Camera-Based Seat Occupancy Detection Using Area of Interest Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat occupancy identification methods in public transportation, such as rail transport, face limitations due to the short lifespan of mechanical sensors and the complexity of environments, leading to unreliable camera-based solutions that require multiple cameras and are prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single camera to capture and evaluate specific 'areas of interest' on seats, such as the head area, by comparing images with stored samples and employing parameterized interference patterns or biometric features to reliably identify occupancy, with optional use of infrared cameras for lighting-independent identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical sensors are installed in seats to identify occupancy, then seat occupancy can be identified, but the sensor lifetime is limited to approximately 50,000 loading situations due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensors with an optical camera system that uses image processing to detect seat occupancy. The camera captures images and compares them against stored reference images to determine if a seat is occupied, eliminating mechanical contact and wear entirely. This substitution enables the system to withstand millions of loading situations without degradation.
2Reliability
If separate cameras are provided for each seat to identify occupancy, then occupancy can be identified, but the system becomes complicated to implement and error-prone in complex environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single camera serve multiple functions by having it capture images of multiple seats and using image comparison algorithms to identify occupancy across different seats. The system processes images to detect changes in specific areas of interest, enabling one camera to replace multiple cameras while reducing system complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If the entire seat area is captured and evaluated to identify occupancy, then occupancy can be identified, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between actual occupancy and other objects like baggage or clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing the evaluation on specific areas of interest within the seat, such as the headrest region, rather than analyzing the entire seat. By comparing images at these localized areas against reference images, the system can detect occupancy more reliably while reducing false positives from baggage or clothing placed on other parts of the seat.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for identifying occupancy of a seat use a camera. In order to achieve permanently reliable identification of the occupancy of a seat, the camera is oriented such that it captures at least one area of interest of the seat. An evaluation apparatus is used to identify the area of interest in a picture taken by the camera and to store a position for the area of interest. The evaluation apparatus selects the area of interest in pictures subsequently taken by the camera at the stored position and compares the area of interest with at least one stored picture sample. A result of this comparison is taken as a basis for identifying the seat as being occupied. In addition, an apparatus having a camera and an evaluation apparatus is described for performing the method.