System and method for tracking an object during video communication
AssigneeDigeo, Inc.
InventorsPaul G. Allen, James A. Billmaier, Robert E. Novak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An object is tracked with a camera that is sensitive to both visible and invisible light. An invisible light reflector attached to the object may reflect a target of invisible light, which is provided by an invisible light emitter. The camera processes the invisible light and moves the field of view of the camera so that the object is centered within the field of view. The camera may also zoom the field of view to a desired magnification level.
Claims101
A system for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the system comprising:
- a reflector, disposed on an object to be tracked, that reflects a target of invisible light;
- a camera, sensitive to invisible light, that captures a first video signal depicting the object, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- a tracking subsystem that utilizes the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A system for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the system comprising:
- an camera, sensitive to invisible light, that captures a first video signal of an object having a reflector disposed thereon to reflect a target of invisible light, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- a tracking subsystem that utilizes the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A system for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the system comprising:
- a camera, sensitive to invisible light, that captures a first video signal of an object having a reflector disposed thereon to reflect a target of invisible light, the invisible light generated by an invisible light emitter, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- a tracking subsystem that utilizes the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A system for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the system comprising:
- an invisible-light emitter, disposed on an object to be tracked, for emitting a target of invisible light;
- a camera, sensitive to invisible light, that captures a first video signal depicting the object, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- a tracking subsystem that utilizes the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A system for tracking an individual during video communication, the system comprising:
- an infrared-sensitive camera that captures a first video signal depicting the individual, the first video signal having infrared and visible-light components;
- a targeting subsystem that identifies a target comprising an area of infrared intensity within the infrared component of the first video signal;
- and
- a tracking subsystem that utilizes the infrared component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A method for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the method comprising:
- reflecting a target of invisible light with a reflector disposed on an object to be tracked;
- capturing a first video signal depicting the object with a camera sensitive to invisible light, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- utilizing the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A method for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the method comprising:
- emitting invisible light;
- capturing a first video signal depicting the object with a camera sensitive to invisible light, the object having a reflector disposed thereon to reflect a target of invisible light, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- utilizing the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A method for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the method comprising:
- capturing a first video signal depicting the object with a camera sensitive to invisible light, the object having a reflector disposed thereon to reflect a target of invisible light, the invisible light generated by an invisible light emitter, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- utilizing the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A method for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the method comprising:
- emitting a target of invisible light with an invisible-light emitter disposed on an object to be tracked;
- capturing a first video signal depicting the object with a camera sensitive to invisible light, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- utilizing the invisible component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A method for tracking an individual during video communication, the method comprising:
- capturing a first video signal of an individual with an infrared-sensitive camera, the first video signal having infrared and visible-light components;
- identifying a target comprising an area of infrared intensity within the infrared component of the first video signal;
- and
- utilizing the infrared component to orient a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
A system for automatically tracking an object with a camera, the system comprising:
- means for emitting invisible-light;
- means, disposed on an object to be tracked, for reflecting a target of invisible light;
- a camera, sensitive to invisible light, that captures a first video signal depicting the object, the first video signal having visible and invisible components;
- and
- means, utilizing the invisible component, for orienting a first field-of-view of the camera to center the target within the first field-of-view.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.