Area Occupancy Monitoring Using Dual Count Reconciliation
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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 or complete 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 manufacture
If direct counting of detection targets in an image is used, then the counting process is simple, but the count becomes inaccurate when multiple persons pass closely continuing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two counting methods: direct counting of detection targets in images and tracking-based counting of entry/exit events. By merging these approaches and comparing their results, the system achieves more accurate counting than either method alone, particularly when persons pass closely continuing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by comparing the first count (direct counting) with the second count (tracking-based counting). When the two counts differ, the system uses the larger value as the final count, creating a self-correcting mechanism that improves accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If tracking of detection targets is implemented to count entries and exits, then the count accuracy improves, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements tracking not for complete surveillance but for specific purposes: counting entries and exits. This partial action approach provides sufficient accuracy improvement without requiring full complex tracking of all detection target movements, balancing complexity and benefit.
3Measurement precision
If the larger of two count values is always used, then undercounting due to concealment is corrected, but potential overcounting may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of overcounting into a beneficial correction mechanism. By using the larger of the two count values, the system corrects the more serious problem of undercounting (which occurs when persons are concealed), accepting that occasional overcounting is a reasonable trade-off for eliminating systematic undercounting.
Data Source
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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.