Abstract:
A video analytics function is disclosed for use in a video monitoring applications to control and monitor streaming video from a video source arranged to monitor a field of view (FOV) and providing for end-user input to identify and modify a compression level of at least one object or area field encompassing the field of view (FOV) based on a monitoring priority of the at least one object. The inventive operation realizes reduced bandwidth and processing requirements for monitoring the FOV because of a reduction in streaming video data based on the compression level, which includes a fully-masked compression level. The novel function provides for reconstructing the FOV for viewing at an end-user interface, e.g.’ a remote workstation, and inputting end-user commands at the end-user interface to create an object field encompassing the at least one object or area field within the FOV. The compression level is defined based on a monitoring priority for the at least one object, or object field area. The bandwidth needed to transfer video comprising the FOV and compressed object fields, and the processing required to process the FOV and object fields is reduced in accord with the user-defined compression level of the object field data. The FOV is then monitored.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to video analytics for video monitoring system applications, and more particularly relates to a new and novel video analytics function and module that enables an end-user of a video monitoring system comprising the novel function to identify objects in an imaging field of view (FOV) acquired as steaming video from a video source, define a border around the object as an object field definition, and the further define an amount of compression for the data comprising the identified object field. As such, each subsequent frame of the captured FOV (the streaming video) and object field are forwarded from the video source, where the data comprising the user-defined object field definition is reduced compared to the other FOV video data commensurate with the user-defined compression level for the object field. The inventive operation minimizes the bandwidth required to transfer the streaming video, and for processing the streaming video for surveillance purposes, and preferably nevertheless monitors the compressed object field in the FOV by use of a motion vector derived from the object field. 
         [0002]    Video surveillance systems are known for use in a variety of applications for monitoring objects within an environment, e.g., a piece of baggage or a casino employee. Analog closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring systems have been in operation for many years. These legacy analog-based CCTV systems, and more recently available network-based video surveillance systems are employed to monitor and/or track individuals and vehicles entering or leaving a building facility or security gate (entry/exit), individuals present within, entering/exiting a store, casino, office building, hospital, etc., or any other known setting where the health and/or safety of the occupants may be of concern. Video surveillance has long been employed in the aviation industry to monitor the presence of individuals at key locations within an airport, such as at security gates, baggage area, parking garages, etc. 
         [0003]    CCTV-acquired image data has traditionally been recorded to videocassette recorders (VCRs) in CCTV, or hybrid CCTV/digital network-based surveillance systems. But the recent improvements in digital technology and digital network technology have lead to marked improvements in digital network-based surveillance systems. Such improvements include storing digital or digitized video data via digital video recorders (DVRs), or network video recorders (NVRs). CCTV cameras, however, because of their analog construction and operation, are notoriously difficult to integrate with conventional networks and systems. That is, many legacy CCTV-based video surveillance systems are modified to operate in the digital world, wherein the CCTV cameras&#39; on-board processes must digitize the video data streams to operate as part of the digital network, or the Internet. 
         [0004]    The phrases “network camera,” “video camera” or “video source” are used interchangeably herein to denote and describe video capture or video acquisition devices that may take the form of any of digital cameras, digital video recorders, analog CCTV cameras, etc., streamers, including video devices that include on-board servers and/or on-board video analytics known in the art for capturing a monitoring field of view (FOV) for a monitoring application. Digital network cameras perform many of the same functions performed by conventional analog CCTV cameras, but with greater functionality and reduced costs. Network cameras are typically interfaced directly into an Ethernet-based network at an Ethernet port through a video server (as mentioned above), a monitor either a fixed or moving FOV. Network camera video outputs may be viewed in their simplest form using a web browser at a PC (and PC monitor). Alternatively, the video feed from a network camera may be processed to accommodate more complex security-related solutions using dedicated software and application programs. 
         [0005]    Video servers, or servers that provide video analytics functionality, may be included in a video surveillance system or network in order to process video provided by the network cameras. Video servers may be used in video management systems to operate upon analog CCTV video data, such operations including digitization, rasterization and processing by video analytics. Such video servers thereafter direct the video data to in-network or IP address locations, such as a video client. A single video server may network up to four analog cameras, converting the analog stream to frames of digital image data. Network or IP Cameras with on-board video analytics processing abilities shall be referred to herein as “smart IP cameras,” or smart video sources. Smart IP cameras or video sources allow for video analytics to be performed at the source of video data acquisition, that is, at the camera. 
