Abstract: A method for providing streamed video data from a plurality of sources within a known geographic area includes receiving at a server, via a communication network, first video stream data captured within the known geographic area using a first user device and second video stream data captured within the known geographic area using a second user device. The first video stream data is provided from the server to a display device associated with a user for being viewed by the user. An indication that the second video stream data is available to be viewed in addition to the first video stream data is also provided, from the server to the display device, via the communication network.

Abstract: A function of being controlled by a second monitor camera controller is added to a first monitor camera controller which controls a plurality of monitor cameras. The second monitor camera controller is caused to recognize the first monitor camera controller as a monitor camera. The first monitor camera controller synthesizes videos from the monitor cameras as one video, and transmits the synthetic video to the second monitor camera controller. Control of the monitor cameras or acquisition of videos is conducted by controlling the first monitor camera controller recognized as a monitor camera by use of a control function of a part or all of pan, tilt and zoom.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an image includes a plurality of imaging units coupled together and a system controller coupled to the plurality of imaging units for providing at least one signal to each of the plurality of imaging units. Each of the imaging units comprises: an image sensing unit for generating an in-situ image, each in-situ image being a portion of the image; an input for receiving the in-situ image; a composition unit for receiving a first composite image and producing a second composite image, the second composite image being a combination of the first composite image and the in-situ image; and an output at which the second composite image is provided.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes a plurality of cameras disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vision system. Each of the cameras has a respective field of view and is operable to capture respective image data. The vision system may include or utilize a video file format that makes available required or desired image data and other information in a synchronized way, and that enables access to the image data and information by algorithms. The video file format may create a layout that allows the system to store and access the data in a generalized manner. The system may include a video control interface software tool that defines a protocol for interfacing with external devices and subsequent processing software.

Abstract: A configurable real-time environment tracking and command module (RTM) is provided to coordinate one or more than one devices or objects in a physical environment. A virtual environment is created to correlate with various objects and attributes within the physical environment. The RTM is able to receive data about attributes of physical objects and accordingly update the attributes of correlated virtual objects in the virtual environment. The RTM is also able to provide data extracted from the virtual environment to one or more than devices, such as robotic cameras, in real-time. An interface to the RTM allows multiple devices to interact with the RTM, thereby coordinating the devices.

Abstract: An acoustic video camera system uses acoustic data acquisition systems to produce digital video imagery capable of interfacing with host equipment that operates using standard video formats compatible with video images obtained using optical systems. The acoustic video camera comprises an Acoustic Imager, a Digital Image Compression Component, an I/O and Processing component, and, optionally, an Image Analytics Component. System analytics may provide automated target identification and tracking. All of these components may be incorporated in a submersible acoustic imaging unit having communications capability for interfacing with a host display and control system.

Abstract: A system for controlling at least one camera by enabling a forward channel and a reverse channel is provided. The system includes (i) one or more cameras, (ii) a CMRS that obtains audio information, and video information from the cameras via a coaxial cable or over air. A camera control unit multiplexes PTZ information associated with the one or more cameras and generates a data packet. A modulator modulates the data packet to obtain a modulated data packet which is up converted to a desired RF frequency. A tuner receives the desired RF frequency through the coaxial cable or air, and down converts the RF frequency to obtain the modulated data packet. A demodulator demodulates the modulated data packet to obtain the data packet. A processor de-multiplexes the data packet to obtain the PTZ information that includes a command for at least one of panning, tilting, and zooming a camera.

Abstract: An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity.

Abstract: Failover system for video surveillance. A video coverage area for each camera in the system is calculated by combining sensory information and optical specifications of each corresponding camera. The video coverage area information is embedded in a corresponding file of each camera and is used to autonomously re-orient operating cameras to cover a failed coverage area due to a non-operating camera.

Abstract: A remote observation or surveillance device for simultaneous 360 degree imaging comprising a housing defining an internal chamber wherein each side wall includes a viewing window, a means for mounting having a slot, configuration of slots, track or combination thereof, a plurality of camera mounting brackets slidably and/or adjustably affixed to the mounting means through the slot or track, each bracket being adjustably affixed to a camera, wherein the cameras are configured to provide simultaneous 360 degree live or recorded imaging. The cameras can be configured to provide any combination of viewing angles and degrees of magnification or zoom. The device may also comprise a processor or server in operable communication with the cameras, which is configured to control the cameras and/or store and archive video, imaging, and/or audio data.

Abstract: A transmit-side transmission control device for sending data generated by a data generator device to a data utilization point receives and retains notification of the allowable data transmission quantity from a receive-side transmission control device, and adjusts the data quantity sent from the data generator device so as to fit within that allowable data transmission quantity range, and/or when a request is issued to change that data transmission quantity, the receive-side transmission control device is notified of that allowable data transmission quantity change request.

Abstract: An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. Optical sensors can be arranged on parallel flow conduits, with each sensor configured to image a different particle size range.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a plurality of image-capturing apparatuses each including an event detector that executes on a corresponding captured image at least one of a plurality of processing algorithms for detection of a monitor event, and a transmission controller that outputs to a network only a processing result of the executed processing algorithm when a monitor event is not detected and that outputs to the network at least the captured image when a monitor event is detected; and a management apparatus managing the plurality of image-capturing apparatuses via the network and including an event determination unit that determines occurrence of a monitor event in accordance with the received processing result and a record controller that records the received captured image.

Abstract: An alpha matte is generated from image forming elements of an image. For each of one or more of the image forming elements: a respective representative foreground value is determined from one or more of the image forming element values; the respective representative foreground value and the value of the image forming element are normalized with respect to a threshold level; and a respective value of the alpha matte is generated from an evaluation of the normalized image forming element value in relation to the normalized representative foreground value.

Abstract: A packet-based data network including: an audio/video network comprising: a packet-switched network over which data including audio and/or video data packets can be carried; at least one data source connected to the network and operable to assemble packetised data comprising audio/video data at a first resolution and at a second resolution greater than the first resolution, and to transmit data packets carrying multiple audio/video streams at the first resolution by multicast network transmission; at least one client connected to the network, being a data handling device for handling packetised audio/video data and being arranged to join the multicast group to receive the multiple audio/video streams at the first resolution, wherein the client is associated with a graphical user interface configured in conjunction with a processor to select an audio/video stream, and the processor is arranged to issue a unicast command to cause transmission of a selected audio/video stream at the second resolution from the

Abstract: A vehicle-borne camera-based observation system for monitoring areas adjacent a vehicle or passenger vehicle, such as a bus or school bus, is disclosed, to provide safer operation for passersby, including for children, and driver convenience. The system includes several cameras, and several monitors in a driver's area displaying all of the fields of view from the cameras, such that each monitor may be controllable to show either the field of view of a first camera or a the field of view of a second camera, according to a driver selection or according to an automatic selection. Night vision, automatic tracking, and illumination systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to manage a plurality of network cameras simply. The network camera management system comprises: a server for managing a plurality of cameras and controlling recording and/or displaying of an image captured by a camera; and a controller for instructing a management state of a camera on the server. By the operation of the controller, an image to be displayed is dynamically selected from images captured by the plurality of cameras according to the mode instructed by the controller. Thus, even if there are a large number of cameras, it is possible to display in such a form that it is intuitively easy to understand which camera's image is being displayed.

Abstract: A method for detecting camera degradation and faults comprises identifying a plurality of cameras comprising a camera network, collecting at least one system metric indicative of the camera's performance, analyzing the system metrics according to at least one of a plurality diagnostics layers comprising an individual diagnostic layer, a network diagnostic layer, and a pair diagnostic layer, and identifying a fault condition indicative of a faulty camera in the camera network according to the diagnostic layers.

Abstract: A wireless synchronous system includes plural apparatuses and plural devices. The plural apparatuses each have a radio communication unit for performing synchronous communication with the other apparatus. The plural apparatuses each generate a radio synchronizing signal having a predetermined cycle synchronized with the synchronous communication, further generate a synchronizing signal having a cycle synchronized with the radio synchronizing signal, and determine a timing of controlling the apparatus, based on the synchronizing signal. The plural sensor devices each have a radio communication unit for performing synchronous communication with at least one of the plural apparatus. The plural sensor devices each generate a radio synchronizing signal having a predetermined cycle being synchronized with the synchronous communication, obtain detection-data representing a state of the sensor device, and determine a timing of obtaining the detection-data in accordance with the radio synchronizing signal.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a particle characterization method is disclosed that includes suspending particles in a fluid, causing them to flow past a two-dimensional array detector, and illuminating them as they do so. The method also includes acquiring images of the particles as they flow past the two-dimensional array detector in the fluid, and applying a particle characterization function to the images for at least some of the suspended particles.

Abstract: An automated photo capture and retrieval system for automatically capturing and indexing an image of an individual within an event, the individual being uniquely identifiable. The system includes a tracking device worn by an individual traveling along a route for automatic identification and tracking; a detector for automatically detecting the tracking device and when the tracking device is detected a capture signal is sent to a camera distributed throughout the event which automatically capture images of an individual in the field of view of the camera; a means of associating and labelling the captured image with the detected identity of the individual; a communications network for transmitting the labelled images to a computer; a means for automatically editing each image and saving the edited image in an image database; and a means of advising the individual that an image of the individual has been captured.

Abstract: An image registration system for aligning first and second images. The novel system includes a first system for extracting a region of interest (ROI) from each image and a second system for coarsely aligning the regions of interest. The first system determines the size and location of the ROI based on the number of features contained within the region. The size of the ROI is enlarged until a number of features contained in the ROI is larger than a predetermined lower bound or until the size is greater than a predetermined upper bound. The second system computes a cross-correlation on the regions of interest using a plurality of transforms to find a coarse alignment transform having a highest correlation. The image registration system may also include a third system for performing sub-pixel alignment on the regions of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a presence of a designated object in digital images is provided. Images may be acquired by cameras configured to record events that take place in a region of interest. Processing means may perform pattern matching. The cameras may be controlled by the processing means to track the designated object.

Abstract: The fire hydrant monitoring system provides for the monitoring of the condition of a plurality of remotely installed hydrants, and sending a warning of any accidental or deliberate tampering or damage to the hydrant to a central station. The hydrant-installed component includes a collar divided into four equal quadrants, which are installed around the upper end of the hydrant barrel and below the head or cap of the hydrant. The collar includes a plurality of cameras and lighting for night operation, and an electrical storage battery for power. The battery may be recharged by solar cells. Each hydrant-installed unit also has a transmitter. Signals of the hydrant condition are sent to a central monitoring station. The monitoring station may monitor the condition of a plurality of remotely installed hydrants, each of the hydrants being equipped with one of the monitoring collars.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an illumination control system includes a luminaire, plural monitoring cameras and a central control device. The central control device receives monitoring images that include one monitoring image picked up by each of the plural monitoring cameras. The central control device integrates the monitoring images and generates one integrated image. The central control device sets a monitoring part in the integrated image The central control device allocates the monitoring part that is set in the integrated image in a non-overlapping manner and sets each of the allocated monitoring parts in a respective one of the monitoring images. The central control device controls the luminaire based on a result of detection processing in the allocated monitoring parts.

Abstract: A surveillance system and method for detecting a foreign object, debris, or damage in an airfield, the surveillance system comprising: one or more cameras for capturing images of the airfield; a processing unit for detecting the foreign object, debris or damage in the airfield from the images captured by the one or more cameras; and a weapons impact surveillance system for detecting weapon impact in the airfield and directing the one or more cameras to capture images in an area of the detected weapon impact.

Abstract: Video image data is acquired from synchronized cameras having overlapping views of objects moving past the cameras through a scene image in a linear array and with a determined speed. Processing units generate one or more object detections associated with confidence scores within frames of the camera video stream data. The confidence scores are modified as a function of constraint contexts including a cross-frame constraint that is defined by other confidence scores of other object detection decisions from the video data that are acquired by the same camera at different times; a cross-view constraint defined by other confidence scores of other object detections in the video data from another camera with an overlapping field-of-view; and a cross-object constraint defined by a sequential context of a linear array of the objects, spatial attributes of the objects and the determined speed of the movement of the objects relative to the cameras.

Abstract: A system may include a personal electronic device having a housing and an ultra-wide band transceiver disposed within the housing. The system may also include a stereophonic system for sending audio information to a right ear and a left ear of a user, the stereophonic system having a second ultra-wideband transceiver. The ultra-wideband transceiver of the personal electronic device and the second ultra-wideband transceiver of the stereophonic system are adapted for providing audio communications therebetween. The stereophonic system may include a switch for switching between the plurality of personal electronic devices. The switch may be implemented in software or hardware.

Abstract: Method, device, and storage medium for logging on to a network that provides a streaming service for content pertaining to video cameras located at customers' premises; attempting to receive streaming content from a video camera located at a customer's premises based on one of a request to open a port on a routing device located at the customer's premises or a request to open a pinhole on a routing device located at a location remote to the customer's premises; and determining whether a success or a failure occurred as to receiving the streaming content from the video camera located at the customer's premises.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a video surveillance system are provided. The system includes a plurality of network buses, a plurality of surveillance sensors, control devices, and sensor data storage devices and a keypad controller communicatively coupled to the at least one network bus. The keypad controller includes a plurality of interchangeable control modules communicatively coupled to said keypad controller that matingly engage a complementary portion of said keypad controller. The keypad controller further includes a processor configured to decode codec independent video streams, said processor further comprising a module configured to receive and transmit streaming video data to a network, a synchronous memory interface, and a plurality of universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UARTs). The keypad controller also includes a universal serial bus (USB) interface.

Abstract: First image data representing a first view, captured by a camera system, of a second location, is displayed at the first location. The first view is associated with a first orientation relative to the second location. A first angular displacement associated with a motion of a chair disposed at the first location is determined. Information representing the first angular displacement is transmitted to the camera system. Second image data representing a second view of the second location associated with a second orientation is displayed at the first location, the second orientation having a relationship to the first orientation based on the first angular displacement.

Abstract: A field watch apparatus for use in a subject vehicle acquires a road image from a roadside capture unit located around the subject vehicle on a road and, based on the acquired image, generates an overhead view of a field around the subject vehicle in an intuitively recognizable manner by including a distant surrounding vehicle in the view, thereby providing a precisely understandable view of the field around the subject vehicle for the ease of satisfactorily identifying the distant surrounding vehicle without being compromised by the position of the roadside capture unit.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time video processing for alarm monitoring systems are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving alert data from a video image analysis module, the alert data being generated from analysis of a video feed, the alert data being in a first format; translating the alert data to a second format; and causing the alert data in the second format to be communicated to an alarm monitoring system compatible with the second format.

Abstract: A system and method for real time security data acquisition and integration from mobile platforms are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: deploying a plurality of sensors and video sources in a monitored venue, the plurality of sensors and video sources generating security data in the monitored venue; receiving the security data wirelessly in real time at a real time wireless data integrator positioned adjacent to the monitored venue; establishing a real time wireless mesh network including a plurality of real time wireless data integrators, each of the plurality of wireless data integrators being configured to route the security data through the wireless mesh network; and causing the transfer of the security data to an operations center via the wireless mesh network.

Abstract: A data collection and distribution system for monitoring aircraft in flight, on the ground and at the gate or terminal for monitoring critical and catastrophic events, managing the emergency during such an event, and for investigating the event. The system generates, transmits and collects critical data generated by monitoring equipment onboard an aircraft or other commercial transport and selectively displays the data on a cockpit display console as well as for downloading, transmitting and displaying data at external monitoring and response stations, including fixed ground stations, roving ground stations and chase aircraft or vehicles. Digital surveillance information is collected, processed, dispatched, and log via remote control and access. The system includes a variety of system appliances such as surveillance cameras, sensors, detectors, and panic buttons and accommodates legacy equipment.

Abstract: A method for responding to potential threats at a store, such as theft or vandalism, can include analyzing threat predictors, such as police reports and store reports, to determine a trend of theft or other threats. In some implementations, a organization, such as a chain of retail stores, can include a large number of facilities. Each facility may be capable of producing a significant volume of video data from various video cameras at the facility. In some implementations, the volume of video data monitored from the stores and from the cameras within the stores can be narrowed or reduced by monitoring substantially only the video data from the stores and locations within the stores that were identified as potential targets in the trend of theft.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller for a surveillance system includes ports for coupling a camera, synchronization logic blocks coupled to the ports, an information aggregation logic block coupled to the camera ports, and an output port coupled to the information aggregation logic block. According to another embodiment, a method of scaling a surveillance system includes synchronizing a plurality of cameras, capturing images from the synchronized cameras, aggregating at least two processed synchronized images, and processing the aggregated synchronized images.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that create a synthetic fovea in order to identify and highlight interesting portions of an image for further processing and rapid response. Synthetic foveal imaging implements a parallel processing architecture that uses reprogrammable logic to implement embedded, distributed, real-time foveal image processing from different sensor types while simultaneously allowing for lossless storage and retrieval of raw image data. Real-time, distributed, adaptive processing of multi-tap image sensors with coordinated processing hardware used for each output tap is enabled. In mosaic focal planes, a parallel-processing network can be implemented that treats the mosaic focal plane as a single ensemble rather than a set of isolated sensors. Various applications are enabled for imaging and robotic vision where processing and responding to enormous amounts of data quickly and efficiently is important.

Abstract: An image capture system for a theme park includes fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park. Each fixed image capture area includes at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk includes an identification (ID) reader to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID. The processor also links the park guest ID with the photo. A server is coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus capable of determining a parameter relating to image processing without setting the parameter required for the image processing for each camera unit. An imaging camera information storage unit stores imaging camera information including arrangement information and functional information of a camera unit. An installation information acquiring unit acquires installation information of an imaging unit. An environmental information acquiring unit acquires environmental information surrounding the imaging unit. A parameter determination unit determines a parameter of image processing based on the imaging camera information, the installation information, and the environmental information. An image processing unit performs image processing based on the determined parameter.

