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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video surveillance system, having a video camera; a motor operable to move the video camera; and a processor monitoring a value of a signal provided to the motor, the processor terminating the signal to the motor when the monitored signal value exceeds a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time. A network may be coupled to the processor for communication of the signal termination. The processor may reinitiate a signal transmission to the motor sufficient to maintain a position of the motor after a predetermined period of time, and the processor may monitor the signal transmission and adjust at least one of a zoom setting and focus setting of the video camera based at least in part on the monitored signal.

Abstract: An identity token based access control system and method is disclosed. A distributed security system that manages access to business and/or governmental entities creates an identity credential for a user and obtains or generates a globally unique identity token for the user, and loads the identity credential and the identity token onto a user device. The user then presents the user device including the identity credential and the identity token to an access control system (ACS) of the security system of the business entity that generated the identity token to obtain access to its security system, or to an ACS of a security system of one or more third party business entities that support the use of identity tokens to obtain access to the security systems of the third party business entities. The identity tokens are preferably random numbers or strings. The identity credentials typically include biometric information for users.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling video and/or audio streams between a client and server over a communications channel is disclosed that utilizes an application layer streaming communications protocol that includes features of current pull and push style application layer streaming protocols. Using the streaming protocol, client applications on user devices such as web browsers send request messages for streams, where the request messages specify a variable number of data packets of the streams for the server to send. Each of the data packets include one or more frames, or frame data, of the streams. The streaming server then “pushes” the requested number of data packets of the streams, and the client application can adjust the number of data packets for the server to send in subsequent stream request messages to optimize the bandwidth of the communications channel.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring sensors via surveillance cameras is disclosed. In the system, surveillance cameras generating image data of scenes, where the sensors are included in the scenes. The sensors detect information concerning the scenes and encode the information so that it can be derived from the image data. Preferably, the sensors encode the information concerning the scenes by modulating a visible light source, the signals of which are captured within the image data by the cameras. An analytics system then analyzes the image data and decodes the information from the sensors encoded within the image data. Preferably, an integrated analytics system of the cameras executes the analysis. Exemplary sensors include sensors for detecting temperature, moisture, audio/voice, and product selection in a retail premises.

Abstract: A system providing a graphical user interface incorporating fisheye image data captured by a first camera using a fisheye lens is provided. The system includes a buffer configured to receive the fisheye image data corresponding to a monitored area. A processor is in communication with the buffer. The fisheye image data is transformed into panoramic view data corresponding to a panoramic view of the monitored area using a panoramic transformation process. The fisheye image data is transformed into virtual view data corresponding to a partial view of the panoramic view using a virtual view transformation process different from the panoramic view transformation process. The panoramic view data and the virtual view data are encoded for display in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An access control system and method for monitoring a public access point are disclosed. The system includes a positioning unit that tracks locations of users carrying user devices relative to the public access point, where the user devices transmit user information identifying the users via wireless signals. The system determines whether the users are authorized to pass through the access point based on the wireless signals from the user devices. Public access points include security checkpoints at government buildings, airports, amusement parks, and universities, in examples. In embodiments, biometric identifiers are obtained from the users when the users are preferably located within a threshold area of the public access points, and the system confirms the identity of the authorized users via the biometric identifiers to enable the users to pass through the public access points. Additionally, the system can assist in evacuation of users based on their tracked locations.

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.

Abstract: An integrated surveillance system combining video surveillance and data from other sensor-based security networks is used to identify activities that may require attention.

Abstract: A system and method for video recognition of users in a frictionless access control system are disclosed. The access control system includes a positioning unit that tracks locations of users carrying user devices relative to an access point of a premises, where the user devices transmit user information identifying the users via wireless signals. The system determines whether the users are authorized to pass through the access point based on the wireless signals from the user devices. One or more video cameras also capture video data of the users when the users are preferably located within a threshold area of the access point. Then, the system confirms the identity of each authorized user by comparing video identification information of the user determined from the video data, such as facial recognition information, to stored video identification information for each user. Confirmed users can then pass through the access point.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling operation of sensors at a physical premises are described. The techniques process received messages corresponding to a prediction of an impending event and produce commands that modify operation of one or more specific sensors at the physical premises, send the commands that modify the operation of the one or more sensor devices at the physical premises at a period of time prior to a likely occurrence of the predicted insurable event, collect sensor information from the plurality of sensor devices deployed at the premises, and store the sensor information in a remote persistent storage system.

