# US 8,786,672 B2 · Monitoring camera and method for monitoring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,786,672 B2 - Document ID: US8786672B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/723,043 - Filed: 2012-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-27 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-21 - Assignees: Axis AB - Applicants: Axis AB - Inventors: Jesper Olavi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8786672B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing - G03B 17/12: with means for supporting objectives, supplementary lenses, filters, masks, or turrets - G08B 13/19652: {Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm} - G08B 13/19689: {Remote control of cameras, e.g. remote orientation or image zooming control for a PTZ camera} - H04N 23/58: Means for changing the camera field of view without moving the camera body, e.g. nutating or panning of optics or image sensors - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A monitoring camera is arranged to monitor a wide angle image view. The camera comprises an event detector arranged to signal that an event has occurred when an alert line/tripwire positioned in the wide angle image view has been crossed. The alert line is defined as a line enclosing a point of the wide angle image view. A method for monitoring an area using the monitoring camera comprises capturing images representing a wide angle view through a wide angle lens, detecting if an object in the images is crossing an alert line defined in the wide angle view as a line enclosing a point in the wide angle view, and in response to a detection of an object crossing the alert line, redirecting the camera from capturing images through the wide angle lens to a position capturing an image view including the area in which the alert line was crossed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A monitoring camera arranged to monitor a wide angle image view, the camera comprising: a camera head including an image sensor and lenses; a pan motor arranged to pan the camera head in relation to a camera base; a tilt motor arranged to tilt the camera head in relation to the camera base; and an event detector arranged to signal that an event has occurred when an alert line positioned in the wide angle image view is crossed by an object, wherein the alert line is defined as a line enclosing a point of the wide angle image view; and a wide angle lens fixedly arranged in relation to the camera base and the wide angle lens having its optical axis aligned with the rotational axis of the camera head when panning, wherein the camera head is capable of being directed for capturing images through the wide angle lens. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent dome shaped cover which the camera head is enabled to capture images through and onto which the wide angle lens is attached. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, further comprising a camera position controller configured to generate control signals for the pan motor and the tilt motor, respectively, in order to control the direction of the camera head, wherein the camera position controller is connected to the event detector and is configured to, in response to a signal from the event detector, redirect the camera head from a view through the wide angle lens to a view including an area in which the alert line has been crossed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, wherein the alert line forms a shape and wherein the monitoring camera further comprises means for changing the size of the shape in response to a size change request received at the camera. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, wherein the alert line is enclosing a center point of the wide angle image view. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, wherein the event detector detects alert line crossings by analyzing images captured by the camera and evaluating the images in view of data defining the alert line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The monitoring camera according to claim 1, wherein the alert line is arranged substantially at a distance L from the perimeter of the wide angle image view, wherein L is at most a quarter of the longest distance across the wide angle image view. ### Claim 8 A method for monitoring an area using a monitoring camera comprising a camera head including an image sensor and lenses, a pan motor arranged to pan the camera head in relation to a camera base, and a tilt motor arranged to tilt the camera head in relation to the camera base, the method comprising: directing the camera head for capturing images representing a wide angle view through a wide angle lens fixedly arranged in relation to the camera base and with an optical axis of the wide angle lens aligned with the rotational axis of the camera head when panning; detecting if an object in the images is crossing an alert line defined in the wide angle view as a line enclosing a point in the wide angle view; and redirecting, in response to a detection of an object crossing the alert line, the camera head from capturing images through the wide angle lens to a position capturing an image view including an area in which the alert line was crossed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising zooming, in connection with the redirection of the camera head, the lens of the camera head to a predetermined zoom value for capturing images of an area including the area where the alert line was crossed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the alert line forms a circle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the alert line forms a polygon.