Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually show both of information which is originally visually recognizable and information which is originally not seen that have been provided from equipment on the same image, so that it is possible to grasp the content of information and the source of providing the information corresponding to or in association with each other. Furthermore, it is possible to view information difficult to visually recognize together with visually recognizable information, and it is possible to clearly grasp, in addition to information which can be visually obtained at the place where a user currently stays, information related to the visually obtained information, from an image visually indicating the association.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a composite image from a video data stream and for identifying changed features in two composite images. Frames from the video data stream are transformed to a projected 2D image, aligned with adjacent frames and overlapping areas are averaged to provide a higher apparent resolution. The composite image can be stored in real-time. As a second composite image is prepared of the same location at a later time, portions of the second image can be compared to corresponding portions of the stored image after the intensities of the images are equalized. Image areas whose absolute difference exceeds a threshold are again intensity equalized. Areas that are again above threshold can be flagged for further scrutiny, either by a human or by a machine that performs object recognition. In this way, composite video images of a scene can be prepared and compared in real-time.

Abstract: A method and a system for calibrating a camera in a surveillance system. The method and system use a mathematical rotation between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system in order to calibrate a camera with a map of an area. In some embodiments, the calibration can be used to control the camera and/or to display a view cone on the map.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airborne laser image capturing system which comprises: (a) A laser source and laser focal plan array; (b) A pulse generator; (c) A scanning unit for providing to the gimbals a scanning signal for effecting a sequential stepping-scanning movement to scan an area in which the target is included; (d) A motion compensation unit; (e) A timing unit for: (e.i) Activating said pulse generator during a scanning period, thereby to produce over the target a series of illumination spots, each of said spots overlaps at least a portion of one or more adjacent spots; and (e.ii) Activating said laser focal plan array during the illumination of the target thereby to capture many of distinct spot-images (f) A correlating unit for correlating images; and (g) A combining unit for combining the spot-images to a complete image of the scanned area.

Abstract: A security system includes at least first and second monitoring units, each having a motion sensor for detecting motion, a camera for obtaining visual data, a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor in data communication with the motion sensor, camera, transmitter, and receiver. The security system includes means for outputting visual data from the first unit camera when the first unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the second unit motion sensor detects motion. The security system includes programming for outputting the visual data from the second unit camera when the second unit motion sensor detects motion more recently than the first unit motion sensor detects motion. The system includes a telephone interface for transmitting visual data captured by a respective camera. A unit's camera is only activated when its associated motion detector detects motion and is deactivated when another unit's motion detector detects motion more recently.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a means by which the privacy zone on a PTZ camera can be maintained so that an object in the camera's sight is always masked or covered. An algorithm which remembers the defined privacy zones as an area in space marked by four rays touching the four corners of the marked zone and having absolute Pan, Tilt angular coordinates is presented. The privacy zone is initially defined by a rectangle on the screen with known pixel co-ordinates which are translated into angular coordinates. Then, when the camera moves and prepares to display a new screen, the privacy zone is superimposed on the object to be masked. Locating the object and displaying its privacy zone is done by translating the absolute angular coordinates of the original privacy zone into pixel coordinates. Additionally, multiple privacy zones can be displayed on one camera screen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital line scan camera, having at least at least one focal plane, on which at least one linear photosensitive sensor is arranged, an objective lens, and a location measurement system. The location measurement system is used to determine six external location parameters, where the location system measurement comprises a satellite-supported position determination device and an inertial navigation measurement unit. The line scan camera includes at least on two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, which is synchronously driven with the linear sensor. At least one displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is calculated from the data of the minimum of one two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, and where the displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is used to correct the date of the inertial measurement unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a composite image from a video data stream and for identifying changed features in two composite images. Frames from the video data stream are transformed to a projected 2D image, aligned with adjacent frames and overlapping areas are averaged to provide a higher apparent resolution. The composite image can be stored in real-time. As a second composite image is prepared of the same location at a later time, portions of the second image can be compared to corresponding portions of the stored image after the intensities of the images are equalized. Image areas whose absolute difference exceeds a threshold are again intensity equalized. Areas that are again above threshold can be flagged for further scrutiny, either by a human or by a machine that performs object recognition. In this way, composite video images of a scene can be prepared and compared in real-time.

Abstract: Vehicular sensor systems are provided. The vehicular sensor systems includes a support, first, second, and third sensors, and a support actuator. The first sensor is coupled to the support and configured to rotate about a first sensor axis. The first sensor has a first field of detection with a first central axis. The second sensor is coupled to the support and configured to rotate about a second sensor axis. The second sensor has a second field of detection with a second central axis. The third sensor is coupled to the support and configured to rotate about a third sensor axis. The third sensor has a third field of detection with a third central axis. The support actuator is coupled to the support and configured to rotate the support about a support axis. The first, second, and third central axes are substantially within a plane.

Abstract: A camera terminal where tables where camera operations are described are not required, and that continues thoroughly imaging a monitoring subject region as a complete system even when a portion of cameras shuts down due to a failure is provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a mosaic image comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of overlapping images in a plurality of swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images within the swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images in adjacent ones of the swaths, and using the relative displacements to assemble the images into a composite image.

Abstract: A system and method for equalizing an imaging sensor. The system includes at least one image sensor having a plurality of detectors defining a sensor array, each detector being configured to provide an output signal representative of a sensed image. The system further includes an equalization system configured to receive the output signals from the detectors; estimate a distribution for at least one detector based on the respective output signals; compare the distribution for the at least one of the detectors to a given distribution to determine a mapping function for the at least one detector; and apply the respective mapping function of the at least one detector to the output signal of the at least one detector to provide an equalized signal for the at least one detector.

Abstract: A pipeline architecture for analyzing multiple streams of video is embodied, in part, in a layer of application program interfaces (APIs) to each stage of processing. Buffer queuing is used between some stages, which helps moderate the load on the CPU(s). Through the layer of APIs, innumerable video analysis applications can access and analyze video data flowing through the pipeline, and can annotate portions of the video data (e.g., frames and groups of frames), based on the analyses performed, with information that describes the frame or group. These annotated frames and groups flow through the pipeline to subsequent stages of processing, at which increasingly complex analyses can be performed. At each stage, portions of the video data that are of little or no interest are removed from the video data. Ultimately, “events” are constructed and stored in a database, from which cross-event and historical analyses may be performed and associations with, and among, events may be made.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an alarm zone within a perimeter, border and/or building includes capturing video image data of an alarm event detected in the alarm zone, and automatically establishing a cell phone session with an end-user to verify a true or false nature of the detected alarm. The end-user may use the cell phone display to review the video during the cell phone session, and may use the cell phone's key for the verifying. The novel monitoring method with end-user alarm event verification avoids false alarms being raised where the nature of the detected alarm event is false, and the verifying occurs before a false alarm is raised/communicated.

Abstract: The invention consists of a system and method for transferring video images from video sources to video receivers using a video server as an intermediary. The video server creates a list of all the requests from the video receivers for a video image from a video source. The video server requests the video image from the video source and then sends the video image to each video receiver on the list. The video source is only required to send one image for any number of requests from video receivers and the video sources and video receivers have no direct connection to each other. The load of handling many video sources and many video receivers can be distributed amongst multiple video servers.

Abstract: An image sensor includes P (P?2) red-light, P green-light and P blue-light photosensors and is mounted in an image scanning device to expose and read multiple scan lines of a to-be-scanned document. The scanning device includes a driving device for driving the image sensor to move relative to the document. When the image sensor acquires an image of the document, the P red-light photosensors, the P green-light photosensors and the P blue-light photosensors read 3P adjacent scan lines respectively in each exposure. The image sensor continues to read the 3P corresponding adjacent scan lines when the driving device further drives the image sensor to move by P scan lines relative to the document in a specific direction in each step of the driving device. The driving device continues to drive the image sensor to move relative to the document until all the scan lines have been read.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an airborne laser image capturing system which comprises: (a) A laser source and laser focal plan array, both being mounted on a same gimbals platform; (b) A pulse generator for providing a series of pulses to said laser source during a scanning period, thereby activating laser illumination by said laser source during each of said pulses, the laser source being characterized in that its illumination beam is so concentrated that each pulse provides illumination of only a portion of the expected target; (c) A scanning unit for receiving a line of sight direction to a target, and for providing to the gimbals a scanning signal for effecting a sequential stepping-scanning movement in such a manner as to scan an area in which the target is included; (d) A motion compensation unit for providing to said gimbals, in addition to said scanning signal a motion compensation signal for compensating for the aircraft motion and for the aircraft vibrations; (e) A timing unit for: (e.

