GB2508054A

GB2508054A - A tracking system linking radio signal data and video data

Info

Publication number: GB2508054A
Application number: GB1312985.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawson John Noble; Francis James Thomson
Original assignee: ROADPIXEL Ltd
Current assignee: ROADPIXEL Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-15
Filing date: 2013-07-19
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Also published as: GB201220584D0; GB201312985D0; GB201301359D0

Abstract

A tracking or identification system comprising: an input 3 for receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input 4 for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data. Embodiments also include linking to the video or radio data to other video data. The video data could be tagged with the radio identifier. The system could further contain a GPS receiver. The video identity data could take the form of a facial image, car number plate or barcode etc..

Description

Title: A TRACKING OR IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Background to the invention

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a tracking or identification system and more particularly to a system for linking a substantially unique network interface identifier to video data.

Large volumes of data are recorded daily throughout the world from video cameras and it is very difficult to identify individuals directly from the video data.

Accordingly, a method of identifying individuals in video data is required.

Brief summary of the invention

The present invention provides a tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

The present invention also provides a method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

The present invention also provides a tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link at least a portion of the video identity data and/or the network interface identifier to other video data, using the association.

The present invention also provides a method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking at least a portion of the video identity data and/or the network interface identifier to at least a portion of other video data, using the association.

The present invention further provides a tracking or identification system and a method for tracking and identifying as claimed.

The present invention can provide a retail tracking system, e.g. identifying customer's purchasing habits: which shops they visit, how much time is spent in a store, which facilities they have used etc. Other uses include tracking criminal activity, e.g. logging detected unique identifiers during out-of-hours at secure premises etc. Several advantages of the invention will be apparent

from the following description.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of identifying individuals in video data from associating and linking a substantially unique network interface identifier, such as a hardware Media Access Control (MAC) address, with the video data. The network interface identifier does not necessarily need to be strictly unique, although this is preferable, the identifier merely needs to have a suitably low probability of recurrence such as 1 in 1,000,000, more preferably 1 in 100,000,000.

For example, with the advent of Bluetooth® hands-free devices, many individuals leave Bluetooth® constantly enabled on their mobile phone. The present invention can be used to associate individuals with video data via a Bluetooth® MAC address.

Similarly, with several mobile devices including Wi-Fi® receivers, the present invention can be used to associate individuals with video data via a Wi-Fi® MAC address.

A "sniffer" is a device for scanning local radio transmissions by analysing the relevant protocol. This sniffer functionality is commonly seen on Bluetooth®-enabled mobile phones or vehicles with a command such as "search for nearby devices". The device can report the Bluetooth® signatures of every device found, without the need to pair. The device can capture packets and search for specific strings, packet types etc. The Bluetooth® signature comprises a mixture of data including the class of device (e.g. mobile phone) and a unique network interface identifier -a MAC address. If the device has been given a name then this text will typically be broadcast also. The MAC address can be used to identify the presence of a device which may be associated with an individual.

A "radio transmission" is any radio signal i.e. any electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength longer than that of infrared light, transmitted by a transmitter. Similar sniffing can be performed for any other signals comprising data including a unique network interface identifier or signature such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi® (802.11), ZigBee®, WiMax®, IEEE 802 signals, Fibre Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Fibre Channel (FC), SCSI and ITU-T G.hn standards, "weightless" wireless signals (wavelength radio transmissions in unoccupied TV transmission channels known as "white space").

Many of these protocols have an associated unique identifier in the form of a MAC address which may be associated to a particular individual through their mobile device, for example. The invention can be used to associate any data comprising a substantially unique identifier (from a radio signal, infrared signal or otherwise) with video data.

The radio signal data potentially further comprises other data such as wavelength, amplitude, channel, signal and noise strength (or a ratio of signal to noise), status, source information, packet types, strings, labels (including identifiers such as an SSID for Wi-Fi®) and tags. These properties or additional data may be further incorporated into the system e.g. to distinguish from duplicate (potentially spoofed) identifiers. Preferably, a weighted combination of some or all of these data is used to provide a supplemental unique identifier that can be used to further identify or distinguish the source.

In order that the present invention may be readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a block diagram of a first system embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a block diagram of a second system embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 3 shows a block diagram of a third system embodying the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a tracking or identification system 1 comprising a network interface identifier sniffer 2, the sniffer having an input 3 for receiving a radio signal from a transmitter, and a video camera 4 with a processor.

The video camera 4 comprises an input for receiving video data. The video data comprises video identity data. The processor is configured to identify potential video identity data in the video data, associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data, and link at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and video data.

A first Bluetooth® device 5 is operable to transmit a Bluetooth® radio signal using a first Bluetooth® signal emitter 7, the signal including a substantially unique network interlace identifier. A second Bluetooth® device 6 is operable to transmit a second Bluetooth® signal using a second Bluetooth® signal emitter 8, the signal comprising a second substantially unique network interface identifier.

The video camera 4 records footage of a given scene and the sniffer 2 records sniffed identifiers from the same scene. These recordings may be stored locally, remotely and/or be processed for associating and linking in real-time.

The associating and linking steps are discussed in more detail below.

Figure 2 shows a system capable of detecting several types of unique network interface identifiers. In figure 2, the sniffer 2 comprises both Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® sniffer elements. One or more users may have several devices operating with several similar or different protocols and these may all be associated with the video data. In this embodiment, a first user has first and second Bluetooth® devices 5, 8 with a respective emitter 7, 9. A second user has a Bluetooth® device 9 with a Bluetooth® emitter 10 and a Wi-Fi® device 11 with an emitter 12.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment which further comprises both an archive of historic sniffed identifiers 13 and an archive of historic video data 14.

Alternatively, in other embodiments the system may comprise an archive of combined, i.e. associated and/or linked video data and sniffed identifiers, or a communications link to a remote database of historical data. In this embodiment, the system is operable to make deductions about later sniffed identifiers and/or recorded video data, deduced from earlier associations and/or patterns of sniffed identifiers and video data.

In this embodiment, if a network interface identifier has already been linked to video identity data, if the same identifier is later sniffed, the system can deduce that the same network element and thereby device (and potentially a user of the device) is present. Such deductions are presentable to a system user.

Use of the Invention The video camera 4 is directed at a scene to be monitored. The sniffer 2 is also directed to / positioned proximal to the same area of interest. Multiple sniffers 2 may be deployed, with sniffed data and video data fed to a processor. Preferably, the data is stored in one or more databases.

Areas of interest could include a busy shopping street or mall viewed from a recording point several metres from the ground, a three-lane motorway from a gantry or bridge or a railway siding where the device looks for passing vehicles or pedestrians.

As video is being recorded, then if a network interface identifier is detected by the sniffer 2, it is also recorded. The invention relates to the association and linking of the network interface identifier with video identity data. The system identifies potential video identity data in the video data, associates the network interface identifier and the video identity data and links the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

If a scene is recorded which shows say three people in the view of the camera 4 and two Bluetooth® signatures then this data is recorded together.

It is not possible at this stage to associate any one signature with a particular individual -but it can be deduced that say these three people are carrying these two particular Bluetooth® devices between them.

The processor identifies potential video identity data by analysing the video data and flagging any video data of any potential significance for identifying the user of any associated network interface identifier(s). Video identity data is image data including a subject/object in at least one captured frame.

Preferably, the subject is recognisable by automatic means. The potential video identity data may take one or more forms of a recognised object/subjects. The recognised object/subject may be, for example a vehicle type, a vehicle number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a OR code or a serial number. Recognised objects/subjects may be categorised into classes and sub-classes such as for vehicles: bicycle, motorbike, small car, large car, bus, van, lorry. The skilled person will appreciate that these vehicles have different attributes such as size, weight, proportions etc. that can be derived from the video and/or other sensor feeds.

The association of the network interface identifier and the video identity data may be performed in several ways. These include: recording separate sources and matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time of date stamp of the video data; and recording the data concurrently.

Preferably, associating includes matching location data in addition to the foregoing.

The linking of at least a portion of the video data and/or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data may be by a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a file name or a file location. Accordingly, after linking, the two data streams can remain separate, or be (at least partially) combined.

In a preferred embodiment, the linking involves tagging the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data. Tagging may include adding headers or footers to the data packets. Alternatively, the portion of the radio signal data may be embedded in the video data or the portion of the video data may be embedded in the radio signal data, such as in the metadata of the file. An output of such embedded, tagged or otherwise linked data may be provided.

Preferably, the video data, radio signal data, link and association data, and/or the (combined) linked data is indexed and searchable, so that a user may review all sniffed identifiers over a given period, and/or review all recorded video identity data over a given period, for example. One method of making a searchable index is tagging the video data with the identifier(s) in the video metadata, and indexing the metadata.

In a further embodiment, the signal strength is used to make deductions about the location of the source identifier. The system is operable to deduce a likely radius from which the source device is by the signal strength. The system can also track moving objects following a similar principle. By combining multiple detections, the system is further operable to correlate these detections and resolve a more accurate location e.g. by triangulation of 3 distinct identifications, orto plot a route of travel.

In the embodiments described, the system receives the radio signal by way on an antenna. In other embodiments, the system is downstream from the radio signal input and receives the radio signal data from another source such as a remote storage. Accordingly, the processing subsystem identifying, associating and linking the radio signal data and the video can be remote from the radio signal and/or video data source location. Several sources may be provided and the signal inputs may be stored in a local or networked database.

Preferably, the unique identifiers are anonymised by the system. One method of anonymising the data involves calculating a hash of the data and providing a lookup table or similar database linking the hash and the unique identifiers.

The hash can then be used as the associated data. The hash may optionally be labelled with a user-friendly label such as shopper #345345 or use a predetermined naming convention with time and date stamps such as: "SHOPPER#6 HH MM DD MM YY".

In some embodiments, the tagging or embedding is visible and in others the tagging is steganographically encoded and is invisible. The associating and/or linking may be performed substantially in real time or in post-processing.

Preferably, the video data is received and/or recorded continuously and the associating and/or linking are performed continuously.

The system 1 may further comprise an output for displaying any one or more of the following: at least a portion of the radio signal data; the video data; the association data; and the link data and linked data. The resultant linked data may also be displayed.

The system 1 may also further comprise a communications link for sending and/or receiving any one or more of: at least a portion of the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data to a remote computer.

In a preferred embodiment, the sniffer antenna is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone, i.e. the antenna is directional, and the video camera 4 records video data of the same predetermined zone or "field of view". The system 1 may also operate on a threshold, e.g. ignoring weak radio signals below a threshold that would unlikely be associated with video data appearing in the predetermined zone.

In a further preferred embodiment, the camera 4 records in response to a trigger. The trigger may be built into the camera or be the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm system, a time of day or the day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared (PIR) signal or a light signal.

The present invention is described for use with video data. Video data comprises sequential image data and thus for the avoidance of any doubt a single image is considered "video data". Video data may further comprise audio data i.e. video data may comprise audio/video (AV) data and in alternative embodiments, any other media streams including audio data without image data may be used.

Examples of deduction and use

Example I

Person A & Person B are recorded (facial images) concurrently with two mobile phone Bluetooth® signatures:-BS1 and BS2 working at a rail depot.

Later that day Person A is recorded on his own with signature BS2 -we can assume that earlier that day Person A was probably carrying the same phone; and so Person B has the phone with signature BS1.

The next week a metal theft occurs at the depot at night. The video footage is too dark to identify the culprit but Bluetooth® Signature BS1 is recorded at the scene. The data gathered suggests the culprit was Person B. Example 2 -Retail, Banking and other Business Theft and Armed Robbery Post Incident Investigation Retail theft and other crimes such as metal I cable thefts are a significant problem and cost overhead to retailers. Most retail, commercial and industrial businesses use CCTV to try to combat this problem. Often goods are stolen during and after business hours. Whilst CCTV images may be captured on a CCIV system's DVR in a store, bank, post office petrol filling station etc., the perpetrator(s) face may be captured but will not necessarily help in identification unless he is already known. Alternatively the face(s) may not be captured.

The invention allows a unique electronic signature to be captured at the scene that can be used to help identify the individual.

Another important investigative use of the invention is to try and match the Bluetooth® signature of the criminal with previous signatures (and therefore video footage) when the criminal had previously visited the same or other scenes to case' or scout the premises prior to the incident taking place.

At the time of the incident the perpetrator's face may NOT have been captured but may have been so previously in good lighting conditions and without wearing a hoodie or other disguise.

Example 3

A car drives past a detector many times. It always transmits the signature BS1 when carrying no other passengers.

