Motion Detection Patents (Class 348/154)
  • Patent number: 8619136
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying security content from a set top box to a television. In one embodiment, the television receives media content for display. Security content from one or more wireless cameras replaces the media content in response to receiving an alert from the one or more wireless cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Jamie C. Howarter, Charles M. Lesher
  • Patent number: 8619140
    Abstract: A solution for monitoring an area while accounting for camera motion and/or monitoring tasks is provided. For example, a physical area corresponding to a new field of view can be estimated for a camera for which motion is detected. The physical area can be estimated using a set of reference images previously captured by the camera, each of which comprises a unique field of view previously captured by the camera. Based on the physical area, a status for a monitoring task of the camera (e.g., an alert) can be updated and/or a location of an area for the monitoring task within an image captured by the camera can be updated. Further, based on the update(s), a field of view for a second camera can be automatically adjusted and/or a status for the monitoring task on the second camera can be automatically updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa M. Brown, Jonathan H. Connell, II, Arun Hampapur, Andrew W. Senior, Chiao-Fe Shu, Ying-Li Tian
  • Patent number: 8605155
    Abstract: Viewing a three dimensional area from numerous camera angles at different exposures using intensity and chromaticity data at the different exposures to create a pixel model for each pixel. A current image is compared with the background model to find pixels that have changed from their pixel model. These novel pixels are processed using contiguous region detection and grouped into foreground figures. For each camera, software extracts features from each foreground figure. A central processor maintains an object model for each foreground figure. A graphical user interface displays the relative location of foreground figures in a world model. The location and identification of the foreground figures is checked against a table of permissions so as to selectively generate an alert. If a figure leaves or is about the leave a cell, the invention accounts for its approximate position and notifies adjacent cells of the expected arrival of the foreground figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Model Software Corporation
    Inventors: John J Kelly, III, J. Matthew Miller, III
  • Patent number: 8581974
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presence detection using an image system. The image system may be a camera that is integrated into an electronic device. In some embodiments, the image system can accommodate multiple operating modes of the electronic device. For example, when the electronic device is operating in a normal power mode, control circuitry of the image system can detect when a user has left and is no longer using the electronic device. When the electronic device is operating in a power saving mode, the control circuitry can detect user presence (e.g., when a user has come back to the electronic device). In some embodiments, the control circuitry can adjust for both gradual and sudden light changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Lin, David Pope
  • Patent number: 8559677
    Abstract: An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor, a motion information acquisition section that acquires motion information about an operator based on the image information from the image sensor, a correction section that performs a correction process on the motion information based on at least one of an aspect ratio of the image sensor and an aspect ratio of a display section, and an image generation section that generates an image displayed on the display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nishimoto, Chihiro Kozasa, Tadashi Sakakibara, Daisuke Sekioka
  • Patent number: 8553084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for specifying regions of interest within a two-dimensional view of visual information that comprises a series of frames. Visual changes that occur in the view are stored. A user enters search criteria that specify at least one first region of interest within the view and a visual change. A visual change may include a change in pixel values or a detection of motion of one or more objects within the view. The first search criteria are compared against the stored visual changes to identify a sequence of frames in which the specified visual change occurred within the first region of interest. The search criteria may specify multiple regions of interest, each with one or more types of visual changes. If a motion is specified, then a direction, speed, and behavior of a moving object may also be specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: 3VR Security, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Vallone, Michael E. Wells, Shannon P. Hale, Stephen D. Fleischer, Colvin H. Pitts, Gordon T. Haupt
  • Patent number: 8553943
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods and systems which determine pixel displacement between frames based on a respective weighting-value for each pixel or a group of pixels. The weighting-values provide an indication as to which pixels are more pertinent to optical flow computations. Computational resources and effort can be focused on pixels with higher weights, which are generally more pertinent to optical flow determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Yingyong Qi, Ning Bi, Xuerui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8542872
