Method and system for tracking images

• US 20070183763A1
• Filed: 02/07/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Walton, Carol, Dunsmoir, John, Barnes, Thomas, Ramanujam, Ram
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/55
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 41/00 Special techniques not covered by groups G03B31/00 - G03B39/00; Apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method for image tracking includes receiving a plurality of images of a first object at points along a predetermined route at least two spaced apart cameras including a first camera and a second camera, calibrating the cameras based on the received images of the first object and the predetermined route, receiving at least one image of a second object at the calibrated cameras, and determining a position of the second object based on one of the received images of the second object at the first camera. A method of image tracking includes associating at least one object with a unique identifier and receiving a plurality of images of the object moving in a field of view of at least two spaced apart cameras. The method further includes determining a position of the object based on the unique identifier and generating a position information based on the determination.

Claims

1. A method of image tracking, the method comprising:

providing a predetermined route;

receiving a plurality of images of a first object at points along the predetermined route at least two spaced apart cameras including a first camera and a second camera;

calibrating the cameras based on the received images of the first object and the predetermined route;

receiving at least one image of a second object at the calibrated cameras; and

determining a position of the second object based on one of the at least one received images of the second object at the first camera.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first object is a moving object.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a position of the second object based on one of the received images of the second object at the second camera;

comparing the position determined by the first camera to the position determined by the second camera; and

recalibrating at least one of the first camera and second camera based on the comparison.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein each camera is associated with a field of view, and wherein each point in a vicinity of the predetermined route is within the field of view associated with at least two cameras.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the received images include at least a first image and a second image, the second image taken subsequent to the first image, further comprising:

determining motion detection of the first object based on the first image; and

determining at least one physical characteristic of the first object based on the second image.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the physical characteristics are selected from the group consisting of color, size, shape, and radiation status.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first object is a test vehicle, and wherein the second object is a customer vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first object is a test body, and wherein the second object is a visitor.

9. A method of image tracking, the method comprising:

associating at least one object with a unique identifier;

receiving a plurality of images of the object moving in a field of view of at least two spaced apart cameras;

determining a position of the object based on the unique identifier, and

generating a position information based on the determination.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the position of the object is determined based on one image.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the position of the object is determined based on a first image from a first camera and a second image from a second camera, the first image and second image taken at substantially the same time.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a request associated with the unique identifier, and

providing the position information based on the request.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing the unique identifier to a user.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

comparing the position information to at least one profile;

determining a behavior information based on the comparison; and

providing a behavior notification based on the determination.

15. A computer readable medium including computer readable code for image tracking comprising:

computer readable code for associating at least one object with a unique identifier,

computer readable code for receiving a plurality of images of the object moving in a field of view of at least two spaced apart cameras;

computer readable code for determining a position of the object based on the unique identifier, and

computer readable code for generating a position information based on the determination.

16. The medium of claim 15 further comprising:

computer readable code for receiving a request associated with the unique identifier, and

computer readable code for providing the position information based on the request.

17. The medium of claim 15 further comprising:

means for comparing the position information to at least one profile;

means for determining a behavior information based on the comparison; and

means for providing a behavior notification based on the determination.