Thermal Imager Baseline Update via PIR Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing people counting systems using thermal imaging face inaccuracies due to static or outdated background images, which fail to account for dynamic conditions like lighting and furniture changes, leading to incorrect counting and privacy concerns with camera-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor system combining a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor and a thermal imager to determine optimal times for refreshing baseline background images, using a PIR sensor to detect no motion and trigger updates, ensuring accurate people counting by comparing current thermal images to refreshed baseline images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a static or outdated background image is used for people counting, then the system operation is simple, but the counting accuracy deteriorates due to inability to reflect dynamic space conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic background image refreshing by using a PIR sensor to detect motion and automatically update the background thermal image when no motion is detected for a predetermined period. This transforms the static background image approach into a dynamic system that adapts to changing space conditions, resolving the contradiction between counting accuracy and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the background image is refreshed frequently to capture space condition variations, then the accuracy improves, but the risk of capturing images during occupancy increases leading to incorrect counting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary motion detection using the PIR sensor before refreshing the background image. By checking for motion and waiting for a predetermined period of no motion, the system ensures the space is unoccupied before capturing the background image, preventing incorrect counting while maintaining accuracy through regular updates.
3Measurement precision
If manual verification and instruction is required for background image capture, then the timing can be controlled, but the operation becomes impractical for frequent updates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting when the space is unoccupied through PIR sensor motion detection and autonomously refreshing the background image without requiring manual user intervention. This maintains high update frequency for accuracy while eliminating the impracticality of manual operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances people counting accuracy, reduces costs, and addresses privacy issues by leveraging motion detection to update background images only when the space is unoccupied, providing a more reliable and discreet counting method.
Implementation Method 1
a second sensor configured to detect motion within the space
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor configured to capture baseline data and current data associated with the space
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for providing increased detection accuracy. A system for may include a management system, a network, and a sensor device. The sensor device may include a first sensor which captures baseline data and current data associated with the space, a second sensor which detects motion within the space, and a processor which causes the first sensor to capture the baseline data based at least in part upon a predetermined time period having elapsed since detected motion by the second sensor, and further configured to cause the second sensor to capture the current data and perform a comparison operation on the current data and the baseline data.