Object Positioning via Visual ID Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies, such as ultrasonic and RFID, are not suitable for accurately detecting the position of one object relative to another due to high costs and positional accuracy issues, and are not easily implementable in small spaces like hospital settings or security gates without requiring new infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses image processing from existing image capturing devices to detect visually unique identifiers on objects, determining their distance and proximity, and providing notifications based on predetermined thresholds, allowing for accurate and cost-effective monitoring without additional infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic technology is used to detect object position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring new ultrasonic receivers and infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing image capturing devices (security cameras, surveillance systems) for multiple purposes - both their original security monitoring function and the new function of detecting object position and proximity. This eliminates the need for dedicated ultrasonic receivers while maintaining detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual identification tags that can be detected through image processing as a copy or alternative representation of object identity and position, replacing the need for specialized ultrasonic transducers. The visual tags serve as a surrogate for direct physical sensing.
2Ease of operation
If RFID technology is used to detect object position, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to positional accuracy limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RFID's electromagnetic field-based detection with optical/image-based detection using visual identification tags. Image processing provides more precise spatial information about object positions and orientations compared to RFID's proximity-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from RFID's limited proximity detection to multi-dimensional spatial information extraction through image analysis. The visual tags provide not only presence detection but also precise position, orientation, and distance information through image processing algorithms.
3Device complexity
If existing image capturing devices are used for position detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected by image analysis limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters being measured by using visual identification tags with known dimensions and characteristics. By detecting the size, shape, and orientation of these tags in images, the system can calculate precise distances and positions through geometric relationships, overcoming limitations of direct pixel-to-distance conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a change in object positioning by processing images by detecting a first entity tagged with a first visually unique identifier, and detecting a second entity tagged with a second visually unique identifier distinguishable from the first visually unique identifier. The system receives a first image, from a first image capturing device, containing the first visually unique identifier and the second visually unique identifier. The system analyzes the first image to determine a distance between the first visually unique identifier and the second visually unique identifier. The system receives a second image containing the first visually unique identifier. The system analyzes the second image to determine a location of the second visually unique identifier relative to the first visually unique identifier to form a distance assessment. Based on the distance assessment, the system determines a change in proximity between the first entity and the second entity.