Self-Aiming Camera
- Detailed Technology Description
- The Self-Aiming Camera (SAC) is a moveable video camera whose unique software enables it to receiveand process input from multiple sensors, then automatically aim itself at a target that is the mostprobable source of that input.
- Countries
- United States
- Application No.
- 6795794
- *Abstract
-
The Self-Aiming Camera (SAC) is a moveable video camera whose unique software enables it to receive and process input from multiple sensors, then automatically aim itself at a target that is the most probable source of that input.
SAC's efficient and high-performing algorithm is derived from the study ofliving organisms. A patent for the SAC was issued in 2002.
Description:
Developed by researchers at the University of Illinois, this patented technology can pick out and trackimportant items in the environment. A breakthrough computer model of a region of the vertebrate brainand a probabilistic model of multisensor fusion combine to give SAC its unique monitoring and targetingcapabilities.
The brain's superior colliculus integrates multisensor input and guides orienting movement. As appliedto SAC, the patent-pending model is organized as a map and input from sensors are applied to the modelin spatial register. Each grid location on the map represents a collicular neuron that receives multisensorinput from its own specific location in the environment. Each neuron in the model uses its spatiallyaligned multisensor input to estimate the probability of a target at the corresponding location in theenvironment. Then the camera aims at the location that corresponds to the model neuron with thehighest target probability.
SAC uses multisensor input to compute target probability. This feature derives from application of theBayes Rule Model of Multisensory Enhancement, a probabilistic model of the multisensory responses ofcollicular neurons that was developed and previously published by one of the collaborating researchers.
Applications
- Surveillance: higher-quality targeted surveillance for civilian and military applications.
- Robotics: more responsive sensors through efficient data processing.
- Videoconferencing: improved error prevention in automated videoconferencing cameras.
- Fuses input from multiple sensors including audio, infared and radar.
- Adapts readily to existing computerdriven surveillance systems.
- Military applications.
For more information about this technology, please contact the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Technology Management at otm@illinois.edu.
- *IP Issue Date
- None
- *IP Type
- Utility
- Country/Region
- USA
