Abstract: A security monitoring system including: an alarm system having detectors for detecting an unauthorized individual in a structure; at least one camera for capturing first image data of the unauthorized individual; a memory for storing second image data of at least one individual authorized to be in the structure; and a data link for transmitting third image data to a remote location upon the detection of the unauthorized individual. The third image data including at least portions of the first and second image data for comparison at the remote location. In a preferred implementation, the first image data includes image data of more than the face of the unauthorized individual and the system further includes a computer vision system for detecting the face of the unauthorized individual from the first image data.

Abstract: A graphical work station for use with security devices associated with a location in which the graphic work station provides a graphical image and direction relative to the graphical image enables functions to be performed within the work station, at the security devices and/or with respect to the location.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus in clamp protection systems (1-3) for doors and eventually existing footsteps (7) cooperating therewith, comprising a digital camera (4) at actual doors (1-3), which camera (4) is connected to a central computer (5) having a monitoring screen (5) to which also the ordinary opening and closing electronic means (6) are connected. Each camera transmits images at short intervals to the monitoring screen (5), each image is frequently compared with a reference image stored in the monitoring screen (5), and whereby alarm is given as soon as an image received from a camera (4) differs from the reference image of the monitoring screen (5), whereby the door (1-3) in question is opened or is maintained closed until the monitoring screen (5) observes that the received image coincides with the reference image.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image sensing control method and apparatus, and an image transmission control method, apparatus, and system, in which a camera such as a video camera is connected, the operation of the camera is controlled in accordance with a control command sent from a client via a network, and an image signal sensed by the camera is transmitted to the client via the network. Upon reception of a control command of the pan and tilt angles, zoom value, or the like of the camera from the client, the position control of the camera is done in accordance with the command, and transmission of the image signal sensed by the camera is suspended until the instructed operation is complete. Alternatively, upon reception of such control command, the image signal sensed by the camera is compressed at a high compression ratio, and the compressed image signal is transmitted.

Abstract: A display authorization area corresponding a user is selected from maps stored in a device, only the selected zone is displayed, and a camera which is not authorized for the user to perform information communication is inhibited from being displayed. With this arrangement, a camera control system having so excellent security that any user cannot see a place irrelevant to the user and cannot recognize the position of an installed camera is constructed.

Abstract: A method for presenting complex camera controls for a plurality of cameras to a user is dynamically based on the cursor position and on the GUI focus. The controls may be presented to a plurality of users, such as on an IP network, and the status of the camera and controls may also be presented dynamically and simultaneously to a plurality of users on the network. Network delays, such as IP network propagation and latency, create camera control user interface difficulties, and methods for mitigating the delays by use of caching of camera status, methods of use of indicators showing adjusting status, and methods to command camera positioning that do not require real-time visual feedback are defined. Methods of defining and activating auto-panning functions and preset tilt/pan/focus functions are defined, and the methods of reporting status to a plurality of users. In addition, a method of linking activation of camera presets to other systems is established.

Abstract: A television door intercom apparatus improves recognition performance for a resident inside a house to recognize a visitor conducting a call operation at the entrance and security in responding to the call. A call detection circuit 31 of a residential master station 2 detects a call when a visitor pushes a call button 11 of a door intercom substation 1, activates a signal generator circuit 32 and causes a master station speaker 39 to output a call sound so that a communication can be exchanged between a substation microphone 16 and a substation speaker 17 of the door intercom substation and a master station microphone 38 and the master station speaker of the residential master station.

Abstract: A television intercom system need not prepare two kinds of electric power source adaptors even when it is equipped with an expanded monitor master station, and need not either use an electric power source adaptor having a large capacity. In the television intercom system, a picture bus controller supplies electric power sources to a camera-equipped entrance substation, a monitor master station and an expanded monitor master station, and a picture picked up by the camera-equipped entrance substation is displayed on the monitor master station and the expanded monitor master station.

