IP Library Granted Patent US 12,046,042
Granted Patent B2
US 12,046,042 · App. 17/608,702 · Granted Jul 23, 2024

Image obtaining means for tracking an object

Inventor: Kazuya Yamamoto (Brussels, BE)
Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE
G06V20/52G06V40/20G08B13/1963H04N7/185H04N7/188H04N23/611H04N23/695
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,046,042
App. No.
17/608,702
Granted
Jul 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image obtaining means including: a processor; a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor; a camera communicatively coupled to the processor; and the processor being configured to: receive, from the camera, image data; determine whether a predetermined object is present based on the image data; if a predetermined object is detected as present, determine if the predetermined object is moving or stationary; and if the predetermined object is stationary for at least a predetermined time period, record the duration that the predetermined object is stationary in the memory module.

Claims (21)

1. An image obtaining means comprising:

a processor;

a memory module communicatively coupled to the processor;

a camera communicatively coupled to the processor; and

the processor being configured to:

receive, from the camera, image data;

determine whether a predetermined object is present based on the image data;

if a predetermined object is detected as present, determine if the predetermined object is moving or stationary; and

if the predetermined object is stationary for at least a predetermined time period, record the duration that the predetermined object is stationary in the memory module;

wherein the camera is a pan-tilt camera including angle sensors communicatively coupled to the processor for sensing the coordinates of the camera, the camera being configured to track the moving predetermined object;

wherein the image obtaining means is configured to record the coordinates of the camera oriented toward the predetermined object in the memory module if the predetermined object is stationary;

wherein the image obtaining means is configured to aggregate a list including the recorded coordinates of the camera and the duration the predetermined object was stationary in the recorded coordinates of the camera; and

wherein the image obtaining means is configured to prioritize the list based on the duration the predetermined object was stationary.

2. The image obtaining means of claim 1 , wherein the image obtaining means is configured to sequentially set the pan-tilt camera through the prioritized list of coordinates until a predetermined object is detected if a predetermined object is not detected.

3. The image obtaining means of claim 1 , wherein the image obtaining means is configured to continuously update the list.

4. The image obtaining means of claim 1 , wherein the image obtaining means is configured to track the predetermined object using the pan-tilt camera if the predetermined object is moving.

5. The image obtaining means of claim 4 , wherein the image obtaining means is configured to search for the object at coordinates where the predetermined object has been stationary, if the moving predetermined object is lost during tracking.

6. The image obtaining means of claim 5 , wherein the object is searched based on the prioritized list.

7. The image obtaining means of claim 1 , wherein the camera is a RGB camera.

8. The image obtaining means of claim 1 , wherein the camera is an IR camera.

9. A tracking system comprising a plurality of image obtaining means according to claim 1 .

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2024
From: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 068226/0776 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2022
From: YAMAMOTO, KAZUYA
To: TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE
Reel/Frame 058675/0146 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220230439A1 · Jul 21, 2022