IP Library Granted Patent US 10,936,859
Granted Patent B2
US 10,936,859 · App. 16/557,166 · Granted Mar 2, 2021

Techniques for automatically identifying secondary objects in a stereo-optical counting system

Inventors: Zhiqian Wang (Lisle, IL); Edward A. Marcheselli (Wheaton, IL); Gary Dispensa (Naperville, IL); Thomas D. Stemen (Naperville, IL); William C. Kastilahn (Evanston, IL)
Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
G06K9/00335G06F16/55G06F16/5866G06K9/00342G06K9/00778G06T7/11G06T7/187G06T7/20G06T7/73G07C9/00G07C9/00896G06T2207/10028G06T2207/30196G06T2207/30232G06T2207/30241G06T2207/30242G07C9/00904G07C9/28G07C2209/08G07C2209/64
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,936,859
App. No.
16/557,166
Granted
Mar 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques for distinguishing objects (e.g., an individual or an individual pushing a shopping cart) are disclosed. An object is detected in images of a scene. A height map is generated from the images, and the object is represented as height values in the height map. Based on height properties associated with another object, it is determined whether the other object is associated with the object. If so determined, the objects are classified separately.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method for distinguishing objects in a scene, the method comprising:

detecting at least a first object and a second object in each of a plurality of images captured in an area;

determining, based on one or more properties associated with the first and second objects, whether the second object is associated with the first object; and

upon determining that the second object is associated with the first object:

classifying the second object as a shopping cart, and

including the shopping cart in a count of shopping carts that is maintained for the area.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

classifying the first object as an individual.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising:

tracking the individual in each of the plurality of images.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of images is captured in an area, and further comprising:

including the individual in a count of individuals that is maintained for the area.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the second object is associated with the first object comprises evaluating the one or more properties of the second object against the one or more properties of the first object.

6. A system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory comprising program code, which, when executed, performs an operation for distinguishing objects in a scene, comprising:

detecting at least a first object and a second object in each of a plurality of images captured in an area;

determining, based on one or more properties associated with the first and second objects, whether the second object is associated with the first object; and

upon determining that the second object is associated with the first object:

classifying the second object as a shopping cart, and

including the shopping cart in a count of shopping carts that is maintained for the area.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the operation further comprises:

classifying the first object as an individual.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the operation further comprises:

tracking the individual in each of the plurality of images.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of images is captured in an area, and wherein the operation further comprises:

including the individual in a count of individuals that is maintained for the area.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein determining that the second object is associated with the first object comprises evaluating the one or more properties of the second object against the one or more properties of the first object.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed on one or more processors, performs an operation for distinguishing objects in a scene, comprising:

detecting at least a first object and a second object in each of a plurality of images captured in an area;

determining, based on one or more properties associated with the second object, whether the second object is associated with the first object; and

upon determining that the second object is associated with the first object:

classifying the second object as a shopping cart, and

including the shopping cart in a count of shopping carts that is maintained for the area.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein the operation further comprises:

classifying the first object as an individual.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 12 , wherein the operation further comprises:

tracking the individual in each of the plurality of images.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of images is captured in an area, and further comprising:

including the individual in a count of individuals that is maintained for the area.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 11 , wherein determining that the second object is associated with the first object comprises evaluating the one or more properties of the second object against the one or more properties of the first object.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2023
From: MARCHESELLI, EDWARD A.; DISPENSA, GARY
To: SHOPPERTRAK RCT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062968/0643 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2020
From: WANG, ZHIQIAN; STEMEN, THOMAS D.; KASTILAHN, WILLIAM C.
To: SHOPPERTRAK RCT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 053021/0713 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2020
From: SHOPPERTRAK RCT CORPORATION
To: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 052751/0601 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 16123769 · Sep 6, 2018
Continuation In Part 15669440 · Aug 4, 2017
Continuation 15057908 · Mar 1, 2016
Continuation 14680123 · Apr 7, 2015
Continuation 13622083 · Sep 18, 2012
Provisional Application 61538554 · Sep 23, 2011
Provisional Application 61549511 · Oct 20, 2011
Related Publication 20200074157A1 · Mar 5, 2020