Abstract: A video surveillance system comprises means (700, 800, 900) for monitoring a space under surveillance, the system comprises means (700, 800, 900, 702, 704, 706) for transmitting an alarm message over the radio path to at least one user terminal (170, 908), the system comprises means (702, 802, 902, 1100) for taking a pre-determined number of pictures at pre-determined intervals and the system comprises means (702, 802, 902, 1100) for transmitting pictures that have been processed as required by the transmission method over the radio path to a connecting device and the system comprises means (704, 804, 904) for further transmitting pictures that have been re-processed as required by the transmission method, if necessary, over the radio path to at least one user terminal (170, 908).

Abstract: In a mobile terminal device equipped with an eye imaging device which can properly shoot an eye image without failure for personal authentication, an eye image shooting section (16) for personal authentication is arranged in close proximity of the upper section (distal side) of the liquid crystal display (13) on the front of a main unit casing (11) of the cellular phone. An image pickup lens of the eye image shooting section (16) includes a reflecting telephoto lens. An illumination section (17) is arranged above an operation button section (12) in close proximity of the lower section (proximal side) of the liquid crystal display (13). On the front surface of the cellular phone, the eye image shooting section (16), the liquid crystal display (13), the illumination section (17) and the operation button section (12) are provided in this order from top to bottom.

Abstract: An image determination apparatus is provided which can determine whether a subject of image pickup is a living body or a nonliving body such as a photograph of a face or a print on which a face is printed. An individual authentication apparatus obtains a right direction illumination image which is picked up by illuminating the subject of image pickup from its right side and a left direction illumination image which is picked up by illuminating the subject of image pickup from its left side. In the case in which the subject of image pickup is a living body, a left side is shaded in the right direction illumination image and, on the contrary, a right side is shaded in the left direction illumination image due to unevenness such as a nose and eyes.

Abstract: A video camera is located at a secure access point and is connected to a computer network. The camera is used as a conventional security camera and also provides automated assistance with access control. When an identity badge is presented to the camera by a person requesting access to the facility, a computer that is monitoring the camera recognizes a bar code or other symbols on the badge and accesses a database to locate information associated with that identity badge. This information is then used to determine if the person should be granted access.

Abstract: Systems and methods that add motion lines that indicate motion in a still image include selecting two or more video fields or frames, compensating for global motion in the selected fields or frames, determining the difference between positions of pixels in the selected fields or frames, identifying regions of motion with pixels having a difference that is greater than a threshold value, identifying points of interest in the regions of motion, selecting pixels from the points of interest, determining the motion of the selected points of interest, and adding lines to the still image that extend from the selected pixels.

Abstract: A security system includes a proximity sensor to protect against unauthorized access to an electronic device. The security system is armed upon an input from the proximity sensor indicating departure of an authorized user from the vicinity of the electronic device. The security system provides commands to the electronic device as well as other devices coupled to the electronic device to sound an alarm in event of a security violation, clear a display screen of the electronic device or take other security measures to prevent unauthorized use of or access to information contained in the electronic device. The security system can include audio and video input devices to capture and store audio and video information while the system is armed and/or while a security violation is occurring. In certain embodiments, the security system also performs usage tracking of the electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic reception method utilizing a computer to generate a virtual receptionist to guide any visitor to easily find the contact person in accordance with the guidance of the virtual receptionist. If the contact person is away from his/her seat, the reception method may connect to the predetermined telephone to reduce the waiting time of the visitor. In addition, the present invention can e-mail the visitor's image to the contact person by local area network or Internet for visitor identification by the contact person. If not meeting the visitor, the contact person is able to know the situation of the visit and respond adequately.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a door viewer comprising a light sensing means coupled to an exterior side of a door, an image system for receiving and processing the signals from the light sensing means, and a display mechanically coupled to the interior side of the door and in communication with the image processing system such that image signals from the image system may be viewed on the display.

Abstract: In a programme preparation and distribution system (100), metadata indicating the variable information is generated from project to project, from medium to medium, from scene to scene or from frame to frame, to realize an asset management by controlling an archive system (40) depending on metadata. A database is constructed in which the archive system (40) manages metadata in a concentrated fashion along with the essence such as video and audio data. By a distributed programme editing system (10), the metadata inputted at the planning processing and at the casting processing is registered in the database managed in a concentrated fashion by an archival manager (40A) of the archive system (40), at the same time as a tag specifying the registered metadata is issued. This tag is co-packed with the video and audio information obtained on acquisition by an acquisition system. In a production system (20), the timing to flow the staff roll is specified during the off-line processing in the production system (20).

Abstract: A domestic cooking or defrosting appliance including a heating region and a camera for obtaining images of food cooking or defrosting within the heating region, wherein the camera outputs video signals to a processor that drives a display means associated with the appliance and/or controls the cooking or defrosting operation of the appliance. The display means is conveniently situated on the appliance to show an easily-viewable image of the food obtained by the camera. The camera is sensitive to infra-red radiation and outputs video signals representative of the heat of the food. The processor can therefore convert infra-red information received from the camera into visible information to create a display on the display means representative of the infra-red information. Such a display is preferably color-coded in accordance with the local temperature of the food.

Abstract: A control cable extension unit for a pan/tilt camera is used between the pan/tilt camera and a pan/tilt camera controller and is connected via a coaxial multiplex communication cable to the pan/tilt camera and is further connected via a control cable to the pan/tilt camera controller. The extension unit includes a signal input section to which the pan/tilt camera controller supplies a control signal, a signal processing section for processing the control signal supplied to the signal input section, delivering various commands for operating the pan/tilt camera a signal output section for transmitting the commands delivered by the signal processing section on the basis of a synchronizing signal to the pan/tilt camera during a blanking period in which no video signal is generated by the pan/tilt camera.

Abstract: An automated access control apparatus and method. Identification data is compared with stored data to determine if a person should be granted access to an area. If granted access, the person is prompted to indicate a number of guests desiring access. As the person and the guests pass through entrance, the persons are counted and proper personnel is notified if an unauthorized number of persons enters the area. Unauthorized entries are recorded as image data that can be played in real time or at a later time for review. Guest entry is logged for billing purposes.

Abstract: By narrow region communication between a gate side communication apparatus (G-COM) and a mobile unit side communication apparatus (M-COM) passing through an on-road real gate at an interconnection, the G-COM assigns a real identification code (R-ID) ID1 including an intersection number to the M-COM after receiving a R-ID ID0 having been assigned from the M-COM, while time series pictures of the intersection including all real gates are taken by a camera 15 installed to assign a virtual identification code (V-ID) to a mobile unit passing through a slit, corresponding to a real gate, in pictures by processing them. In response to the assignment of the R-ID, the R-ID is brought into correspondence with the V-ID. The mobile unit is tracked and when an anomalous behavior thereof is detected in pictures, warning information is transmitted to the M-COM using the corresponding R-ID.

Abstract: Visual and spatial information as a function of time is collected and saved for further processing to determine spacial and target identification for an information database. The later processed information is used to determine the spatial position of an object seen in the visual information. The method includes the high speed collection and time correlation of video images, spatial position information and vehicle attitude with minimal time offset between individual frames of view in digital sets of video data.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image sensing control method and apparatus, and an image transmission control method, apparatus, and system, in which a camera such as a video camera is connected, the operation of the camera is controlled in accordance with a control command sent from a client via a network, and an image signal sensed by the camera is transmitted to the client via the network. Upon reception of a control command of the pan and tilt angles, zoom value, or the like of the camera from the client, the position control of the camera is done in accordance with the command, and transmission of the image signal sensed by the camera is suspended until the instructed operation is complete. Alternatively, upon reception of such control command, the image signal sensed by the camera is compressed at a high compression ratio, and the compressed image signal is transmitted.

Abstract: Electronic anti-intrusion warning and protection system for isolated houses, apartment blocks and business premises generally, comprising one or more electronic units, remote transmitting (50), supplied with microtelecameras (51), placed in the internal (10) and external (40) areas to be guarded, whether associated or not to various services such as street lamps (41), light bulbs, street buzzer panels, and a receiving electronic unit (20) connected to the screen of a television set or of a computer or to a video recorder and the like, each remote unit (50) automatically transmitting the image (58) of a person (57), who passes within the range of operation of the telecamera (51), to the local unit (20) that transfers it to the screens or to a video cassette of the video recorder where the images that may be present on the screens or that are being recorded, are replaced by the image of said person, said apparatuses being turned on for the purpose if turned off at the time of need.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic digital door opener, comprising a digitilisation, recording and control block (2) that is connected between the street plate (1) and the interior plates (3, 3′, 3″). Said block (2) has sound recording, playback and processing means, video and data sequencing, in addition to means for controlling functions of the door opener. Each interior plate (3′, 3″) can be complemented with a remote control (4) to enable audio and data communication with the street plate (1). Audiovisual and data communication with said plate (1) can be enabled by means of a television set (60). A portable, mobile unit (4′) with television function enables audiovisual and data communication with the street plate (1) either directly or by means of a television set (60).

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for notifying at least one entity upon receipt of an item is provided. According to embodiments of the present invention, a determination is made whether an item has been placed in a repository. This determination may be made using any of a number of different types and combinations of sensors. An identification of at least one entity to be notified is then made, and the entity is notified if a determination is made that an item has been placed in the repository.

Abstract: A new security system for monitoring and recording activity within the range of a proximity detector is disclosed. The security system also enables an occupant of a house, building or other structure to communicate orally with a person who approaches a door or other threshold either through means disposed at the door or other threshold or remotely. A remote unit allows a person to monitor the activity at the door or other threshold remotely as well as to play back recorded activity.

Abstract: Methods for producing a digital video work to be presented in potentially viewable scenes with the ability to customize the scene sequences presented to individual viewers based upon expressed or imputed viewer preferences, and to the articles on which such work is stored and played. The content of the scene sequences may vary to match viewer preferences while maintaining the overall message of the digital video work.

Abstract: An apparatus for shooting. The apparatus includes a gun. The apparatus includes a controller connected to the gun which controls whether the gun can fire. The apparatus includes a mechanism for determining a present biometric signature of a shooter who desires to fire the gun. The determining mechanism is in communication with the controller. The controller only allows the gun to fire if the present biometric signature of the shooter is recognized by the controller. A method for firing a gun. The method includes the steps of gripping a handle of a gun by a shooter. Then there is the step of recognizing a present biometric signature of the shooter. Next there is the step of releasing a trigger of the gun so the gun can fire as long as the biometric signature of the shooter is recognized.

Abstract: An iris camera module includes an image pickup optical system and a target optical system and the optical path is divided by a half mirror. An image of an iris is picked up by an image pickup element of an image pickup section. The iris image thus picked up is compared with a reference iris image stored in a storage in advance and the comparison result is output. The iris camera module has a configuration fit for a compact design. The reference iris image as a reference for comparison is stored in the storage of the comparison chip. It is thus difficult to falsify the reference iris image thereby providing a high security.

Abstract: An identification transaction recording system includes a system enclosure having a document frame to receive an identification card and a document video camera to capture images of the identification card, a portrait video camera to capture images of the face of a person proving their identity, a profile video camera to capture images of the person placing their identification card into the document frame and a side view of the person's face, and a video cassette recorder to record images captured by the video cameras. Video combining circuitry is used to generate a composite image of the component images captured by the video cameras for recording on the recording device.

