Video Target Detection Using Motion Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current video surveillance systems face challenges in accurately detecting and tracking individual targets, particularly in crowded scenes and overhead camera views, where groups of targets are often misclassified as a single 'blob' and inanimate objects are not distinguished from legitimate targets.

Innovation Solution

A video processing system that detects moving pixels, identifies line segments or motion blocks, tracks targets, and manages them, enabling the differentiation of multiple objects even when they are closely grouped and accurately identifying human targets in overhead camera views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional video surveillance algorithms are used, then the system can detect moving objects, but groups of targets are detected as a single blob and individual targets cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget detection accuracyVSAvoidindividual target identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the detection process into multiple stages: initial blob detection, followed by segmentation of the blob into individual targets using motion analysis and spatial-temporal constraints. This allows the system to first detect groups as blobs and then separate them into individual targets, resolving the contradiction between detecting moving objects and identifying individual targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temporal dimension by analyzing motion across multiple video frames. By examining the temporal evolution of pixel positions and velocities, the system can distinguish individual targets within a spatial blob, adding a time dimension to the detection process that enables individual target identification without losing information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If conventional human detection algorithms are used, then the system can recognize human beings, but inanimate objects like furniture and shopping carts are not distinguished from legitimate targets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget classification accuracyVSAvoidfalse alarms
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by analyzing local motion patterns and spatial characteristics of different regions within detected blobs. By examining the specific motion dynamics, velocity vectors, and spatial distribution of pixels in different local regions, the system can distinguish between animate targets (humans) and inanimate objects, reducing false alarms while maintaining accurate target classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes detection parameters dynamically by adjusting motion thresholds, velocity constraints, and spatial-temporal filters based on the specific characteristics of detected objects. This allows the system to adapt to different scenarios and correctly classify targets while filtering out inanimate objects that do not exhibit human-like motion patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated video monitoring is implemented, then manual monitoring intensity is reduced, but the system cannot accurately recognize individual targets in crowded scenes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidindividual target recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediate processing steps between automatic blob detection and final target identification. Motion analysis modules, velocity calculation units, and spatial-temporal filtering mechanisms serve as intermediaries that process raw detection data and extract meaningful individual target information, enabling automated monitoring to achieve both efficiency and accuracy in crowded scenes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7801330B2Target detection and tracking from video streams
Publication Date: 2010.09.21 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC
  • US7801330B2 patent drawing
  • US7801330B2 patent drawing
  • US7801330B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A technique for video processing includes: receiving video from a scene; detecting moving pixels in the video; detecting line segments or motion blocks in the video based on the detected moving pixels; identifying targets in the video based on the detected line segments or motion blocks; tracking targets in the video based on the identified targets; and managing the tracked targets in the video.