Abstract: An airport security system includes a scanner scanning and time stamping an article of identification of an individual passing into a secure terminal area. The system further includes security cameras generating respective video signals of overlapping zones of coverage of the secure terminal area. The video signals are recorded and received in a controller generating a seamless video signal therefrom. Reversing of the seamless video signal allows visual tracking of a security breach in the secure terminal area from the time of breach identification scan and time stamp. Faster than real time forwarding of the seamless video signal allows tracking of the security breach from the time stamp to the breacher's present location within the secure terminal area.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for change detection in localization and tracking of objects in a smart video camera are provided. A programmable surveillance video camera comprises processors for detecting objects in a video signal based on an object mask. The processors may generate a textual representation of the video signal by utilizing a description language to indicate characteristics of the detected objects, such as shape, texture, color, and/or motion, for example. The object mask may be based on a detection field value generated for each pixel in the video signal by comparing a first observation field and a second observation field associated with each of the pixels. The first observation field may be based on a difference between an input video signal value and an estimated background value while the second observation field may be based on a temporal difference between first observation fields.

Abstract: A networked digital security system is disclosed that preferably includes a centralized administrator web server coupled via a communication network such as the Internet to a plurality of customer servers and-a plurality of customer work stations. The centralized web server advantageously provides a point of control and management of the networked digital security system. The customer servers and customer work stations are preferably located at the customer's monitored sites. The customer servers are coupled to one or more intelligent camera units, which are preferably fully integrated intelligent units that gather, analyze, and transmit video, audio, and associated detected alarm event information to their associated customer server and the administrator web server. The camera units also include an intelligent automatic gain controller, an encoder buffer controller, and a network bandwidth priority controller. The system supports several compression algorithm standards.

Abstract: A detection system detects moving objects in a scene by processing two consecutive images of the scene. The two consecutive images are captured by a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera and fed back to the system. The system obtains position information of the moving object in the scene, and adjusts parameters, such as a shoot angle, and a focal length of the PTZ camera, according to the position information of the moving object. Therefore, the PTZ camera can be aimed to follow the motion area and adjusted to optimum focal length.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes: an image capturing section capturing a motion image of a monitor region; a condition storing section storing a condition of an object to be extracted from the motion image; a matching judging section judging whether an object that matches the condition exists in the motion image; an object region identifying section identifying an object region including the object, if the matching judging section judges positively; an output section outputting an image of the object region, if the matching judging section judges positively; an image retaining section retaining an image of a region other than the object region, if the matching judging section judges positively; and an output control section controlling the output section to output the image of the region, if the image of the region is judged to be transmitted, after the image retaining section retained the image of the region.

Abstract: A surveillance system having a multi-area motion-detection function is described. The surveillance system includes a display, an area selection device, and a threshold input device. The display shows a surveillance video. The area selection device selects a first area and a second area on the display screen. The threshold input device sets a motion-detection threshold of the first area and a motion-detection threshold of the second area. When the result of the motion-detection exceeds the motion-detection threshold of the first area, the surveillance video is stored in a storage medium. When the result of the motion-detection exceeds the motion-detection threshold of the second area, the surveillance video is stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: A tracking start-and-stop determining unit of a tracking processing unit determines whether to start or stop tracking based on a predetermined condition. During tracking, a sampling unit 29 creates or eliminates particles using a probability density distribution estimated for the previous image frame. A first to nth model tracking units transit the particles according to motion models respectively assigned, and observe the likelihood of a candidate curve corresponding to each particle with respect to an edge image generated by an image processing unit. A tracking integration unit determines a motion model which causes the highest likelihood, and estimates a probability density distribution using an observation likelihood based on the motion model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for object detection and tracking. Spatio-temporal information for a foreground/background appearance module is updated, based on a new input image and the accumulated previous appearance information and foreground/background information module labeling information over time. Object detection is performed according to the new input image and the updated spatio-temporal information and transmitted previous information over time, based on the labeling result generated by the object detection. The information for the foreground/background appearance module is repeatedly updated until a convergent condition is reached. The produced labeling result from objection detection is considered as a new tracking measurement for further updating on a tracking prediction module. A final tracking result may be obtained through the updated tracking prediction module, which is determined by the current tracking measurement and the previous observed tracking results.

Abstract: A surveillance video system may include a first device configured to process successive surveillance image files of a common area into an image transport stream for a selectable region of interest within the common area. The surveillance video system also may include a second device remote from the first device and in communication with the first device. The second device may include a display and a processor cooperating therewith. The processor may be configured to scroll the selectable region of interest to maintain a selected moving target visible on the display.

Abstract: A security storage container for securely retaining an item of merchandise therein. The storage container is in the form of a box having a base and a lid, with the item of merchandise being received in the base. The lid is locked to the base by a locking mechanism. The storage container also includes an internally disposed alarm system which is activated when the lid is locked to the base and is deactivated when the lid is unlocked from the base. The lid can only be unlocked with a specially designed key. The alarm system includes a flashing LED which indicates to the consumer that the storage container has an activated alarm therein. The alarm system further includes an EAS tag for activating a security gate at an exit to the protected environment; and further includes a sound-emitting device that will emit a loud sound if an attempt is made to pry the lid from the base when the lid is in a locked position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program for providing reliable tracking of a tracking point. When a right eye 502 of a human face 504 serving as a tracking point is tracked in a frame n?1 and when a tracking point 501 appears as in a frame n, the tracking point 501 continues to be tracked. When, as in a frame n+1, the right eye 502 serving as the tracking point 501 disappears due to the rotation of the face 504 of an object to be tracked, the tracking point is transferred to a left eye 503, which is a different point of the face 504 serving as the object including the right eye 502. The present invention is applicable to a security camera system.

Abstract: A method of determining an intrusion into a monitored area comprises the evaluation of images of specific optical pattern (40) arranged behind said monitored area. The system comprises at least two imaging devices (20) spaced from the plane of said monitored area; a predetermined optical pattern (40) positioned outside and behind said monitored area; at least two mirror (30) directing the images of said optical patterns (40) to said imaging devices (20); a processor receiving and processing image data provided by said at least two imaging devices (20) to detect any optical change and to determine the position of an intrusion causing optical change within said predetermined area; an output signal generator for generating an output signal depending on the relative position of said intrusion.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus, a video input unit (2) captures the image of an object and sequentially acquires image data associated with the image capturing, a model data memory (6) stores model data associated with the first feature quantity calculated from a feature point of the object in a model image, a principal object detection unit (3) calculates the second feature quantity from a feature point of the object in the acquired image data, a state change estimation unit (4) estimates, on the basis of the second feature quantity and the model data, the timing when the object satisfies a predetermined condition, and an image input processing control unit (7) stores the image data corresponding to the estimated timing in an image recording unit (5). This configuration makes the image capturing apparatus acquire an image in a more proper state without large-capacity memory.

Abstract: A motion adaptive image processing apparatus includes a classifier to classify a current field of a sequence of in put fields into one or more class regions, a calculator to calculate a variance based on pixel values of pixels located in a predetermined region around a certain pixel of the current field, a threshold calculator to calculate a maximum variance and a minimum variance which are pre-set according to the one or more class regions, the threshold calculator calculating a threshold based on the calculated maximum variance and the minimum variance, a motion calculator to calculate a motion change of an image using a previous field and a next field of the current field in the sequence of the input fields, and a weight calculator to calculate the weight to be applied to the certain pixel based on the calculated threshold and the calculated motion change of the image.

Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus adjusts a focus of a camera imaging a moving object. The apparatus includes a calculating unit that calculates a first out-of-focus level of a portion corresponding to the moving object within a first region of an image picked up by the camera, and calculates a second out-of-focus level of a portion corresponding to the moving object within a second region of an image; and a focus adjusting unit that shifts the focus of the camera in a direction in which the camera is focused onto the portion corresponding to the moving object within the first region when the first out-of-focus level is larger than the second out-of-focus level, and that shifts the focus in a direction in which the camera is focused onto the portion corresponding to the moving object within the second region when the second out-of-focus level is larger than the first out-of-focus level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging device comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an object, an image acquisition device which continuously acquires image signals indicating the object via the image pickup device, a face recognition device which continuously recognizes the face of the object at predetermined time intervals from the continuously acquired image signals, a tracking indication device which indicates to keep track of the face of the object, a prediction device which predicts the position of the face of the object after a predetermined time elapsed since the tracking indication device indicated tracking based on a plurality of pieces of information about the position of the continuously recognized face of the object and the time intervals of recognizing the face, and a notification device which notifies a user of the predicted position of the face of the object.

Abstract: An image qualification method. A movements-determining method utilizes the image qualification, the image qualification method of which requires only an image frame to determine if the image frame is qualified. Thus, the image qualification proceeds in real time. The image qualification counts peaks of images of the frame to determine if a number of the peaks exceed a certain number, depending on application.

Abstract: The computer-readable media provides improved procedures to estimate head motion between two images of a face. Locations of a number of distinct facial features are determined in two images. The locations are converted into as a set of physical face parameters based on the symmetry of the identified distinct facial features. An estimation objective function is determined by: (a) estimating each of the set of physical parameters, (b) estimating a first head pose transform corresponding to the first image, and (c) estimating a second head pose transform corresponding to the second image. The motion is estimated between the two images based on the set of physical face parameters by multiplying each term of the estimation objective function by a weighted contribution factor based on the confidence of data corresponding to the estimation objective function.

Abstract: A method that determines whether a detected event is a significant event requiring action in a video surveillance system. Determined event attributes and object attributes are analyzed to determine if the potential event should trigger an action by the surveillance system. If the potential event should trigger an action, at least one action is triggered. Actions may include relevant event attribute and object attribute information. Potential event may include events detected by a sensor, or external events communicated by an external system to the surveillance system. Event attributes may include location and type of the potential event. Object attributes may include an identification of an object, and attributes associated with the identified object. If an object cannot be positively identified, object attributes may include potential object identifications or determined group associations of the object.

Abstract: Acceleration of a set of three frames of video with N movers may be determined by generating an inverse Fourier transformation of a differential phase correlation matrix of the three frames. The resultant acceleration estimate may be integrated with the velocity and offset estimates for the second frame so as to provide an offset estimate for the third frame. The third frame may then be co-registered with a reference frame. This process may be repeated for subsequent frames so that subsequent frames may also be registered to the reference frame so that video jitter that was caused by platform shake may be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a plurality of images. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an event detector configured to detect at least one true target in the plurality of images using a threshold based on average and peak pixel values, (2) an image processor configured to define at least one corresponding region-of-interest for the at least one true target, (3) at least one display configured to display the plurality of images on at least one display and (4) a region-of-interest display separate from the at least one display and configured to display the at least one region-of-interest.

Abstract: A method detects an object left-behind in a scene by updating a set of background models using a sequence of images acquired of the scene by a camera. Each background model is updated at a different temporal scales ranging from short term to long term. A foreground mask is determined from each background model after the updating for a particular image of the sequence. A motion image is updated from the set of foreground masks. In the motion, image, each pixel has an associated evidence value. The evidence values are compared with a evidence threshold to detect and signal an object left behind in the scene.

Abstract: A system for compensating image misregistration between at least two image sensors includes a first image sensor and a second image sensor which are disposed on a platform and are configured to provide first and second output images, respectively. The system also includes a motion sensor and a processor. The motion sensor senses movement of the platform. The processor calculates a lag time between the first and second image sensors based on first and second processing delay times of the first and second image sensors, respectively. The processor also calculates an image offset based on the lag time and the movement of the platform sensed by the motion sensor and offsets one of the first or second output image with respect to the other one of the first or second output image based on the image offset. A fuser combines the offset image with the non-offset image.

Abstract: The motion detection device includes an oblique correlation detection section, a motion detection section and a motion determination section. The oblique correlation detection section detects a correlation in an oblique direction (oblique correlation) of a composite video signal. The motion detection section detects a motion amount based on an inter-frame difference of the composite video signal. The motion determination section determines the presence/absence of a motion in the composite video signal based on the motion amount detected by the motion detection section. The motion determination section determines the presence/absence of the motion considering the detection results of the oblique correlation by the oblique correlation detection section.

Abstract: A control apparatus controlling a state of an imaging apparatus and a method for controlling an imaging device. According to the present invention, when a moving area in shot images are detected and parameter control of an imaging device is performed, if the moving area relates to a predetermined shooting prohibited area, the parameter control of the imaging device is stopped.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a privacy sensitive area, includes an image receiving device, such as a camera, disposed inside a housing chassis. The image receiving device includes a camera lens. Additionally, a movable obstruction member configured to selectively obstruct a camera lens is disposed on the device and is configured to change a position to selectively obstruct or expose the camera lens. The position of the movable obstruction member is dependent upon a threat level received by the device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention introduce a novel technique to analyze and monitor video streams captured from multiple cameras. It highlights the foreground region of the video streams via local alpha blending and displays the videos in an immersive 3-D environment. The spatial arrangement of the displays can be generated by multi-dimensional scaling of the amount of simultaneous motion across different video streams. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A video tracking system includes a user interface configured to facilitate tracking of a target between video cameras. The user interface includes user controls configured to assist a user in selecting video cameras as the target moves between fields of view of the video cameras. These user controls are automatically associated with specific cameras based on a camera topology relative to a point of view of a camera whose video data is currently being viewed. The video tracking system further includes systems and methods of synchronizing video data generated using the video cameras and of automatically generating a stitched video sequence based on the user selection of video cameras. The target may be tracked in real-time or in previously recorded video and may be track forward or backwards in time.

