Object tracking system for monitoring a controlled space
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tracking apparatus for sensing and tracking the movement of objects in a controlled space, comprising:
- sensing means positioned adjacent to the controlled space for monitoring the controlled space and producing an image signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space;
digitizing means attached to the sensing means for receiving the image signal and producing a digitized video signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space;
processing means for receiving the digitized video signal and processing the digitized video signal so as to track the movement of objects in the controlled space, wherein the processing of the digitized signal comprises;
(a) processing a first image and a second image to determine the position of objects in the controlled space, wherein the first image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a first point in time and the second image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a second point in time, the position of objects is determined by calculating a difference array between the first image and the second image and identifying those portions of the controlled space that have changed;
(b) blocking the difference array to increase the sensitivity of the system and producing a blocked difference array;
(c) identifying a primary region within the image;
(d) identifying objects present in the primary region based upon the blocked difference array and tagging each object with an identifier;
(e) tracking each object as it traverses the primary region and recording count information once the object has moved a predetermined distance within the primary region.
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Abstract
An object tracking system used for monitoring objects as they traverse a controlled space provides for efficient processing and creates a "database output" which includes the direction each object has traveled along with an identification of the specific time at which this object was counted. The system provides for efficient processing through pixel blocking and the use of a crop box to minimize the analysis required.
164 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tracking apparatus for sensing and tracking the movement of objects in a controlled space, comprising:
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sensing means positioned adjacent to the controlled space for monitoring the controlled space and producing an image signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space; digitizing means attached to the sensing means for receiving the image signal and producing a digitized video signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space; processing means for receiving the digitized video signal and processing the digitized video signal so as to track the movement of objects in the controlled space, wherein the processing of the digitized signal comprises; (a) processing a first image and a second image to determine the position of objects in the controlled space, wherein the first image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a first point in time and the second image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a second point in time, the position of objects is determined by calculating a difference array between the first image and the second image and identifying those portions of the controlled space that have changed; (b) blocking the difference array to increase the sensitivity of the system and producing a blocked difference array; (c) identifying a primary region within the image; (d) identifying objects present in the primary region based upon the blocked difference array and tagging each object with an identifier; (e) tracking each object as it traverses the primary region and recording count information once the object has moved a predetermined distance within the primary region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A tracking apparatus for sensing and tracking the movement of objects in a controlled space, comprising:
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a sensing device positioned adjacent to the controlled space for monitoring the controlled space and producing an image signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space; a digitizing device coupled to the to the sensing device for receiving the image signal and producing a digitized video signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space; a processing device coupled to the digitizing device for receiving the digitized video signal and processing the digitized video signal so as to track the movement of objects in the controlled space, wherein the processing of the digitized signal comprises; (a) processing a first image and a second image to determine the position of objects in the controlled space, wherein the first image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a first point in time and the second image is representative of the condition of the controlled space at a second point in time, the position of objects is determined by calculating a difference array between the first image and the second image and identifying those portions of the controlled space that have changed; (b) blocking the difference array to produce a blocked difference array; (c) identifying a single, contiguous primary region within the image; (d) identifying objects present in the primary region based upon the blocked difference array and tagging each object with an identifier; (e) tracking each object as it traverses the primary region and recording count information once the object has moved a predetermined distance within the primary region. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A tracking apparatus for sensing and tracking the movement of objects in a controlled space, comprising:
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a sensing device positioned adjacent to the controlled space for monitoring the controlled space and producing an image signal indicative of the condition of the controlled space; a processing device coupled to the sensing device for receiving and processing the image so as to track the movement of objects in the controlled space, wherein the processing of the image comprises; (a) processing a first image at a first point in time and a second image at a second point in time and subsequently calculating a difference array; (b) blocking the difference array to produce a blocked difference array; (c) identifying a single, variable primary region within the image, wherein the primary region is variable from substantially the entire image to a substantial fraction of the whole image; (d) identifying objects present in the primary region based upon the blocked difference array and tagging each object with an identifier; (e) tracking each object as it traverses the primary region and recording count information once the object has moved a predetermined distance within the primary region. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification