Object Tracking via Alternating Lighting Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer-vision techniques face challenges in accurately identifying and tracking multiple objects within a scene, as they often struggle to disambiguate between objects due to overlapping movements and visual similarities.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses light sources with predefined lighting patterns, where each object alternates between an identification pattern and a default pattern, allowing cameras to uniquely identify and track multiple objects by analyzing the lighting patterns in sequential images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If computer-vision techniques are used to track multiple objects, then object tracking capability is improved, but object identification accuracy deteriorates due to overlapping movements and visual similarities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing alternating lighting patterns where objects cycle between identification patterns and default patterns. This periodic switching allows the system to periodically disambiguate objects while maintaining continuous tracking, resolving the contradiction between tracking productivity and identification precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes through different lighting patterns (e.g., alternating between illuminated and non-illuminated states, or different colors) to provide visual cues for object identification. This allows objects to be distinguished from one another while maintaining their tracking functionality, thereby improving identification accuracy without sacrificing tracking capability.
2Measurement precision
If unique lighting patterns are used for each object, then object identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single lighting system that serves multiple functions: it provides default illumination for tracking and switches to identification patterns when needed. This multi-functionality allows unique identification without requiring separate complex identification systems for each object, thereby improving identification accuracy while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying lighting parameters (intensity, pattern, timing) to encode object identification information. Instead of adding complex hardware for each object, the system changes the temporal and spatial parameters of existing lighting to create unique identifiers, improving identification accuracy while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If objects alternate between identification and default lighting patterns, then object disambiguation is improved, but tracking continuity may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by ensuring that objects maintain their default lighting pattern continuously for tracking purposes, while superimposing or alternating identification patterns in a way that does not completely interrupt the tracking signal. This allows the system to achieve accurate disambiguation while maintaining continuous tracking of all objects.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for tracking multiple objects over a common time period and identifying (i.e., disambiguating) the objects from one another. As described herein, each object may include a respective light source (e.g., one or more LEDs) that may illuminate according to a defined lighting pattern. One or more cameras may capture images of a scene that includes the objects and the images may be analyzed to identify a location of each respective light source within the scene. By identifying these locations over multiple images, the movement of each object may be determined. In some instances, a system that tracks the movement of the objects may iterate through instructing each of the objects to illuminate its light source according to an identification lighting pattern, while other light source(s) of the other respective object(s) continue illuminating their light sources according to a default lighting pattern.