Image monitor apparatus and a method

An image monitor apparatus, comprising:

• at least two image input means for respectively inputting an image based on each different view position in order to input two images of a predetermined plane at the same timing;
• transformation means for projecting the image inputted through one image input means onto the predetermined plane, and for transforming the projected image according to a view position of the other image input means;
• comparison means for comparing image data of the transformed image with image data of the image inputted through the other image input means by unit of the same position on the image, and for generating a mask area representing positions of different image data according to the comparison result;
• and
• extraction means for extracting an area of a moving object from the mask area by using the mask area in a plurality of the images inputted through the other image input means.

A method for monitoring an object in an image, comprising the steps of:

• inputting a plurality of images from each different view position in order to input the images of a predetermined plane, an existence area of a monitored object on the predetermined plane being commonly viewed by two of the plurality of images;
• projecting each of the plurality of images onto a plane memory corresponding to the predetermined plane;
• comparing projected image data of two images by unit of a predetermined area on the plane memory;
• extracting a plurality of predetermined areas, each area including two different projected image data, from the plane memory;
• detecting two wedge-shaped areas extended from a common starting point along a respective direction from the plurality of predetermined areas;
• extracting the common starting point as a position of the monitored object;
• and
• integrating a plurality of the positions of the monitored objects respectively extracted from each two wedge-shaped areas including two different projected image data of two images in the plurality of images as the existence area of the monitored objects on the predetermined plane.

A method for monitoring an object in an image, comprising the steps of:

• inputting two images from each different view position in order to input two images of a predetermined plane at the same timing;
• projecting one image inputted from one view position onto the predetermined plane;
• transforming the projected image according to the other view position;
• comparing image data of the transformed image with image data of the other image inputted from the other view position by unit of the same position on the image;
• generating a mask area representing positions of different image data according to the comparison result;
• and
• extracting an area of a moving object from the mask area by using the mask area in a plurality of the other images.

A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising:

• instruction means for causing a computer to input a plurality of images from each different view position in order to input the images of a predetermined plane, an existence area of a monitored object on the predetermined plane being commonly viewed by two of the plurality of images;
• instruction means for causing a computer to project each of the plurality of images onto a plane memory corresponding to the predetermined plane;
• instruction means for causing a computer to compare projected image data of two images by unit of a predetermined area on the plane memory;
• instruction means for causing a computer to extract a plurality of predetermined areas, each area including two different projected image data, from the plane memory;
• instruction means for causing a computer to detect two wedge-shaped areas extended from a common starting point along a respective direction from the plurality of predetermined areas;
• instruction means for causing a computer to extract the common starting point as a position of the monitored object;
• and
• instruction means for causing a computer to integrate a plurality of positions of the monitored objects respectively extracted from each two wedge-shaped areas including two different projected image data of two images in the plurality of images as the existence area of the monitored objects on the predetermined plane.

A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising:

• instruction means for causing a computer to input two images from each different view position in order to input two images of a predetermined plane at the same timing;
• instruction means for causing a computer to project one image inputted from one view position onto the predetermined plane;
• instruction means for causing a computer to transform the projected image according to the other view position;
• instruction means for causing a computer to compare image data of the transformed image with image data of the other image inputted from the other view position by unit of the same position on the image;
• instruction means for causing a computer to generate a mask area representing positions of different image data according to the comparison result;
• and
• instruction means for causing a computer to extract an area of a moving object from the mask area by using the mask area in a plurality of the other images.

An image monitor apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of image input mechanisms configured to respectively input an image based on each different view position in order to input the images of a predetermined plane, an existence area of a monitored object on the predetermined plane being commonly viewed by two of the plurality of image input mechanisms;
• an image projection section configured to project each of the plurality of images onto a plane memory corresponding to the predetermined plane;
• a comparison section configured to compare projected image data of two images from the two image input mechanisms by unit of a predetermined area on the plane memory, and to extract a plurality of predetermined areas, each area including two different projected image data, from the plane memory;
• an extraction section configured to detect two wedge-shaped areas extended from a common starting point along a respective direction from the plurality of predetermined areas, and to extract the common starting point as a position of the monitored object;
• and
• an integration section configured to integrate a plurality of the positions of the monitored objects respectively extracted from each two wedge-shaped areas including two different projected image data of two images in the plurality of images as the existence area of the monitored objects on the predetermined plane.

An image monitor apparatus, comprising:

• at least two image input mechanisms configured to respectively input an image based on each different view position in order to input two images of a predetermined plane at the same timing;
• a transformation section configured to project the image inputted through one image input mechanism onto the predetermined plane, and to transform the projected image according to a view position of the other image input mechanism;
• a comparison section configured to compare image data of the transformed image with image data of the image inputted through the other image input mechanism by unit of the same position on the image, and to generate a mask area representing positions of different image data according to the comparison result;
• and
• an extraction section configured to extract an area of a moving object from the mask area by using the mask area in a plurality of the images inputted through the other image input mechanism.