Retail Computer Vision Navigation for Sensory-Impaired Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer vision systems for visually impaired individuals in retail spaces face limitations in detecting dynamic obstacles due to limited field of view and processing capabilities, hindering effective navigation.
Innovation Solution
A network node coupled to optical sensors throughout a retail space processes images to determine subject and obstacle positions, providing real-time navigation information to a wireless device via a client application, addressing dynamic obstacles through a centralized system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wearable computer vision device is used, then portability and personal use are improved, but the field of view is limited and processing capabilities are insufficient for detecting dynamic obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the wearable device and the obstacle detection function. The server receives image data from multiple optical sensors throughout the retail space, processes this data to detect dynamic obstacles, and sends navigation information back to the wearable device. This allows the wearable device to maintain portability while achieving reliable obstacle detection through the server's superior processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point detection approach (wearable device) to a multi-point detection approach by deploying optical sensors throughout the retail space. This spatial distribution of sensors creates a comprehensive detection network that overcomes the limited field of view of individual wearable devices while maintaining the portability benefit for the user.
2Reliability
If multiple optical sensors are deployed throughout the retail space, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple optical sensors into a centralized server that processes all sensor data. Instead of each sensor operating independently, they are combined into a unified detection system that leverages the collective data from all sensors to detect dynamic obstacles, thereby improving detection capability while managing system complexity through centralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The server is designed as a universal processing platform that handles data from multiple types of optical sensors, performs obstacle detection, generates navigation information, and communicates with various user devices. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve high reliability through multiple sensors while keeping the overall system architecture manageable through a single centralized processing unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of providing navigation information associated with a retail space are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method comprises, a network node operationally coupled to a set of optical sensor devices positioned throughout a retail space, the network node receiving a sequence of images from each optical sensor device. The method comprises, obtaining a current position of a certain subject in the retail space based on one or more sequence of images received. The method comprises, obtaining a current position of an obstacle in the retail space based on one or more sequence of images received. The method comprises, sending to a wireless device associated with the certain subject, navigation information associated with the current positions of the certain subject and the obstacle in the retail space.