Overhead Imaging System for Accurate Work Area Dwell Time Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recording work time, such as using identifiers or sensors, are cumbersome, prone to errors, and costly, and do not accurately capture dwell time in work areas due to shadow interference and maintenance burdens.
Innovation Solution
A processing system that includes an imaging part to capture work site images, a detecting part to identify persons, an identifying part to associate identification information, a tracking part to track individuals, and a calculator to determine dwell time within defined work areas, using markers or coordinates for accurate time calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identifiers or sensors are used to record work time, then work time can be tracked, but the system becomes cumbersome and costly with maintenance burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification systems (badges, sensors, manual clocks) with an optical imaging system using overhead cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of the work area, detects person positions automatically, and calculates dwell times through computational analysis, eliminating the need for physical tracking devices and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies (images) of the work area and persons within it, then analyzes these copies to determine work time. By working with image data rather than physical sensors or identifiers, the system simplifies the tracking mechanism while maintaining reliability through automated image-based detection and calculation.
2Measurement precision
If sensors or identifiers are deployed in work areas, then dwell time can be measured, but shadow interference and maintenance burdens reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-level sensor detection to overhead imaging, changing the detection dimension from horizontal to vertical perspective. This top-down view eliminates shadow interference that plagues ground-level sensors, as shadows fall away from the detection plane. The overhead camera captures the entire work area in plan view, allowing accurate position detection without shadow obstruction.
3Ease of operation
If traditional identification systems are used, then person tracking is possible, but cost and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-tracking of persons through their visual appearance in images. Persons are detected and tracked based on their images alone, without requiring them to carry identifiers, wear sensors, or interact with any tracking device. The image processing system automatically identifies, tracks, and calculates dwell times for all persons in the work area, eliminating manual intervention and reducing operational cost and effort.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes an imaging part, a detecting part, an identifying part, a tracking part, and a calculator. The imaging part acquires an image by imaging a work site from above. The detecting part detects a person visible in the image and acquires a coordinate of the person in the image. The identifying part identifies the person and associates identification information with the detected person. The tracking part tracks the person associated with the identification information by using the coordinate. The calculator calculates a dwell time of the person in a work area set in the work site by using a result of the tracking.