Smart surveillance camera systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017374261-A1
Application number	US-201715614458-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 5, 2017
Priority date	Jun 3, 2009
Publication date	Dec 28, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various techniques are disclosed for smart surveillance camera systems and methods using thermal imaging to intelligently control illumination and monitoring of a surveillance scene. For example, a smart camera system may include a thermal imager, an IR illuminator, a visible light illuminator, a visible/near IR (NIR) light camera, and a processor. The camera system may capture thermal images of the scene using the thermal imager, and analyze the thermal images to detect a presence and an attribute of an object in the scene. In response to the detection, various light sources may be selectively operated to illuminate the object only when needed or desired, with a suitable type of light source, with a suitable beam angle and width, or in otherwise desirable manner The visible/NIR light camera may also be selectively operated based on the detection to capture or record surveillance images containing objects of interest.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system comprising:
a thermal imager comprising a focal plane array (FPA) configured to capture thermal images of a scene; a light source configured to illuminate the scene; a camera configured to capture additional images of the scene; and a processor configured to:
analyze the thermal images to determine an attribute associated with an object in the scene, and
selectively operate the light source and the camera based on the attribute of the object.

Assignees

• Flir Systems

Inventors

• Teich Andrew C
• Högasten Nicholas
• Hoelter Theodore R
• Strandemar Katrin

Classifications

• H04N23/71

  Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation · CPC title

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• H04N23/74

  by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N7/18

  Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast · CPC title

• G01J5/20

  using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices · CPC title