Abstract: A wide-angle camera emulating a PTZ camera via image data processing is used to generate a panoramic image of multiple regions for ease of viewing. A client can specify multiple regions for extraction from the panoramic image to stream to a separate server for further image processing and analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically rotating a view of a wide-angle video camera. Preferred embodiments include automatic rotating of a stereographically projected view using a transformation engine which is capable of extracting a plurality of views under a remote pan tilt zoom (PTZ) control. In one example embodiment, when the center point of a video image of a selected view or region of interest is tilted through a direction which is perpendicular to the plane of the camera mounting (i.e., vertical when the camera is mounted on a ceiling) then the output image is automatically rotated 180 degrees about the pan axis. In preferred embodiments, the control circuitry then temporarily reverses interpretation of the tilt axis controls (for example, from PTZ controls), thereby allowing the view to tilt uninterrupted in the same direction past the auto-pivoting point.

Abstract: A system for automatically expanding the zoom capability of a wide-angle video camera using images from multiple camera locations. One preferred embodiment achieves this using images from the wide-angle video camera that are analyzed to identify regions of interest (RoI). Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) controls are then sent to aim slave cameras toward the RoI. Processing circuitry is then used to replace the RoI from the wide-angle images with the higher-resolution images from one of the slave cameras. In addition, motion-detecting software can be utilized to automatically detect, track, and/or zoom in on moving objects.

Abstract: A wide-angle camera emulating a PTZ camera via image data processing is used to generate a panoramic image of multiple regions for ease of viewing. A client can specify multiple regions for extraction from the panoramic image to stream to a separate server for further image processing and analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the data-rate when processing video, particularly wide-angle video.

Abstract: A system and method for providing privacy regions in a picture or video. In one example embodiment, a camera is provided which has a lens system and detector, image processing circuitry, compression and formatting circuitry, and control circuitry. Images or video taken from the camera are preferably corrected for distortion (such as that introduced by an anamorphic lens system) and sent to an operator's workstation, where a privacy region is defined. The privacy region is merged with the rest of the image, whether constant or dynamic, and displayed. Other processing, such as object tracking and alarms, can also be implemented at varying points in the process.

Abstract: A method and a system for tracking the motion of moving objects accurately on the entirety of a wide-angle video is disclosed. The method includes using a non-uniform scaling to selectively enhance pixel density, preferably in preparation for other image processing. In preferred embodiments, the further image processing (such as motion detection, object recognition, or tracking, etc.) functions better with the enhanced pixel density or distribution.

Abstract: A system for automatically expanding the zoom capability of a wide-angle video camera using images from multiple camera locations. One preferred embodiment achieves this using images from the wide-angle video camera that are analyzed to identify regions of interest (RoI). Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) controls are then sent to aim slave cameras toward the RoI. Processing circuitry is then used to replace the RoI from the wide-angle images with the higher-resolution images from one of the slave cameras. In addition, motion-detecting software can be utilized to automatically detect, track, and/or zoom in on moving objects.

Abstract: A system for automatically expanding the zoom capability of a wide-angle video camera using images from multiple camera locations. One preferred embodiment achieves this using images from the wide-angle video camera that are analyzed to identify regions of interest (RoI). Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) controls are then sent to aim slave cameras toward the RoI. Processing circuitry is then used to replace the RoI from the wide-angle images with the higher-resolution images from one of the slave cameras. In addition, motion-detecting software can be utilized to automatically detect, track, and/or zoom in on moving objects.

Abstract: The present inventions provide a system and method for a wide angle camera capable of high resolution peripheral vision. A wide angle lens system distorts the image and conveys it to an image sensor, which converts the image to an electronic signal and conveys it to image processing circuitry. The image processing circuitry corrects the distortion or transforms it to human recognizable image forms. In preferred embodiments, the distortion provides greater resolution of regions of interest and more efficient use of the area of the image sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for varying the level of detail encoded in a video. In a preferred embodiment, some regions of a wide-angle video scene are encoded in an almost lossless manner, while other regions are encoded with less detail. Regions of interest can be determined in many ways, including a priori, automatically in real time, or by the selection of human operators.

Abstract: A system and method for providing privacy regions in a picture or video. In one example embodiment, a camera is provided which has a lens system and detector, image processing circuitry, compression and formatting circuitry, and control circuitry. Images or video taken from the camera are preferably corrected for distortion (such as that introduced by an anamorphic lens system) and sent to an operator's workstation, where a privacy region is defined. The privacy region is merged with the rest of the image, whether constant or dynamic, and displayed. Other processing, such as object tracking and alarms, can also be implemented at varying points in the process.

Abstract: A system and method for providing privacy regions in a picture or video. In one example embodiment, a camera is provided which has a lens system and detector, image processing circuitry, compression and formatting circuitry, and control circuitry. Images or video taken from the camera are preferably corrected for distortion (such as that introduced by an anamorphic lens system) and sent to an operator's workstation, where a privacy region is defined. The privacy region is merged with the rest of the image, whether constant or dynamic, and displayed. Other processing, such as object tracking and alarms, can also be implemented at varying points in the process.