A target cueing and tracking system (TCATS) for smart video processing

The general-purpose Target Cueing and Tracking System (TCATS) was developed to be independent of the application and the user interface. TCATS has successfully demonstrated a high detection capability and the ability to ignore exterior environmental conditions, such as cloud shadows moving through the scene, snow, blowing dust, rain, and moderate camera motion. TCATS can handle many targets and retain the identity of each object from one frame to the next. Special ruggedized hardware has been developed to reduce the size, cost, and power consumption, and to increase the processing rate, reliability, and environmental operating capability of the TCATS. TCATS is undetectable to an outside intruder. The nature of TCATS would make it difficult for an intruder to defeat, even if the intruder were aware of its existence. Field evaluations are underway for exterior fixed site security applications. A description is given of the TCATS algorithms, custom developed hardware, and preliminary field test results