Abstract: A bubble for a surveillance camera has at least one planar transparent region. The at least one planar transparent region is aligned with an optical axis of a camera head of the surveillance camera. In a preferred embodiment, the bubble can include at least one bubble section having one or more window cutouts. The at least one planar transparent region can be one or more planar window elements that are installed within the one or more window cutouts of the bubble section.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining a quotation score that would be applicable across lines of insurance and/or carriers, and which involves the collection in real time of sensor information from plural groups of sensors deployed in a specific premises and associated with intrusion detection, access control, burglar, fire alarm systems and surveillance systems and/or other systems that monitor for physical/chemical/biological conditions. The techniques execute unsupervised learning models to continually analyze the collected sensor information to produce sequences of state transitions that are assign scores and from which a quotation score is produced.

Abstract: A method and system for converting privacy zone corner points in a still image to PTZ coordinates using the equations for distance along the great circles of a sphere, where the sphere is defined along the pan-tilt axes of a PTZ camera with radius equal to the focal length of the image. The method includes receiving planar coordinate data defining a plurality of privacy zone corner points, the planar coordinate data taken from a still image, converting each privacy zone corner point to corresponding spherical coordinates, converting each of the corresponding spherical coordinates to corresponding PTZ coordinates, and storing the corresponding PTZ coordinates in a storage device. The stored PTZ coordinates may then be transmitted to a computer monitor. The motor of the PTZ camera moves the camera according to the PTZ coordinates until the privacy zone corner points appear at the substantial center of the monitor screen.

Abstract: A power control system arranged for use in a power-over-Ethernet system and a method of operating the power control system are generally disclosed. The power control system may comprises a battery, a battery charging unit connected to, and for charging, the battery and a processor arranged to monitor the charge level of the battery and, in response, to direct current to, or away from, the battery. The method may comprise the steps of monitoring the current requirement of and the current supplied to, the load; monitoring the charge level of the battery; monitoring the current supplied by the power sourcing device; and adjusting the current supplied to the load, the current supplied by the power sourcing device and charge level of the battery in response to said monitoring.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring security devices on a security network. A mobile computing device reads spatially-encoded optical machine-readable indicia, decodes the indicia, and extracts encoded configuration information for the security devices. The configuration information from the indicia is then transmitted to a monitoring station, which uses the configuration information to configure communication with the security devices on the security network.

Abstract: A wireless adapter and method for providing a wireless connection to at least one wired security device includes at least one combined data/power physical port to which the wired security device connects. A power supply module receives power from an external power source and a power injector provides power to the combined data/power physical port to thereby power the wired security device. In this way, the wireless adapter supplies both power and data connection at the same physical port/jack of the wired security devices, such as IP security cameras, via an interface cable from the wireless adapter. This configuration has advantages in lowering the manufacturing costs of the cameras and reducing installation costs. Furthermore, the same standard camera can be used for both standard wired connections and wireless connections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a networked system for detecting conditions at a physical premises. The networked system includes a local computer system configure to read a configuration file that determines processing performed by the local computer system and evaluate collected sensor data with respect to the configuration file, for first sensor data to be processed by the local computer, and execute unsupervised learning models to continually analyze the first sensor data to produce operational states and detect drift sequences that are correlated to stored determined conditions. The networked system also includes a remote computer system that execute unsupervised learning models to continually analyze the collected sensor information. An alert is asserted by at least one of the local computer and the remote computer based on the determined conditions.

Abstract: A system for a frictionless access control automatically identifies users and enables access to restricted areas of a building for example via access points such as locked doors. The system allows access when authorized users are in the vicinity of doors without requiring the users to swipe access keycards (or badges) at keycard terminals located at the doors, as in current systems. The system includes user devices such as key fobs and mobile phones that wirelessly broadcast user information and unique IDs for each of the devices in data packets, which are received by positioning units. The positioning units determine locations of the user devices, and send the packet data and the location data to a verification and tracking system. Preferably, the positioning units include two or more antennas that determine close proximity of users to access points while also allowing the system to continuously monitor the locations of the users.