Automated Object Tracking in Live Video Feeds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current video surveillance systems face inefficiencies in processing and maintaining vast amounts of video data, leading to missed insights and requiring manual human analysis for tasks like object recognition and anomaly detection, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An automated system using computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning to track objects and activities in live video feeds, generating natural language text that describes the storyline and allowing for user input to focus on specific objects or activities, with the ability to predict future outcomes and alert users to anomalies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual human analysis is used for object recognition and anomaly detection, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but processing time and operational cost increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual human analysis with an automated computer vision system that uses deep learning neural networks to detect objects and activities in real-time video feeds, eliminating the need for human operators while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically processes video feeds, identifies objects and activities, generates alerts, and provides notifications without requiring human intervention, enabling the surveillance system to serve itself continuously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated systems are implemented to process video data, then processing efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a unified automated surveillance system that performs multiple functions including object detection, activity recognition, anomaly detection, and real-time alert generation within a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity despite the multitude of capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that automatically analyzes video feeds and generates structured alerts, acting as a bridge between raw video data and user notification, which simplifies the interaction complexity for users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If real-time automated tracking is implemented, then situational awareness increases, but computational resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies computer vision models selectively to specific regions and objects of interest within the video feed rather than processing the entire video uniformly, optimizing computational resource allocation to maintain high situational awareness for critical elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-identifies and tracks objects and activities of interest before anomalies occur, maintaining continuous situational awareness through proactive monitoring rather than reactive analysis, which optimizes computational efficiency by focusing resources on high-value targets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3333851B1Automated object and activity tracking in a live video feed
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3333851B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3333851B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3333851B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for automated object and activity tracking in a live video feed. The apparatus receives and processes a live video feed to identify a plurality of objects and activities therein. The apparatus also generates natural language text that describes a storyline of the live video feed using the plurality of objects and activities so identified. The live video feed is processed using computer vision, natural language processing and machine learning, and a catalog of identifiable objects and activities. The apparatus then outputs the natural language text audibly or visually with a display of the live video feed.