Abstract: A lighting fixture, primarily for outdoor use in providing light along a park path or the like, improved in a combination with a security camera in that the security camera has a desired covert location within the lighting fixture and the heat of the source of illumination is used to advantage to prevent a freeze-up and consequent malfunctioning of the security camera as might occur due to severe weather conditions.

Abstract: There is provided an image change detecting machine and a method for easily monitoring the moving of subjects by using character generator.

Abstract: In a system including a server to which a camera is connected, and clients which can remote-control the image pickup conditions of the camera, the server generates a message indicating a state associated with the camera control authority, and issues it to the individual clients. When each client determines that the received message is the one indicating the state associated with the camera control, it acquires the control authority status and its remained time from the received message, counts the remained time, and displays the remained time.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an interface between a triaxial cable and a fiber optic cable for transmission of television signals between a camera and a camera control unit includes first and second converter circuits coupled between the triaxial cable and the fiber optic cable. The first converter circuit converts a first electrical signal received from the triaxial cable to an optical output signal. The second converter circuit converts an optical input signal received from the fiber optic cable to a second electrical signal. The first and second electrical signals each include a plurality of television signals in a frequency division multiplex format. The first converter circuit includes a plurality of bandpass filters coupled in parallel to receive the first electrical signal each of which passes one of the first television signals.

Abstract: A register terminal is connected through a communications link to a kitchen video controller. The register terminal receives setting data for display control functions, and picture formats for the kitchen video controller display. The register terminal provides setting destination information related to the product item selected by a purchaser, and sets a display number on the kitchen video controller in response to the destination information. A customer's order is searched at the register terminal, for product items related to the destination information. Display data is forwarded to the kitchen video controller which displays the information to personnel servicing the order, following which the customer's orders can be erased. In one particular display mode, the controller can display the average sales numbers for specified product items, and for a given time range which includes a present time as well as immediately preceding and immediately time ranges for the day.

Abstract: A security system includes a proximity sensor to protect against unauthorized access to an electronic device. The security system is armed upon an input from the proximity sensor indicating departure of an authorized user from the vicinity of the electronic device. The security system provides commands to the electronic device as well as other devices coupled to the electronic device to sound an alarm in event of a security violation, clear a display screen of the electronic device or take other security measures to prevent unauthorized use of or access to information contained in the electronic device. The security system can include audio and video input devices to capture and store audio and video information while the system is armed and/or while a security violation is occurring. In certain embodiments, the security system also performs usage tracking of the electronic device.

Abstract: A system for identifying visitors using a closed-circuit television camera to generate image data by reading images of visitors and a microphone to convert the sound waves received from visitors into electric waves. A door-bell button has a call-bell function available for when a visitor calls and as well as a switch function for operating a computer while the computer is in a hibernation state. The computer system controls and stores the signals and image data from the CCTV camera, the microphone, and the call-bell button while a monitor which displays the image data. This system identifies visitors by storing the visitor's image sensed from an identification device while the owner a user is absent and reconfirms after by using a general purpose home computers; the system has a hibernation function and is inexpensive.

Abstract: In an apparatus for powering a television interphone monitor for communication between entrances of a building and individual apartment of the building, power is fed to the television interphone monitor which is operated by a rechargeable battery, through a transmission line which is of low cost. The apparatus includes a single entrance panel or a number of entrance panels each of which has a TV camera and a circuit for processing an electrical information signal which may include a video signal. One or a number of television interphone monitors are connected via respective transmission lines to power supply units which may be included in an entrance unit which is in turn connected to the entrance panels. The power supply units supply a regulated current to the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An interphone with television includes a terminal device having a wide-angle image input camera, an image output circuit, and a master device for receiving an image signal from the image output circuit. The master device converts the image to a digital format and stores the image signal in an image memory. The image may be panned, magnified, and corrected using digital processing techniques. The contents of the image memory are converted to an analogue signal for reproduction on a monitor.

Abstract: At a first end of an optic-fiber prism assembly are fiber terminations to contact a relieved surface, e.g. finger (stabilized by a handgrip). In a region where fiber diameter is essentially constant with longitudinal position, light enters the prism, crosses the fibers and enters individual fibers through their sidewalls, lighting the terminations. To allow crosslighting of the assembly, the fiber-optic numerical aperture (NA) is small: preferably not exceeding one-half. Due to fingerprint etc. detail, fractions of light pass along the fibers; at the assembly second end a detector responds with an electrical-signal array based on the surface relief. The signals are processed to check finger etc. identity and applied to control access to a personal weapon, other equipment, facilities, data, or a money service. FTIR ("frustrated total internal reflection") bright- and dark-field versions have various benefits.

Abstract: A digital image capture system for a photo identification card wherein a housing contains a video camera and a tray that selectively moves through a formed slot in the housing between a first fully inserted position within the housing and a second fully open position outside of the housing. The tray has a formed recess that receives an insert plate. The insert plate has a formed opening for holding a photo identification card of a person. Different insert plates could be utilized under the teachings of the present invention having different-sized formed openings for different-sized photo identification cards. The photo identification card is placed into the formed opening and then the tray is slid into the fully inserted position in the housing. A magnet in the housing firmly holds the tray in the fully inserted position and this fully inserted position is sensed by a micro-switch that becomes activated to turn on a pair of opposing lamps to fully illuminate the photo identification card in the tray.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained visitor identification system comprising a first camera for recording a first image and a second camera for recording a second image from a piece of identification and a recording device connected to the first video camera and the second video camera for alternatively recording the first image and the second image. A switching mechanism switches the video recording device to record the first image from the first video camera, to subsequently record the second image from the second video camera and then to record the image of the first video camera.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low bit rate audio and video communication system which employs an integrated encoding system that dynamically allocates available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded based on the content of the audio and video information and the manner in which the audio and video information will be perceived by a viewer. A dynamic bit allocation and encoding process will evaluate the current content of the audio and video information and allocate the available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded. In addition, an appropriate audio encoding technique is dynamically selected based on the current content of the audio signal. A face location detection subroutine will detect and model the location of faces in each video frame, in order that the facial regions may be more accurately encoded than other portions of the video frame.

Abstract: A communication apparatus for monitoring sounds and images at a remote location, such as the entranceway of a dwelling or other building includes a sensor station located at the entranceway, and a monitor station located within the building. A microphone and television camera in the sensor station modulate signals, preferably of radio frequency, emitted by a wireless transmitter in the sensor station. The monitor station includes a transmitter and demodulator for reproducing sounds and visual images received by the sensor station. Preferably, the monitor station contains a microphone and transmitter for transmitting voice signals from the monitor station to the sensor station, in which case, the sensor station contains a receiver and loudspeaker for reproducing the voice signals.

Abstract: Passengers approaching an elevator are distinguished from other people standing in front of an elevator door by obtaining an image signal of an area in front of the elevator door and masking out of the image signal increasing with time greater portions thereof when no motion is indicated by the image signal for controlling door movement when motion is detected in an unmasked portion of the image.

Abstract: A cooking state displaying apparatus and method for a microwave oven combined with a television. The apparatus includes a body sensor for sensing if there is a person near the microwave oven, and in accordance with the sensed output from the body sensor during cooking, selectively displays the current cooking state and completion on an LED displayer installed on the front side of the microwave oven or on a TV screen. Also, in accordance with the sensed output from the body sensor, a cavity lamp in the microwave oven is selectively turned on/off and the loudness of a buzzer sound for indicating completion of cooking varies. Therefore, it is convenient to use and it is possible to save power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a home automation system, wherein a coaxial cable or other home bus path for data transmission is placed inside a home to connect an intercom unit and monitor camera, which comprise a hardware interface for communication with visitors, and a conventional home television to this bus, thereby to make it possible to output the audio and video signals from the intercom unit and monitor camera on a conventional broadcast reception television.