Target Subject Identification Using Movement Direction and Target Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed processing architectures, existing detection systems fail to identify a target subject when data events are not sent in chronological order due to multi-threaded processing, relying on sequential data or unique identifiers to reduce duplications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine a direction of the target subject's movement and identify subsequent images within a target area based on this direction, regardless of chronological order, using a processor and memory to receive and analyze images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distributed processing architecture is used to separate face detection and person recognition functions, then system scalability and maintainability are improved, but data events are not sent in chronological order making target subject identification difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidtarget subject identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining the direction of movement of a target subject based on the current image, and pre-calculating a target area where the subject is likely to appear in subsequent images. This allows the system to maintain reliable identification even when data events arrive out of chronological order in a distributed processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the search area based on the determined movement direction and current image content. By making the target area dynamic rather than static, the system can adapt to the subject's movement and maintain identification accuracy despite the non-chronological arrival of data events in distributed processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If existing detection deduplicate algorithms are used that rely on sequential data or unique identifier numbers, then processing simplicity is maintained, but they cannot identify target subjects when data events are not in chronological order

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing algorithm simplicityVSAvoidtarget subject identification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter used for identification from sequential data order or unique identifier numbers to spatial relationship based on movement direction. This allows the system to identify target subjects reliably without relying on chronological order, while maintaining relatively simple processing by using geometric calculations rather than complex temporal reasoning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12548169B2Method of identifying a target subject, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 NEC CORP

AI summary

In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image of a target subject; determining a direction in response to the receipt of the image, the direction being one in which the target subject was likely to move during a time period in the past or is likely to move during a time period in the future; determining a target area within which another image of the target subject can be expected to appear based on the determined direction; and determining if a portion of a subsequent image is outside the determined target area to identify if the subsequent image is one relating to the target subject, wherein the subsequent image is one taken during the time period in the past or during the time period in the future.