Tracking Apparatus Obstruction Detection and Adaptive Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems face challenges in maintaining accurate subject tracking when obstacles obstruct the view, as they rely solely on focus detection information, leading to inefficient reacquisition of the subject after obstruction.
Innovation Solution
A tracking apparatus and method that includes a tracking subject setting unit, obstructing detection unit, and obstructing area detection unit, which compares standard focus detection information with real-time focus detection information to identify obstructions, and adjusts the search area using luminance, color, or face detection information to reacquire the subject around the obstructing area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system relies solely on focus detection information for tracking, then the tracking process is simple, but tracking accuracy deteriorates when obstacles obstruct the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple types of detection information (luminance, color, face detection, and focus detection) to perform subject tracking. When focus detection alone is insufficient due to obstruction, the system merges alternative detection methods to maintain tracking accuracy, resolving the contradiction between simple processing and reliable tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters used for tracking based on detection results. When focus detection information becomes unreliable (indicating obstruction), the system switches to using other parameters such as luminance, color, or face detection information, thereby maintaining tracking accuracy without requiring permanently complex processing.
2Reliability
If the system searches the entire image for the subject after obstruction, then tracking reliability is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting the search area to specific regions around the obstructing area rather than searching the entire image. This localized search approach maintains tracking reliability by focusing computational resources on the most probable subject locations while significantly reducing processing time compared to a full-image search.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining search areas around the obstructing area before the actual subject reacquisition occurs. This preparation of search regions in advance allows for faster subject detection when obstruction is detected, reducing the time loss associated with reacquiring the subject.
3Reliability
If the system uses multiple types of detection information, then tracking accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic processing architecture where the system adaptively selects and combines different types of detection information based on current tracking conditions. Rather than permanently processing all information types simultaneously, the system dynamically activates only the necessary detection methods, improving tracking accuracy when needed while avoiding constant high complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and uses only the necessary detection information types based on current needs. When focus detection is sufficient, other information types are not processed. When obstruction occurs, the system extracts and utilizes alternative information (luminance, color, face detection) only at that moment, thereby improving accuracy without maintaining constant high processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking apparatus includes a tracking subject setting unit, a tracking subject search unit, an obstructing detection unit, and an obstructing area detection unit. The tracking subject search unit searches for the tracking subject by using at least one of luminance of the image data, color of the image data, a result of face detection, and a result of focus detection. The obstructing detection unit detects that the tracking subject is obstructed by comparing a standard focus detection information with a focus detection information obtained at a tracking position. The obstructing area detection unit detects an obstructing area. The tracking subject search unit exclusively sets a search area around the obstructing area and searches the set search area for the tracking subject by using information different from the result of focus detection, when the obstructing of the tracking subject is detected.