Method and apparatus for tracking a movable object
First Claim
1. A method for tracking an object using a plurality of images, each of which is separated by an interval of time, wherein the plurality of images comprises a first image and a second image, the method comprising:
- detecting from the first image at least one first feature associated with a first movable object;
classifying the at least one first feature in accordance with its orientation to a first heading associated with the first movable object;
assigning a first descriptor to the at least one first feature;
detecting from the second image at least one second feature associated with a second movable object;
classifying the at least one second feature in accordance with its orientation to a second heading associated with the second object, wherein the first and second headings are in the same direction;
assigning a second descriptor to the at least one second feature;
correlating the at least one first feature and the at least one second feature as a function of the first and second descriptors to align the first image with the second image; and
matching a first patch of the first image to a local distribution of second patches comprising;
computing for the first patch a first score that is associated with a spatial arrangement of the first patch;
computing for the second patches respective second scores that are associated with respective spatial arrangements of the second patches;
aggregating the second scores to form an aggregate score;
forming a single score between the first patch and the aggregate score; and
discarding the second patches when the single score fails to exceed a dynamic threshold, otherwisemaintaining the second patches as a match.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for tracking a movable object using a plurality of images, each of which is separated by an interval of time is disclosed. The plurality of images includes first and second images. The method and apparatus include elements for aligning the first and second images as a function of (i) at least one feature of a first movable object captured in the first image, and (ii) at least one feature of a second movable object captured in the second image; and after aligning the first and second images, comparing at least one portion of the first image with at least one portion of the second image.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for tracking an object using a plurality of images, each of which is separated by an interval of time, wherein the plurality of images comprises a first image and a second image, the method comprising:
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detecting from the first image at least one first feature associated with a first movable object; classifying the at least one first feature in accordance with its orientation to a first heading associated with the first movable object; assigning a first descriptor to the at least one first feature; detecting from the second image at least one second feature associated with a second movable object; classifying the at least one second feature in accordance with its orientation to a second heading associated with the second object, wherein the first and second headings are in the same direction; assigning a second descriptor to the at least one second feature; correlating the at least one first feature and the at least one second feature as a function of the first and second descriptors to align the first image with the second image; and matching a first patch of the first image to a local distribution of second patches comprising; computing for the first patch a first score that is associated with a spatial arrangement of the first patch; computing for the second patches respective second scores that are associated with respective spatial arrangements of the second patches; aggregating the second scores to form an aggregate score; forming a single score between the first patch and the aggregate score; and discarding the second patches when the single score fails to exceed a dynamic threshold, otherwise maintaining the second patches as a match. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for tracking an object using a plurality of images, each of which is separated by an interval of time, wherein the plurality of images comprises a first image and a second image, the apparatus comprising a computer processor configured for:
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detecting from the first image at least one first feature associated with a first movable object; classifying the at least one first feature in accordance with its orientation to a first heading associated with the first movable object; assigning a first descriptor to the at least one first feature; detecting from the second image at least one second feature associated with a second movable object; classifying the at least one second feature in accordance with its orientation to a second heading associated with the second movable object, wherein the first and second headings are in the same direction; assigning a second descriptor to the at least one second feature; correlating the at least one first feature and the at least one second feature as a function of the first and second descriptors to align the first image with the second image; and matching a first patch of the first image to a local distribution of second patches comprising; computing for the first patch a first score that is associated with a spatial arrangement of the first patch; computing for the second patches respective second scores that are associated with respective spatial arrangements of the second patches; aggregating the second scores to form an aggregate score; forming a single score between the first patch and the aggregate score; and discarding the second patches when the single score fails to exceed a dynamic threshold, otherwise maintaining the second patches as a match. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification