Distributed Tracking Rack with Weight Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Position tracking systems for larger physical spaces face limitations due to computing power constraints, leading to synchronization issues and reduced coverage area, as the number of sensors that can be effectively processed is limited by the computing capabilities of the central computer.
Innovation Solution
A distributed tracking system utilizing an array of cameras, multiple camera clients, a camera server, weight sensors, a weight server, and a central server, which processes signals from sensors to determine the position of people and objects, with a camera server assigning coordinates to time windows to mitigate desynchronization and a unique wiring arrangement of cameras to enhance resiliency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional sensors are added to increase coverage area, then the tracking capability is improved, but the computing power limitation causes synchronization issues and processing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the array of cameras into multiple groups, with each camera client processing a specific subset of cameras. This segmentation allows the system to handle a large number of sensors without overwhelming a single processing unit, thereby increasing coverage area while managing synchronization complexity through distributed processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera server acts as an intermediary that receives coordinates and timestamps from multiple camera clients, assigns them to appropriate time windows, and processes them collectively. This intermediary layer coordinates the distributed camera clients, managing synchronization without requiring direct communication between all sensors and the central server, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple computers are added to process signals from more sensors, then the coverage area is improved, but synchronization issues arise due to different latencies and communication times
Solution Approach 1:
The camera server assigns timestamps to coordinates before processing them, creating a preliminary temporal ordering of events from different camera clients. This preliminary timestamping action allows the system to maintain synchronization reliability across multiple computers by establishing a common time reference framework before final position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns coordinates to time windows based on timestamps, allowing flexible handling of varying latencies from different camera clients. This dynamic approach accommodates different processing speeds and communication times while maintaining overall synchronization, improving reliability without limiting coverage area expansion.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of cameras is increased to scale the system, then the coverage area is improved, but desynchronization between cameras increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing cameras into groups processed by different camera clients, the system can scale to more cameras while maintaining manageable synchronization within each group. The segmentation allows position accuracy to be preserved within local groups while collectively achieving larger coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera server intermediary reconciles coordinates from multiple camera clients by assigning them to time windows and processing them together. This mediation process corrects for desynchronization effects, maintaining measurement precision even as the number of cameras and coverage area increase.
4Productivity
If sensors are divided amongst multiple computers, then the processing capability is improved, but the system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the camera array into subsets assigned to different camera clients, enabling parallel processing that improves overall processing capability. The segmentation is structured so that each client handles a manageable portion, reducing individual complexity while collectively achieving high processing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera server provides universal functionality by handling timestamp assignment, time window allocation, and coordinate reconciliation for all camera clients. This multi-functional intermediary reduces coordination overhead by centralizing synchronization logic, allowing individual clients to focus on processing their assigned cameras without complex inter-client coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack for a scalable tracking system includes weight sensors disposed on shelves that hold items. The weight sensors detect the weight of the items and communicates signals indicating that weight to a circuit board positioned in the rack. The circuit board communicates these detected weights to a weight server that determines, based on these weights, whether items were removed from the shelves.