Virtual Line Counter for Moving Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moving-object counter systems face challenges in accurately counting individuals entering or leaving a facility, particularly in complex environments where multiple paths and directions complicate the tracking of individuals.
Innovation Solution
A moving-object counter apparatus that includes a first captured-image acquisition unit, a moving-object moving-path specifying unit, a virtual-line setting unit, and a counter unit, which acquires images, specifies moving paths, sets a virtual line based on these paths, and counts individuals passing through a predetermined position by analyzing image data from multiple angles and directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple imaging apparatuses are used to capture images from different positions, then the accuracy of counting moving objects is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring area into multiple regions, each covered by a separate imaging apparatus. Each apparatus independently captures images of its designated region, and the control device processes these segmented image streams separately before integrating the counting results. This segmentation reduces the complexity of processing full-scene images while maintaining high counting accuracy through coordinated multi-point monitoring.
2Reliability
If moving paths are specified based on multiple images from different times, then the reliability of object tracking is improved, but the loss of time for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of moving objects in each image sequence before integrating results across multiple sequences. By pre-identifying objects and their trajectories in individual image streams, the system reduces the computational burden during final integration, thereby maintaining high tracking reliability while minimizing additional processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips redundant processing steps by directly specifying moving paths based on key frame comparisons rather than analyzing every intermediate frame. This approach maintains tracking reliability by capturing essential motion information while significantly reducing the time required to process multiple image sequences.
3Ease of operation
If a virtual line is set based on specified moving paths, then the ease of operation for counting is improved, but the manufacturing precision of path specification requires higher accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the path specification problem from a complex multi-dimensional trajectory analysis into a simplified one-dimensional virtual line representation. By projecting moving paths onto a single reference line, the system maintains ease of operation for counting while reducing the precision requirements for path specification, as the virtual line serves as a simplified reference for determining object passage.
Data Source
AI summary
A moving-object counter apparatus includes a first captured-image acquisition unit, a moving-object moving-path specifying unit, a virtual-line setting unit, and a first moving-object counter unit. The first captured-image acquisition unit acquires multiple images captured at respective times different from each other by a first imaging apparatus capturing images of a predetermined region. The moving-object moving-path specifying unit specifies, on the basis of the acquired images, one or more moving paths along which one or more respective moving objects have moved in the predetermined region. The virtual-line setting unit sets a virtual line on the basis of the specified one or more moving paths. The first moving-object counter unit counts, by counting one or more moving paths that cross the set virtual line among the specified one or more moving paths, one or more moving objects that have passed through the predetermined position.