A crime is committed and a Bluetooth® device (phone) with signature BS1 is recorded as having been at the crime scene. A DVLA search can then identify who the normal user of the device is and provide a lead to help solve the crime.

Preferred features 1. A tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving a radio signal, the radio signal comprising radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

2. The system of clause 1, wherein the input for receiving the radio signal is an antenna.

3. The system of clause 1 or 2, wherein the input for receiving the video data is a video camera.

4. The system of any preceding clause, wherein associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data.

5. The system of any preceding clause, further comprising a GPS receiver for providing location data.

6. The system of any preceding clause, wherein associating comprises matching location data.

7. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.

8. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the linking involves tagging the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

9. The system of clause 8, further comprising an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the radio signal data or an output of radio signal data tagged with at least a portion of video data.

10. The system of clause 8 or 9, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is embedded in the video data, or the portion of the video data is embedded in the radio signal data.

11. The system of clause 8 or 9, wherein the tagging is visible.

12. The system of any preceding clause, wherein associating is performed substantially in real time.

13. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the linking is performed substantially in real time.

14. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata.

15. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier.

16. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.

17. The system of any preceding clause, wherein the video identity data is a recognised object.

18. The system of clause 17, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a QR code or a serial number.

19. The system of any preceding clause, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.

20. The system of any preceding clause, further comprising: a storage for recording at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

21. The system of any preceding clause, further comprising an output for displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

22. The system of any preceding clause, further comprising a communications link for sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data to a remote computer.

23. The system of any of clauses 2 to 22, wherein: the antenna is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.

24. The system of any of clauses 2 to 23, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.

25. The system of clause 24, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm system, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.

26. The system of clause 1, wherein: the input for receiving the radio signal is an antenna; the input for receiving the video data is a video camera; the unique network interface identifier comprises a Bluetooth®® MAC address; associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data to provide an association between the video identity data and the Bluetooth®® MAC address; and linking comprises tagging the video data with any associated Bluetooth®® MAC addresses.

27. A method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving a radio signal, the radio signal comprising radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

28. The method of clause 27, wherein associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data.

29. The method of clause 27 or 28, wherein associating comprises matching location data.

30. The method of any of clauses 27 to 29, wherein the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.

31. The method of any of clauses 27 to 30, wherein the linking involves tagging the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.

32. The method of any of clauses 27 to 31, further comprising: providing an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the radio signal data or an output of radio signal data tagged with at least a portion of video data.

33. The method of any of clauses 27 to 32, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is embedded in the video data, or the portion of the video data is embedded in the radio signal data.

34. The method of any of clauses 31 to 33, wherein the tagging is visible.

35. The method of any of clauses 27 to 34, wherein associating is performed substantially in real time.

36. The method of any of clauses 27 to 35, wherein the linking is performed substantially in real time.

37. The method of any of clauses 27 to 36, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata.

38. The method of any of clauses 27 to 37, wherein the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier.

39. The method of any of clauses 27 to 38, wherein the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.

40. The method of any of clauses 27 to 39, wherein the video identity data is a recognised object.

41. The method of any of clauses 27 to 40, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a QR code or a serial number.

42. The method of any of clauses 27 to 41, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.

43. The method of any of clauses 27 to 43, further comprising storing at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

44. The method of any of clauses 27 to 43, further comprising providing an output displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

45. The method of any of clauses 27 to 44, further comprising sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data, to a remote computer.

46. The method of any of clauses 27 to 45, wherein: an antenna receiving the radio signal is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.

47. The method of any of clauses 27 to 46, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.

48. The method of clause 47, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm method, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.

49. The method of any of clauses 27 to 48, further comprising: indexing at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data, to provide a searchable database.

50. A tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving a radio signal, the radio signal comprising radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; a video camera for recording video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link the video identity data to other video data having associated radio signal data, using the association.

51. The system of clause 50, wherein the input for receiving the radio signal is an antenna.

52. The system of clause 50 or 51, wherein the input for receiving the video data is a video camera.

53. The system of any of clauses 50 to 52, wherein the associating is by matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data.

54. The system of any of clauses 50 to 53, further comprising a GPS receiver for providing location data.

55. The system of clause 54, wherein the associating is by matching location data.

56. The system of any of clauses 50 to 55, wherein the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.

57. The system of any of clauses 50 to 56, wherein the linking involves tagging the video data with at least a portion of the video identity data and/or at least a portion of the radio signal data.

58. The system of clause 57, further comprising an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the video identity data and/or at least a portion of the radio signal data.

59. The system of clause 57 or 58, wherein the portion of the radio signal data or video identity data is embedded in the video data.

60. The system of clause 57 or 58, wherein the tagging is visible.

61. The system of any of clauses 50 to 60, wherein associating is performed substantially in real time.

62. The system of any of clauses 50 to 61, wherein the linking is performed substantially in real time.

63. The system of any of clauses SOto 62, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata.

64. The system of any of clauses 50 to 63, wherein the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier.

65. The system of any of clauses 50 to 64, wherein the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.

66. The system of any of clauses 50 to 65, wherein the video identity data is recognised object.

67. The system of clause 66, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a OR code or a serial number.

68. The system of any of clauses 50 to 67, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.

69. The system of any of clauses 50 to 68, further comprising: a storage for recording at least one of: the radio signal data; video data; association data; and linked data.

70. The system of any of clauses 50 to 69, further comprising an output for displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

71. The system of any of clauses 50 to 70, further comprising a communications link for sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; video data; association data; and linked data to a remote computer.

72. The system of any of clauses 50 to 71, wherein: the antenna is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.

73. The system of any of clauses 50 to 72, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.

74. The system of any of clauses 50 to 73, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm system, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.

75. The system of clause 50, wherein: the input for receiving the radio signal is an antenna; the input for receiving the video data is a video camera; the unique network interface identifier comprises a Bluetooth®® MAC address; associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data to provide an association between the video identity data and the Bluetooth®® MAC address; and linking comprises matching the Bluetooth®® MAC address in two sets of video data, one set of video data comprising video identity data.

76. A method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving a radio signal, the radio signal comprising radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; recording video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking the video identity data to other video data having associated radio signal data, using the association.

77. The method of clause 76, wherein the associating is by matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data.

78. The method of clause 76 or 77, wherein the associating is by matching location data.

79. The method of any of clauses 76 to 78, wherein the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.

80. The method of any of clauses 76 to 79, wherein the linking involves tagging the video data with at least a portion of the video identity data and/or at least a portion of the radio signal data.

81. The method of clause 80, further comprising an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the video identity data and/or at least a portion of the radio signal data.

82. The method of clause 80 or 81, wherein the portion of the radio signal data or video identity data is embedded in the video data.

83. The method of clause 80 or 8lwherein the tagging is visible.

84. The method of any of clauses 76 to 83, wherein associating is performed substantially in real time.

85. The method of any of clauses 76 to 84, wherein the linking is performed substantially in real time.

86. The method of any of clauses 76 to 85, wherein the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata.

87. The method of any of clauses 76 to 86, wherein the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier.

88. The method of any of clauses 76 to 87, wherein the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.

89. The method of any of clauses 27 to 42, wherein the video identity data is recognised object.

90. The method of clause 89, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a QR code or a serial number.

91. The method of any of clauses 76 to 90, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.

92. The method of any of clauses 76 to 91, further comprising: storing at least one of: the radio signal data; video data; association data; and linked data.

93. The method of any of clauses 76 to 92, further comprising an output for displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data.

94. The method of any of clauses 76 to 93, further comprising a communications link for sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; video data; association data; and linked data to a remote computer.

95. The method of any of clauses 76 to 94, wherein: the antenna is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.

96. The method of any of clauses 76 to 95, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.

97. The method of any of clauses 76 to 96, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm method, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.

98. The method of clause 76, wherein: the input for receiving the radio signal is an antenna; the input for receiving the video data is a video camera; the unique network interface identifier comprises a Bluetooth®® MAC address; associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data to provide an association between the video identity data and the Bluetooth®® MAC address; and linking comprises matching the BluetoothX MAC address in two sets of video data, one set of video data comprising video identity data.

99. The method of any of clauses 76 to 98, further comprising: indexing at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data, to provide a searchable database.

