Object Tracking Apparatus Using Weighted Region Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object tracking techniques fail to effectively adapt to changes in the shape or size of objects within image sequences, leading to potential tracking errors or loss of the object.

Innovation Solution

An object tracking apparatus and method that employs a first candidate object region with a fixed size and a second candidate object region adapted to the shape or size of the object, with a weighting unit calculating a weighted sum of both to determine the object region in each image, allowing for dynamic adaptation and minimizing tracking errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed-size object region is used for tracking, then the tracking stability is improved, but the ability to adapt to shape or size changes of the object deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to shape or size changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static fixed-size object region to a dynamic adaptive object region that changes its size and shape according to the actual object characteristics in each frame. The object region is continuously adjusted based on detection results, allowing it to adapt to shape or size changes while maintaining tracking stability through the weighted combination with the previous object region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the object region (size, shape, position) dynamically based on detection results. By adjusting these parameters according to the detected object characteristics and combining them with the previous object region parameters through weighted averaging, the system achieves both adaptability to changes and tracking stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If an adaptive object region is used for tracking, then the adaptability to shape or size changes is improved, but the tracking stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to shape or size changesVSAvoidtracking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using detection results to adjust the object region and then using the adjusted object region as the basis for subsequent tracking. The system continuously monitors detection quality and adjusts the object region accordingly, creating a feedback loop that improves adaptability while maintaining stability through the weighted combination with the previous object region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The object region is made dynamic through continuous adjustment based on detection results. The system transitions from a static to a dynamic object region that adapts to shape or size changes while the weighted combination with the previous object region provides smoothing that maintains tracking stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If only a fixed-size object region is used, then the computational complexity is reduced, but the tracking precision for changing objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidtracking precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the object region determination into two components: a fixed-size object region from the previous frame and an adaptive object region from detection results. This segmentation allows the system to combine simple fixed-size tracking with more precise adaptive detection, improving tracking precision for changing objects while keeping computational complexity manageable through the weighted combination approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If only an adaptive object region is used, then the tracking precision for changing objects is improved, but the computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking precisionVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using a weighted combination where the fixed-size object region component provides a baseline that reduces computational requirements. Instead of fully relying on computationally intensive adaptive detection, the system uses a partial contribution from detection results combined with the simpler fixed-size tracking, achieving good tracking precision with reduced computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9959466B2Object tracking apparatus and method and camera

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An object tracking apparatus is configured to determine, according to a predetermined object region containing an object in an initial image of an image sequence, an object region estimated to contain the object in each subsequent image of the image sequence. Moreover, the object tracking apparatus is allowed to adapt the size of the object region obtained through tracking to the change in the shape or size of the object, and to avoid a tracking error.