Flow Line Analysis System Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow line analysis systems fail to accurately generate heat map images when the layout of an imaging area, such as a store, changes, as they require updating the floor plan, which can compromise privacy and lead to inaccurate data.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera device and a server, where the camera captures images, generates background images, extracts flow line information, and transmits it to the server to create updated flow line analysis images, ensuring privacy by removing individuals from the images and allowing for timely updates and trend analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the floor plan is updated to reflect layout changes, then the accuracy of the heat map image is improved, but the privacy of persons in the imaging area is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes person information from the captured image to create a background image that contains only the layout and environmental features. This extracted background image is then used as the base for generating heat maps, thereby obtaining accurate layout information while eliminating privacy concerns associated with person data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a background image that copies the structural and environmental features of the imaging area without copying sensitive person information. This background copy serves as the foundation for heat map generation, preserving layout accuracy while excluding privacy-sensitive content.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the floor plan is not updated after layout changes, then privacy is protected, but the heat map image becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects layout changes by comparing current captured images with the stored background image, and autonomously updates the background image when changes are detected. This self-updating mechanism ensures the heat map accuracy is maintained without requiring manual floor plan updates or compromising privacy through person information collection.
3Measurement precision
If manual updates to the floor plan are performed, then layout changes are reflected in the heat map, but the system complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where captured images are continuously compared with the background image to detect layout changes. When changes are detected, the system automatically triggers background image updates, eliminating the need for manual floor plan updates and simplifying operation while maintaining heat map accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical updating of floor plans with an automated image processing and comparison system. The automatic detection and update mechanism substitutes human operation with algorithmic processing, reducing system complexity from the user perspective while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device generates a captured image, extracts flow line information relating to a staying position or a passing position of a moving object, and transmits the generated captured image and the extracted flow line information of the moving object to a server device for each predetermined transmission period. The server device generates a flow line analysis image in which the flow line information of the moving object is superimposed on the captured image and displays the generated flow line analysis image on a displayer. Furthermore, the server device switches a first flow line analysis image in a first predetermined period to a second flow line analysis image in a second predetermined period according to an operation of changing the period, and displays the resulting flow line analysis image.