Monitoring systems

Abstract

A system can use a video analytic algorithm and/or other input parameters to identify an event (e.g., theft). Optionally, the system can take action in response. For example, the security system can use video analytics to determine that a person has reached into a shelf multiple times at a rate above a threshold, which can indicate that a thief is quickly removing items from the shelf. A monitoring system can monitor other areas for breaches, such as an entrance to a store or residence. Monitoring entrances and/or exits can be used to determine occupancy, or to determine rush events to prompt customer service action, such as opening additional point of sale stations.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for setting up a system for tracking occupancy of an area, the method comprising:
 positioning a first camera to produce video footage of a first entrance or exit for the area;   positioning a second camera to produce video footage of a second entrance or exit for the area;   establishing communication between the first camera and a controller so that the first camera sends the video footage of the first entrance or exit to the controller;   establishing communication between the second camera and the controller so that the second camera sends the video footage of the second entrance or exit to the controller;   accessing at least one image from the first camera and using a user interface to designate the first entrance or exit;   accessing at least one image from the second camera and using the user interface to designate the second entrance or exit; and   setting an occupancy threshold value;   wherein the controller is configured to:
 analyze the video footage from the first camera to identify entrance events when persons enter through the first entrance or exit; 
 analyze the video footage from the first camera to identify exit events when persons exit through the first entrance or exit; 
 analyze the video footage from the second camera to identify exit events when persons exit through the first entrance or exit; 
 analyze the video footage from the second camera to identify exit events when persons exit through the second entrance or exit; 
 increase an occupancy value when entrance events are identified; 
 decrease the occupancy value when exit events are identified; 
 compare the occupancy value to the occupancy threshold value and determine when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value; and 
 issue a notification when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area is at least a portion of a retail store. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising positioning a display at an entrance to the area, wherein the controller is configured to display the notification on the display at the entrance. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is configured to display the current occupancy on the display. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the notification comprises a safety notification. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein setting the threshold occupancy value comprises setting the occupancy threshold value lower than a safety code occupancy maximum for the area. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises:
 a hardware processor; and   non-transitory computer-readable memory in communication with the hardware processor, the memory containing:
 the occupancy value; 
 the occupancy threshold value; and 
 instructions executable by the hardware processor. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising setting multiple threshold occupancy values for different times. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to analyze the video footage to perform person identification. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to save images associated with the entrance and/or exit events. 
     
     
         11 . A system for tracking occupancy of an area, the system comprising:
 multiple cameras positioned to produce video footage of multiple entrances and/or exits for the area;   a hardware processor; and   non-transitory computer-readable memory in communication with the hardware processor, the memory containing:
 an occupancy value; 
 an occupancy threshold value; and 
 instructions executable by the hardware processor to cause the hardware processor to:
 acquire the video footage from the multiple cameras; 
 analyze the video footage from the multiple cameras to identify entrance events when persons enter the area through the multiple entrances and/or exits and to identify exit events when persons exit the area through the multiple entrances and/or exits; 
 aggregate the entrance events and exit events across the multiple entrances and/or exits to determine the occupancy value; 
 compare the occupancy value to the occupancy threshold value to determine when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value; and 
 issue a notification when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions are executable by the hardware processor to cause the hardware processor to increasing the occupancy value when entrance events are identified and decreasing the occupancy value when exit events are identified. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the area is at least a portion of a retail store. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising a display positioned at an entrance to the area, wherein the controller is configured to display the notification on the display at the entrance. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to display the current occupancy on the display. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the notification comprises a safety notification. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold occupancy value is set lower than a safety code occupancy maximum for the area. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to analyze the video footage to perform person identification. 
     
     
         19 . A method for tracking occupancy of an area, the method comprising:
 receiving video footage from a first camera positioned to monitor a first entrance or exit for the area;   receiving video footage from a second camera positioned to monitor a second entrance or exit for the area;   analyzing the video footage from the first and second cameras using a controller that comprises:
 a hardware processor; and 
 non-transitory computer-readable memory in communication with the hardware processor, the memory containing:
 the occupancy value; 
 the occupancy threshold value; and 
 instructions executable by the hardware processor to cause the controller to:
 analyze the video footage from the first camera to identify entrance events or exit events when persons enter or exit the area through the first entrance or exit; and 
 analyze the video footage from the second camera to identify entrance events or exit events when persons enter or exit the area through the second entrance or exit; 
 
 
   determining an occupancy value for the area using the controller based at least in part on the entrance and exit events identified in the video footage from the first and second cameras;   comparing the occupancy value to the occupancy threshold value using the controller to determine when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value; and   issuing a notification using the controller when the occupancy value satisfies the occupancy threshold value.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the area is at least a portion of a retail store. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , displaying the notification on a display positioned at an entrance of the area. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , displaying the current occupancy on the display. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the notification comprises a safety notification. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the threshold occupancy value is lower than a safety code occupancy maximum for the area. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , analyzing the video footage using the controller to identify people in the video footage.