         [0006]    Video sequences, or streaming video acquired by network cameras of monitoring FOVs, both digital and analog, comprise frames of images of an FOV, and are streamed over the network using TCP/IP protocols and the like. The video streams are directed to distant servers (for example, by the streams&#39; intended MAC address), or other video clients where the video surveillance data are analyzed by the server or video client applications using various known video analytics. Alternatively, the streaming video may be stored in a video database, and later accessed by video clients. Video analytics as used herein shall refer to functional operations performed by a video source to acquire video surveillance data, and performed on acquired video data by software or application programs that employ algorithms to detect classify, analyze objects in a field of view (FOV), and respond to such detection, classification and analyzing. 
         [0007]    Video analytics are used in various conventional video-monitoring systems to enhance the effectiveness of the video monitoring for event and object detection, and reporting. Video analytics include various functions that provide for improved monitoring vigilance, improved video acquisition device functionality, monitoring functionality and analysis, and automated video monitoring system responsiveness. Known video analytics provide object-tracking features by which an object under surveillance is tracked or monitored by a camera. For example, video analytics may support video monitoring by analyzing streaming video surveillance data including an object under surveillance to detect if the object&#39;s position changes, e.g., the object has been removed from the location. If the object is moved, an alarm will generally be raised. 
         [0008]    Various entities are known that provide video monitoring systems and software applications for video monitoring applications that include video analytics functioning. For example, IOImage, Inc., provides video analytics solutions marketed Intelligent Video Appliances,™ which performs various security-monitoring functions upon acquired video surveillance data. The Several Intelligent Video Appliances™ functions include without limitation intrusion detection by video surveillance, unattended baggage detection, stopped vehicle detection, and other video analytics functions such as autonomous person/vehicle tracking with pan/tilt/zoom (PZT). 
         [0009]    Known video surveillance systems and video analytics techniques provide for monitoring high-risk environments such as airports, as mentioned above, but may be used as well in “home” video surveillance monitoring, traffic flow monitoring to monitor driver action at fixed street or highway locations, etc. Highway video surveillance operation is discussed at length in a paper by Li, et al., A HIDDEN MARKOV MODEL FRAMEWORK FOR TRAFFIC EVENT DETECTION USING VIDEO FEATURES; Mitsubishi Research Laboratories, (TR-2004-084; October 2004). Therein, a video analytics approach to highway traffic detection is described in which the video analytics extract features directly from compressed video to detect traffic events using a Gaussian hidden Markhov model (HMM) framework. The approach uses MPEG compression to reduce spatial redundancy between successive frames, the result of which is stored in a motion vector (MV) in video. MVs may describe an object found in acquired video frames in the spatial domain, where the magnitude of MV reflects the speed of the moving object and its direction indicates the moving direction of the moving object. 
         [0010]    Another known video surveillance system and application is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 2006/0239645 (“the &#39;645 application”), filed Mar. 31, 2005, commonly owned and incorporated by reference. The &#39;645 application discloses an enterprise video surveillance system that includes video analytics abilities, including the ability to package video sequences derived from network cameras based on user-specified events. A video analytics processing manager, or Digital Video Manager™ (“DVM”), provides for portions of acquired video, e.g., acquired video sequences, to be bound into a “package” containing an event of interest captured by a digital video system sensor or video camera. DVM is a scalable, enterprise class IP-based digital video manager system that includes a network video recorder (NVR) capable of transforming standard IT equipment and component video sources into customized and manageable video systems for security and surveillance needs. 
         [0011]    The packaged video sequences or events are transmitted by the DVM to an external agent (video client) for further analysis, for example, to a central monitoring location within the enterprise video surveillance system. One example of a video event that may be packaged by the DVM system includes a video clip containing facial images of an individual under surveillance, or enter/exiting a secured location. By packaging the video event in order that the segment is easily accessed, prompt security agent action may be taken with respect to the monitored individual&#39;s actions, etc. To that end, Honeywell&#39;s DVM systems include video analytics ability to provide relevant acquired or captured video data on demand, implement outdoors motion detection, conduct object tracking, conduct object tracking with classification, etc. 
         [0012]    What would be welcomed in the field of enterprise-wide video surveillance, and video analytics-based video surveillance systems is a video analytics function that enables an end-user to identify objects in an imaging field of view (FOV) acquired by a video source that are not a priority, and limit the video data comprising the object in the frame of FOV, to minimize the amount of data transferred and processed. For that matter, it would be desirable to have a user option to define an amount of compression for the data comprising the identified object. Whereafter, each subsequent frame of the FOV would have a size equal to the data comprising the FOV set off by the compression ratio of the object data (in the streaming video). Such operation realizes a desirable effect of minimizing the bandwidth required to transfer the streaming video, and for processing the streaming video for surveillance purposes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    To that end, the present invention provides a novel video analytics function or functional module, a video surveillance method and system that implement the function. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the novel video analytics function provides an end-user with an ability to control an amount of streaming video data from a video source by compressing or partially compressing video data comprising low-threat or low-priority objects, or low priority areas or regions within a field of view (FOV) that have been identified by the system user. By compression, it should be understood to mean compression at various compression levels, which includes compression that fully masks an object within the FOV. Once masked or compressed, the data in the object field definition may be monitored differently than other video data comprising the FOV. 
         [0015]    The low-priority regions should be identified by the system user to accommodate a particular surveillance application. Any known input device that will allow an system user an ability to both view the FOV, and insert and field boundary about an area, or object that does not require “full” video monitoring (no compression). In addition, however, in systems with sophisticated video analytics ability that automatically identify and distinguish objects, for example, by an object&#39;s aspect ratio, may interact with the novel function of the invention, where the system user is automatically given the option of compressing the objects so identified by the conventional analytics. 
         [0016]    For example, when an object or specifically identified area within a streaming FOV that is not essential for an immediate surveillance application is masked, or partially compressed by user input and the novel function, an operator may focus his/her attention on other portions of the streaming imaged FOV. The novel function may mask or partially compress the object field data (as defined by the object field definition) until the end-user modifies the compression level, or until video analytics detect some event in the partially compressed data that changes the monitoring priority with respect to the identified object, or object field. The object field definition is not limited by the invention to objects per se, but to specific areas that once identified are defined as area fields, which are equivalent of an object field definition. For that matter, the terms “area field definition,” and object field definition are used interchangeably herein to convey the concept of a captured portion of a streaming video field of view, for purposes of minimizing the video data forwarded from the source tracking the area, field or object. 
         [0017]    When monitoring a streaming video FOV that includes an object field defined by an end-user in fully compressed mode, an event occurring (and detected by video analysis) somewhere in the FOV outside the object field definition, or by analyzing a motion vector representative of the fixed and fully compressed object field will compel the system to automatically modify the compression level of the masked object field definition. Where the object field is partially compressed rather than masked, the compressed data may be analyzed, for example, for a detectable event in the partially compressed video data that would change the priority for the object field, and consequently change the level of compression and monitoring for the object or objects therein. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0018]    The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventions, with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a video monitoring system that implements a novel video analytics function of the invention 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a FOV acquired in streaming video from a video source showing an object and object field definition, and includes moving people; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a FOV acquired in streaming video from a video source showing an object and object field definition, and includes moving vehicles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    The inventive video surveillance system, method and novel video analytics function of the invention are described herein with the accompanying drawings in order to convey the broad concepts of the invention. The drawings figures and textual descriptions however, are meant for illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to limit the scope and spirit of the invention, or in any way limit the scope of the invention as claimed. 
         [0023]    The inventive video surveillance system, method and novel video analytics function of the invention provides an end-user with an ability to monitor objects, or specific areas, for example, low threat areas, within a particular field of view (FOV) acquired by a video source differently, much more efficiently with respect to both bandwidth and system processing load by controlling the compression ratio of the identified objects or identified areas. The end-user must first identify the object or area that he/she wishes to seclude in compression with respect to the other video data comprising the streaming FOV. The identification of objects or other specific area elements in the FOV by an end-user is accomplished by the invention using any known user input device that would allow the user to capture the object or area on a screen where the streaming video comprising the FOV is displayed. The end-user captures the object or specific area by completely enclosing same in a free form or geometric-shaped boundary, defining an object or area field (“object field”), in a form of an object field definition. The user then sets the compression level for the defined object field. The compression ratio or level may be varied depending on the priority for monitoring the object in the surveillance application, including a fully masked mode of compression, at the user&#39;s discretion. 
         [0024]    Limiting the video data transmitted from the video source has a commensurate value with respect to system bandwidth and loading requirements in that only the limited video data need be transferred to and processed at its destination. That is, there is a marked benefit of such operation in bandwidth savings commensurate with the percentage of the FOV compressed, and the compression ratio of the percentage. Reducing data for network or system transfer and processing also realizes a reduced system video-processing load. Where an object field definition is fully masked, and it comprises 20% of an FOV, there would result in an approximately 20% reduction in bandwidth required to transmit the streaming video data comprising the FOV. Moreover, the reduced video data realizes a reduction in load for a similar percentage in view of the fact that it is only analyzing approximately 80% of the video data from the FOV. In this way, the end-user monitoring the FOV is more able to focus on the FOV portions other than the object field. 
         [0025]    One embodiment of a video surveillance system  100  of the invention is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The reader and skilled artisan alike should recognize that the  FIG. 1  system  100  is presented for exemplary purposes only, to provide an understanding of the inventive principles, but is not meant to limit the invention in any way. Video surveillance system  100  includes a video manager  110  that performs video analytics processing on video data forwarded to it from any of video sources  120  via video analytics server  130 , from any of video sources  140  that include onboard video analytics processing ability (sometimes referred to as “smart” video sources (cameras)), and video sources  150 . Video sources  150  may or may not include onboard video analytics processing abilities. An optional data translation rules database  160  is also shown connected to the video manager  110 . The video sources provide acquired video data streams that may include attached metadata in various formats, including movement or motion vectors characterizing the object field(s). Video manager  110  is also connected to an other resources database  170 , and a user interface  175  for end-user operation of the user-controlled novel video analytics function of the invention. User interface  175  is shown in  FIG. 1  to include a personal computer  180 , display  185  and input device  190 . 
         [0026]    The video analytics function, or functional module for implementing the novel video monitoring operation may be located in a smart video source with onboard video analytics ability ( 140 ), in a video analytics server ( 130 ) for maintaining streaming video from basic video sources  120 , the video manager  110  to maintain video throughput and processing for network video sources  150 , the PC  180  in user interface  175 , and/or in the other resources including an NVR or DVR ( 170 ) as shown. The user interface may include computer software that implements the novel function and system operation, for example, by including a set of computer readable instructions that upon execution at the user interface carry out the novel function. 
         [0027]    An explanation of how the novel function operates for monitoring applications will be explained with reference to the hypothetical streaming field of view (FOV)  200  of  FIG. 2 , FOV  200  acquired by any video source available and known in the conventional arts, such as depicted in the  FIG. 1  system  100 . Again, whether the novel video analytics unction is located and operational in the video source providing the streaming FOV, or in a system video manager, a DVR that supports system operation, or a PC that supports system video processing and distribution, such function provides an end-user (at a user interface not shown in  FIG. 2 ) the ability of identify objects and areas in the FOV  200 , such as building  210 , and avoid the need for transferring the video data comprising the object, and processing the video data as it would be processed in the conventional arts. Identification includes using an input device (for example, at user interface  175  of  FIG. 1 ) to enclose the object, or desired area within the FOV with an object boundary, or object field definition  220 . The reader should note that the object field definition is not dependent on the actual object boundary, but may capture the actual object boundary, and/or a perimeter around the object (as shown) for various monitoring operations. 
         [0028]    And as mentioned above, the object field definition is not limited by the invention to objects per se, but to specific areas that once identified are defined as area fields, which are equivalent of an object field definition. For that matter, the terms “area field definition,” and object field definition are used interchangeably herein to convey the concept of a captured portion of a streaming video field of view, for purposes of minimizing the video data forwarded from the source tracking the area, field or object. 
         [0029]    In the instant example of  FIG. 2 , two structures,  230  and  240  have a high-priority for monitoring, where building  210  has a very low priority. The user, therefore, may choose implement the novel function with respect to the low priority object (building  210 ). The end-user may first capture the object, by enclosing the object (or other area) in an object field definition. Then the entire object field so captured may then be compressed, or fully masked (object field  220 ), in accordance with the system limitations by the novel function so that the video data from the portion of the FOV comprising object or area field  220  is minimized commensurate with the compression ratio. Where an object field is fully masked, as distinguished from compressed to a specific compression level, the fully masked data are not transferred and processed as are the video data comprising the remainder of the FOV. Whether fully masked or compressed to various states of compression, the result is a reduction of data transferred from the video source for the streaming FOV, and a reduction in processing load by the system, e.g., at the IP address slated for processing or storing the streaming video data. 
         [0030]    Other than as fully masked, some video data at the defined compression level for the object field is processed and monitored for movement in the object field, or in a filed that lies just outside the building boundaries (an outlier region just outside an enclosed object or area field definition). At movement detection, the system may be controlled to automatically modify the compression level of the object field definition. For example, in a compressed mode, the video analytics function may nevertheless discern movement of any of the four (4) people,  222 ,  224 ,  226  and  228 . Based on the movement, or movement direction, the function may automatically modify the compression ratio back to a default compression ratio. Automatic default operation may be controlled by user settings. This is particularly helpful if an object is a human, where any object movement cause the novel function to automatically revert to full video of same object (person). In a case where the object moving is non-human, such as a motor vehicle, the user is preferably noticed of the object&#39;s movement, and is provided with an option of changing the compression level, or masking. 
         [0031]    Hence, in an application such as highlighted in  FIG. 2 , where the object is a person  228  moving away from buildings  230  and  240 , the novel function will not identify him/her as a possible threat, so not change the compression level for the object field. That is, no need to change monitoring priority in the object field in view of the movement of person  228 , based on the novel function&#39;s motion vector analysis (described in greater detail below), including identifying respective motion direction, The same is true for person  226 , who is shown moving away from the buildings. But person  224  in the actual object (in the object field definition) and person  222 , who is outside the object, but in the object field, are seen moving away from the object towards the buildings. The novel function will modify the compression to get the maximum resolution in response to the direction traveled, or change in direction of travel. 
         [0032]    Identifying the direction of movement of an object (e.g., person) may also be carried out by the invention even if the object definition is fully masked, because the movement is derived not from analyzing the video data defining the object field directly, but by analyzing a motion tracking vector. The motion tracking vectors are derived from and representative of movement within the user-defined object field. Not only does this novel functional operation reduce the amount of data that must be transferred (bandwidth) to carry out the video monitoring, but also reduces the load on system video processing resources because they need not fully process the identified and compressed object video data. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  depicts another hypothetical FOV  300 , in which there are two buildings  310  and  320 , which have a high monitoring priority, and an object  330  is a parking lot proximate buildings (objects)  310  and  320 . Again, and as already mentioned, the terms area and object are used interchangeably, such that the parking lot area is essentially a defined object field. That is, parking lot  330  is shown enclosed by a user-defined object field definition or boundary  340 . The video data of the streaming video FOV that comprises parking lot  330  and the space outside the lot in the object field definition  340  is compressed by end-user input control. The object definition may be defined for fully masked or partially compressed monitoring operation within the FOV  300  depending on the end-user definition. The parking lot  330  in object field  340 , and cars shown therein are defined as low-priority, or low threat. But the threat level of cars in the object field may change based on the motion vectors relating to same. For example, while cars  332  and  334  are shown moving away from the buildings  310  and  320 , their movement alone will not trigger the system, and the novel function, to modify the threat level and therefore the compression level of the streaming video from the object (parking lot  330 ). It is the direction of the movement towards the buildings, such as by car  336  that will result in a change of monitoring of the FOV  300 , and in particular the object field, and in accordance with a specifically controlled monitoring application. 
         [0034]    If analysis of a motion vector relating to car  336  identifies movement towards the high-priority buildings  310 ,  320  (when operating in fully masked mode). The movement may be detected as seen from the object  330  or in the boundary outside of object  330  but still within object field  340 . Based on the motion vector, the system may automatically change back to a default compression level for the object (parking lot  330 ). Preferably, however, for particularly defined object fields, detected movement will present to the end user notification of the movement, and an option to modify the compression level for subsequent streaming video containing the object field. Of course the user could then decide how much compression is necessary in view of the detected threat to maintain the proper level of monitoring protection in the FOV and object field. By monitoring for movement, directional changes of movement, or object velocity changes, etc., and/or by monitoring the object motion vector, the threat level or compression level of the video comprising the object field is automatically modified in response to the detected movement. 
         [0035]    To that end, the novel video analytics function may identify the compressed object field, and its compression level using various metadata attributes. For example, there could be a scale defining the priority of objects to the surveillance needs. Any number of bits could be used to indicate the priority of the object, for example, 3 bits would provide a priority scale of 0 to 7. Any means for minimizing the amount of data that must be transferred, and analyzed optimizes overall security operation. 
         [0036]    As indicated hereinabove, it should be understood that the present invention could be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Any kind of computer/server system(s)—or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the novel optimization methods described herein—is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded and executed, carries out the respective methods described herein. Alternatively, a specific use computer, containing specialized hardware for carrying out one or more of the functional tasks of the invention, could be utilized. 
         [0037]    The present invention can also be embodied in a computer program product, which comprises all the respective features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, for example, the exemplary methods depicted in the figures herein, and which product—when loaded in a computer system—is able to carry out these and related methods. Computer program, software program, program, or software, in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. 
         [0038]    While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.