Person Counting Device Using Background Similarity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing person counting systems using general monitoring cameras struggle with accuracy when detecting individuals dressed in colors similar to their surroundings, especially at night or in bright conditions, leading to omissions and reduced counting accuracy without the use of specialized devices.
Innovation Solution
A person counting device that includes a moving line acquirer, a person counter with a similarity determinator to differentiate between background and person images, and an output information generator, which deems a person as having passed through the doorway when the similarity between background and person images is high, reducing omissions and improving accuracy without requiring specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a general monitoring camera is used for person detection, then the device cost is reduced, but the detection accuracy deteriorates when the person's clothing color is similar to the background
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (similarity determinator and deemed counter) that mediates between the basic moving line detection and the final counting result. When a person's clothing color is similar to the background causing detection failure, the system uses the intermediary logic to analyze background similarity and compensate for the detection omission, thereby maintaining accurate counting without requiring expensive specialized cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical detection system (specialized range cameras using laser) with an information processing system (similarity determinator using image analysis). Instead of relying on specialized hardware to detect persons in challenging conditions, the system substitutes this with software-based analysis that compares background images to identify when persons are missed due to color similarity, thereby achieving the same detection improvement without specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera captures images in high contrast conditions (night or bright environments), then the visibility of persons is reduced, but the counting system continues to operate without specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing background images before persons pass through the doorway. These background images are prepared in advance and used for comparison when detection failures occur. By pre-capturing the background state, the system can later identify when a person is missed due to color similarity with the background, thereby compensating for detection inaccuracies in high contrast environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the similarity determinator continuously compares detected persons with background images and provides feedback to the deemed counter. When the system detects that a person's clothing color is similar to the background (high similarity), it triggers a compensatory counting action. This feedback loop ensures that detection failures in challenging lighting conditions are corrected, maintaining accurate counting across diverse operational environments
Data Source
AI summary
A person counting device according to embodiments of the present invention counts the number of persons passing through a doorway based on an imaged image in which the surroundings of the doorway are imaged. The person counting device includes a moving line acquirer that acquires a moving line for each person detected from the imaged image, a person counter that counts the persons that have passed through the doorway based on the moving line, and a display information generator that generates display information which represents the number of persons that have passed through the doorway based on the counting results of the person counter. The person counter detects an interruption of the moving line in the vicinity of the doorway, determines a similarity between the background image of the doorway and the person image, and includes a deemed counter that deems that the person has passed through the doorway.