Abstract: A vehicle proximity alerting system and method is provided. The system includes: a sensor unit having a plurality of sensors for measuring distances from other vehicles; a system controlling unit for receiving measurement signals from the sensors, calculating distances from other vehicles, determining whether or not the calculated distance is less than a preset vehicle proximity distance setting value, and generating an alert signal when it is determined that the calculated distance is less than the vehicle proximity distance setting value; and an alerting unit for receiving the alert signal and alerting.

Abstract: The present invention includes in a system and method for estimating and tracking an orientation of a user's face by combining head tracking and face detection techniques. The orientation of the face, or facial pose, can be expressed in terms of pitch, roll and yaw of the user's head. Facial pose information can be used, for example, to ascertain in which direction the user is looking. In general, the facial pose estimation method obtains a position of the head and a position of the face and compares the two to obtain the facial pose. In particular, a camera is used to obtain an image containing a user's head. Any movement of the user's head is tracked and the head position is determined. A face then is detected on the head and the face position is determined. The head and face positions then are compared.

Abstract: The video airship is a lighter-than-air airship, preferably spherical, including a video display disposed with substantially all of the craft's outer surface, a nearly invisible computerized electric propulsion-control system, speakers, microphones, video cameras, communications systems, and extendible landing gear. A power generation system contained within the airship's interior supplies the energy for it's display, propulsion, flight control and other onboard devices.

Abstract: One-dimensional line data is produced based upon an evaluation area in image data obtained by imaging the area the slit light beam is irradiated. Each point data value included in the line data is obtained based upon each pixel value in a pixel array arranged in a Y-axis direction having the same X coordinates in the evaluation area. The point data value in the line data depends upon the result of the difference between the pixel values of the adjacent pixels in the pixel array. The affect by the reflected light of the slit light beam from the surface of the moving object is offset between the adjacent pixels, so that it is not reflected on the point data value. The point data value corresponding to the blocked state and the point data value corresponding to the non-blocked state can be made clearly different from each other.

Abstract: A video surveillance camera capable of operating with flickering illumination is formed from a time-delay-integration linescan camera in conjunction with a mechanical scanner. The line rate of the camera is adjusted to provide an integration time substantially equal to an integer number of periods of the lighting flicker.

Abstract: An efficient approach to exploit hyperspectral imagery and detect target of interest is disclosed. This approach uses proximity pixels as reference signatures to detect potential discontinuity that represents material of unknown existing on the terrain. By incorporating signature of a chosen material of interest, this approach provides an effective way for target detection and identification. An evolutionary algorithm is employed to estimate the abundance of material of interest.

Abstract: The location of an object in a physical scene is identified with a stereo camera. A virtual surface is identified in the physical scene, and an approximate disparity set is constructed for the virtual surface. A main and a reference image of the scene are acquired by the stereo camera. The reference image is warped according to the disparity set, and subtracted from the main image to determine a set of depth residual values. Pixels having a substantially non-zero residual are identified with a surface of the object not coincident with the virtual surface.

Abstract: An aerial reconnaissance camera and method provides for generating a first image of the terrain of interest with the camera pointing angle oriented or rotated about an azimuthal axis some angular amount (&thgr;1) to a first, typically forward orientation, i.e., forward of a cross-line of flight direction. An image is obtained of the ground at this orientation. Then the camera is rotated about the azimuthal axis to new angular value (&thgr;2), which will typically be aft of the cross line of flight direction. An image is generated at this value. The camera is then rotated back to the value of &thgr;1, and a second image in the forward orientation is generated. The camera is then rotated again to the value of &thgr;2 and another image in the aft orientation is generated. This process of rotating the camera about the azimuthal axis and generating images in forward and aft orientations continues over and over.

Abstract: An electro-optical roll-framing camera is described in which successive overlapping frames of scene imagery are generated by an electro-optical imaging array. Image motion compensation is performed electronically to stop or freeze image motion caused by the roll motion. The image motion compensation is performed by the array during the generation of the frames of imagery. The successive frames of imagery are made during a continuous roll motion of the entire camera (including the array). The image motion due to roll is stopped or frozen without mechanically stopping the roll motion, such as found in prior art step frame cameras. The roll framing cycles of the camera generate sweeping coverage of the terrain of interest. The roll rate for a given electro-optical array is a function of the frame size and the framing rate, and is controllable by a master camera control computer.

