Abstract: A digital video recording system (10) includes a video camera (12) directed at a scene of interest to continuously view the scene and generate video images (F) of the scene. An image processor (14) is configured to compare the video image (F) with a previously established reference image (Fr) of the scene to determine if changes have occurred. The image processor includes a memory (20) in which portions of video images (F) are stored, together with the time and date information as to when the image was acquired. A video playback capability (30) allows the memory to be accessed to retrieve the portions of the video images for image reconstruction. The playback system enables the memory to be accessed at any desired date and time location so an image of interest can be reconstructed without having to scan stored video images in a date/time sequence. Accessing the memory is done without interrupting the image processor's processing of currently acquired video images.

Abstract: A method of scanning recorded video images of a scene to locate those images in which there is a predetermined amount of activity. Images (I) of the scene are obtained over a period of time. Each of the images (SI) is compared to a reference image (RI) of the scene and a difference image (DI) is created for each comparison. A threshold test is applied to each image as a measure of the activity occurring in the scene at the time the image is obtained and the results of the test are stored with the image in a memory (18) of an image processing system (10). When the images are subsequently viewed, a viewing threshold related to the amount of activity occurring in the scene is established by the viewer. The test results for each stored image are then scanned to determine if the image meets the viewing criteria. If it does, the image is either displayed for viewing on a monitor (24) or a file (F2) is created for analysis.

Abstract: A digital video recording system (10) includes a video camera (12) directed at a scene of interest to continuously view the scene and generate video images (F) of the scene. An image processor (14) is configured to compare the video image (F) with a previously established reference image (Fr) of the scene to determine if changes have occurred. The image processor includes a memory (20) in which portions of video images (F) are stored, together with the time and date information as to when the image was acquired. A video playback capability (30) allows the memory to be accessed to retrieve the portions of the video images for image reconstruction. The playback system enables the memory to be accessed at any desired date and time location so an image of interest can be reconstructed without having to scan stored video images in a date/time sequence. Accessing the memory is done without interrupting the image processor's processing of currently acquired video images.