Patent attributes
A system for counting people in a specified area. The system includes a camera for capturing an image of the specified area and a computer for receiving the captured image. The computer analyzes the image to detect people by detecting head or face shapes in the image. The computer counts the detected head or face shapes to determine a number of people within the specified area. The computer may confirm that the head or face shapes are human by determining if the shapes have the approximate coloration of a human. The system may detect stationary or moving persons. In addition, the system may detect the presence of video recording devices in a room. The system may also detect if a seat is occupied by determining that a pattern in the seat is blocked or the outline of the seat is blocked.