Passive Optical Speed Measurement via Image Feature Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the speed of moving objects are detectable, require prior knowledge of the object's path, are susceptible to environmental interference, ineffective in low-light conditions, and cannot concurrently calculate speeds for multiple objects.
Innovation Solution
A system that analyzes a sequence of pixilated images to identify and classify features, estimate actual sizes, and determine movement parameters without additional light sources, using a processing unit to extract outlines, classify shapes, and calculate speed based on apparent and actual sizes, and position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct active measurement using electromagnetic or acoustic fields is used to determine speed, then speed measurement is achieved, but the system becomes detectable and susceptible to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active electromagnetic/acoustic field-based measurement systems with a passive optical image analysis system. Instead of using radar or ultrasonic fields that are detectable and susceptible to environmental interference, the system uses standard digital cameras to capture images and analyzes them through image processing algorithms to determine object speed, thereby eliminating the harmful effects associated with active field emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the moving object and analyzes the copy to determine speed characteristics. By working with image data rather than directly measuring the object with active fields, the system achieves speed measurement without the detectability and environmental susceptibility problems of direct active measurement methods.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical measurement with detector arrangements is used to calculate speed, then speed can be determined, but the system requires prior knowledge of the object's path and cannot handle multiple objects simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal image analysis algorithm that can simultaneously track and calculate speeds of multiple objects within the same field of view. The system processes images to identify multiple features, classifies them into predetermined classes, and determines speed parameters for each object independently, eliminating the need for separate detector arrangements for each object or path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts relevant motion information directly from digital images through image processing, removing the requirement for complex mechanical detector arrangements and prior knowledge of object paths. The system automatically identifies features in the image, tracks their positions across multiple frames, and calculates speeds without needing pre-configured detectors along specific paths.
3Measurement precision
If focus analysis is used to determine distance and speed, then speed component can be computed, but the system is ineffective in low-light conditions and cannot concurrently analyze multiple objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from relying on focus-based depth information (single dimension) to utilizing apparent size changes of classified features across multiple image frames (temporal dimension). By tracking how the apparent size of identified features changes over time and comparing it to known actual sizes of classified objects, the system can determine distance and speed components without being dependent on focus quality or light intensity.
Data Source
AI summary
Motion of an object is characterized based on data indicative of a plurality of pixilated images of the object. An outline of the object may be extracted from the data for each pixilated image of the object. Changes over time in a shape and/or position of the outline may be used to determine a speed associated with the object.