Security cameras with thermal imaging sensors
The disclosed techniques include systems and methods for implementing security cameras with thermal imaging sensors. The disclosed techniques can utilize a thermal imaging sensor (TIS) and a less robust passive infrared (PIR) sensor of a security camera system to monitor a field of view.
1. A camera, comprising:
a passive infrared sensor;
a thermal image sensor; and
a further sensor configured to record video;
wherein in a first mode of operation, the thermal image sensor and the further sensor are inactive, while the passive infrared sensor is active to detect a triggering event;
wherein in response to the triggering event being detected, the camera is configured to operate in a second mode of operation;
wherein in the second mode of operation, the further sensor is inactive, while the thermal image sensor is active to determine whether to enter a third mode of operation; and
wherein in the third mode of operation, the further sensor is active.
2. The camera of claim 1 , wherein in the second mode:
the thermal image sensor is configured to generate thermal image data of a scene in a field of view; and
the camera is configured to analyze the thermal image data to determine whether to enter the third mode.
3. The camera of claim 2 , wherein in the third mode:
the further sensor is configured to generate video data of the scene in the field of view; and
the camera is configured to transmit the video data to a remote system.
4. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the triggering event corresponds to motion in the field of view.
5. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the triggering event corresponds to an increase in temperature in the field of view.
6. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the camera is configured to analyze feedback on the thermal image data from a source external to the camera.
7. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the camera is configured to compare the thermal image data to previous thermal image data.
8. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the camera is configured to determine a region of interest in the thermal image data.
9. The camera of claim 3 , wherein the camera includes a transmitter.
10. The camera of claim 9 , further comprising:
a light emitting diode, wherein the camera is configured to activate the light emitting diode in the third mode.
11. A device, comprising:
a first sensor configured to detect presence of motion in a scene;
a second sensor having a plurality of thermal radiation sensing pixels configured to capture a thermal image of the scene at a first resolution; and
a third sensor configured to capture an image of the scene at a second resolution higher than the first resolution;
wherein in a first mode of operation, the second sensor and the third sensor are inactive, while the first sensor is active to detect an event;
wherein in response to the event being detected by the first sensor, the device is configured to operate in a second mode of operation;
wherein in the second mode of operation, the third sensor is inactive, while the second sensor is active to determine whether to enter a third mode of operation; and
wherein in the third mode of operation, the third sensor is active.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein in the second mode:
the second sensor is configured to generate thermal image data of the scene; and
the device is configured to analyze the thermal image data to determine whether to enter the third mode.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein in the third mode:
the third sensor is configured to generate video data of the scene; and
the device is configured to transmit the video data to a remote system.
14. The device of claim 13 , further comprising:
a transmitter configured to communicate with the remote system.
15. The device of claim 14 , further comprising:
a light emitting diode configured to be activated in the third mode.