Showing papers on "Smart camera published in 1998"

Small Vision Systems: Hardware and Implementation

Abstract: Robotic systems are becoming smaller, lower power, and cheaper, enabling their application in areas not previously considered. This is true of vision systems as well. SRI’s Small Vision Module (SVM) is a compact, inexpensive realtime device for computing dense stereo range images, which are a fundamental measurement supporting a wide range of computer vision applications. We describe hardware and software issues in the construction of the SVM, and survey implemented systems that use a similar area correlation algorithm on a variety of hardware.

Some reflections on soft computing, granular computing and their roles in the conception, design and utilization of information/intelligent systems

Abstract: We are living in a world which is undergoing profound changes brought about by rapid advances in science and technology. Among such changes, the most visible are those that relate to what is popularly referred to as the information revolution. The artifacts of this revolution are all around us: the e-mail, the world wide web, the cellular phone; the fax; and the desktop computer, among many others. Linked to the information revolution is another revolution — the intelligent systems revolution. The manifestations of this revolution are not as obvious as those of the information revolution because they involve, for the most part, not new products but higher MIQ (Machine IQ) of existing systems, products and devices. Among the familiar examples are smart appliances, smart cameras, smart robots and smart software for browsing, diagnosis, fraud detection and quality control. The information and intelligent systems revolutions are in a symbiotic relationship. Intelligence requires information and vice-versa. The confluence of intelligent systems and information systems leads to intelligent information systems. In this sense, the union of information systems, intelligent systems and intelligent information systems constitutes what might be referred to as information/intelligent systems, or I/IS for short. In my perception, in coming years, the design, construction and utilization of information/intelligent systems will become the primary focus of science and technology, and I/IS systems will become a dominant presence in our daily lives. When we take a closer look at information/intelligent systems what we see is the increasingly important role of soft computing (SC) in their conception, design and utilization. Basically, soft computing is an association of computing methodologies which includes as its principal members fuzzy

Intelligent multi-access system

Abstract: A multi-access remote system having a security surveillance area, a plurality of end user locations, and a communications network such that one or more of the end user locations can establish a connection with the security surveillance area, and vice versa, using a communications protocol via the communications network The security surveillance area is comprised of a local computer system, a camera with motion sensor, and a network interface When the motion sensor detects an obstruction the camera starts recording and the local computer system notifies a remote individual of the alarm via a communications device, such as a beeper, telephone, or e-mail Using an end user location, having a remote computer system, a network interface, and one or more communications devices, the remote individual can logon to the local computer system via the communications network and obtain additional information, control the video camera remotely, or view video images Access to the security surveillance area, control of the video camera, and viewing of the video data is accomplished advantageously over the Internet with application specific browser software, plugins, APIs, and other protocols

Digital camera having display device for displaying graphical representation of user input and method for transporting the selected digital images thereof

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting digital images is provided. In one embodiment, a personal electronic handheld digital camera executes an application program that enables a user of the camera to send one or more digital images, formed by and stored in the camera, from the camera to a destination. One or more addresses describing one or more destinations are selected or identified. One or more stored digital images are selected and associated with the one or more addresses. Optionally, a voice message is recorded and associated with the one or more addresses. The camera is coupled to a data communication network, and a transport operation is initiated. Under control of the application, the camera sends the selected images to the designated destinations over the data communication network. When an address is a physical address, for example, a postal mail address, the selected images are automatically routed to a central server. At the central server, tangible copies of the selected images are printed, packaged, and sent to the physical address. Each image may be marked with an authentication stamp that uniquely identifies the image or the camera that created the image, guarding against unauthorized alteration.

