Multiple-Object Detection and Tracking via Identifier-Based Rounds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Neural network-based object detection and tracking on edge compute devices face high latency and power consumption due to the need for continuous processing of all features for every object, exceeding the limited compute budget.

Innovation Solution

A method that assigns priorities and processes data elements sequentially based on unique identifiers, using a round robin algorithm to manage processing resources efficiently, selecting subsets of data elements for feature detection and tracking, and iteratively repeating this process until all elements are processed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous processing of all features for every object is performed, then tracking accuracy is improved, but power consumption and latency increase beyond the limited compute budget

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous processing task into discrete processing rounds, where in each round only a subset of objects is processed. Objects are divided into groups based on their identifiers, and processing is distributed across multiple rounds rather than handling all objects simultaneously, thus reducing per-round power consumption while maintaining overall tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic processing where objects are processed in alternating rounds based on their identifiers. Even-indexed objects are processed in even rounds, odd-indexed objects in odd rounds. This periodic action distributes the computational load over time, reducing instantaneous power consumption while ensuring all objects are tracked over multiple cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If all objects are processed simultaneously, then tracking completeness is improved, but processing latency increases due to limited compute budget

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking completenessVSAvoidprocessing latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the object set into multiple subsets using identifier-based grouping. Each processing round handles only one subset, dividing the total processing time into manageable segments. This segmentation reduces the time required per round while ensuring all objects are eventually processed across multiple rounds, improving overall tracking completeness without excessive latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary grouping of objects by their identifiers before processing begins. This preliminary action organizes objects into predetermined subsets, allowing the system to efficiently schedule and process different groups in alternating rounds without requiring complex real-time decisions, thus reducing processing latency while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If feature extraction is performed for every object in every frame, then detection accuracy is improved, but compute budget is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcompute budget utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating processing intensity based on object identifiers. Instead of uniformly processing all objects with the same computational resources, the system selectively applies full feature extraction only to specific objects in specific rounds based on their identifier patterns, optimizing compute budget utilization while maintaining detection accuracy for tracked objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by performing feature extraction only on a subset of objects in each processing round rather than all objects. This partial processing approach reduces the computational load per round to fit within the compute budget, while the alternating round structure ensures that over time, all objects receive the necessary processing for accurate detection and tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4600817A1Multiple object detection and tracking
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HELSING GMBH
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AI summary

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a stream of data containing a plurality of data elements, wherein each of the data elements is associated with a unique identifier; selecting a subset of said data elements using said identifiers; and processing the data elements of the selected subset to detect one or more features of the data elements of the selected subset.