Abstract: A method of managing video data storage in a video surveillance system is disclosed. The disclosed methods extend the amount of calendar time for which video and image data can be stored on a storage device. The disclosed methods apply decision criteria, such as rules, configuration data and preferences, to support intelligent automatic reduction of stored surveillance data such that images and video data of most interest are maintained while less important data is deleted, compressed or archived.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes obtaining unit for obtaining moving image data having been obtained in shooting unit for shooting an object and shooting information relating to a condition of the shooting unit during the shooting, encoding unit for executing motion detection on the moving image data by unit of two or more kinds of pixel block shapes and encoding the data, and decision unit for deciding, based on the shooting information, whether to execute motion detection using all the kinds of pixel block shapes, wherein when the decision unit decides that motion detection should not be executed using all the kinds of pixel block shapes, the encoding unit executes the motion detection using some of the kinds of pixel block shapes.

Abstract: In an image signal processor, a camera operation estimating part detects a movement vector of an input image in order to estimate, for example, a panning operation in a horizontal direction, a tilting operation in a vertical direction, or a zooming operation such as zooming-in or zooming-out. An image output part reads a particular image signal before and after a camera operation from image signals stored in an image storage memory. The particular image signal is then outputted and displayed on a display means. Further, when there is a plurality of display means, an image before and after the camera operation and an image that is currently broadcast are displayed separately on each of the plurality of display means.

Abstract: An image capturing device used for monitoring and a monitoring method thereof are disclosed. The image capturing device is used to monitor movements from a specific area. The monitoring method comprises the following steps: controlling an image capturing module of the image capturing device in order to record images continuously from a specific area; detecting a changing portion within the image; focusing and magnifying the changing portion detected within the image and executing a monitoring recording process to perform a consecutive shooting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying objects with salient motion in a scene and program product therefor. A region of change is identified within a scene. Optical flow is determined for the region of change. Pixels moving in a common direction are identified as seed pixels. Seed pixels are expanded to form pixel clusters. Temporal imaging results are fused to identify those objects with salient motion.

Abstract: A fully digital camera system provides high-resolution still image and streaming video signals via a network to a centralized, server supported security and surveillance system. The digital camera for collects an image from one or more image transducers, compressing the image and sending the compressed digital image signal to a receiving station over a digital network. A plurality of image transducers or sensors may be included in a single camera unit, providing array imaging such as full 360 degree panoramic imaging, universal or spherical imaging and field imaging by stacking or arranging the sensors in an array. The multiple images are then compressed and merged at the camera in the desired format to permit transmission of the least amount of data to accomplish the desired image transmission. The camera also employs, or connects to, a variety of sensors other than the traditional image sensor.

Abstract: In order to safeguard a hazardous area, in particular the hazardous area of an automatically operating machine, images of the hazardous area are recorded with at least a first and a second image recording unit that are arranged offset from one another. The images of the scene are subjected to three-dimensional scene analyses using different three-dimensional scene analysis methods, and the hazardous area is safeguarded when at least one of the scene analysis methods detects a foreign object.

Abstract: The invention is an integrated system consisting of a network of two-dimensional sensors (such as cameras) and processors along with target detection, data fusion, tracking, and alerting algorithms to provide three-dimensional, real-time, high accuracy target tracks and alerts in a wide area of interest. The system uses both target kinematics (motion) and features (e.g., size, shape, color, behavior, etc.) to detect, track, display, and alert users to potential objects of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for displaying streaming video on a display device of a control unit associated with a surveillance module. A method comprises buffering a video data stream captured by the surveillance module to obtain a buffered video data stream and displaying a first segment of the buffered video data stream in a viewing area on the display device. The first segment corresponds to content captured at a first time. The method continues by receiving a notification signal from the unmanned vehicle that is indicative of a triggering event, and in response to the notification signal, displaying a second segment of the buffered video data stream in the viewing area.

Abstract: A motion detector camera includes a housing, a camera mechanism located within the housing, a motion detector exposed on a surface of the housing. The camera can include a solar panel coupled to the housing to provide power to the camera mechanism. The camera can include an information display exposed on an outer surface of the housing. The camera can include digital camera electronics and an image display screen.

Abstract: On the basis of state change information acquired by one of sensor nodes forming a sensor network, an instruction indicative of emitting a signal is issued to another node to acquire a photographed image from a camera. An image processing device identifies the ID and actual position of the node by issuing the signal issuance instruction to the node and detecting a signal obtained from the node from the photographed image. On the basis of personal information stored in a database, the image processing device detects a not-allowed action.

Abstract: Video surveillance systems are used, by way of example, for monitoring public places, such as railway stations, junctions, airports, or public buildings, such as libraries, museums, but also private environments, such as an alarm system in houses. To this end, the video surveillance systems often have a plurality of surveillance cameras which observe relevant surveillance scenes. The video sequences produced during observation are usually combined and evaluated at a central location.

Abstract: A terminal device 1 including a wireless communication unit 11 is carried by a subject user who will become a subject, and a wireless communication unit 21 for performing directional data communication in an imaging direction is provided in a camera 2. When the terminal device 1 and the camera 2 become able to communicate data each other, the subject user carrying the terminal device 1 is photographed, and image data obtained in this way are transmitted to the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 displays the image data. If necessary, the subject user issues an instruction to print the image data, and transmits information on the instruction to print to the camera 2. The camera 2 assigns the information on the instruction to print to the image data, and transmits the information on the instruction to print and the image data to an image server 4 and further to a printer 5.

Abstract: The system provides improved procedures to estimate head motion between two images of a face. Locations of a number of distinct facial features are identified in two images. The identified locations can correspond to the eye corners, mouth corners and nose tip. The locations are converted into as a set of physical face parameters based on the symmetry of the identified distinct facial features. The set of physical parameters reduces the number of unknowns as compared to the number of equations used to determine the unknowns. An initial head motion estimate is determined by: (a) estimating each of the set of physical parameters, (b) estimating a first head pose transform corresponding to the first image, and (c) estimating a second head pose transform corresponding to the second image. The head motion estimate can be incorporated into a feature matching algorithm to refine the head motion estimation and the physical facial parameters.

Abstract: An image monitoring system uses wireless communications to transmit images for security monitoring. The system includes a central controller (105) and a plurality of digital still camera units (110) operatively connected to the central controller (105). At least one of the camera units (110) includes an image sensor (215), a motion detector (220) that causes the image sensor (215) to receive image data when motion is detected, a micro controller (205), and a first nonvolatile memory operatively connected to or included in the micro controller (205). The micro controller (205) determines whether received image data should be transmitted to the central controller (105), and the central controller (105) determines whether received image data should be transmitted to a monitoring station (115). The camera units (110) may further be used as standalone units as replacements for motion detectors in existing security systems.

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 monitor camera is provided with a control device which carries out a predetermined process in response to an input of a trigger signal. The control device has an arrangement in that continuous images are successively inputted from a camera unit thereto and in that a detection of a moving object is carried out by detecting a change in images in a moving-object detector. When no change in images is detected by the moving-object detector within a predetermined time after the input of a trigger signal from a detection sensor to a trigger signal input unit, the control device determines the trigger signal inputted to the trigger signal input unit as valid. Then, only when the valid trigger signal has been detected, an abnormality process is carried out. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the abnormality process from being performed upon erroneous detection of a normal state as an abnormal state.

Abstract: A video analytics system and associated methodology for performing low-level video analytics processing divides the processing into three phases in order to efficiently use SIMD instructions of many modern data processors. In the first phase, pixels of interest are gathered using a predetermined mask and placed into a pixel matrix. In the second phase, video analytics processing is performed on the pixel matrix, and in the third phase the pixels are scattered using the same predetermined mask. This allows many pixels to be processed simultaneously, increasing overall performance. A DMA unit may also be used to offload the processor during the gathering and scattering of pixels, further increasing performance. A network camera integrates the video analytics system to reduce network traffic.

Abstract: The unattended surveillance device may include a housing to be positioned for unattended surveillance, a video camera associated with or carried by the housing to capture video, and an image processor carried by the housing and cooperating with the video camera. The image processor extracts moving objects in the foreground of the captured video, generates a profile image or sequence of profile images of the extracted moving objects, compresses the sequence of profile images, and generates a surveillance information packet based upon the compressed sequence of profile images. Also, a wireless transmitter or transceiver may be associated with the image processor to transmit the surveillance information packet to a surveillance monitoring station.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a queue including an entry sensor subsystem for sensing the entrance of customers into the queue, an exit sensor subsystem for sensing the exit of customers from the queue, and a processing system in communication with the entry and exit sensor subsystems. The processing system is operable to log a customer sensed by the entry sensor as entering the queue, determine from the exit sensor subsystem if the logged customer has exited the queue within a predetermined time period, and if the logged customer has exited the queue within the predetermined time period, log the customer as having received service or, if the logged customer has not exited the queue within the predetermined time period, provide an indication to management personnel.

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 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.