Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-09
2004-02-24
Mullen, Thomas (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C348S152000, C702S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06696945
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to surveillance systems. Specifically, the invention relates to a video-based surveillance system that implements a virtual tripwire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In its original form, a tripwire was an arrangement in which a wire, string, or the like was stretched across a path, and if someone or something happened to trip over the wire or otherwise pull it, some response was triggered. For example, such a response could be detonating a landmine, sounding an alarm, or recording an event (e.g., triggering a counter, camera, etc.). Today, tripwires are often, for example, implemented as beams of light (e.g., laser, infrared, or visible); when someone or something breaks the beam, a response is triggered.
An example of a conventional tripwire using a light beam is shown schematically in
FIG. 1. A
source generates a beam of light, which is transmitted across a path to a receiver. If the beam is broken, then the receiver no longer receives it. This results in the triggering of some response, as discussed above.
Conventional tripwires are advantageous in that they are at least conceptually simple to use. They also require a minimum of human intervention, once they have been installed.
Conventional tripwires, however, have a number of disadvantages. For example, they can not discriminate between triggering objects of interest and those not of interest. As an example, one may be interested in how many people, but not dogs, walk down a path; however, either a person or a dog would trigger the tripwire. It is also problematic if a group of people walk together, resulting in a single triggering of the tripwire, rather than one for each person.
Furthermore, conventional tripwire arrangements generally involve the installation of dedicated equipment. For example, considering the example of a laser tripwire, a laser source and a laser detector must be installed across a path of interest. Additionally, such dedicated equipment may be difficult to install in such a manner that it is not easily detectable.
Additionally, a conventional tripwire does not afford a high degree of flexibility. Conventional tripwires typically detect if someone or something passes across it, only, without regard to direction of crossing. Furthermore, because they extend in straight lines, only, conventional tripwires are limited as to the regions across which they may be set up.
Conventional video surveillance systems are also in common use today. They are, for example, prevalent in stores, banks, and many other establishments. Video surveillance systems generally involve the use of one or more video cameras, and the video output from the camera or cameras is either recorded for later review or is monitored by a human observer, or both. Such a system is depicted in
FIG. 2
, where a video camera
1
is trained on the path. Video camera
1
generates video signals, which are transmitted over a communications medium, shown here as a cable
2
. Cable
2
feeds one or both of a visual display device
3
and a recording device
4
.
In contrast with conventional tripwires, video surveillance systems can differentiate between people and animals (i.e., between objects of interest and objects not of interest) and can differentiate the individuals within a group of people walking together. They further provide flexibility over tripwires, in terms of the shape of the regions they can monitor. Also, because video surveillance systems are so widely used, there is no need to install further equipment. However, video surveillance systems also suffer some drawbacks.
Perhaps the most significant drawback of conventional video surveillance systems is that they require a high degree of human intervention in order to extract information from the video generated. That is, either someone has to be watching the video as it is generated, or someone has to review stored video.
An example of a prior-art video-based surveillance system can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,097,429 and 6,091,771 to Seeley et al. (collectively referred to below as “Seeley et al.”). Seeley et al. is directed to a video security system that includes taking snapshots when an intrusion is detected. Seeley et al. addresses some of the problems relating to false alarms and the need to detect some intrusions/intruders but not others. Image differencing techniques and object recognition techniques are used in this capacity. However, there are many differences between Seeley et al. and the present invention, as described below. Among the most severe shortcomings of Seeley et al. is a lack of disclosure as to how detection and recognition are performed. What is disclosed in these areas is in contrast to what is presented in regard to the present invention.
Another example of a video- and other-sensor-based surveillance system is discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,696,503 and 5,801,943 to Nasburg (collectively referred to below as “Nasburg”). Nasburg deals with the tracking of vehicles using multiple sensors, including video sensors. “Fingerprints” are developed for vehicles to be tracked and are used to subsequently detect the individual vehicles. While Nasburg does mention the concept of a video trip wire, there is no disclosure as to how such a video tripwire is implemented. Nasburg further differs from the present invention in that it is focused exclusively on detecting and tracking vehicles. In contrast, the present invention, as disclosed and claimed below, is aimed toward detecting arbitrary moving objects, both rigid (like a vehicle) and non-rigid (like a human).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it would be advantageous to have a surveillance system that combines the advantages of tripwires with those of video surveillance systems, and this is a goal of the present invention.
The present invention implements a video tripwire system, in which a virtual tripwire, of arbitrary shape, is placed in digital video using computer-based video processing techniques. The virtual tripwire is then monitored, again using computer-based video processing techniques. As a result of the monitoring, statistics may be compiled, intrusions detected, events recorded, responses triggered, etc. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the event of a person crossing a virtual tripwire in one direction may trigger the capture of a snapshot of that person, for future identification.
The inventive system may be implemented using existing video equipment in conjunction with computer equipment. It thus has the advantage of not requiring extensive installation of monitoring equipment. The inventive system may be embodied, in part, in the form of a computer-readable medium containing software implementing various steps of a corresponding method, or as a computer system, which may include a computer network, executing such software.
The inventive system may also be used in conjunction with imaging devices other than conventional video, including heat imaging systems or infrared cameras.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a method for implementing a video tripwire system, comprising steps of: installing a sensing device (which may be a video camera or other such device), if one does not already exist; calibrating the sensing device; establishing a boundary as a virtual tripwire; and gathering data.
Further objectives and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description, drawings, and examples.
DEFINITIONS
In describing the invention, the following definitions are applicable throughout (including above).
A “computer” refers to any apparatus that is capable of accepting a structured input, processing the structured input according to prescribed rules, and producing results of the processing as output. Examples of a computer include a computer; a general-purpose computer; a supercomputer; a mainframe; a super mini-computer; a mini-computer; a workstation; a microcomputer; a server; an interactive television; a hybrid combination of a computer and an interactive television; and application-specific hardware to e
Allmen Mark C.
Brewer Paul C.
Chosak Andrew J.
Clark John I. W.
Frazier Matthew F.
DiamondBack Vision, Inc.
Gluck Jeffrey W.
Mullen Thomas
Venable LLP
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