Optical Flow Position Estimation for Moving Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for calculating optical flow do not utilize this method to estimate the position to which a shooting device has moved, limiting their application in tracking the movement of objects.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus is designed to acquire images from a shooting device mounted on a moving object, determine the type of movement based on these images, and estimate the amount and direction of movement using optical flow analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical flow is calculated using conventional techniques, then the movement of feature points can be determined, but the position to which the shooting device has moved cannot be accurately estimated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference system (the shooting device itself) to bridge the gap between optical flow calculation and actual position estimation. By calculating optical flow relative to the shooting device's own movement, the system can accurately estimate the device's position change without requiring external reference objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems with an optical-based solution. Instead of using sensors or mechanical markers to track position, the system uses optical flow analysis of visual features to estimate the shooting device's movement and position
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are added to improve tracking and positioning capabilities, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the shooting device multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its primary function (capturing images) and positioning function simultaneously. The same imaging sensor used for capturing visual data is also used for position estimation through optical flow analysis, eliminating the need for separate tracking sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the shooting device's own imaging capability to estimate its own position and movement. The device serves itself by analyzing the optical flow in captured images to determine its own motion, without requiring external sensors or assistance from other components
Data Source
AI summary
To appropriately estimate the amount and direction of movement of a moving object, an information processing apparatus has an acquisition unit that acquires each image captured at each point in time by a shooting device mounted on the moving object; a determination unit that determines the type of movement of the moving object based on the respective images; and an estimation unit that, based on a first image and a second image captured at a time interval corresponding to the type of movement from the first image, estimates the amount and direction of movement of the moving object from the first point in time when the first image was captured to the second point in time when the second image was captured.