WO2007105085A1

WO2007105085A1 - A video system

Info

Publication number: WO2007105085A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/000625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Andrew Smorenburg
Original assignee: Michael Andrew Smorenburg
Priority date: 2006-03-16
Filing date: 2007-03-14
Publication date: 2007-09-20

Abstract

A video system (10) for capturing video footage of individuals in a filming area in the form of a roadway, comprises digital video cameras (12.1, 12.2 and 12.3) positioned adjacent the filming area in a predetermined sequential arrangement, a tracking system for tracking the movement of cyclists through the filming area, a data recorder (16) and a processor (18). The tracking system comprises passive transponders (32.1 and 32.2) each carried by one of two cyclists, and a number of compatible readers. Each camera is operable to capture video images of a different filming portion of the roadway. The video images and the times of entry into and departure from each filming portion by the cyclists, are recorded by the recorder (16). The processor (18) is operable to identify video segments for each cyclist beginning with the cyclist entering a particular filming portion and ending with the cyclist leaving the filming portion; and sorting the video segments into a chronological sequence.

Description

A VIDEO SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a video system.

Any reference herein to an "individual" must be interpreted sufficiently broadly to include a reference to a human or an animal or an inanimate object.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a video system including:

a number of video cameras which can be located adjacent a filming area in a predetermined spatial relationship wherein each video camera is operable to capture video images of a different filming portion of said filming area, corresponding with the field of view of the relevant video camera; tracking means for tracking the movement of an individual through the filming area by recording the time of entry of the individual into the filming portion of each of the video cameras and the time of departure of the individual from said filming portion;

searchable data recording means which is operable to record:

a) the video images captured by each of the video cameras, together with a unique camera identification code associated with each video camera and the time of capturing of the video images; and

b) the entry times into and the departure times from each filming portion recorded by the tracking means for the individual;

in an arrangement wherein the video images captured by each camera and the entry and departure times are each associated with said unique code associated with the relevant video camera; and

processing means which is operable to:

a) search the data recording means to identify discrete video segments captured by each of the video cameras which have a beginning point corresponding with the time of entry of the individual into the filming portion of the relevant video camera and an end point corresponding with the time of departure of the individual from the filming portion of said video camera; and b) sort the identified video segments into a chronological sequence.

The video cameras may be locatable adjacent said filming area in a predetermined sequential relationship corresponding to the expected direction of movement of an individual through said filming area and in an arrangement wherein parts of the filming portions of preceding filming portions and succeeding filming portions overlap in a transition area.

The tracking means may be operable to track the movement of a number of individuals through the filming area simultaneously.

The tracking means may include a number of portable transmitter devices which can each be carried by a different one of said individuals and which are each operable to transmit tracking signals containing a unique tracking code; and a number of receiver devices which are each associated with a different one of the video cameras and which are operable to receive said tracking signals transmitted by the transmitter devices.

Each receiver device may be locatable adjacent the transition area between the filming portion of the video camera with which the receiver device is associated and an adjacent filming portion of another video camera, the receiver device being operable to receive signals from the transmitter device at least within said transition area.

The transmitter devices may be operable to transmit signals at predetermined regular intervals and each receiver device may be in the form of a directional antenna which is operable to receive signals transmitted by the transmitter devices within the relevant transition areas.

In another embodiment, each transmitter device may be in the form of a passive transponder device and wherein each receiver device is in the form of a compatible reader, each transponder device being energized by a particular one of the readers when the transponder device is within a predetermined range of the reader.

The data recording means includes a database in which the video images, the times of capturing the video images and said entry times and departure times, are stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a video system in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a schematic top plan view of a filming area in which video images are to be captured using the video system of Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a video system in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The video system 10 comprises a number of stationary digital video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 which are located at predetermined positions adjacent a filming area 14, tracking means in the form of a tracking system for tracking the movement of an individual through the filming area, a data recorder 16 and a processor 18. The video system 10 is configured for use in capturing video footage of cyclists 20.1 and 20.2 travelling along the filming area 14.

The filming area 14 is in the form of a section of roadway which has a beginning 22 and an end 24. Typically, the section of roadway may be a few kilometres long and a large number of video cameras may be located in a spaced relationship at predetermined positions along the section of roadway. For illustration purposes, only three video cameras are shown in this example.

The filming area 14 has a left-hand side boundary 26 and a right-hand side boundary 28 when viewed from the end 24 of the section of roadway. As such, the video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 are arranged along the left-hand side boundary of the filming area in a sequential arrangement in which the video camera 12.1 is closest the beginning 22 of the section of roadway, the video camera 12.3 is closest the end 24 of the section of roadway and the video camera 12.2 is located between the video cameras 12.1 and 12.3. The cameras are arranged in a sequential relationship which corresponds with the expected direction of travel of an individual through the filming area 18 from the beginning of the section of roadway to the end thereof. The video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 are arranged and configured to capture video images of generally triangular filming portions 30.1 , 30.2 and 30.3, respectively, of the filming area 14, corresponding with the fields of view of the relevant video cameras. The video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 are thus locatable adjacent the filming area 14 and configured in an arrangement wherein parts of the filming portion of preceding and succeeding adjacent filming portions overlap. Each of the video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 includes a timer which is operable to record the time of capturing of video images by the video camera.

The tracking system is operable to track the movement of the cyclists 20.1 and 20.2 as they travel along the section of roadway along paths P1 and P2, respectively, from the beginning 22 to the end 24 of the section of roadway.

The tracking system comprises two passive electrical field transponders 32.1 and 32.2 and three compatible readers 34.1 , 34.2 and 34.3 which are each associated with the video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3, respectively. The readers 34.1 , 34.2 and 34.3 include antennae 36.1, 36.2 and 36.3, respectively, which are imbedded in mats 38.1 , 38.2 and 38.3, respectively, which extend across the roadway. Each mat 38 is positioned across the roadway at a position within, yet near to the periphery of the filming portion of a different one of the video cameras. The antennae 36 incorporated into the mats 38, are operable to generate electromagnetic fields which send energizing signals to the transponders 32.1 and 32.2 as the cyclists cross over the mats when travelling along the section of roadway. The video cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 and the mats 38 are arranged in such a manner that the mats 38 are positioned at transition areas between adjacent preceding and succeeding filming portions. The mats 38.1 and 38.2 demarcate entrance and exit boundaries, respectively, for the filming portion 30.1. Similarly, the mats 38.2 and 38.3 demarcate entrance and exit boundaries, respectively, for the filming portion 30.2 and so on. As such, the time recorded by the reader 34.1 when the cyclist 30.1 crosses the antenna 36.1 , is deemed to be the time of entry of the cyclist 20.1 into the filming portion 30.1. Similarly, the time recorded by the reader 34.2 when the cyclist 20.1 crosses the antenna 36.2, is deemed to be the time of departure of the cyclist 20.1 from the filming portion 30.1 and also the time of entry of the cyclist 30.1 into the filming portion 30.2.

The transponders 32.1 and 32.2 are typically worn by the cyclists 20.1 and 20.2, respectively, and are operable to transmit a tracking signal containing a unique tracking code to the relevant reader when the transponder is energized when the cyclist crosses over the mat 38 associated with the reader.

The readers 34.1 , 34.2 and 34.3 include timers 36.1 , 36.2 and 36.3, respectively, which record the time when the relevant reader receives a return tracking signal from one of the passive transponders 32.1 and 32.2.

Each of the readers 34.1 , 34.2 and 34.3 and each of the video cameras 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 associated therewith, is linked to the data recorder 16. The cameras 12.1 , 12.2 and 12.3 are linked to the data recorder 16 in an arrangement wherein data sent from the cameras to the data recorder 16 contains a unique camera identification code which is unique to each video camera. The data recorder 16 includes a searchable database and is operable to store the video images captured by each of the video cameras 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 in the database. The data recorder 16 is thus operable to record the video images captured by each of the video cameras and the time of capturing of the video images, together with the unique camera identification code for each video camera. The data recorder 16 is further operable to record the tracking signals received by each of the readers 34.1 , 34.2 and 34.3 from the transponders 32.1 and 32.2 and the time of receipt thereof by the readers. The video images and the entry and departure times of the cyclists 20.1 and 20.2 into and from the filming portion of the relevant video camera, are linked in the database to the unique camera identification code associated with the video camera.

The processor 18 is coupled to the data recorder 16 and is operable to search the data stored therein to identify discrete video segments captured by each of the video cameras, which have a beginning point corresponding with the time of entry of a particular one of the cyclists into the filming portion of the video camera and an end point corresponding to the time of departure of the cyclist from the filming portion of the video camera. For example, when cyclist 20.1 crosses of the antenna 36.1 into filming portion

30.1 , video images of the cyclist will be captured by video camera 12.1. The time of entry of the cyclist 20.1 into filming portion 30.1 and the time of departure therefrom correspond with the times at which the cyclist 20.1 crosses over the antennae 36.1 and

36.2, respectively. The cyclist is identified by the unique tracking code transmitted by the transponder to the reader 34.1 as the cyclist crosses over antennae 36.1 and 36.2. The processor 18 is thus operable to identify a discrete video segment for the cyclist 20.1 beginning with the moment the cyclist crosses over antenna 36.1 and ending with the moment the cyclist crosses over antenna 36.2. The processor is operable to identify each video segment captured by the video cameras for each cyclist travelling along the filming area and to sort the identified video segments into a chronological sequence. In this manner, a seamless unbroken video clip can be. produced for each cyclist. The video clip can be edited to selectively delete, edit or manipulate certain video segments if desired.

It will be appreciated that the exact configuration of the video system and the components thereof may vary greatly while still incorporating the essential features as defined and described hereinabove. In another embodiment of the invention, the Applicant envisages that the tracking system may include transmitter devices instead of the transponders 32.1 and 32.2, which are operable to transmit signals at predetermined regular intervals and each receiver device may be in the form of a directional antenna which is operable to receive signals transmitted by the transmitter devices within the relevant transition areas between adjacent filming portions. In yet another embodiment, the tracking means may include a global positioning system ("GPS") for tracking the movement of individual with the filming area. In a further embodiment, the Applicant envisages that the tracking system may include an optical recognition system for tracking the movement of individuals through the filming area. In this embodiment, each individual may carry or wear an optically recognizable unique object which can be tracked by the optical recognition system.

Claims

1. A video system including:

a number of video cameras which can be located adjacent a filming area in a predetermined spatial relationship wherein each video camera is operable to capture video images of a different filming portion of said filming area, corresponding with the field of view of the relevant video camera;

tracking means for tracking the movement of an individual through the filming area by recording the time of entry of the individual into the filming portion of each of the video cameras and the time of departure of the individual from said filming portion;

searchable data recording means which is operable to record:

in an arrangement wherein the video images captured by each camera and the entry and departure times are each associated with said unique code associated with the relevant video camera; and processing means which is operable to:

a) search the data recording means to identify discrete video segments captured by each of the video cameras which have a beginning point corresponding with the time of entry of the individual into the filming portion of the relevant video camera and an end point corresponding with the time of departure of the individual from the filming portion of said video camera; and

b) sort the identified video segments into a chronological sequence.

2. The video system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the video cameras are locatable adjacent said filming area in a predetermined sequential relationship corresponding to the expected direction of movement of an individual through said filming area and in an arrangement wherein parts of the filming portions of preceding filming portions and succeeding filming portions overlap in a transition area.

3. The video system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tracking means is operable to track the movement of a number of individuals through the filming area simultaneously.

4. The video system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tracking means includes a number of portable transmitter devices which can each be carried by a different one of said individuals and which are each operable to transmit tracking signals containing a unique tracking code; and a number of receiver devices which are each associated with a different one of the video cameras and which are operable to receive said tracking signals transmitted by the transmitter devices.

5. The video system as claimed in claim 4, wherein each receiver device is locatable adjacent the transition area between the filming portion of the video camera with which the receiver device is associated and an adjacent filming portion of another video camera, the receiver device being operable to receive signals from the transmitter device at least within said transition area.

6. The video system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transmitter devices are operable to transmit signals at predetermined regular intervals and each receiver device is in the form of a directional antenna which is operable to receive signals transmitted by the transmitter devices within the relevant transition areas.

7. The video system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each transmitter device is in the form of a passive transponder device and wherein each receiver device is in the form of a compatible reader, each transponder device being energized by a particular one of the readers when the transponder device is within a predetermined range of the reader.

8. The video system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the data recording means includes a database in which the video images, the times of capturing the video images and said entry times and departure times, are stored.