    Abstract: A method of autonomously monitoring a remote site, including the steps of locating a primary detector at a site to be monitored; creating one or more geospatial maps of the site using an overhead image of the site; calibrating the primary detector to the geospatial map using a detector-specific model; detecting an object in motion at the site; tracking the moving object on the geospatial map; and alerting a user to the presence of motion at the site. In addition thermal image data from a infrared cameras, rather than optical/visual image data, is used to create detector-specific models and geospatial maps in substantially the same way that optical cameras and optical image data would be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Pivotal Vision, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Gornick, Craig B. Moksnes
  • Patent number: 8538070
    Abstract: The invention discloses motion detecting method and apparatus thereof. The method and apparatus are utilized to detect a motion condition of a target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Jyh Chen
  • Patent number: 8525874
    Abstract: An assistance system for visually handicapped persons with visual impair in a part of their visual field aims at providing a technical solution for these persons, informing them actively about objects or movements in the visually impaired side, by way of body-worn sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Richard Daniel Willmann, Gerd Lanfermann, Juergen Te Vrugt, Edwin Gerardus Johannus Maria Bongers
  • Patent number: 8520901
    Abstract: An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor, a skeleton information acquisition section that acquires skeleton information based on the image information from the image sensor, the skeleton information specifying a motion of an operator, a reliability information acquisition section that acquires reliability information that indicates reliability of the skeleton information, and an image generation section that generates an image displayed on a display section. The image generation section generates an image corresponding to the acquired reliability information as the image displayed on the display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nishimoto, Chihiro Kozasa, Tadashi Sakakibara, Daisuke Sekioka
  • Publication number: 20130215276
    Abstract: An enhanced-security door lock system and a control method therefor are provided. The enhanced-security door lock system includes motion detection sensors respectively installed inside and outside a door and configured to detect surrounding motion; imaging cameras respectively installed inside and outside the door and configured to capture images of indoor and outdoor areas in response to operation signals output from the motion detection sensors; and an image storage device configured to store and output images and voices captured by the imaging cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Hee Moon Cho
  • Patent number: 8508595
    Abstract: Provided is a surveillance camera system for controlling cameras by calculating a movement amount of the cameras based on position information and orientation information of the cameras and position information of an object being surveilled. The surveillance camera system includes: a camera receiving an image from a surveillance area; a driving device combined with the camera, wherein the driving device moves the camera; and a camera controller controlling the driving device by using initial coordinates defined with a position and an azimuth at which the camera is installed and a current direction of the camera, so that the camera faces a target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-seok An
  • Patent number: 8497897
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to image sensing devices. One embodiment may take the form of an image sensing device that includes a first image sensor for capturing a luminance image, a second image sensor for capturing a first chrominance, and a third image sensor for capturing a second chrominance image. The image sensing device may further include an image processing module for combining the luminance image captured by the first image sensor, the first chrominance image captured by the second image sensor, and the second chrominance image captured by the third image sensor, to form a composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Gere
  • Patent number: 8487762
    Abstract: A server may detect a threshold number of mobile stations (e.g., total mobile stations or mobile stations belonging to a predefined group) currently located at an area, such as by determining that a number of mobile stations currently located at an area is greater than a desired maximum number of mobile stations or less than a desired minimum number of mobile stations. The threshold number may be determined based on a typical number of mobile stations located at the area. In response to detecting the threshold number of mobile stations, the server may obtain data recorded by surveillance equipment located at the area (including data recorded by mobile stations temporarily acting as surveillance equipment,) which data represents activity at the area. To obtain the data, the server may instruct the surveillance equipment to begin recording data. The server may then output the received data for receipt by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Michael P. McMullen, Rodney D. Nelson, John R. Schuler
  • Patent number: 8482613
    Abstract: A motion detector actuated camera for taking pictures of birds or other small thermally discernable objects utilizes a plurality of filters to detect the speed of certain bird movements within the field of view of the camera to actuate the camera when a bird is in the field of view and capture images while the bird moves about the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: John Kempf, Bart Stephens, Fuxian Yin, Stylianos Derventzis
  • Patent number: 8477199
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that captures an image by photoelectrically converting a subject image; a feature calculating unit that calculates, per region included in the image, a feature value related to suitability for motion detection; a region-motion detecting unit that detects a motion vector per the region; and a whole-motion calculating unit that calculates a motion quantity of a whole image from the feature value and the motion vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Yamanaka, Haike Guan
  • Patent number: 8466955
    Abstract: An application for transmission of a three-dimensional eyewear synchronization signal to synchronize the operation of shutters of three-dimensional eyewear uses an industry standard wireless transmission technique. To compensate for inherent latencies of such transmission techniques, the latencies are measured and monitored to determine expected latencies and the shutter synchronization signal is skewed by the latency. In some embodiments, the synchronization signal is further adjusted by a user skew control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Vizio, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus P. Apitz
  • Patent number: 8456527
    Abstract: An object is detected in images of a live event by storing and indexing templates based on representations of the object from previous images. For example, the object may be a vehicle which repeatedly traverses a course. A first set of images of the live event is captured when the object is at different locations in the live event. A representation of the object in each image is obtained, such as by image recognition techniques, and a corresponding template is stored. When the object again traverses the course, for each location, the stored template which is indexed to the location can be retrieved for use in detecting the object in a current image. The object's current location may be obtained from GPS data from the object, for instance, or from camera sensor data, e.g., pan, tilt and zoom, which indicates a direction in which the camera is pointed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sportvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Vidya Elangovan, Richard H. Cavallaro, Timothy P. Heidmann, Marvin S. White, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Patent number: 8450679
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a sensing device that uses a proximity sensor. The sensing device includes: a proximity sensor sensing approach of an external object; and a lens unit installed on top of the proximity sensor. The lens unit includes: a lens body having a first through-opening through which light emitted from a light emitting unit of the proximity sensor passes and a second through-opening through which light, reflected from the external object and entering into a light receiving unit of the proximity sensor, passes; and a reflective film formed in the lens body to surround edges of the first through-opening and the second through-opening. The lens body and the reflective film are integrated with each other by double injection molding. The lens body and the reflecting film are manufactured in a single body by double injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Won Yun
  • Patent number: 8452102
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image managing apparatus allowing a user to acquire an image shot by other user participated in an event that the user participated in when a user shot images with the user's own camera but there was a period of time in which the user could not shoot due to some reason. The image management apparatus of the present invention is configured to sort a plurality of images shot by the user's camera based on a shooting time, calculate a non-shooting time period, extract an image shot by a camera of other user, which has a shooting time included in the non-shooting time period of the user. Further, the image management apparatus extracts an image having keywords, a shooting position, and object information, which are the same as an image shot by the camera of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kanako Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8443458
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for tamper detection of electronic devices (110) in closed units which is robust and low cost. The object is achieved by a method in an electronic device (110) for detecting if a cover (100) enclosing the electronic device (110) has been opened. The cover (100) comprises an enclosing assembly (250) which is adapted to fasten the cover (100) into a closed position. The electronic (device 110) comprises a non volatile memory (120). The non volatile memory (120) comprises a stored reference signature associated to the enclosing assembly (250) when the cover (100) was fastened into a closed position. The method comprises the following steps: (Creating 1003) a signature associated to the enclosing assembly (250). Comparing (1004) the created signature with the reference signature. Detecting (1007) that the cover 100 has been opened when the comparing (1004) results in a difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Dan Anders Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 8432448
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for an intrusion detection system. The intrusion detection system comprises a first camera configured to acquire first visual images of a monitored area and a second camera configured to acquire second visual images of the monitored area. The intrusion detection system also comprises a detection device configured to compare the first images with a background image of the monitored area. The detection device can mark differences between the first images and the background image as a potential intruder. The intrusion detection system further comprises a tracking device configured to evaluate each of the first images relative to each of the second images to determine three-dimensional characteristics associated with the potential intruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Hassapis, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 8421866
    Abstract: An image monitoring system includes: recording means for recording an image captured by a camera via a network; control means for controlling the system so as to display the present image captured by the camera or a past image recorded on the recording means on display means; and moving-object detecting means for detecting a moving object from the image captured by the camera; wherein the moving-object detecting means includes resolution conversion means for generating an image with a resolution lower than the resolution of the image captured by the camera, positional-information output means for detecting a moving object from the image generated by the resolution conversion means and outputting positional information on the detected moving object, and information merging means for merging the positional information of the moving object with the image captured by the camera on the basis of the positional information of the moving object output by the positional-information output means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Demizu, Miki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8416300
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for improving visibility of a roadway using an improved visibility system. The method comprising receiving data from a plurality of fog detectors located proximate a roadway and determining, based on the data from the plurality of fog detectors, that fog is present about the roadway. The method further comprising obtaining, after the determining that fog is present about the roadway, a plurality of images of the roadway by activating a plurality of cameras located proximate the roadway. The method further comprising creating a composite image by combining two or more of the plurality of images, wherein the composite image depicts the roadway unobstructed by fog and transmitting the composite image to a display device located in a vehicle traveling along the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Giuseppe Longobardi
  • Patent number: 8416296
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for detecting the occurrence of unusual events in a sequence of video frames Importantly, what is determined as unusual need not be defined in advance, but can be determined over time by observing a stream of primitive events and a stream of context events. A mapper component may be configured to parse the event streams and supply input data sets to multiple adaptive resonance theory (ART) networks. Each individual ART network may generate clusters from the set of inputs data supplied to that ART network. Each cluster represents an observed statistical distribution of a particular thing or event being observed that ART network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Behavioral Recognition Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Kenneth Cobb, Ming-Jung Seow
  • Patent number: 8417059
    Abstract: A motion vector calculation unit calculates inter-frame movement amounts. A masked region specification unit separates the entire edge image of frame feature data into (i) an edge image showing relatively large movement amounts and (ii) an edge image showing relatively small movement amounts. The masked region specification unit then specifies the edge image showing relatively large movement amounts as a region to be masked. This way, a correction parameter is detected from a region other than the masked region. When the correction parameter is a slang angle, a slant correction unit performs slant correction on a frame picture obtained by an image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8405722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for describing and organizing image data. An analysis system includes a sensor, a processing unit, a machine, a database, and/or a display. The analysis system is connected to an electronic device. The sensor generates sensor data which is imported by the processing unit. The processing unit analyzes the sensor data to determine features of the sensor data such as the subject, the time, the location, the object, the event, and/or the action in the sensor data. The processing unit creates entries for the sensor data in a features index. The processing unit receives a query for an item and uses the features index to determine search results including the item, such as a location and a time of the item. The processing unit can also determine whether a machine has completed its mission using the features in the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuo Uehara
  • Patent number: 8401210
    Abstract: An optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio sound system is determined. A listening area and other audio playback controls may also be defined or modified by a listener. During subsequent audio playback, an imager captures images of at least a portion of the listener. When the listener has moved to a position that is different from a previous position, one or more audio parameters are adjusted for at least one channel in the multi-channel audio system in order to reposition the initial or previous optimal listening position to the current position of the listener. When the listener moves outside the listening area, an out of bounds response is initiated to disable or control the audio playback until the listener moves to a position within the listening area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 8395659
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying moving objects from received images are disclosed. Images are received from a stereo image capture device and from a moving image capture device. Distances from the stereo image capture device to points in a captured image are stored in a stereo distance map and distances from the moving image capture device are determined from pairs of images captured by the moving image capture device and stored in a moving distance map. Stereo disparities are determined from distances in the stereo distance map and motion disparities are determined from distances in the moving distance map. A scale is generated from the stereo disparities and the motion disparities. The scale is applied to the motion disparities and the scaled motion disparities and the stereo disparities are used to identify pixels in an image associated with a moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morimichi Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 8390697
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a global motion estimation apparatus that performs global Motion Estimation on current and reference images and then outputs a Motion Vector, wherein the global motion estimation apparatus includes a motion estimation processing unit that has a function of executing an LK method two or more times across a whole screen to perform the global motion estimation between the current and reference images; and the motion estimation processing unit obtains a set of motion vectors based on at least information about pixel value variations and information in which a calculation result of an arbitrary calculation expression is added across a whole screen in first motion estimation, and determines whether to perform addition on each pixel according to a set condition when obtaining the at least information, and obtains and outputs a new set of motion vectors as a result of a second LK method when the condition is satisfied in second motion estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Matsuura, Naoki Kuzuya
  • Patent number: 8390698
    Abstract: Provided is an image capturing apparatus (100) that can improve coding efficiency, and record a still image with a wide dynamic range and smooth moving images. The apparatus includes: an image capturing unit (110) capturing images by exposure for a first exposure time and a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time to generate a short-time exposure image and a long-time exposure image; a short-time exposure image storage unit (120) storing the short-time exposure image; a long-time exposure image storage unit (130) storing the long-time exposure image; a motion blur adding unit (140) generating a predicted image of the long-time exposure image by adding motion blur to the short-time exposure image; a subtracting unit (150) calculating a difference between the long-time exposure image and the predicted image to generate a difference image; and a coding unit (170) coding the short-time exposure image and the difference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Shimizu, Ryuji Fuchikami
  • Patent number: 8390685
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a virtual fence provided using a plurality of video cameras. A method for providing a virtual fence in accordance with an embodiment includes: positioning a plurality of video cameras about a perimeter to be monitored, the perimeter comprising a plurality of designated areas; for each of the designated areas: capturing video data of the designated area using at least one video camera; analyzing the captured video data to detect an event; and sending at least one of image or video data to a central facility only in response to the detection of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan H. Connell, II
  • Patent number: 8379093
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for recording and reproducing RAW image data to more precisely correct for hand tremble in response to an electronic hand tremble correction when an image is recorded. The recording apparatus includes an image developing processor performing an image developing process on raw data sequentially output from an image sensor in frames and generating completely developed image data in frames, an electronic hand tremble correction unit performing an electronic hand tremble correction process on the completely developed image data and generating completely electronic hand tremble correction processed image data, a moving quantity data obtaining unit obtaining data of moving quantity in frames used for the electronic hand tremble correction process performed by the electronic hand tremble correction unit, and a storage medium recorder sequentially recording in frames the RAW data, the completely developed image data, and the data of moving quantity to a storage medium per frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mineki Taoka
  • Patent number: 8379090
    Abstract: A collaborative video touring method may allow local personnel of a facility and users who are located remotely from the facility to interactively participate in a virtual visit of the facility, during which the local personnel and the remote users may tour a number of different areas of the facility. In some implementations, the visited facility may have a video monitoring system with one or more adjustable video cameras, each of which may be directed at different areas of the facility, and the video captured by the various cameras may be displayed concurrently to the local personnel and to the remote users. Such concurrent display may, in some embodiments, allow the users at the different locations to interactively discuss the video being displayed, similar to if the remote users were physically touring the facility with the local personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Pearson, Gwen Michael
  • Patent number: 8363116
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a motion vector receiving unit configured to receive, from frame image data made up of frame images, motion vectors representing motion of the frame images; a modeling unit configured to model the motion vector, received from the motion vector receiving unit, to a component separation expression in which a camera motion component and a focal plane distortion component are separated, using component parameters respectively representing camera motion which is motion of a camera, and the amount in change in focal plane distortion; and a component calculation unit configured to calculate the component parameters used in the component separation expression, thereby calculating the focal plane distortion component in the motion vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8363106