Automated camera handoff system for figure tracking in a multiple camera system

Abstract: The invention provides for the automation of a multiple camera system based upon the location of a target object in a displayed camera image. The preferred system provides a nearly continuous display of a figure as the figure moves about throughout multiple cameras' potential fields of view. When the figure approaches the bounds of a selected camera's field of view, the system determines which other camera's potential field of view contains the figure, and adjusts that other camera's actual field of view to contain the figure. When the figure is at the bounds of the selected camera's field of view, the system automatically selects the other camera. The system also contains predictive location determination algorithms. By assessing the movement of the figure, the system selects and adjusts the next camera based upon the predicted subsequent location of the figure.

Humanistic computing: "WearComp" as a new framework and application for intelligent signal processing

Abstract: Humanistic computing is proposed as a new signal processing framework in which the processing apparatus is inextricably intertwined with the natural capabilities of our human body and mind. The emphasis of this paper is on personal imaging applications of humanistic computing, to take a first step toward an intelligent wearable camera system that can allow one to effortlessly capture our day-to-day experiences, help us remember and see better, provide us with personal safety through crime reduction, and facilitate new forms of communication through collective connected humanistic computing. The author's wearable signal processing hardware currently provides the computational power of a UNIX workstation concealed within ordinary-looking eyeglasses and clothing. Thus it may be worn continuously during all facets of ordinary day-to-day living, so that, through long-term adaptation, it begins to function as a true extension of the mind and body.

Method and apparatus for image acquisition from a plurality of cameras

Abstract: An image acquisition system that uses multiple cameras or image sensors in a redundant camera array. The cameras or sensors are arrayed in rows and columns so that a viewing area of each camera overlaps a viewing area of an adjacent camera. At least one camera is positioned in the array so that all edges of its viewing area abuts the viewing area of an adjacent camera. The image is displayed or stored in seamless and continuous form in high resolution. The system may also be used in low light conditions for image acquisition. Multiple cameras or sensors may be arrayed on modular panels that mates with and adjacent modular panel. The system is adaptable to image acquisition for X-rays, scanning, photocopying, security systems and the like.

Direct sight imaging spectrograph: a unique add-on component brings spectral imaging to industrial applications

Abstract: Imaging spectrometry has mainly been a research tool, employing laboratory spectrographs and scientific cameras. This paper describes an add-on imaging spectrograph that provides a unique combination of high quality image in a small, rugged, industrial, easy-to-use component. The spectrograph is based on a prism/grating/prism (PGP) dispersing element which provides straight optical axis, astigmatism free image and polarization independent throughput. A volume holographic transmission grating is used for high efficiency (up to 70%). The tubular optomechanical construction of the spectrograph is stable and small, D30 x L110 mm with F/2.8 numerical aperture and 2/3 inch image size. Equipped with C-mounts, the spectrograph plugs between lens and area camera, converting the camera to a spectral line imaging system. The spectrograph allows the utilization of rapidly developing monochrome camera techniques, like high speed digital cameras, smart cameras and CMOS sensors, in color and spectral analytical applications. It is the first component available for upgrading existing industrial monochrome vision systems with color/spectral capability without the need to change the basic platform hardware and software. The spectrograph brings the accuracy of spectral colorimetry to industrial vision and overcomes the complex calibration that is needed when an RGB color camera is applied to colorimetric applications. Other applications include NIR imaging (up to 2500 nm), spectral microscopy, multichannel fiberoptics spectrometry and remote sensing.

Camera controlling device and method for predicted viewing

Abstract: A personal computer detects the current state of a video camera with reference to setting information transmitted thereto from a work station. When a command for controlling the video camera is inputted from a mouse, the personal computer predicts an image, which is assumed to be shot by the video camera upon execution of the command, with reference to both the information transmitted from the work station and the command inputted from the mouse, and then displays the predicted image on a CRT monitor. Referring to the image being displayed on the CRT monitor, a user performs a manipulation to instruct execution of the command in the case of executing the previous input command. As a result, the command inputted previously is transmitted to the work station via an internet, thereby controlling the video camera and a pan tilter. Thus, the video camera connected via a network or the like can be controlled smoothly.

Remote-controlled camera-picture broadcast system

Abstract: A remote-controlled camera-picture broadcast system is provided, which decreases the cost of hardware and network for the use of a lot of unspecified users. This system is comprised of a camera apparatus, a camera controller, a camera server connected to the camera controller through a first network, and clients connected to the camera server through a second network. Each of the clients transmits an operation demand for the camera apparatus to the camera server through the second network according to an input of a user. The camera server receives the operation demand from the client into which the input of the user is applied, and transmits an operation command corresponding to the operation demand to the camera controller through the first network. The camera controller controls the camera apparatus according to the operation command from the camera server so that the camera apparatus acquires a picture and produces a video signal of the picture. The camera controller receives the video signal of the picture produced by the camera apparatus, converts the video signal to a picture data, and transmits the picture data to the camera server through the first network. The camera server transmits the picture data through the second network to the client from which the operation demand has been transmitted, thereby displaying the picture of the picture data on a screen.

Video camera system and related method

Abstract: A video camera system is provided in which the camera head is powered at least in part by electrical energy converted from optical energy provided by a light source. In one implementation, communication between the camera head and control circuitry thereof occurs by means of a wireless communications interface.

Method and apparatus for still image capture during video streaming operations of a tethered digital camera

Abstract: Dual still image and video mode (110) features are provided for a digital camera (10) whereby the digital camera and an associated computer system support the concurrent capture of still images and video streaming operations. Capture and retrieval of a still image during video streaming operations of a digital camera tethered to a computer system (12) includes pausing video streaming operations, capturing a still image by the digital camera, transferring the still image from the digital camera to the computer system, and resuming video streaming operations. Transfer of the captured still image is performed by camera device driver and bus interface software executing on the computer system. In one embodiment the digital camera (10) is tethered to the computer system by a Universal Serial Bus (USB) (14) and the camera device driver and bus interface software control access and usage of the USB.

System, method and device for controlling camera, image processor to be used for the same and record medium

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and instantaneously instruct the camera attitude or the like desired for a user in the case of TV conference or remote monitoring. SOLUTION: The video photographed by a camera 110 with universal head and the video photographed by a wide angle camera 101 over all the range, which can be photographed by the camera 110 with universal head, are transmitted to a PC 109 and respectively displayed so that the user of the PC 109 can watch not only the detailed video desired by himself but also the video around that desired video almost in real time. By remotely controlling the photographing attitude of the camera 110 with universal head while watching this display, the display of the detailed image can be instantaneously changed in response to a surrounding condition change or the like.

VLIW processor architecture adapted to FPAs

Abstract: A new processor architecture intended to be integrated with a CMOS image sensor is presented. This association allows to design an intelligent camera that can perform on-chip image processing tasks. The processor is based on a VLIW architecture with a reduced instruction bus, able to execute multiple instructions in parallel without any loss of performance. In addition, no more instruction cache is required, thus decreasing the hardware complexity.

Video camera integration on a portable computer

Abstract: On a portable computer, a video camera is integrated as a feature by mounting the camera as an assembly made up of a lens and associated pixel electronics in a camera base that is positioned on the perphery of the display in the cover of the portable computer when the cover is open, and the providing of a cavity in the base portion of the portable computer positioned so that the camera assembly enters the cavity when the cover of the portable computer is closed.

Camera control system controlling different types of cameras

Abstract: A camera control system permits a variety of types of cameras to be connected thereto, and makes it possible to control a plurality of cameras by using standardized camera control commands to enable a user to control them without worrying about the difference in type of cameras connected thereto. The camera control system is also capable of supplying the information on the cameras connected to a user. In a camera server, the information on a video camera connected to the camera server is entered, the input of the information on the video camera that has been entered is determined, and the information on the video camera which has been determined is stored. If an external signal is received, then the external signal is converted to a control signal compatible with the video camera according to the stored information on the video camera.

Remotely controllable camera system

Abstract: A camera system includes a taking lens and a lens cover type of operation card. The operation card incorporates a function of operating the camera system and covers the taking lens when attached to a front of the camera. The operation card may also be attached to another surface of the camera, and may be entirely detached from the camera and used as a remote control device.

