Abstract: A system including a camera, display screen and processing device. A privacy mask obscures a portion of the displayed images. The processing device transforms the privacy mask in accordance with changes in the field of view of the camera, wherein, in a first field of view, the privacy mask is defined by a plurality of vertices having coordinates (x1, y1), . . . (xn, yn), and, in a second field of view, the processing device determines transformed coordinates, (x1?, y1?), . . . (xn?, yn?), for each of the vertices based upon changes in the field of view of the camera. The privacy mask is definable by pixel rows and the processing device identifies opposing ends of a plurality of the pixel rows, each of the identified ends defining one vertex of the privacy mask. The privacy mask may also include an unmasked area completely encircled by masked area.

Abstract: A video image stabilization system including a camera having an image capturing device configured to capture a video image. The camera has a selectively adjustable field of view and at least one processing device is operably coupled to the system wherein the processing device receives signals indicative of the field of view of the camera and images captured by the camera. The processing device sequentially grabs a first and second image. The processing device determines a stabilizing adjustment for the video image as a function of an intended change in the field of view of the camera during the interval between the capture of the first and second images based upon the signals indicative of the field of view and an analysis of the first and second images. A portion of each image captured by the camera is selected for display.

Abstract: A video tracking system and method which includes a video camera having a selectively adjustable panning orientation, tilting orientation and focal length. A processor receives video images acquired by the camera. The processor is programmed to detect target objects in the images and selectively adjust the camera to track the target object. The camera is adjusted at variable rates which are selected as a function of a property, such as the velocity, of the target object. The focal length of the camera is selectively adjusted as a function of the distance of the target object from the camera. The images acquired by the camera are geometrically transformed to align images having different fields of view to facilitate the analysis of the images and thereby allowing the camera to be continuously adjustable for the production of video images having relatively smooth transitional movements.