Abstract: An improvement to a method of acquiring and processing a satellite observation image of the earth through the use of one strip or a matrix of charge coupled device type detectors. As the detectors travel over an observed zone, a plurality of pixels are acquired in a sampling method. The sampling method includes “e” subarrays corresponding to sampling thereby satisfying Shannon's condition. The “e” is an integer or rational number greater that 1. Processing is implemented that enables a noise-reduced image to be interpolated at a resolution corresponding to that of a sampling subarray on the basis of initially acquired image pixels.

Abstract: A technique for collectively setting a factory mode of operation of a monitor offers adjustments or modifications for particulars of mode data to meet user requirements, by transmitting a set of factory mode timing data from an external controller to an electrically erasable programmable read only memory using a serial interface data communication. A factory mode data transmission process includes the steps of transmitting a start data signal to a microcomputer in a monitor when a storage key input is fed to the external controller, repeatedly sending the timing data until a mode end signal is input and sending a mode end data to the microcomputer when a mode end signal is input. In addition, a factory mode data receiving process includes the steps of sending back the start data received to the external controller, storing mode timing data received into a factory mode address reserved in a memory in the monitor and ending the reception of mode timing data when mode end data is inputted.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for registering a single dimensional image to a two dimensional image, and for generating spectral two dimensional images, as practiced in aerial imagery. Raw data or primary images are acquired from a subject of interest and are passed through a camera type aperture and divided by passing the light beam through a beam splitter. One beam is recorded digitally as two dimensional images containing at least three recognizable geometric reference points. The second beam is passed through a slit to form single dimensional images, which are then preferably diffracted to produce plural spectral single dimensional images. The spectral single dimensional images are recorded digitally in a manner enabling each single dimensional image to be linked to its corresponding two dimensional reference image. The beam splitter and slit device may be replaced by a selectively reflective beam splitter which accomplishes the function of both deleted components.

Abstract: A method and a device for imaging with high geometrical resolution on a microsatellite. The device includes an objective and a focal plane on which an extended optical detector is fitted. The objective and the focal plane being fastened rigidly to the microsatellite. Intermediate optics, which can be moved using a setting and resetting instrument, are arranged between the objective and the focal plane.

Abstract: An aircraft camera system is described for passenger entertainment and safety that includes several arrays of digital cameras mounted on a passenger aircraft. These arrays of digital cameras, which include a top camera array, a bottom camera array, and two side camera arrays, are connected to and controlled by a central computer system. These arrays of digital cameras are positioned to view the wings, tail section, engines, and flaps on the aircraft as well as views of the horizon and ground. The passengers can access the views gathered by these multiple cameras for entertainment on their personal liquid crystal display screens, mounted in the rear back portion of each passenger seat. The crew can access the views gathered by these multiple cameras to check on the integrity of the aircraft. Also, in an emergency, the flight crew can restrict camera access to the passengers, to prevent panic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimation of the motion parameters of a camera. It is applied to a sequence of successive video frames subdivided into blocks and includes the following steps of extracting from the sequence vectors corresponding to the motion between two frames, motion vectors forming the camera velocity field, preprocessing the camera velocity field thus obtained, in order to reduce the amount of data and the heterogeneousness of the extracted motion vectors, estimating for each pair of frames, from the preprocessed field, camera features between the two considered frames, and undertaking, on the basis of said estimation, a long term motion analysis to obtain motion descriptors corresponding to the estimated camera motion parameters.

Abstract: A video recording system for recording and playing video programming is provided. The video recording system comprises a housing and at least one memory storage device for storing video programming mounted within the housing. An internet connection connects each memory storage device to the internet for downloading video programming through the internet connection and storing the downloaded video programming on the memory storage device. In addition, a device for removable recording video programming is provided. The device comprises a read/write removable media drive with read/write removable media receivable within the read/write removable media drive. An internet connection connects the read/write removable media drive to the internet for downloading video programming from the internet and storing the downloaded video programming on the read/write removable media. The stored video programming is then playable on a television.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and processing a satellite observation image of the earth by means of at least one strip or a matrix of detectors of the charge transfer type travelling over an observed zone, in which a plurality of pixels are acquired, which pixels are sampled in a staggered configuration, the method being characterized in that the line pitch and the column pitch of said staggered sampling are such that the image spectrum is situated mainly in a zone of the Fourier plane where the modulation transfer function is meaningful and where spectrum aliasing is limited.

