Imaging systems and methods for tracking objects
First Claim
1. An imaging system to image objects in retail environment, the imaging system comprising:
- a first imager having a first imager field-of-view to capture images of the environment, wherein the first imager is a rolling shutter imager;
a steering component selectively operable to steer at least a portion of the first imager field-of-view relative to one or more objects in the environment; and
an object tracking subsystem that includes at least one hardware processor, the object tracking subsystem communicatively coupled to cause the steering component to steer the first imager field-of-view based at least in part on information indicative of at least one of a presence, a position, a speed or a direction of at least one object in the environment to at least partially track objects in the environment;
wherein the object tracking subsystem scans a plurality of objects that enter the environment, distinguishes between objects of the plurality of objects as being either an object of interest or an object not of interest, and responsive to identification of an object of interest causes the steering component to steer the first imager field-of-view to an initial scan position at a first speed such that the identified object of interest is positioned within the first imager field-of-view and then to follow a rolling shutter exposure by panning the first field of view of the first imager at a second speed, the second speed slower than the first speed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first imager has a relatively high resolution and a relatively narrow first field-of-view. Information about objects in an environment is detected or captured, and used to steer the first field-of-view of the first imager. The sensor(s) may take the form of a second imager with a relatively lower resolution and relatively wider second field-of-view. Alternatively, other types of sensors, for instance presence/absence sensors may be employed. The first field-of-view may be directed toward an object that satisfies one or more conditions, for instance matching a particular SKU. The first field-of-view may track a moving object, for instance via a tracking mirror and actuator. This approach may be employed in retail locations, for example in grocery or convenience stores, for instance to reduce various forms of theft or in industrial environments.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An imaging system to image objects in retail environment, the imaging system comprising:
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a first imager having a first imager field-of-view to capture images of the environment, wherein the first imager is a rolling shutter imager; a steering component selectively operable to steer at least a portion of the first imager field-of-view relative to one or more objects in the environment; and an object tracking subsystem that includes at least one hardware processor, the object tracking subsystem communicatively coupled to cause the steering component to steer the first imager field-of-view based at least in part on information indicative of at least one of a presence, a position, a speed or a direction of at least one object in the environment to at least partially track objects in the environment; wherein the object tracking subsystem scans a plurality of objects that enter the environment, distinguishes between objects of the plurality of objects as being either an object of interest or an object not of interest, and responsive to identification of an object of interest causes the steering component to steer the first imager field-of-view to an initial scan position at a first speed such that the identified object of interest is positioned within the first imager field-of-view and then to follow a rolling shutter exposure by panning the first field of view of the first imager at a second speed, the second speed slower than the first speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification