Abnormality detection and surveillance system

Abstract

A surveillance system having at least one primary video camera for translating real images of a zone into electronic video signals at a first level of resolution. The system includes means for sampling movements of an individual or individuals located within the zone from the video signal output from at least one video camera. Video signals of sampled movements of the individual is electronically compared with known characteristics of movements which are indicative of individuals having a criminal intent. The level of criminal intent of the individual or individuals is then determined and an appropriate alarm signal is produced.

1. A surveillance system, comprising:
 a) a video camera for translating real images of an area into electronic video signals; 
 b) means for sampling movements of an individual located within the area from said electronic video signals of said video camera; 
 c) means for electronically comparing said sampled movements with predetermined characteristics of movements; 
 d) means for predicting future movements of said individual based on said electronic comparing means of said sampled movements; and 
 e) means for generating a signal responsive to predetermined predicted future movements. 
 
     
     
       2. The surveillance system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said signal generating means activates a video signal recorder for recording said video signals from said camera. 
     
     
       3. The surveillance system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said signal generating means activates a microphone for receiving audible information of said individual located in said area. 
     
     
       4. The surveillance system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said signal generating means activates at least one high resolution camera. 
     
     
       5. A surveillance system, comprising:
 a video camera capable of generating electronic video signals based on real images of an area viewed by the video camera, the electronic video signals comprising a first resolution;   a movement sampler capable of sampling movements of at least one individual in the generated electronic video signals;   a movement comparer capable of comparing sampled movements of the at least one individual with predetermined movement characteristics;   a future movement predictor capable of predicting future movements of the at least one individual based on the compared sampled movements of the at least one individual with the predetermined movement characteristics; and   an alert signal generator capable of generating an alert signal responsive to predicted future movements.   
     
     
       6. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the alert signal generator generates an alert signal that is capable of activating a video signal recorder coupled to the electronic video signals. 
     
     
       7. The surveillance system according to claim 5, further comprising a video signal recorder capable of recording the electronic video signals. 
     
     
       8. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the alert signal generator generates an alert signal that is capable of activating a microphone that is capable of receiving audible information corresponding to the area viewed by the video camera. 
     
     
       9. The surveillance system according to claim 8, further comprising an audio processor capable of filtering out predictable background audible information and capable of amplifying remaining audible information. 
     
     
       10. The surveillance system according to claim 8, further comprising an audio processor capable of recognizing speech in the received audible information. 
     
     
       11. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the alert signal generator generates an alert signal that is capable of activating a second video camera capable of generating electronic video signals based on real images of the area viewed by the second video camera, the electronic video signals generated by the second video camera comprising a second resolution that is greater than the first resolution. 
     
     
       12. The surveillance system according to claim 11, wherein the future movement predictor predicts future movements of the at least one individual further based on at least one characteristic of a track associated with the at least one individual. 
     
     
       13. The surveillance system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one characteristic of the track comprise a movement type, a movement speed, a movement direction, a movement acceleration, a movement change in speed, a movement change in direction, or a movement change in acceleration, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the future movement predictor predicts future movements of the at least one individual further based on at least one characteristic of a track associated with the at least one individual. 
     
     
       15. The surveillance system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one characteristic of the track comprise a movement type, a movement speed, a movement direction, a movement acceleration, a movement change in speed, a movement change in direction, or a movement change in acceleration, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       16. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the future movement predictor is further capable of analyzing detailed movements of the at least one individual with respect to at least one other individual or at least one object, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       17. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the video camera is further capable of varying a focal length of the video camera in response to a video signal of the at least one individual. 
     
     
       18. The surveillance system according to claim 5, wherein the movement comparer is capable of pattern matching the at least one sampled movement to a known movement pattern that is indicative of an individual having criminal intent. 
     
     
       19. The surveillance system according to claim 18, wherein the future movement predictor predicts future movements of the at least one individual further based on at least one sampled movement matching the known movement pattern that is indicative of an individual having criminal intent. 
     
     
       20. The surveillance system according to claim 19, wherein the at least one sampled movement that matches the known movement pattern that is indicative of an individual having criminal intent comprises a characteristic comprising a movement type, a movement speed, a movement direction, a movement acceleration, a movement change in speed, a movement change in direction, or a movement change in acceleration, or combinations thereof.