Television – Special applications – Observation of or from a specific location
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-17
2001-11-13
Diep, Nhon T (Department: 2613)
Television
Special applications
Observation of or from a specific location
C348S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317152
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to video recording, and more particularly, to a digital video recording system for use at Point of Sale (POS) locations, Automated Teller Machines (ATM's), and other locations where the monitoring of activities is important.
Video recording equipment is in common use throughout industry and commerce. Conventional video recording systems are analog systems employing a video recorder which records images on a magnetic tape. The recorder used is a slow scan recorder whose video input is provided by a camera located at the POS or ATM. Recording is typically continuous over a predetermined period which is typically 24 hours. If nothing of significance occurs during the recording period, the tape is simply rerun again through the recorder with the prior recorded images being recorded over.
This process has a number of problems associated with it. In most installations, most of the time, nothing ever happens. Rather, the same tape is used over and over with the same background image being recorded over and over. Only if something of significance happens is the tape removed and replaced. Preferably, each tape should be removed, degaussed, and reinserted in the recorder at the end of each recording interval. Or, each tape is changed every day with the tape removed being degaussed before its next use. However, this is seldom done because of the expense or impracticality of doing so.
Because the same images are continuously being recorded, over time, the magnetic particles in the tape tend to align themselves in a particular orientation consistent with those images. This residual magnetization degrades the resolution capability of the tape and resulting quality of the recorded images. One problem law enforcement officers or security personnel have with the recording systems described above is that the poor quality of the recorded images makes it difficult to discern features or details of the events captured on the tape, including the identification of persons.
Another problem with conventional recording systems is that simply because an event of significance has occurred, recording does not stop. Thus, in order to view the event, it is necessary to rewind the tape and scan through it to the place where the event is recorded. In situations where time may be critical, the resulting delay is very undesirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a digital video recording (DVR) system and apparatus for use in recording tansactions and other occurrences sufficiently important that it is desirable to record them. The DVR system replaces conventional analog tape recording systems now in use, the system employing a personal computer (PC) based processor and frame grabber with a camera such as currently used in conventional video recording systems. The computer and frame grabber replace the video tape recorder now being used.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system which captures and stores high resolution images, and maintains the quality of the stored image regardless of the amount of time elapsed from when the image was recorded, regardless of the number times which the image is viewed, and regardless of how often the media on which the image is stored is overwritten. Additionally, the system allows prior recorded images to be played back repeatedly; even while a digital video recorder of the system is recording current images from a camera, and in which the playback speed of a recorded image can differ from the speed at which images are currently being recorded.
A further object of the invention is a system in which recorded images are date and time stamped so the search for an image to play back can be directed immediately to a location in the memory rather t and by a linear rewind/fast forward search such as is done with conventional recording systems. Viewing of a stored image is done either locally or at a remote location. If done remotely, the image is transmissible over standard telephone lines without a degradation in image quality.
Another object of the invention is a DVR system in which recorded images are compressed so to greatly increase the storage capability of the system. Image compression ratios are not constant, but rather are determined by various system factors. A compression algorithm is selected for compressing the image as a function of image content, location of the image within a scene being recorded, and the quality, resolution, and threshold of the compressed image, etc.
Yet another feature of the system is that images are authenticated for future usage as evidence of a crime, for example. Authentication prevents tampering with the recorded material.
Additionally, the DVR system of the present invention is readily expandable so the processor can process inputs from multiple cameras with image processing not being degraded. Memory capacity of the system is readily expanded This enables the system to provide continuous coverage for multiple cites with a separate camera being located at each site, but with image processing being accomplished at a remote location so monitoring at any particular site is not compromised.
In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a digital video recording system is for use at ATI machines, POS locations and the like. A video camera is directed at a scene of interest. The camera continuously views the scene and generates video images of the scene at a predetermined frame rate. A frame grabber converts the video images produced by the camera to a digital signal. A processor processes the digital signals, and in doing so compares the video image represented by a digital signal with a previously established reference of the scene, and determines if any changes have occurred therein. The processor includes a memory in which the compressed video image is stored together with time and date information as to when the image was acquired. A video playback capability allows the memory location where an image of interest is stored to be directly accessed to retrieve the image. The playback system enables the memory to be accessed at any desired date and time location so an image of interest can be reviewed without having to scan video images in a date/time sequence. Further, accessing the memory is done without interrupting the processor's processing of digital signals for currently acquired video images. The system can also be used with multiple cameras. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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Hobson Gregory L.
Moore Jerry
Wooton John R.
Diep Nhon T
Esco Electronics Corporation
Polster Lieder Woodruff & Lucchesi L.C.
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