Object measuring apparatus, object measuring method, and program product

• US 7,221,779 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Kawakami, Yuichi, Nakano, Yuusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Stucker; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; John W.
• Application Number:
  US10/953,976
• Publication Number:
  US 20050084133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/107, 348/699, 348/152, 348/155
• US Class Current: 382/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 11/00 Counting of objects distributed at random, e.g. on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00 Individual registration on entry or exit

Abstract

The present invention provides an object measuring apparatus capable of performing high-speed process and accurately counting the number of a plurality of objects even in the case where the plurality of objects pass a boundary line simultaneously. The object measuring apparatus extracts motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on a boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images. The object measuring apparatus obtains at least one integral value by integrating components perpendicular to the boundary line of the motion vectors. As the at least one integral value, for example, an integral value derived by integrating the perpendicular components of one of positive and negative signs is obtained. The object measuring apparatus calculates the number of moving objects (people and the like) passing the boundary line on the basis of the integral value.

Claims

1. An object measuring system for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, comprising:

an extractor for extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

an integrator for obtaining at least one integral value derived by integrating perpendicular components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors, said at least one integral value being derived by integrating the perpendicular components of one of positive and negative signs; and

a calculator for calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said at least one integral value.

2. The object measuring system according to claim 1, wherein

said calculator calculates the number of said moving objects on the basis of said at least one integral value and a reference value regarding the at least one integral value.

3. The object measuring system according to claim 2, wherein

said calculator calculates the number of said moving objects on the basis of a value derived by dividing said at least one integral value by said reference value.

4. The object measuring system according to claim 2, wherein

said calculator calculates the number of said moving objects on the basis of determination that one moving object exists each time said at least one integral value exceeds said reference value and said at least one integral value is cleared.

5. The object measuring system according to claim 2, wherein

said reference value is a predetermined value as an average area value per one moving object in said image.

6. The object measuring system according to claim 1, wherein

said at least one integral value includes a first integral value derived by integrating positive-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors, and a second integral value derived by integrating negative-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors.

7. An object measuring method for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, comprising the steps of:

(a) extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

(b) obtaining at least one integral value derived by integrating perpendicular components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors, said at least one integral value being derived by integrating the perpendicular components of one of positive and negative signs; and

(c) calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said at least one integral value.

8. The object measuring system according to claim 7, wherein

said at least one integral value includes a first integral value derived by integrating positive-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors, and a second integral value derived by integrating negative-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors.

9. A program residing on a recording medium that can be read by a computer provided in a controller in an object measuring system for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, the program executing the steps of:

(a) extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

(b) obtaining at least one integral value derived by integrating components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors, said at least one integral value being derived by integrating the perpendicular components of one of positive and negative signs; and

(c) calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said at least one integral value.

10. The program according to claim 9, wherein said at least one integral value includes a first integral value derived by integrating positive-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors, and a second integral value derived by integrating negative-sign perpendicular components of said motion vectors.

11. An object measuring system for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, comprising:

an extractor for extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

an integrator for obtaining an integral value by integrating components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors; and

a calculator for calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said at least one integral value and a reference value regarding the integral value.

12. The object measuring system according to claim 11, wherein

said calculator calculates the number of said moving objects on the basis of a value derived by dividing said integral value by said reference value.

13. The object measuring system according to claim 11, wherein

said calculator calculates the number of said moving objects on the basis of determination that each time said integral value exceeds said reference value, one moving object exists.

14. The object measuring system according to claim 11, wherein

said reference value is a predetermined value as an average area value per one moving object in said image.

15. An object measuring method for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, comprising the steps of:

(a) extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

(b) obtaining an integral value by integrating components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors; and

(c) calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said integral value and a reference value regarding the integral value.

16. A program residing on a recording medium that can be read by a computer provided in a controller in an object measuring system for measuring the number of moving objects passing a boundary line, the program executing the steps of:

(a) extracting motion vectors at a plurality of times in each of a plurality of positions on said boundary line on the basis of a plurality of images;

(b) obtaining an integral value by integrating components perpendicular to said boundary line of said motion vectors; and

(c) calculating the number of moving objects passing said boundary line on the basis of said integral value and a reference value regarding the integral value.