Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An image change detection system for use with a vehicle to be monitored, comprising: means for sensing energy from a region proximate the vehicle and for generating a plurality of pixels which form an image of said region, each pixel representative of the energy received from a portion of said region; memory means for storing a first image of said region from said means for sensing; comparison means for matching pixels of a subsequent image of said region with pixels of said first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels in the two images; means, responsive to said comparison means, for indicating when the pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold to detect an abnormal condition in said region; and switch means, responsive to operation of a door of the vehicle, for enabling said means for sensing when the door is opened or closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An image change detection system for use with a vehicle to be monitored, comprising: means for sensing energy from a region proximate the vehicle and for generating a plurality of pixels which form an image of said region, each pixel representative of the energy received from a portion of said region; memory means for storing a first image of said region from said means for sensing; comparison means for matching pixels of a subsequent image of said region with pixels of said first image to detect deviations between corresponding pixels in the two images; means, responsive to said comparison means, for indicating when the pixel deviations exceed a preselected threshold to detect an abnormal condition in said region; and switch means, responsive to operation of a door of the vehicle, for enabling said means for sensing when the door is opened or closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 in which said means for sensing includes a plurality of sensors arranged to detect radiation from a region proximate at least one wheel of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 in which each said sensor defines a single pixel of said region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 2 in which the vehicle is a motor vehicle and said means for sensing further includes lens means for expanding the field of view of said sensors about the curb side of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4 in which said sensors include a photodiode array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 in which said sensors detect radiation selected from wavelengths between ultraviolet and infrared.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes means for determining when a preselected number of adjacent corresponding pixels deviate to detect the abnormal condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes alarm means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 in which said means for indicating includes means for disabling the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 in which said means for disabling includes ignition cut-off means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 9 in which said means for disabling includes means for engaging the brakes of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 further including means for emitting energy toward said region which is detectable by said means for sensing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 further including initiation means for enabling said means for sensing to produce said first image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 further including activation means for enabling said means for sensing to produce subsequent images after said first image is made.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 14 in which said activation means includes tachometer means for enabling said means for sensing to produce a subsequent image when an increase in engine speed occurs in the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 in which said activation means includes clock means for periodically enabling said means for sensing.