Occupancy Detection Using Camera Visual Field Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple image sensors with overlapping fields of vision often miscount occupants due to counting the same individual, leading to inaccurate occupancy detection in areas.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine whether multiple luminaire-integrated cameras have a common visual field, allowing for accurate identification of shared or distinct occupants by processing visual data and comparing movement directions and pixel mappings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple image sensors are used to monitor the same area, then the coverage area is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to duplicate counting of the same occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring area into distinct visual fields for each camera and assigns unique identifiers to each camera's field of view. This segmentation allows the system to track which occupant has been counted by which camera, preventing duplicate counting while maintaining comprehensive coverage across multiple overlapping areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where each camera reports detected occupants to a central processor, which then checks whether the same occupant has already been counted by another camera in the overlapping region. This feedback loop ensures that duplicate detections are identified and excluded from the final occupant count, maintaining measurement precision across the expanded coverage area.
2Device complexity
If a single image sensor is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to incomplete coverage of the monitored area
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring area is divided into multiple visual field segments, each covered by a separate camera. Each camera is responsible for detecting occupants within its specific segment, and the system integrates results from all segments to provide complete area coverage while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular camera units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the detection results from multiple cameras by combining their visual field data and coordinating their counting operations. This merging process allows the system to achieve complete area coverage equivalent to a single large sensor while using multiple smaller, simpler camera units that can be independently manufactured and positioned.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for determining occupancy includes a first luminaire having a first camera to detect a first occupant and a second luminaire having a second camera to detect a second occupant. The system further includes a processor to determine whether the first camera and the second camera have a common visual field and to determine whether the first occupant and the second occupant are the same occupant in response to determining that the first camera and the second camera have a common visual field.