Image convergence in a smart security camera system with a secondary processor
A smart camera for an electronic monitoring system is provided. The smart camera includes an imaging device having a field of view and being configured to capture an image. The imaging device has a variable exposure. A detector is operatively connected to the imaging device and configured to generate a trigger signal in response to activity within the field of view. A first processor is operatively connected to the detector and the imaging device, and a second processor is operatively connected to the detector and the imaging device. A computer-readable memory is operatively connected to the first processor and the secondary processor. The computer-readable memory is configured to store a map of ambient light levels in the field of view at selected times of day. The second processor varies the exposure of the imaging device in response to the trigger signal.
1 . A monitoring system comprising:
a smart camera including
an imaging device having a field of view and being configured to capture an image, the imaging device having a variable exposure,
a detector operatively connected to the imaging device and being configured to generate a trigger signal in response to activity within the field of view,
a first processor operatively connected to the detector and the imaging device, the first processor having a low power mode and an operation mode,
a second processor operatively connected to the detector and the imaging device, and
a computer-readable memory operatively connected to the first processor and the second processor, the computer-readable memory being configured to store a map of ambient light levels in the field of view at the selected times of day, wherein the second processor is configured to:
access the map stored on the computer-readable memory in response to receipt of the trigger signal;
adjust the exposure of the imaging device in accordance with the map; and
monitor the ambient light levels in the field of view; and
adjust the exposure in response to the monitored ambient light levels in the field of view;
a base station in communication with the smart camera and at least one user-operated monitoring device having a screen capable of displaying video images; and
a controller contained at least in part within at least one of the smart camera and the base station, the controller being configured to execute a program stored in a non-transitory medium to send a video clip of the monitored area to the user-accessible monitoring device.
2 . The monitoring system claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor operatively connected to at least one of the first processor and the second processor, the ambient light sensor sensing ambient light levels in the field of view.
3 . The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein, upon initialization of the smart camera, the first processor is configured to generate the map of ambient light levels in the field of view at the selected times of day in response to the ambient light levels.
4 . The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the first processor is configured to be in the low power mode when the second processor varies the configuration of the imaging device in response to the map.
5 . The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device includes an adjustable aperture and shutter speed, and wherein adjustment of the adjustable aperture and shutter speed varies the exposure of the imaging device.
6 . The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the second processor is configured to vary the exposure of imaging device in response to receiving the trigger signal in accordance with the stored ambient light level for a selected time of day corresponding to the time of day that the trigger signal is received.