Monitoring systems
AssigneeRaptor Vision, LLC
InventorScott Charles Mullins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system can use a video analytic algorithm and/or other input parameters to identify an event (e.g., theft). Optionally, the system can take action in response. For example, the security system can use video analytics to determine that a person has reached into a shelf multiple times at a rate above a threshold, which can indicate that a thief is quickly removing items from the shelf. A monitoring system can monitor other areas for breaches, such as an entrance to a store or residence. Monitoring entrances and/or exits can be used to determine occupancy, or to determine rush events to prompt customer service action, such as opening additional point of sale stations.
Claims21
A system comprising:
- a camera positioned to produce video footage of a region that includes an entrance of a retail store;
- a controller comprising:
- a hardware processor;
- and
- non-transitory computer-readable memory in communication with the hardware processor, the memory containing a threshold entrance count value, a threshold entrance time value, and instructions executable by the processor to cause the controller to:
- receive the video footage from the camera;
- analyze the video footage from the camera to identify entrance events when persons enter the retail store through the entrance;
- analyze the video footage to identify a first entrance event;
- start a timer for the threshold entrance time value in response to identifying the first entrance event;
- analyze the video footage to identify additional entrance events that occur during the timer for the threshold entrance time value;
- determine a total number of entrance events that occurred within an amount of time that satisfies the threshold entrance time value;
- and
- determine a customer rush event when the total number of entrance events satisfies the threshold entrance count value within the amount of time that satisfies the threshold entrance time value;
- and
- provide a notification in response to the determination of the customer rush event.
A method comprising:
- positioning a camera to monitor a region that includes an entrance;
- establishing communication between the camera and a controller so that the camera sends video footage to the controller for analysis;
- accessing at least one image frame from the camera;
- using a user interface to define the entrance in the at least one image frame;
- using the user interface to designate a threshold entrance count value;
- using the user interface to designate a threshold entrance time value;
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- analyze the video footage from the camera to identify entrance events when persons enter through the entrance;
- analyze the video footage to identify a first entrance event;
- start a timer with a duration set to the threshold entrance time value in response to identifying the first entrance event;
- identify a number of additional entrance events during the duration of the timer;
- and
- determine a total number of entrance events that occurred within an amount of time that satisfies the threshold entrance time value;
- determine an event when the total number of entrance events satisfies the threshold entrance count value within the amount of time that satisfies the threshold entrance time value;
- and
- provide a notification in response to the determination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.