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a video surveillance method comprising steps of a video camera periodically capturing an image of a zone to be monitored, analyzing the image to detect a presence therein, and of the video camera transmitting the image only if a presence has been detected in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Lionel Martin, Tony Baudon
  • Patent number: 8355529
    Abstract: A motion capture apparatus includes: generating means; predicting means; projecting means; evaluating means; and estimating means. The generating means generates a kinematics model having joints connected to one another. The predicting means hierarchically calculates predicted positions at a current time of the joints of the objective person, and predicts three-dimensional positions and postures of the joints and the limbs. The projecting means projects the three-dimensional positions and postures of the joints and the limbs of the objective person on a two-dimensional image plane, the three-dimensional positions and the postures being predicted by predicting means. The evaluating means evaluates reliability about projection positions projected by the projecting means based on the observation image of the objective person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Weiguo Wu, Keisuke Yamaoka, Yuyu Liu
  • Patent number: 8345097
    Abstract: A surveillance system includes an event module that receives an event detection signal that indicates an event external to the surveillance system. The system also includes a power control module that selectively operates a data recording device at least partially concurrent with the event based on the event detection signal. The system also includes a selection module that selects a portion of data recorded by the data recording device based on content of the data. A data transmission module transmits the portion over a remote communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zampieron, Joseph Presicci, Mark Sanders, Robert Post
  • Patent number: 8339456
    Abstract: A system for automatically capturing an event of interest in a venue is disclosed, comprising a plurality of cameras for capturing video images of the event; and at least one processor communicatively connected to said plurality of cameras and con figured to execute a plurality of modules, said modules comprising a rectification module for combining the video images to form a wide-angle view; at least one of a motion analysis module configured for tracking salient blobs that are not part of a background of the wide-angle view, an activity analysis module configured for extracting temporal and spatial patterns from the wide-angle view, and a shape and appearance module configured for selecting one or more objects in the wide-angle view based on descriptors that are scale and rotational invariant; and a region of interest selector for selecting a viewpoint from the wide-angle view based on output from at least one of the motion analysis module, the activity analysis module, and the shape and appearance module,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Jayakrishnan Kumar Eledath, Sarah Paris-Mascicki, Vincent Endres, Barbara Hanna
  • Patent number: 8340349
    Abstract: A method for detecting a moving target is disclosed that receives a plurality of images from at least one camera; receives a measurement of scale from one of a measurement device and a second camera; calculates the pose of the at least one camera over time based on the plurality of images and the measurement of scale; selects a reference image and an inspection image from the plurality of images of the at least one camera; and detects a moving target from the reference image and the inspection image based on the orientation of corresponding portions in the reference image and the inspection image relative to a location of an epipolar direction common to the reference image and the inspection image; and displays any detected moving target on a display. The measurement of scale can derived from a second camera or, for example, a wheel odometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Garbis Salgian, Supun Samarasekera, Jiangjian Xiao, James Russell Bergen, Rakesh Kumar, Feng Han
  • Patent number: 8335345
    Abstract: The path and/or position of an object is tracked using two or more cameras which run asynchronously so there is need to provide a common timing signal to each camera. Captured images are analyzed to detect a position of the object in the image. Equations of motion for the object are then solved based on the detected positions and a transformation which relates the detected positions to a desired coordinate system in which the path is to be described. The position of an object can also be determined from a position which meets a distance metric relative to lines of position from three or more images. The images can be enhanced to depict the path and/or position of the object as a graphical element. Further, statistics such as maximum object speed and distance traveled can be obtained. Applications include tracking the position of a game object at a sports event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sportvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin S. White, Alina Alt
  • Patent number: 8330818
    Abstract: An image-based vehicle maneuvering assistant method and system are provided in the present invention, in which images captured by a single image sensing device is processed to determine the changes with respect time by a controller having capability of image processing and identification and distance estimation in image space for providing a complete assisting image-information while the carrier is maneuvering. By means of the presented method of the presented invention, the system is capable of generating track of the carrier, view point transformation, and identifying the characteristic object in the image so as to performing the distance estimation. The present invention may be utilized and applied in different kinds of carrier type to solve the problem of guiding of carrier maneuvering, and assist the carrier lane changing, parking assistance and blind spot detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsiang Cheng, Yen-Shu Chang, Wei-Min Lee, Shan-Chuan Jeng, Long-Tai Chen
  • Patent number: 8321885
    Abstract: A system, method and device for providing communications with an in-home system at a residence of a user are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Angelo J. Pino, Jr., Mohammed Sattar
  • Patent number: 8314839
    Abstract: A concealment (10) for equipment (13) including imaging devices, audio equipment, and sensors. The concealment comprises a frame (12) which, when assembled, forms the outline of a naturally occurring or manmade object. A covering (22) fits over the assembled frame. An outer surface (24) of the covering has a texture and finish that passes for the outer surface of the natural or manmade object the concealment represents. The frame provides a mounting for the equipment installed within the concealment, with the equipment being positioned to provide surveillance of an area (A) within which the concealment is located. The frame and covering are both made from materials which do not interfere with the transmission of signals from the equipment to a monitoring site, nor the reception of signals from the monitoring site to the equipment installed within the concealment to control operation of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Sentrus, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Weinstein, Ric Sauer
  • Patent number: 8310546
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus communicates with an image acquisition apparatus provided with an image acquisition region comprising light-shielded pixels and effective pixels. Data of an image are acquired based on output signals from the effective pixels. An edge of an object is extracted in the acquired image data using a preset edge threshold, and the object is recognized based on the extracted edge. Output signals are acquired from the light-shielded pixels and a degree of variations in noise contained in the output signals from the effective pixels is estimated based on the output signals acquired. The edge threshold is set based on the degree of variations in noise which is estimated, such that the noise having a level which exceeds the edge threshold occurs at a probability lower than a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8311367
    Abstract: Adaptive image processing device performs image processing with a simple configuration on a composite image including areas having different characteristics by changing a process depending on the number of combined images in each area of the composite image configured by combining a plurality of images. The image processing device acquires a plurality of images and generates a composite image. When the composite image is generated, the image processing device realizes a process of determining the number of combined images for detecting the number of images to be combined for each area of the composite image and holding the number as information about the number of combined images, and an image processing parameter switching process for switching a parameter of image processing to be performed on each area of the composite image according to the information about the number of combined images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kimitaka Murashita, Masayoshi Shimizu, Kaoru Chujo, Takashi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 8294767
    Abstract: A depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. The depth image may then be analyzed to determine whether the depth image includes a human target. For example, the depth image may include one or more targets including a human target and non-human targets. Each of the targets may be flood filled and compared to a pattern to determine whether the target may be a human target. If one or more of the targets in the depth image includes a human target, the human target may be scanned. A skeletal model of the human target may then be generated based on the scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zsolt Mathe, Charles Claudius Marais, Ryan Michael Geiss
  • Patent number: 8289392
    Abstract: A system for automatically acquiring high-resolution images by steering a pan-tilt-zoom camera at targets detected in a fixed camera view is provided. The system uses automatic or manual calibration between multiple cameras. Using automatic calibration, the homography between the cameras in a home position is estimated together with the effects of pan and tilt controls and the expected height of a person in the image. These calibrations are chained together to steer a slave camera. The manual calibration scheme steers a camera to the desired region of interest and calculates the pan, tile and zoom parameters accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew William Senior, Sharathchandra Pankanti, Arun Hampapur, Lisa Marie Brown, Ying-Li Tian
  • Patent number: 8284254
    Abstract: A coordinated surveillance system uses a larger number of fixed low resolution detection smart camera devices and a smaller number of pan/tilt/zoom controllable high resolution tracking smart camera devices. The set of detection cameras provide overall continuous coverage of the surveillance region, while the tracking cameras provide localized high resolution on demand. Each monitor camera device performs initial detection and determines approximate GPS location of a moving target in its field of view. A control system coordinates detection and tracking camera operation. A selected tracking camera is controlled to focus in on, confirm detection, and track a target. Based on a verified detection, a guard station is alerted and compressed camera video is forwarded to the guard station from the camera(s). The guard station can direct a patrol guard to the target using GPS coordinates and a site map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sightlogix, Inc.
    Inventors: John Frederick Romanowich, Danny Chin, Geoffrey Alan Cleary