracts image information from the identified network session containing image information, and an image information buffer buffers the extracted image information. An image information arranger arranges the image information from the image information buffer into at least one image sequence of related images, and a server makes accessible the at least one image sequence via a third network connector.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing interlaced video includes receiving a first video field and a second video field, generating a first video frame by inserting the first video field in the first video frame on every second line of the first video frame, and by inserting a first synthesized video field on the lines of the first video frame not populated by the first video field. The video data of the first synthesized video field is based on video data of the first and second video fields. A second video frame is generated by inserting the second video field in the first video frame on every second line of the second video frame and by inserting a second synthesized video field on the lines of the second video frame not populated by the second video field. Two de-interlaced video frames are output for every received interlaced video frame.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing interlaced video includes receiving a first video field and a second video field, generating a first video frame by inserting the first video field in the first video frame on every second line of the first video frame, and by inserting a first synthesized video field on the lines of the first video frame not populated by the first video field. The video data of the first synthesized video field is based on video data of the first and second video fields. A second video frame is generated by inserting the second video field in the first video frame on every second line of the second video frame and by inserting a second synthesized video field on the lines of the second video frame not populated by the second video field. Two de-interlaced video frames are output for every received interlaced video frame.

Abstract: Performance control of a video monitoring system (100) is described. The system (100) comprises system units including at least one camera (114) and a performance control station (120). A method comprises providing, in the performance control station (120), a visual output signal. Image data that have been recorded by a first camera (114) are then obtained, and the obtained image data is analyzed in relation to the visual output signal. The analysis results in a performance indicator for the system (100). Depending on the performance indicator, a performance control action associated with the system (100) is then performed by the performance control station (120).

Abstract: A method is used for encoding digital video data corresponding to a sequence of original input video frames. The method comprises: encoding a first original input video frame into an INTER-frame; decoding and reconstructing said INTER-frame into a reference frame; creating an INTRA input frame comprising information from both a second original input video frame and said reference frame; and encoding said INTRA input frame into an INTRA-frame. A digital video encoder system is used for encoding digital video data corresponding to a sequence of original input video frames by encoding the sequence of original input video frames using INTRA- and INTER-mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including cameras and computer program products, implementing and using techniques for determining a temperature of a distant object in several temperature measurement points. A thermal image sensor measures thermal radiation from a distant object in several thermal measurement points on the object. A distance determination device includes an image sensor and calculates a distance to the object in several distance measurement points. A thermal image indicating an amount of thermal radiation from each thermal measurement point on the object is captured by the thermal image sensor. Reflected light from the object is captured by the image sensor. Several distances are calculated using the captured light. Each distance indicates a distance from the image sensor to a distance measurement point on the object. The data from the thermal image and the calculated distances are combined to determine a temperature in several temperature measurement points on the object.