Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for visual sensing of humans for active public interfaces

US6256046A · kind A · utility

61Cited by
5References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 1997
Grant dateJul 3, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N2013/0092
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An active public user interface in a computerized kiosk senses humans visually using movement and color to detect changes in the environment indicating the presence of people. Interaction spaces are defined and the system records an initial model of its environment which is updated over time to reflect the addition or subtraction of inanimate objects and to compensate for lighting changes. The system develops models of the moving objects and is thereby able to track people as they move about the interaction spaces. A stereo camera system further enhances the system's ability to sense location and movement. The kiosk presents audio and visual feedback in response to what it "sees."

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.