Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a camera having a housing, a camera lens disposed at an end of the housing, a box camera mounting part provided on the housing to mount the camera in a box camera configuration, and a dome camera mounting part provided at a front end of the housing to mount the camera in a dome camera configuration. Providing the box and dome camera mounting parts on the housing of the camera enables mounting of the camera in box and dome camera configurations, and allows the user to delay the decision of choosing which configuration, thereby reducing the complexity of engineering design and installation. Furthermore, inclusion of both mounting parts facilitates purchasing and stocking only one configuration of camera, thereby simplifying management of the stocked parts and reducing costs.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of controlling a video source in a video surveillance system having a video source connected by a network to a workstation having a graphical user interface for enabling a user to control the video source comprising the steps of providing a video analysis program for analyzing the video images generated by the video source before the video images are transmitted over the network, providing a file containing the user interface controls for the graphical user interface and the parameters for configuring the video analysis program; storing the file in memory, downloading the file to the workstation at run time and enabling a user to configure the video analysis program by interacting with the graphical user interface.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A stepper motor driver system includes: a digital signal controller configured to digitally synthesize synthesized analog voltage signals that will induce a desired velocity of a stepper motor when applied to a pair of stepper motor windings; and voltage amplifiers, communicatively coupled to the digital signal controller, configured to amplify the synthesized analog voltage signals to produce amplified analog voltage signals and to output the amplified analog voltage signals; where the digital signal controller is configured to synthesize the analog voltage signals by affecting at least one of a phase or an amplitude of each of the analog voltage signals as a function of the desired velocity of the stepper motor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A surveillance camera includes a slip ring having electrical connections for Ethernet protocol signals and a RF reference plane. A first circuit is located on a rotating portion of the surveillance camera and electrically connected to the camera for compressing signals generated by the camera and for converting the signals generated by the camera to Ethernet protocol signals. The slip ring has a stationary portion and a rotating portion, each with a corresponding plurality of electrical connection. An RF reference plane is located on the stationary portion of the surveillance camera and electrically connected to a first subset of the plurality of electrical connections of the stationary portion of the slip ring. A second subset of the plurality of electrical connections of the stationary portion of the slip ring conducts the Ethernet protocol signals and is arranged in alternation with each electrical connection of said first subset.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cable retainer assembly for use inside utility pole base assembly. The cable retainer is anchored to the foundation using the same bolts as the pole base. The cable retainer discourages pole-to-pole cable theft by securing the copper conductor cables to the foundation and pole base plate below the handhole in the pole. Access to the clamps of the cable retainer may be prevented by including a blocking structure positioned between the cable retainer and the handhole in the pole base.