Object-tracking systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method for tracking a follicular unit, the method comprising:
- identifying a follicular unit in a first image of a body surface containing follicular units;
computing a signature of the follicular unit in the first image, wherein the signature is unique to the follicular unit and comprises a plurality of characteristics of the follicular unit;
computing a motion vector associated with movement of the body surface by comparing the first image and a second image of the same body surface, the second image being taken at a different point in time relative to the first image; and
defining a search region according to and in a direction of the motion vector, wherein the search region comprises an area within a predetermined distance from the motion vector; and
searching for the signature of the follicular unit in the search region to label the follicular unit in the second image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for tracking, identifying, and labeling objects or features of interest is provided. In some embodiments, tracking is accomplished using unique signature of the feature of interest and image stabilization techniques. According to some aspects a frame of reference using predetermined markers is defined and updated based on a change in location of the markers and/or specific signature information. Individual objects or features within the frame may also be tracked and identified. Objects may be tracked by comparing two still images, determining a change in position of an object between the still images, calculating a movement vector of the object, and using the movement vector to update the location of an image device.
65 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for tracking a follicular unit, the method comprising:
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identifying a follicular unit in a first image of a body surface containing follicular units; computing a signature of the follicular unit in the first image, wherein the signature is unique to the follicular unit and comprises a plurality of characteristics of the follicular unit; computing a motion vector associated with movement of the body surface by comparing the first image and a second image of the same body surface, the second image being taken at a different point in time relative to the first image; and defining a search region according to and in a direction of the motion vector, wherein the search region comprises an area within a predetermined distance from the motion vector; and searching for the signature of the follicular unit in the search region to label the follicular unit in the second image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for tracking a follicular unit on a body surface, the system comprising:
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an imaging device for capturing at least two images; a signature identification component, wherein the signature identification component identifies signature information about the follicular unit, wherein the signature information comprises a plurality of characteristics of the follicular unit and forms a unique signature of the follicular unit; a vectoring component, wherein the vectoring component calculates a motion vector associated with movement of the body surface depicted in a first image of the two images and a second image of the two images, the second image being taken at a different point in time relative to the first image; and a tracking system for a) receiving data corresponding to the motion vector, b) defining a search region according to and in a direction of the motion vector and comprising an area within a predetermined distance from the motion vector and c) labeling the follicular unit in the second of the two images by searching for the follicular unit signature information in the search region. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for labeling follicular units, comprising:
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an interface adapted to receive an image data containing follicular units; and an image processor comprising one or more modules for executing operations on the image data, the one or more modules including instructions for; identifying a follicular unit in a first image; computing a signature of the follicular unit in the first image, wherein the signature is unique to the follicular unit and comprises a plurality of characteristics of the follicular unit; computing a motion vector associated with movement of the body surface by comparing the first image and a second image of the same body surface, the second image being taken at a different point in time relative to the first image; and defining a search region according to and in a direction of the motion vector, wherein the search region comprises an area within a predetermined distance from the motion vector; and searching for the signature of the follicular unit in the search region to label the follicular unit in the second image. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification