Marker Tracking via Color-Gray Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion analysis and tracking systems face challenges in real-time, automated tracking and identification of marker elements, particularly due to interference from wired power supplies and the need for manual assignment and complex image processing, which limits their reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing cameras to record digital color images, converting them into RGB and gray images, with automatic localization and identification of marker elements based on defined colors and geometry, allowing for real-time tracking and recognition of multiple marker elements without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If wired power supply is used for active marker elements, then markers can be illuminated continuously, but interference effects increase and movements are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired electrical power supply with wireless power transfer via electromagnetic fields. Active marker elements are powered inductively through a coupling unit that transmits energy wirelessly, eliminating physical connections and associated interference effects while maintaining continuous illumination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The marker elements become self-powered through wireless energy transfer, eliminating the need for external wired power connections. The inductive coupling allows markers to autonomously generate power for their illumination and identification functions without mechanical or electrical connections to external power sources
2Ease of operation
If manual assignment of marker elements is performed, then initial setup is possible, but time consumption increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded marker elements with distinct spectral characteristics that can be automatically detected and identified by the evaluation system. Each marker type has a specific color or fluorescence property that enables automated differentiation and assignment without manual intervention, while still allowing visual verification during setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated recognition and verification feedback loops where the evaluation unit detects marker colors and spectral properties, automatically assigns identifiers, and provides verification signals. This feedback mechanism eliminates manual assignment while maintaining operational simplicity through visual confirmation
3Loss of information
If all image information is processed for localization, then complete video data is available, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific spectral information from the complete video data stream by filtering for characteristic wavelengths and color patterns associated with marker elements. The evaluation unit selectively processes only the relevant spectral bands and color information needed for marker identification, while preserving access to the complete original video data when required, thereby reducing processing complexity without information loss
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
Enables fully automated, real-time tracking and measurement of marker elements, reducing manual operations and improving reliability by using self-illuminating markers and dynamic threshold adjustments for robust video data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one color image recorder for continuously storing the movements of the object or objects as digital color images
Implementation Method 2
A first transformer unit, which continuously converts the digitally stored color images into RGB images of the so-called RGB color space, so that there are three color intensities for each color point
Implementation Method 3
A gray image generation unit, which accepts a maximum of the three color intensities (R or G or B) as gray value for each color pixel and continuously stores a monochrome gray image corresponding to the RGB images
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) for analysing and/or tracking the movement of moved or moving objects (5) which are provided with a plurality of marker elements (10) which actively or passively glow in different colours and each of which (10) glow in a defined colour and with a round or elliptical geometry, at least comprising: -at least one camera (30) for recording the movements of the object(s) (5) which are continuously stored as digital colour images (FB) using at least one colour image sensor (40); -a first transformer unit (50) which continuously converts the digitally stored colour images (FB) into RGB images of the so-called RGB colour space, with the result that three colour intensities (R, G, B) are present for each colour pixel (pixel P); -a greyscale image production unit (60) which, for each colour pixel (P), adopts the maximum of the three colour intensities (R or G or B) as the greyscale value (GW) and continuously stores it as a monochromatic greyscale image (GB) in a manner corresponding to the RGB images; -a localization unit (70) which exclusively compares each greyscale value (GW) with a defined threshold value (SW) and stores greyscale values (GW) which are above the threshold value (SW) as a member of a pixel cloud (PW) which represents a potential marker element; -a measuring unit (80) which measures the geometry of every pixel cloud (PW) exclusively in the greyscale image (GB) and deletes pixel clouds (PW) again which can be excluded as marker elements (10); and -an identification unit (90) which determines the colour of the pixel clouds (PW), which have been confirmed as marker elements (10) exclusively in the greyscale image (GB), in the digitally stored colour image (FB). Unlike in the prior art, the system (1) according to the invention makes it possible, for the first time, for a plurality of marker elements (10) which glow in different colours, each in a defined colour and with a round or elliptical geometry, to be tracked in a fully automatic manner and for angles and other measurement data to be acquired for movement analyses. The system (1) according to the invention can locate video data relating to the marker elements (10), which are preferably spherical, in a manner close to real time for the first time and can track said data over time.