100. A tracking or identification system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

101. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the linking involves tagging the portion of video data or the portion of radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.
3. A tracking or identification system comprising: an input for receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; an input for receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: identify potential video identity data in the video data; associate the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and link at least a portion of the video identity data and/or the network interface identifier to other video data, using the association.
4. The system of claim 3, the linking involves tagging the portion of video data with at least a portion of the video identity data andlor at least a portion of the radio signal data.
5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein: the input for receiving the radio signal data is an antenna for receiving a radio signal comprising radio signal data; and/or the source of the radio signal data is a transmitter associated with the network interface identifier; and/or the input for receiving the video data is a video camera; and/or the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.
6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein: associating comprises matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data; and/or the system further comprises a GPS receiver for providing location data and the linking associating involves matching location data.
7. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising: an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the radio signal data; or an output of radio signal data tagged with at least a portion of video data.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein: the portion of the radio signal data is embedded in the video data; and/or the portion of the video data is embedded in the radio signal data; and/or the tagging or embedding is visible.
9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein: associating and/or linking is performed substantially in real time; and/or the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata; and/or the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier; and/or the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.
10. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the video identity data is a recognised object.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a QR code or a serial number.
12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.
13. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising: a storage for recording at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data; and/or an output for displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data; and/or a communications link for sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data to a remote computer.
14. The system of claim 2 or any of claims 4 to 11, wherein: the antenna is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.
15. The system of claim 2 or any of claims 4 to 12, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm system, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.
17. A method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking at least a portion of the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.
18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the linking involves tagging the video data or the radio signal data with at least a portion of the other of the radio signal data and the video data.
19. A method of tracking or identification, comprising: receiving radio signal data including a substantially unique network interface identifier; receiving video data, the video data comprising video identity data; identifying potential video identity data in the video data; associating the network interface identifier and the video identity data; and linking at least a portion of the video identity data and/or the network interface identifier to at least a portion of other video data, using the association.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the linking involves tagging the video data with at least a portion of the video identity data and/or at least a portion of the radio signal data; and/or the received radio signal data is from an antenna.
21. The method of any of claims 17 to 20, wherein associating comprises: matching a time and date stamp of the radio signal data and a time and date stamp of the video data; and/or matching location data; and/or wherein the link is a timestamp, a storage address, a checksum, a filename or a file location.
22. The method of any of claims 17 to 21, further comprising: recording the video data via a camera; and/or providing an output of video data tagged with at least a portion of the radio signal data or an output of radio signal data tagged with at least a portion of video data.
23. The method of any of claims 17 to 22, wherein: associating and/or linking is performed substantially in real time; and/or the portion of the radio signal data is embedded in the video data; and/or the portion of the video data is embedded in the radio signal data; and/or the tagging or embedding is visible.
24. The method of any of claims 17 to 23, wherein: the portion of the radio signal data is stored in the video metadata and/or the portion of radio signal data in the tagged video data comprises the network interface identifier; and/or the video data is received and/or recorded continuously.
25. The method of any of claims 17 to 24, wherein the video identity data is a recognised object.
26. The method of any of claims 17 to 25, wherein the recognised object is a car number plate, a facial image, a voice signature, a fingerprint, an iris image, a barcode, a QR code or a serial number.
27. The method of any of claims 17 to 26, wherein: the radio signal is a Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, ZigBee® or WiMax® signal; and/or the unique network interface identifier is a media access control (MAC) address.
28. The method of any of claims 17 to 27, further comprising storing at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data; and/or providing an output displaying at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data; and/or sending and/or receiving at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data, to a remote computer.
29. The method of any of claims 17 to 28, wherein: an antenna receiving the radio signal is shielded to receive radio signals only from a predetermined zone; and the video camera records video of the same predetermined zone.
30. The method of any of claims 17 to 29, wherein the video recording device records in response to a trigger.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the trigger is the receipt of a radio signal by the antenna, an alarm method, a time of day or a day of the week, a pressure pad, a proximity switch, a remote activator, an infrared signal, or a light signal.
32. The method of any of claims 17 to 31, further comprising: indexing at least one of: the radio signal data; the video data; association data; and link data or linked data, to provide a searchable database.
33. The method of any of claims 17 to 32, further comprising anonymising the unique network identifiers.
34. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, operable to perform the method of any of claims 17 to 32.
35. A tracking or identification system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.
36. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.