Monitoring Control for Occlusion-Resistant People Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems inaccurately count detection targets, particularly when multiple individuals pass a detection line in a closely continuing state, often undercounting the actual number due to partial concealment.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring control device and method that calculates detection target counts using two methods: direct counting within an area and tracking entries and exits, employing the larger count when discrepancies arise to correct for undercounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If detection is performed by simple counting of detected targets in an image, then the counting process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates when multiple persons pass closely continuing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the counting process into two separate methods: (1) direct counting of detection targets in the image, and (2) tracking-based counting of entries and exits. By segmenting the counting task into multiple approaches, the system can compare results and select the more accurate one, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the counting parameter from simple detection target count to a comparative selection between two different counting methods. The system selects the larger value between direct counting results and tracking-based counting results, using parameter change to improve measurement precision while maintaining operational feasibility.
2Measurement precision
If tracking is performed to count entries and exits, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements tracking not as a complete replacement for direct counting, but as a partial complementary method. The system performs both direct counting and tracking, then selects the larger result. This partial action approach improves precision without requiring a completely complex tracking system, as the tracking is only used to verify and supplement the direct counting.
3Ease of operation
If only the front person is counted in closely continuing state, then the counting process remains simple, but the loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback by comparing the results of direct counting with tracking-based counting. The system uses the tracking results as feedback to verify whether direct counting has missed targets. When tracking shows more entries/exits than direct counting, the system adjusts the final count upward, preventing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring control device is configured to calculate a number of detection targets present inside a predetermined area based on an image captured by an imaging device, count the number of the detection targets present in the area among the detection targets detected in an image to calculate a first estimated number of the detection targets inside the area, track the detection targets detected in the image to thereby count the number of detection targets entering the area and the number of detection targets exiting the area respectively as an entry count and exit count and calculate a second estimated number of the detection targets inside the area based on a difference between the entry count and the exit count; and, when the first estimated number and the second estimated number differ, employ the larger one as the number of the detection targets inside the area.