Image Tracking Region Selection via Entropy Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional object tracking methods often fail due to inappropriate initial tracking-target region selection, leading to unstable tracking results and high user intervention requirements, especially when the initial region is restricted or incorrectly chosen.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus and method that automatically selects an appropriate initial tracking-target region by extracting feature values, adjusting region size to maximize entropy, and searching for regions with similar features in subsequent frames to ensure stable tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual selection of initial tracking-target region is used, then user can specify tracking region, but tracking stability deteriorates when region is incorrectly chosen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual region selectionVSAvoidtracking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic initial tracking-target region selection based on entropy calculations and similarity searches, eliminating the need for manual user input. The apparatus independently determines the optimal tracking region by analyzing image features and statistical properties, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and tracking stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of initial tracking region selection from manual coordinate input to automatic entropy-based optimization. By calculating entropy values for different candidate regions and selecting the region with maximum entropy, the system transforms the selection process into a parameter-driven automatic determination, improving both ease of operation and tracking stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If restricted initial tracking-target region is used, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking success rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregion selection complexityVSAvoidtracking success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary entropy calculation and similarity search on candidate tracking regions before actual tracking begins. By pre-evaluating multiple candidate regions using entropy metrics and selecting the optimal one in advance, the system ensures high tracking success rate without adding complexity during the tracking process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical region selection with an automatic computational system based on entropy calculations and image similarity searches. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual region definition while improving tracking success rate through algorithmic optimization of the initial tracking region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If inappropriate initial tracking-target region is selected, then processing speed is improved, but user intervention frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking initialization speedVSAvoiduser intervention frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from entropy calculations and similarity search results to automatically adjust and select the optimal initial tracking region. By incorporating feedback mechanisms that evaluate candidate regions based on statistical properties and image features, the system eliminates the need for repeated user interventions while maintaining fast tracking initialization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9336606B2Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and computer program product

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus includes: an image input unit that inputs an image; a designating unit that receives designation of an initial tracking-target region that is a first region in a first image frame of time-series image frames input from the image input unit; a feature value extracting unit that extracts a predetermined feature value from a target region in the first image frame; a first search unit that searches for a second region obtained by changing a size of the first region and by determining whether the feature value extracted from the second region satisfies a predetermined condition for enabling successful tracking and sets the second region as a new initial tracking-target region; and a second search unit that searches for a region similar to the newly set initial tracking-target region as a tracking-result region in a second image frame subsequent to the first image frame.