Abstract: A method for transferring live images includes the steps of capturing live image information by one or more live image devices, wherein the live image information is continuously transferred to one or more server centers in a live manner; communicatively linking the server centers to a control center in order to manage the live image information at the server centers; and communicatively linking one or more personal portable devices to the server centers through a wireless communication network to selectively live-broadcast the live image information to the personal portable devices.

Abstract: Video capture systems, methods and computer program products can be provided and configured to capture video sequences of one or more subjects during an activity. The video capture system can be configured to include a communications module that is provided to receive a set of successive frames of video image data of a defined coverage area in an activity location and to receive tracking information indicating a position of the subject in the activity location. A content selection module can be further provided to determine a location of the subject in the defined coverage area based on the tracking information to thereby determine a subset of the image data in one or more received frames, or in a set of frames, of video image data that contains image data of the subject.

Abstract: A bird-view image capture system and a bird-view image capture method thereof. The system comprises a plurality of image capture modules, a processing module, a compositing module and a display module. Therein, each of the plurality of image capture modules captures an image respectively. The processing module analyzes the plurality of images to get a plurality of first images and a plurality of second images. The processing module converts the plurality of first images and the plurality of second images respectively to get a plurality of inboard images and a plurality of outboard images. The compositing module composes the plurality of inboard images and the plurality of outboard images as a plurality of compositing images. The compositing module composes each compositing image to produce a bird-view image. The display module displays the bird-view image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for recognizing a Unit Load Device (ULD) number marked on an air cargo unit. The system includes at least one camera configured to acquire images of the ULD number. It includes also a presence sensing module configured to detect a presence status of the air cargo unit in a scanning zone of the system, the presence status can have a value being one of present and absent, and a recognition processor coupled to the presence sensing module and to the at least one camera. The recognition processor is configured to obtain from the presence sensing module information relating to the presence status of said air cargo unit, to trigger the at least one camera to acquire the images upon a change in the value of the presence status, and to process the images for recognizing the ULD number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of tracking an object carrying a wireless location device comprises recording and storing images from a plurality of cameras corresponding to respective coverage areas having predetermined locations, determining location information associated with the wireless location device, the location information corresponding to one or more of said coverage areas, and determining which of the images correspond to the location information, and retrieving said images.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for selecting and storing videos by applying semantically-meaningful selection criteria to the track sequences of the trips made by people in an area covered by overlapping multiple cameras. The present invention captures video streams of the people in the area by multiple cameras and tracks the people in each of the video streams, producing track sequences in each video stream. The present invention determines a first set of video segments that contains the trip information of the people, and compacts each of the video streams by removing a second set of video segments that do not contain the trip information of the people from each of the video streams. The present invention selects video segments from the first set of video segments based on predefined selection criteria for the statistical behavior analysis.

Abstract: A monitoring camera control terminal and a monitoring camera apparatus respectively correspond to a plurality of protocols defining messages instructing a variety of settings and operations between the monitoring camera control terminal and the monitoring camera apparatus, and the monitoring camera control terminal uses a first protocol to request the monitoring camera apparatus for information related to the monitoring camera apparatus, receives the requested information from the monitoring camera apparatus, and if the requested information does not match the setting or operation information recorded in a storage part of the monitoring camera control terminal, changes the first protocol to a second protocol.

Abstract: Video analytics may be used to assist video encoding by selectively encoding only portions of a frame and using, instead, previously encoded portions. Previously encoded portions may be used when succeeding frames have a level of motion less than a threshold. In such case, all or part of succeeding frames may not be encoded, increasing bandwidth and speed in some embodiments.

Abstract: Each camera comprises an image generation unit for generating an image by capturing the image, a moving object detection unit for detecting a moving object from the image and transmitting information on the position of the moving object to the server, and an image transmission unit for, when the camera is selected by the server, transmitting an image. The server comprises an image delivery camera selection unit for selecting some cameras as image delivery cameras from among the cameras based on the information on the position of the moving object transmitted from each of the cameras, an image delivery camera notification unit for notifying the selection result to the cameras, and an image input unit for inputting the images transmitted from the image delivery cameras.

Abstract: A surveillance system including a tracking module, a controller and a detection module is provided. The tracking module processes at least one first image frame that is acquired via a first camera to track an object in the at least one first image frame, and generate location information of the object being tracked. The controller generates a control signal based on the location information and transmits the control signal to a second camera to control the movement of the second camera. The detection module processes at least one second image frame that is acquired via the second camera to detect a feature part of the object being tracked.