Portable Camera Location Tracking Using Visual Landmark Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location tracking systems, such as GPS and fixed camera systems, face limitations in providing accurate path verification and authorization for individuals or objects within facilities, as they often require external infrastructure and cannot automatically detect adherence to procedures or environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses a portable camera to capture and compare video images with pre-stored data to verify correct path traversal, authorization, and environmental compliance, allowing for real-time notification and access control without the need for extensive infrastructure, utilizing 3D cameras and additional sensors for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS systems are used for location tracking, then location data can be obtained, but they require external satellite infrastructure and cannot work indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual landmarks and image comparison as an intermediary mechanism between the camera and location determination. Instead of directly using GPS satellites, the system captures images, compares them against a database of pre-stored landmark images, and determines location based on visual matching. This intermediary approach enables indoor location tracking where GPS signals are unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with a camera-based visual recognition system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic GPS infrastructure with optical image capture and processing, the system achieves location tracking in environments where GPS cannot operate, such as indoors or in urban canyons.
2Reliability
If fixed camera systems are used for monitoring, then location can be tracked, but they require extensive installed infrastructure with specific vendor technology
Solution Approach 1:
The portable camera system performs its own location determination by capturing images and autonomously comparing them against a database of landmarks. The system serves itself by using its camera to identify location without requiring external fixed cameras or infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable path verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a database of pre-stored landmark images as visual copies of physical locations. By comparing real-time camera images against these stored copies, the system determines location without requiring physical fixed cameras at each location, significantly reducing infrastructure requirements while maintaining verification reliability.
3Device complexity
If mobile camera systems are used, then no infrastructure is required, but they simply record perspective and do not provide locational information
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback by continuously comparing captured images against the landmark database and using the match results to determine and update location information. This feedback loop transforms the simple perspective recording into a location-aware system that provides both visual documentation and precise locational data.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable camera system performs multiple functions: it records perspective video (original function) and simultaneously determines geographic location through image comparison (new function). This multi-functionality allows the same device to provide both visual documentation and locational information without requiring separate systems.
4Loss of information
If video surveillance is used to monitor procedures, then environmental changes can be detected, but it cannot automatically verify correct procedures were followed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pre-stored landmark images that represent correct locations and paths as preliminary reference data. By comparing real-time images against these pre-established standards, the system can automatically verify whether the individual followed the correct procedure, transforming environmental monitoring into automated verification.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for location identification and tracking of a person, object and/or vehicle. The methods involve: obtaining, by a computing system, a video of a surrounding environment which was captured by a portable camera coupled to the person, object or vehicle; comparing, by the computing system, first images of the video to pre-stored second images to identify geographic locations where the first images were captured by the portable camera; analyzing, by the computing system, the identified geographic locations to verify that the person, object or vehicle is (1) traveling along a correct path, (2) traveling towards a facility for which the person, object or vehicle has authorization to enter, or (3) traveling towards a zone or secured area internal or external to the facility for which the person, object or vehicle has authorization to enter; and transmitting a notification from the computing system indicating the results of the analyzing.