Multi-camera programmable pan-and-tilt apparatus

Abstract: A multi-camera programmable pan-and-tilt apparatus (fig.1) comprising a base (22) and a camera mechanism (24) having a first camera (26) and a second camera (30), that includes a zoom mechanism (34) for varying the zoom magnification of the second camera (30). The apparatus (fig.1) further comprises a pan-and-tilt mechanism (40) for moving the cameras with respect to the base, and a video switch (48) for receiving the video outputs of the cameras (44, 46) and selecting one for view. The first camera (26) is viewed for moving scene and the second camera (30) is non-movable and is paused for observation of a scene. The apparatus further comprises a programmable controller (50), which controls the camera mechanism (24) the pan-and-tilt mechanism (40), and, predetermined zoom and focus variations of the second camera. The second camera (30) may be equipped with a motion sensor (36) and a microphone for picking up motion noise. The result of the motion sensor causes intermittent pause of the camera mechanism (24) for additional viewing of the scene and for alerting an operator.

An augmented reality system using a real-time vision based registration

Abstract: Describes a prototype of an augmented reality system using vision-based registration. In order to build an augmented reality system with video see-through image composition, camera parameters for generating virtual objects must be obtained at video-rate. The system estimates camera parameters from four known markers in an image sequence captured by a small CCD camera mounted on a HMD (head mounted display). Virtual objects are overlaid upon a captured image sequence in real-time.

Digital camera capable of printing captured images in various sizes

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing and printing an image of a subject utilizes a tracking mechanism to allow an operator to print the captured image onto a selected surface by manually manipulating the apparatus across the surface. The apparatus is a print-capable digital camera which can print the captured image in one of a range of sizes. The printing process involves an operator placing the digital camera on the surface and scanning the surface in order for the digital camera to print a segment of the captured image according to the location of the digital camera. The tracking mechanism may be comprised of two trackball assemblies. The rotations of the trackballs generate location data which is utilized by digital signal processing circuitry to determine the position of the digital camera relative to a start-print position. Once the location of the inkjet printing head is determined, the digital signal processing circuitry arranges print data to drive an inkjet cartridge to deposit droplets of ink to form a particular segment of the captured image. The digital camera also includes an optical lens for receiving the image of the subject. The optical lens is optically coupled to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC contains a photosensor array, analog-to-digital circuitry, a printer driver, timing control circuitry, a memory, and digital signal processing circuitry. A control interface is also included to allow the operator to control functions of the digital camera.

Thru-hull video camera

Abstract: The instant invention is a video camera assembly which is adapted to be mounted in a thru-hull fitting so as to allow for safe and dependable viewing in various environments A primary embodiment of the invention allows for directing the focus of the camera toward alternative fields of view by incorporation of the device within a conventional thru-hull fitting found on most boats The camera includes a modified transducer body with a self-contained miniaturized camera available for coupling to a television or video monitor in a safe and protected location

A vision sensor having an expanded dynamic range for autonomous vehicles

Abstract: Insufficiency of dynamic range of conventional video cameras is an important problem in realizing a robust vision system for autonomous vehicles because road scenes have a very wide dynamic range of brightness. To solve the problem, a method for expanding the dynamic range of video cameras by combining the images taken under different exposure conditions has been developed. Using this method, an experimental vision sensor with a wide dynamic range has been manufactured. The developed sensor has a dynamic range of 10 000, which is approximately 30 times as wide as that of a conventional video camera. The effectiveness of the developed vision sensor in comparison with a conventional video camera was confirmed from the experiments on a highway under various lighting conditions.

Computer vision control variable transformation

Abstract: The generation of control variables for computer vision is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a computerized system includes a video camera and a controller. The video camera tracks an object, such as the head of a user of the computer. The controller generates control variables having sensitivity to movement of the object that varies in accordance with movement of the object from a neutral position.

