Light Source Tracking for Warehouse Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for tracking movements in operation sites, such as factories and warehouses, face accuracy issues due to the influence of imaging environments on detecting body part positions.

Innovation Solution

An information management apparatus and method that acquires sequentially captured frames and determines the movement state of a light source's position within an imaging area using light source images, storing this information in association with the movement state for improved tracking and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If image analysis is executed to detect body part positions, then behavior tracking capability is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to imaging environment influence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebehavior tracking capabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces light sources as intermediary objects that emit light with encoded information. These light sources serve as mediators between the imaging system and the objects being tracked, providing reliable position information that is not affected by imaging environment variations. The light sources carry identification information through their light emission, enabling accurate tracking without relying on image analysis of body parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/image-based detection system with an optical communication system. Instead of analyzing images to detect body part positions, the system uses light sources that transmit position information through light emission. This substitution of the detection mechanism eliminates the accuracy problems associated with image analysis in varying imaging environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If light sources transmit information by means of light, then information transmission capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light sources in the patent serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide illumination for the imaging area and transmit identification information through their light emission. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate information transmission devices, as the illumination sources themselves carry the information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the accuracy of movement tracking by accounting for light source variations, thereby improving the detection of abnormal behaviors and operational management.

Implementation Method 1

a light source images 201 transmitted light 2L from the light source 201, the light source transmitting information by means of light including an illumination pattern of the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and modulation: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11676286B2Information management apparatus, information management method, and non-transitory recording medium
Publication Date: 2023.06.13 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An information management apparatus includes at least one processor configured to execute a program stored in a storage. The at least one processor acquires sequentially captured frames. The at least one processor acquires a movement state of a position of a light source in an imaging area, based on light source images contained in the acquired frames. The light source transmits information by means of light including an illumination pattern of the light. The at least one processor causes the storage to store the information and the movement state in association with each other.