Image-Based Object Interaction Inference Using Social Graphs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems struggle to effectively infer relationships between objects in images, particularly in situations like searching for missing persons with disabilities or dementia, where traditional methods fail to recognize significant interactions.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing image recognition to extract attributes, calculate trajectories, and select main objects interacting with a target object through interaction indices, generating a social graph to identify key individuals in images from multiple sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional image recognition methods are used to identify objects in images, then basic object detection can be achieved, but the ability to infer interaction relationships between objects is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction relationship inference accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the interaction inference process into distinct components: trajectory calculation for movement patterns, attribute extraction for object characteristics, and interaction index calculation for relationship assessment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while collectively improving interaction relationship inference accuracy without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by calculating interaction indices that combine spatial distance, temporal co-occurrence, and trajectory overlap. This multi-dimensional approach transforms traditional 2D image recognition into a 3D spatiotemporal analysis, enabling accurate inference of interaction relationships that cannot be detected by conventional methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple imaging devices are used to capture images from different locations, then more comprehensive data is obtained, but the complexity of processing and integrating data from multiple sources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges data from multiple imaging devices by establishing a unified coordinate system and integrating trajectories across different camera views. The interaction index calculation combines spatial, temporal, and movement pattern data into a single comprehensive metric, simplifying the integration of multi-source data while maintaining information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that standardizes data from different imaging devices before analysis. This intermediary layer normalizes coordinates, timestamps, and detection formats, enabling seamless integration of multi-device data without requiring complex custom integration logic for each device pair

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If detailed interaction attributes are calculated between objects, then more accurate relationship inference is achieved, but the computational time and resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelationship inference accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates interaction indices using a selective subset of attributes based on the specific search context. Rather than computing all possible interaction metrics for every object pair, the system prioritizes the most relevant attributes (such as spatial proximity and temporal co-occurrence) to achieve accurate relationship inference within acceptable processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary filtering of object pairs based on basic criteria (such as minimum distance threshold or time window) before calculating detailed interaction attributes. This preliminary action reduces the number of candidate pairs requiring intensive computation, significantly decreasing processing time while maintaining inference accuracy for relevant cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12482296B2Device and method for inferring interaction relationship between objects through image recognition
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH
  • US12482296B2 patent drawing
  • US12482296B2 patent drawing
  • US12482296B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a device and method for inferring a correlation between objects through image recognition. The device for inferring a correlation between objects through image recognition according to an embodiment comprises a communicator and an interaction inferencer configured to select a main object interacting with a target object at a predetermined distance in the input image or generate a social graph including the main object and the target object.