Patent US7428314B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7428314B2
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Monitoring an environment
Assignee: Safehouse International Ltd
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Filing: 2004-12-02
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Granted: 2008-09-23
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Expires: 2024-12-02
Abstract
Abstract An environment is monitored by capturing image data depicting the environment and analysing the image data to identify moving foreground objects. Upon identifying an object, the movement of said object is tracked, and graphical output data is generated providing a representation of the movement superimposed upon a representation of said environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Anthony Henson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 07:49
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/194; G08B13/196; G08B13/19678; G08B13/19686
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of monitoring an environment, comprising the steps of capturing image data depicting said environment; and analyzing said image data to identify moving foreground objects; wherein upon identifying an object, the movement of said object is tracked; and graphical output data is generated providing a representation of said tracked movement superimposed in alignment upon a representation of said environment; wherein said representation of the environment is said captured image data with portions of said image data visible and other portions masked and varying portions of the visible image data are masked according to the level of access granted to the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of monitoring an environment, comprising the steps of capturing image data depicting said environment; and analyzing said image data to identify moving foreground objects; wherein upon identifying an object, the movement of said object is tracked; and graphical output data is generated providing a representation of said tracked movement superimposed in alignment upon a representation of said environment; wherein said representation of the environment is said captured image data with portions of said image data visible and other portions masked and varying portions of the visible image data are masked according to the level of access granted to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein a background model is created and events are identified by processing said captured image data with reference to said background model.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2 , wherein said representation of the environment is the background model.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein a masked image is displayable to an observer in real time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein an operator is provided with access means for viewing a greater proportion of the captured image data upon identification of a moving foreground object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 , including logging means for maintaining a log when said access means has been used.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said level of access is authenticated by checking an identifying means for a user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 7 , wherein said identifying means takes the form of a biometric of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said representation of the environment is a diagram of the environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein the detection of an object being thrown from a predefined window area within said diagram of said environment is identified as a potential event of interest.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein an attribute of said graphical output data adapts in response to a detected characteristic of said movement of said object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said environment is a building and the mask is applied to window areas of said building.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said captured image data is stored.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13 , wherein the replaying of said stored captured image requires an access certificate to be obtained.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said graphical output data is stored.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer or by a network of computers such that when executing said instructions said computer(s) will perform a method as defined by claim 1 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2011-09-23 | 2012-03-24 | 2012-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-09-23 | 2016-03-24 | 2016-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-09-23 | 2020-03-24 | 2020-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |