Video-to-Map Positioning Using Multilayer Homography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for tracking customer movement in retail environments suffer from decreased accuracy when the feet of individuals are hidden, leading to errors in coordinate conversion from camera images to maps.

Innovation Solution

Employ a multilayer homography approach using multiple homography matrices to convert coordinates of visible body parts, such as the waist and head, to accurately determine the position on a map even when feet are obscured.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If coordinates of feet are used for position determination, then position accuracy is improved when feet are visible, but position accuracy deteriorates when feet are hidden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidposition determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the person into multiple parts (head, body, feet) and tracks each part separately. When feet are visible, they provide accurate position data; when feet are hidden, other segments (head or body) are used instead. This segmentation allows the system to maintain position determination reliability by switching between different body segments based on visibility conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for position determination based on the visibility condition. When feet are visible, the system uses foot coordinates; when feet are hidden, it switches to using head or body coordinates. This parameter change ensures that position accuracy is maintained regardless of whether feet are visible or hidden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If homography matrix is applied to convert coordinates, then coordinate conversion is simplified, but conversion accuracy deteriorates when feet are hidden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate conversion simplicityVSAvoidcoordinate conversion accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the coordinate conversion process dynamic by selecting different body segments (feet, head, or body) as the basis for conversion depending on visibility conditions. The system dynamically adjusts which segment's coordinates are converted using the homography matrix, ensuring conversion accuracy is maintained even when feet are hidden, while still utilizing the simplicity of homography matrix transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4668235A1Analysis program, analysis method, and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP4668235A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4668235A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4668235A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An analysis program causess a computer to execute a process including specifying (S103) a plurality of portions of a person included in an image configuring a video obtained by capturing in a facility by analyzing the video, converting (S203, S204) each coordinate position on the image of the plurality of specified portions of the person into each coordinate position on a map in the facility, extracting (S104) any target portion among the plurality of portions based on each positional relationship of the converted coordinate positions on the map, and setting (S106, S107) the coordinate position of the extracted target portion on the map as a position where the person exists.