Abstract: A video demultiplexing interface (70) is used in a missile tracking system (10) employing a missile (12) with a thermal beacon (24). A target designator (40) defines a boresight from a missile firing location, such as an aircraft, to a target. The closed-loop tracking system (10) employs a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor (52) to track the displacement of the thermal beacon (24) from the boresight and generates a correction signal related to such displacement. The video demultiplexing interface (70) transforms serial multiplexed video signals, which are output by the FLIR sensor (52) and contain a field with M rows and L columns of pixels, into a demultiplexed parallel video signal containing N selectable adjacent horizontal rows of pixels (where N is less than M). A video thermal tracker (58) selects the N adjacent horizontal rows of pixels and generates azimuth and elevation error signals which are transmitted to the missile (12).

Abstract: A device for optimizing antenna operation, a wireless control signal detector detects a wireless control signal generated by a remote control unit, and a microprocessor is operatively connected to the detector. The microprocessor is programmed to analyze the wireless control signal during a learning operation to determine a coding format of the wireless control signal and to analyze the wireless control signal during a normal use operation to determine a broadcast channel or station selected by a user. The device additionally comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively connectable to an antenna for tuning the antenna, and a plurality of switching circuits operatively connected to the tuning elements and to the microprocessor. The switching circuits are operable to selectively couple the tuning elements to the antenna, in response to signals from the microprocessor, thereby optimizing signal reception by the antenna for a channel or station selection encoded in the wireless control signal.

Abstract: An electro-optical imaging array having pixels arranged in rows and columns electronically compensates for image motion in the plane of the array regardless of whether the motion vector is in the row direction, the column direction, or in a diagonal direction, i.e., in some vector combination of row and column directions. In an aerial reconnaissance application, the image motion may be due to rotation of the aircraft about roll, pitch and/or yaw angles in addition to forward velocity of the aircraft. The image motion compensation is achieved with no moving parts and does not require a stabilized platform.A camera control computer determines the magnitude and direction of the image motion from inertial navigation system inputs, including velocity, flight, and aircraft rotation information, and calculates pixel information transfer rates in the row and column directions. The pixel information transfer rates are supplied to a counter and clock driver circuit for the array.

Abstract: An apparatus for photographing the ground continuously from an airplane, and for recording the photographed images in digital form in real time. A three-line sensor camera comprising a forward-oblique line sensor, a vertical line sensor and a backward-oblique line sensor is on board. The three-line sensor camera has a gyro integrally connected thereto. Data of the camera's attitude available from the gyro, digital data of the land images available from the camera and data of the airplane's position available from an airborne GPS are recorded and reproduced. The camera is controlled with the aid of the gyro so that its optical axis may be held in a vertical direction at all times.

Abstract: An airborne direct digital panoramic camera system and method in which an in-line electro-optical sensor eliminates the need for photographic film and film transport apparatus normally associated with prior art airborne reconnaissance cameras and yet still retains the very high image resolution quality which is so important in intelligence operations and commercial geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and other remote sensing applications. The system provides a simpler, more efficient and less costly panoramic camera by utilizing a lens in conjunction with the electro-optical line array sensor wherein the lens can be simpler and less expensive than a framing camera because it essentially requires quality focus in only one dimension and by eliminating the burden and delay necessitated in film processing and development.

Abstract: A combined scene-based and DC-restored image restoration system enhances the utility of video images generated from the input of a forward-looking infrared system. This system and related methods remove a desired portion of the DC content from each of a plurality of input signals that are generated from a plurality of adjacent portions of a source image to obtain a plurality of resultant signals from which a plurality of video images is produced.

Abstract: An image pickup system mounted on a craft flying an orbit above an object zone and sequentially picking up the images of unit areas defined by the swath width of the object zone and a distance in the direction of orbit. The system has a main image pickup device and a control image pickup device for picking up the image of an area ahead of the visual field of the main pickup device, i.e., a forward area preceding the unit area. While the craft flies along the orbit, the control image pickup device detects the radiance distribution of the forward area to thereby control, for example, the sensitivity of the main image pickup device. To detect the radiance distribution, a data processing section included in the control pickup device converts data picked up in the forward area to an image to allow the image to be compared with predetermined reference values.