Method and system for detecting and clearing camera bubble misting
View Patent ↗A security camera system detects misting within the transparent portion of the security camera system by analyzing the actual images that are captured by the security camera system in order to determine whether or not there is misting on the transparent portion. Specifically, video analytics are applied to detect areas of the scene that appear to be out of focus as a result of misting of the transparent portion of the security camera system, also known as the bubble. The system uses, in a preferred embodiment, an edge-detection algorithm to look for areas of the scene that appear to have gone out of focus. When these are detected, the condensation mitigation system is activated in order to remove any misting.
1. A security camera system comprising:
a camera housing including a camera bubble;
a camera located within the camera bubble for generating images of a scene through the camera bubble;
a condensation mitigation system for removing condensation on the camera bubble of the security camera housing; and
a controller for analyzing the images of the scene for indications of misting on the camera bubble of the security camera housing by analyzing edges within the images for edge sharpness and then determining whether there is a degradation in the edge sharpness with reference to a reference frame and activating the condensation mitigation system in response to detecting the indications of misting.
2. The security camera system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the camera housing further includes a base portion for mounting the security camera system.
3. The security camera system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a pan and tilt mechanism for directing the camera.
4. The security camera system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the condensation mitigation system comprises a heater for heating air within the camera bubble of the camera housing.
5. The security camera system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the condensation mitigation system comprises a fan or fans for moving air through the camera bubble of the camera housing.
6. The security camera system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the condensation mitigation system in response to detecting the degradation of the edge sharpness in the images from the camera.
7. The security camera system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the controller continues to analyze the images for changes in the edge sharpness after the activation of the condensation mitigation system to determine whether the condensation has been remediated.
8. The security camera system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the controller deactivates the condensation mitigation system when the edge sharpness within the images has been reestablished.
9. The security camera system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the controller deactivates the condensation mitigation system after a predetermined time even when edge sharpness has not been reestablished.
10. A method of operation of a security camera system comprising a camera housing including a camera bubble, a camera located within the camera bubble for generating images of a scene through the camera bubble, and a condensation mitigation system for removing condensation on the camera bubble of the security camera housing, the method comprising:
analyzing the images of the scene for indications of misting on the camera bubble of the security camera housing by analyzing edges within the images for edge sharpness and then determining whether there is a degradation in the edge sharpness by reference to a reference frame; and
activating the condensation mitigation system in response to detecting the indications of misting.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the condensation mitigation system comprises a heater for heating air within the camera bubble of the camera housing.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the condensation mitigation system comprises a fan for moving air through the camera bubble of the camera housing.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising activating the condensation mitigation system in response detecting the degradation in the edge sharpness in the images from the camera.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising continuing to analyze the images for changes in the edge sharpness after the activation of the condensation mitigation system to determine whether the condensation has been remediated.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising deactivating the condensation mitigation system when the edge sharpness within the images has been reestablished.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising deactivating the condensation mitigation system after a predetermined time even when edge sharpness has not been reestablished.
17. The method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising determining whether or not a focus position has moved and capturing a new reference frame used to analyze the images of the scene for indications of misting.
18. The method as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising determining whether or not an ambient temperature is acceptable for activation of the condensation mitigation system.