Predictive Object Tracking Using Motion-Based Search Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image and video processing systems face challenges in efficiently tracking objects, particularly when they are fast-moving or changing orientation, due to computational intensity and the need for special hardware, which complicates object identification and location within video streams.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for predicting object location within images by determining the speed and direction of movement, adjusting image capture parameters, and analyzing only the predicted area of interest, thereby optimizing computational resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If object identification is performed to locate an object within a video stream, then object tracking capability is achieved, but computational cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject tracking capabilityVSAvoidcomputational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting the object's future location based on its current speed and direction before actually searching for it in the video stream. This allows the system to narrow down the search area in advance, significantly reducing the computational cost of object identification while maintaining reliable tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the video stream analysis by focusing computational resources only on the predicted location area rather than analyzing the entire video frame. This segmentation approach divides the computational task into a manageable portion, reducing overall computational cost while preserving tracking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the object is fast moving relative to the video frame rate, then tracking difficulty increases, but the system can still track the object by adjusting image sampling characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidobject movement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the image sampling characteristics based on the detected speed and direction of the object. When an object is moving fast, the system increases the sampling rate in the predicted direction of movement, ensuring continuous tracking accuracy despite the object's high speed relative to the standard video frame rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the object changes orientation, then tracking difficulty increases, but the system maintains tracking by analyzing images in the predicted location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking continuityVSAvoidorientation change handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from continuous image analysis in the predicted location to detect orientation changes of the object. By constantly monitoring the predicted area and comparing object characteristics across frames, the system can adapt to orientation changes and maintain tracking continuity even when the object rotates or changes its angular position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If special purpose hardware is used for accelerated computation, then processing speed increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo processing speedVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for complex special-purpose hardware with a software-based predictive algorithm that calculates future object locations. This substitution of mechanical/computational complexity with a mathematical prediction model achieves high processing speed using standard hardware, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated tracking hardware while maintaining video processing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12602793B2Systems and methods for predicting object location within images and for analyzing the images in the predicted location for object tracking

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods for predicting object location within images and for analyzing the images in the predicted location for object tracking are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving one or more first images captured by an image capture device. The method also includes determining a speed and/or a direction of movement of an object of interest based on the one or more first images. Further, the method includes receiving one or more second images captured by an image capture device. The method also includes predicting an area of location of the object of interest within the one or more second images based on the determined speed and/or direction of movement of the object. Further, the method includes analyzing the one or more second images in the predicted area of location for tracking the object of interest.