Omnidirectional Video Surveillance System
Summary:
Genex Technologies, Inc., has developed an omnidirectional surveillance system that features 360° panoramic viewing capability in real time. The surveillance system, called OmniEyeTM, is being marketed by Genex for use in the security market.
Technology Description:
Genex Technologies, Inc., has developed an omnidirectional surveillance system that can offer 360° panoramic viewing capability in real time. The system is based on use of a patent-pending design of a convex mirror and accompanying image processing software.
The ability to take in a 360° (hemispherical) view is achieved by using of a convex mirror. The mirror reflects a complete view of its surroundings into a camera, which transmits the images to a computer. Using Genex's software, the computer removes distortion in the picture and then presents the image on a computer screen. Unlike other wide-viewing-angle cameras, such as those with fish-eye lenses or other convex mirrors, the approach has no distortion in the panoramic view.
MDA Origins:
BMDO SBIR funded GTI to develop an omnidirectional 3-D imaging camera for simulation training and battlefield modeling.
Spinoff Applications:
While a typical surveillance camera provides a narrow field-of-view in a single direction, this technology offers a simultaneous 360° panoramic perspective of its surroundings. An entire room, a parking lot around a building, or any other area can be fully viewed from a single desktop computer—with the user able to zoom in on any part of the picture. There are no “blind spots” between cameras, or areas of image distortion. It can also simplify the monitoring infrastructure: one OmniEye can take the place of a numerous standard video cameras, reducing wiring and monitors.
This technology has applications in the fields of security, teleconferencing, and industrial monitoring.
Commercialization:
Genex has designed a video surveillance system based on a single video camera, a unique low-distortion convex mirror, and image processing software and hardware. Called OmniEyeTM, it offers up to 16 user-controlled viewing windows, all in real time, with a resolution of 640x480 pixels at standard video transmission rate. The windows are controlled through an interface with a personal computer.
The omnidirectional camera features a rugged, portable design with no mechanical moving parts and uses many off-the-shelf components, leading to low production costs.
At present, the company is marketing OmniEye to end consumers and security firms. The OmniEye-II includes a sensor unit, a frame grabber, and OmniEye software. The OmniEye-III includes a compact sensor head with universal serial bus (USB) cable, and OmniEye software The software can be run on a host personal computer with the Windows 95, 98 or 2000 operating system.
Company Profile:
Founded in 1996 by Dr. Jason Geng, GTI specializes in developing novel imaging and display products. GTI currently employs 12 people and is located outside Washington DC in Kensington, MD.
Contact Information:
Dr. Jason Geng
Genex Technologies, Inc.
10605 Concord Street Suite 500
Kensington MD 20895
Tel:301-962-6565
Fax:301-962-6555
email: geng@genextech.com
web: http://www.genextech.com
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