Video camera technology

Abstract: Introduction. Light and Optics. Image Sensors. Camera Signal Processing. Automatic Camera Operation. Cameras Used in Systems. Telecine Cameras. Camcorders. Viewfinders. Camera Packaging. Digital Still-Picture Cameras. Camera Specifications and Measurements. HDTV Cameras. The Future of Video Cameras.

Improving visually servoed disassembly operations by automatic camera placement

Abstract: It is advantageous to use an independently mobile camera in visually servoed disassembly operations since its degrees of freedom can be used to bring the camera into an optimal view-pose. Apart from the vision-based closed-loop control that guides the disassembly robot, a second vision-based closed-loop control can be set up which upgrades the camera from a passive to an active sensor and optimizes the view-pose according to changes in the scene domain. The objective of this contribution is to present an approach to model-based pose initialization and pose refinement steps of an active camera which is able to simultaneously observe and track several objects moving to some extent independently from each other. In both steps, constraints regarding object occlusions, the limited field-of-view, and the uncertainty of pose estimation are exploited to determine an optimal camera pose. The feasibility of this approach to model-based pose initialization is experimentally validated and documented for the case of the manipulation of a shock absorber lid.

Image sensing system, control method, and recording medium for controlling a camera apparatus utilizing a client device connected thereto

Abstract: In an image sensing system where a camera apparatus and a client device are connected for controlling the camera apparatus by the client device, the client device displays and arbitrarily shifts a predetermined size of detection area in an object image sensed by the camera apparatus, enabling to quickly perform camera parameter control, such as focus adjustment or the like, based on image signals of the detection area, with a small amount of transferring data. Moreover, detection areas of a sensed image are synthesized by controlling camera parameters for each of the detection areas so as to optimize camera parameters for all of the areas in the object image.

Storing image data to digital cameras

Abstract: A system for outputting camera-formatted data to a digital camera interface, wherein the camera-formatted data corresponds to application-formatted data from an application program. A print operation for the application program is started. A camera driver corresponding to the digital camera is selected as an output device driver for the print operation. Application-formatted data is printed from the application program to the selected camera driver, and camera-formatted data is formed based on the application-formatted data and according to a digital camera format. The camera-formatted data is output from the camera driver to the digital camera interface.

Digital evidence camera system, decoding key acquisition registration system and digital image edit system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital evidence camera system where evidence capability of a digital image is enhanced and an encrypted key is managed at a very high security level. SOLUTION: The digital evidence camera system detects falsified image data obtained by photographing an object with a camera and consists of a camera section 50-1 provided with an image pickup means 60 that photographs an object and with a MAC generating section 11 that generates falsification detection data (MAC) from image data by photographing by using a secret key set in advance and of a falsification check device 101 that uses a public key corresponding to the secret key to decode the data MAC and checks whether or not the image data are falsified based on the decoding result.

Landscape camera system with electronic field of view switching

Abstract: The improved landscape camera system for use in aircraft utilizes digital video technology to obtain multiple fields of view that are selectable for viewing by passengers on the aircraft, from either a single video frame or from multiple cameras with different fields of view. The camera module can also receive video input from one or more auxiliary video cameras, such as a vertical fin mounted video camera, i.e. directed forward for a view of the aircraft in flight, or a rearward looking belly mounted camera.

Spatial attention and saccadic camera motion

Abstract: An important aspect of computer-controlled camera motion systems is that of the generation of saccadic movements, which shift the camera gaze quickly from one fixation position to another. Recent psychophysical experiments suggest that there exists a causal connection between spatial shifts in visual attention and the production of saccadic eye movements in humans. Motivated by this experimental evidence, we propose a winner-take-all based model of exogenous spatial attention, involving both sustained and transient feature detection channels, and link it to the targetting and triggering of saccadic eye movements. We show that this model accounts for a range of oculomotor phenomena observed in human subjects. We describe the application of this model to a robotic camera gaze control system.