Single Camera Line Length Estimation Using Temporal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera-based approaches for estimating the length of lines in public establishments require specific camera orientations and are limited in their ability to monitor multiple lines effectively, leading to inefficiencies in managing waiting times and customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a single camera to obtain images of a physical area, evaluates hypotheses based on these images to estimate line lengths, and generates alerts, allowing for the monitoring of multiple lines and storage of estimated lengths for later use, utilizing a combination of image processing techniques such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo and background subtraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera is used to monitor multiple lines, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to the inability to capture all lines with optimal orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single camera perform multiple functions by enabling it to monitor multiple lines sequentially. The camera alternates between different lines, capturing images of each line in turn, thereby serving as a universal monitoring device for all lines rather than requiring dedicated cameras for each line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by having the single camera alternate between monitoring different lines at regular intervals. The camera captures images of Line 1, then Line 2, then Line 3, and repeats this cycle, allowing each line to be monitored periodically even though not all lines are visible simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If cameras are positioned to capture all lines simultaneously, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the monitoring task into separate temporal segments for each line. Instead of capturing all lines simultaneously in space, the system segments the monitoring in time, dedicating specific time intervals to capture each line individually, thereby simplifying the spatial configuration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from spatial parallel monitoring to temporal sequential monitoring. By adding the time dimension to the monitoring process, the system captures different lines at different times rather than requiring all lines to be visible in the same spatial frame, effectively solving the coverage problem without increasing spatial complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to monitor each line, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera is designed to serve multiple lines sequentially, making it a universal monitoring device. This eliminates the need for multiple dedicated cameras, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining the capability to monitor all lines with sufficient precision through time-multiplexed observation.
Data Source
AI summary
A solution for monitoring an area is provided. At least one image of a physical area corresponding to a line is obtained and a set of hypotheses are evaluated based on the image(s). For one or more hypotheses, an estimated length of the line is extracted, and an estimated line length is generated based on the estimated length(s) and the corresponding evaluation(s) of the set of hypotheses. In this manner, a length of a line of people, customers, vehicles, and/or the like, can be estimated. The estimation can be stored for later use, utilized to generate one or more alerts, and/or the like. The invention also provides for the use of a single camera to monitor multiple lines and/or perform other monitoring functions.