Patent US6819353B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6819353B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple backgrounds
Assignee: Secumanagement BV
•
Filing: 2000-12-22
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Granted: 2004-11-16
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Expires: 2020-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for monitoring a monitored area comprising the steps of recording an image of the monitored area and of comparing the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation. The method further comprises the step of creating the reference image by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image.
Inventors
- 👤 Anders Heyden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/50; G06V20/52; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/20; G06T7/254; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/194; G08B13/196; G08B13/19602; G08B13/19604; G08B13/19665; G08B13/19667; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; H04N7/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for monitoring a monitored area comprising: recording an image of the monitored area; comparing the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculating a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determining at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determining whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, removing the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for monitoring a monitored area comprising: recording an image of the monitored area; comparing the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculating a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determining at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determining whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, removing the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the reference image is created by linear combination of said at least two previously stored images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether the divergence area represents a light change; and if the divergence area represents a light change, updating the set of images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: updating the set of images if the divergence area represents a scene change and if the same scene change is detected in a predetermined number of consecutively recorded images.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
50 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 , 3 or 4 , wherein determining whether the divergence area represents a scene change comprises calculating the variance of the divergence area, and, if the variance exceeds a predetermined value, the divergence area is judged to represent a scene change.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least the outermost edge of pixels in the recorded image are excluded when creating the reference image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the stored images in the set of images are stored at different resolutions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 , further comprising: creating the set of images by recording images of the monitored area under different lighting conditions; and storing one or more of these recorded images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to any one of claim 3 or 4 , wherein updating the set of images is carried out at predetermined intervals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least two images in the set of images are stored orthogonally.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the set of images comprises an image in which all the pixels have the same intensity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
A monitoring unit for monitoring a monitored area comprising: a light-sensitive sensor which is arranged to record an image of the monitored area; and a central processing unit which is arranged to compare the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the central processing unit is further arranged to create the reference image by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image, calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, remove the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
169 words
A monitoring unit for monitoring a monitored area comprising: a light-sensitive sensor which is arranged to record an image of the monitored area; and a central processing unit which is arranged to compare the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the central processing unit is further arranged to create the reference image by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image, calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, remove the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer program for image processing for monitoring a monitored area, which computer program is stored on a computer-readable memory medium which comprises instructions, executed by a processor, to cause the computer to record an image of the monitored area; compare the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, remove the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer program for image processing for monitoring a monitored area, which computer program is stored on a computer-readable memory medium which comprises instructions, executed by a processor, to cause the computer to record an image of the monitored area; compare the recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, remove the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the recorded image for the creation of the next reference image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A computer program for image processing for monitoring a monitored area, which computer program is stored on a computer-readable memory medium which comprises instructions, executed by a processor, for carrying out one or more of the method steps according to claim 1 .
Claim 18
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for monitoring a monitored area comprising: recording a first image of the monitored area; comparing the first recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculating a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the first recorded image; determining at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determining whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, recording a second image wherein the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the second recorded image are removed and the remaining pixels of the second recorded image are used to create a next reference image.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for monitoring a monitored area comprising: recording a first image of the monitored area; comparing the first recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the reference image is created by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculating a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the first recorded image; determining at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determining whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, recording a second image wherein the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the second recorded image are removed and the remaining pixels of the second recorded image are used to create a next reference image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
189 words
A monitoring unit for monitoring a monitored area comprising: a light sensitive sensor which is arranged to record a first image of the monitored area; and a central processing unit which is arranged to compare the first recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the central processing unit is further arranged to create the reference image by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the first recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, record a second image wherein the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the second recorded image are removed and the remaining pixels of the second recorded image are used to create a next reference image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
189 words
A monitoring unit for monitoring a monitored area comprising: a light sensitive sensor which is arranged to record a first image of the monitored area; and a central processing unit which is arranged to compare the first recorded image with a reference image in order to determine whether there is an alarm situation, wherein the central processing unit is further arranged to create the reference image by combining at least two previously stored images from a set of images, so that the lighting conditions in the reference image are adjusted to the lighting conditions in the recorded image; calculate a difference image as the difference between the reference image and the first recorded image; determine at least one divergence area in the difference image, in which at least certain pixels exceed a particular level; determine whether the divergence area represents a scene change; and if the divergence area represents a scene change, record a second image wherein the pixels that correspond to the divergence area in the second recorded image are removed and the remaining pixels of the second recorded image are used to create a next reference image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-11-16 | 2008-05-17 | 2008-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-16 | 2012-05-17 | 2012-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-16 | 2016-05-17 | 2016-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |