Patent Application
20050225635
In one aspect this invention relates to security camera systems. In a further aspect this invention relates to video imaging technology using a plurality of cameras.
Security systems are finding an ever increasing usage in monitoring real estate installations. Such systems can range from one or two cameras in a small store up to dozens of cameras covering a large mall or building. In general these systems display the video signals as discrete individual pictures on a number of display panels. When there are a large number of cameras, greater than the number of display panels, the systems have a control means that changes the input signal to the displays so as to rotate the images and scan the entire video coverage within a predetermined time frame. Such systems also usually have means to stop the progression of the image sequence to allow study of a particular area of interest. Such systems have proved useful in monitoring areas and frequently result in the identification of criminal activity.
Some of these prior art systems have an associated scene stitching program that combines the static images produced by the cameras into a larger static image showing a greater amount of area in one view. These systems however can only produce a static image of low resolution which is of limited use in identifying hazardous situations particularly before they become overt.
The present systems approach visual security as a series of discrete images of a specific defined zone. The present invention contemplates providing a visual security view which is an integrated view of the area to be monitored in real time on the order of milliseconds and which has increased resolution This type of view would be particularly valuable for monitoring a vehicle interior such as civilian aircraft, rail transportation, buses and subways. The integrated view will provide better surveillance particularly in vehicles and other enclosed spaces that have become more important in recent times.
A video surveillance system for use in a vehicle interior according to this invention includes a plurality of miniature, high resolution video cameras disposed as a camera matrix each generating a video signal. The cameras are positioned throughout the vehicle's interior so as to cover an entire area of interest, generally the passenger section of the vehicle. The cameras are chosen so they can acquire imagery even under very low light conditions. If desired, special low light and/or infrared cameras could be mounted as part of the camera matrix array for very low light conditions such as a darkened passenger cabin. A video multiplexer receives the individual signals from each camera and routes the video signals to a processing center or device. The imaging processing system will receive the video signals from the multiplexer and stitches the video signals together to generate and provide a single coherent image of the vehicle interior, contents, and occupants. An image enhancement system is available to receive images and build a very high resolution image from multiple frames of the video signal. A controller is provided which allows an operator to change the image being processed so as to view in greater depth and magnification of a particular portion of the interior scene. A control computer will coordinate the various components of the system and generate an image for display.
In the accompanying drawing:
The FIGURE is a flow diagram of one system according to this invention.
Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts, a video surveillance system according to this invention is depicted for use in a vehicle interior, such as the cabin of an airplane. A plurality of video cameras 10 are distributed about the cabin interior. Each camera will be mounted in a concealed position, high quality optical and infrared cameras being presently available which are about the size of a lipstick case. The cameras 10 each cover an area of about 30 degrees and would be positioned throughout the cabin's interior so as to cover the entire area in an overlapping pattern. The summation of all the cameras 10 will generate a video signal of the entire desired coverage area.
The signals generated by the cameras 10 are sent via a plurality of connections 12 to a video multiplexer 14, which receives and routes each individual video signal to the desired processing center or device. As shown, the signals from the multiplexer 14 can be routed first to an imaging processing system 16 which will receive the individual video signals from the multiplexer and stitch the video signals together in a matter of milliseconds. Stitching the video signals together at the interfaces where the cameras signals overlap creates a single continuous coherent image of the cabin's contents, and occupants. Real time, dynamic stitching can be achieved using commercially available video cards and software and the exact method chosen is not part of this invention. When a particular area of the cabin merits additional special attention, the image processing 16 can also provide software zooming and panning capabilities to provide a larger image and/or sweep the desired area. This is accomplished using a controller 18 which is under the manual direction of a user (not shown). The user has one or more interface devices 20 which can be one or more normal computer interfaces such as a mouse, keyboard, or joy stick, the particular interface device being chosen based on space limitations and similar operating conditions where the controller 18 and interface 20 are located.
An image enhancement system 22 is also available to receive images from the multiplexer. The image enhancer 22 builds a very high resolution image from multiple frames of the video signal and can further compress and store the images. As shown, the image enhancer 22 has an output to a transceiver 24 that will transmit the enhanced image to a receiver 26 at a different location. Where the invention is being used to monitor an a vehicle, such as an airplane cabin, the image could be relayed to a central ground base 28. At the central ground base 28, the signal can be displayed on a screen allowing the central ground base to make informed decisions on occurrences in the cabin. In addition, to displaying on a screen the image files can be used as data input for comparison with a centralized data base of known potential problems maintained at or available to the central ground base 28.
The image processing system 16 sends a video signal to a user display 30. The display 30 can be on the vehicle, such as a flat panel display near the operator or located near security personnel. It is expected the newer, thinner organic displays being developed will allow a display to be mounted virtually anywhere. A display could also be mounted at the central ground base 28. Of course, multiple displays could be used to allow real time interaction between the vehicle operators and the ground station.
The controller 18, which is a computer, preferably a personal type computer, provides the means by which an operator can change the image being processed so as to view in greater depth and magnification a particular portion of the interior scene. The computer will coordinate the various components of the system and generate an image for display. As part of the image the computer can generate an iconic representation of the vehicle interior to show the location of various objects and persons within the cabin
Various alterations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention and it is understood this invention is limited only by the following claims.
The invention described here may be made, used and licensed by and for the United Sates Government for governmental purposes without paying us any royalty.
