JP2012080221A - Target tracking device and target tracking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To heighten tracking accuracy of a tracking target when a shielding material is further overlaid on the tracking target after the tracking target is shielded by the shielding material in a target tracking device.SOLUTION: The target tracking device comprises a tracking target designation reception part, a tracking object setting part, and a tracking processing part for tracking the tracking object set by the tracking object setting part in an input image. The tracking object setting part sets the tracking target as a tracking object when recognizing the tracking target, sets the shielding material as a tracking object when the tracking target is shielded by the shielding material, and when the shielding material set as the tracking object is overlaid on at least one part of the other shielding material, sets the shielding material having a longer residual time when the shielding material is overlaid as a tracking object, based on an estimated shielding time, during which each shielding material shields the tracking target, calculated on the basis of a difference between a motion vector of each shielding material and a motion vector of the tracking target.

Description

  The present invention relates to a target tracking device that tracks a tracking target in an image, and more particularly to a technique for improving the tracking accuracy of a tracking target after the tracking target is shielded by an obstacle.

  Many methods have been proposed in which images are continuously captured from an imaging device or the like, and an object moving in the image is detected and tracked. In general methods, the tracking target is detected and tracked in the image based on the contour, color, size, motion information, etc. of the object specified as the tracking target, so in order not to lose sight of the tracking target, It is important to deal with a case where the tracking target is covered with another object.

  As a countermeasure when the tracking target is occluded by overlapping with another object, tracking can be continued even if the tracking target is partially occluded by setting and tracking multiple tracking points for the tracking target. Conventionally, even when the tracking target is completely occluded, the tracking is continued by predicting the moving position using the motion vector of the tracking target.

  In these techniques, the case where the tracking target is shielded by another object and another object overlaps is not considered. In this regard, in Patent Document 1, when a new shielding occurs while tracking an object that shields the original tracking target, the tracking target is switched from the previous shielding object to the new shielding object. It has been proposed to perform re-detection. When a previous shield is detected prior to the tracking target, the new shield is excluded from the tracking target, and the tracking target is re-detected while tracking the previous shield.

JP 2007-272436 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the tracking priority of the shield that previously shielded the tracking target is higher than that of the new shield, the tracking target is moved while being shielded by the new shield. If it continues, the tracking target may be missed, and the tracking accuracy of the tracking target may be reduced.

  For example, assume that a slowly moving tracking target is occluded by a fast or slow object and then further occluded by a stationary or slow object. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a high-speed shielding object that previously shielded a tracking target reappears, the previous shielding object becomes a tracking object, and the new shielding object is excluded from the tracking object. . For this reason, the imaging range of the imaging apparatus moves away from the location of the tracking target that is shielded by the new shielding object, and it becomes difficult to re-detect the tracking target.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the tracking accuracy of a tracking target in a case where the tracking target is a tracking target after the tracking target is shielded by the shielding object in the target tracking device.

  In order to solve the above problem, a target tracking device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a tracking target designation receiving unit that receives designation of a tracking target, a tracking target setting unit that sets a tracking target, and an imaging device. A tracking processing unit that tracks the tracking target set by the tracking target setting unit in the input image input, and the tracking target setting unit recognizes the tracking target in the input image, When the tracking target is set as a tracking target, and the tracking target is shielded by a shielding object in the input image, the shielding object is set as the tracking target, and the shielding object set as the tracking target is the input image In the case where at least a part overlaps with other shielding objects, each shielding object calculated based on the difference between the motion vector of each shielding object and the motion vector of the tracking target Based on the estimated shielding time for shielding the tracking target, and sets the remaining time longer covering of as an object of tracking at the time overlap of the shield.

  Here, the tracking target setting unit determines the size of the other shielding object even if the shielding object set as the tracking target overlaps at least partly with the other shielding object in the input image. When it is determined that the other shielding object does not shield the tracking target based on the size of the tracking target, it is preferable not to set the other shielding object as a tracking target.

  Further, the tracking target setting unit calculates the estimated shielding time using the size of the shielding object and the size of the tracking target in addition to the motion vector of the shielding object and the motion vector of the tracking target. Also good.

  In addition, the tracking target setting unit can exclude, from the tracking target, a shielding object for which the remaining time of the estimated shielding time has expired.

  Further, the image capturing apparatus control unit for controlling the image capturing range of the image capturing apparatus is further provided, and the tracking target setting unit is excluded from the tracking target when the shielding object set as the tracking target is excluded from the tracking target. The imaging apparatus is configured to newly set a shielding object having the longest remaining estimated shielding time as a tracking target, and to predict a current position based on a motion vector of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target. The control unit may control the imaging apparatus so that the predicted current position is included in the imaging range.

  The tracking target setting unit calculates a distance from the imaging device of the tracking target and the shielding object based on distance information associated with an input image input from the imaging device, and sets the tracking target as a tracking target. When it is determined that the other shielding object does not shield the tracking target based on each calculated distance when the shielding object being at least partially overlapped with another shielding object in the input image, The other shielding object may not be set as a tracking target.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a target tracking method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a target tracking method in a target tracking device, and includes a tracking target designation receiving step for receiving designation of a tracking target, and a tracking target. A tracking target setting step; and a tracking processing step of tracking the tracking target set by the tracking target setting step in an input image continuously input from the imaging device, the tracking target setting step comprising: The tracking target is set as a tracking target when the tracking target is recognized in the input image, and the tracking target is set as the tracking target when the tracking target is shielded by the shielding object in the input image. If the shielding objects set at the same time overlap with other shielding objects in the input image, the movement of each shielding object Based on the estimated occlusion time for which each occlusion calculated based on the difference between the track and the motion vector of the tracking target occludes the tracking target, the occlusion with the longer remaining time at the time of the occlusion of the occlusion is tracked It is characterized by being set as a target.

  According to the present invention, in the target tracking device, after the tracking target is shielded by the shielding object, it is possible to improve the tracking accuracy of the tracking target when the shielding object is a tracking target.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the target tracking system which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the tracking target information in 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the obstruction information in 1st Example. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of tracking target tracking mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of a single shielding object mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of overlap shield mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of overlap shield mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of overlap shield mode. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of overlap shield mode. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the target tracking system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the tracking target information in 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of shielding object information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the target tracking system which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a data structure of the obstruction information in 3rd Example.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the target tracking system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the target tracking system 10 includes an imaging device 200 and a target tracking device 100.

  The imaging device 200 can be configured using, for example, a monitoring camera, and captures a moving image and continuously outputs the captured image to the target tracking device 100. Based on the instruction from the target tracking device 100, the imaging device 200 can perform panning, tilting, and zooming so that the tracking target is within the image.

  The target tracking device 100 includes an image input unit 110, a display unit 120, a tracking target designation receiving unit 130, a tracking target setting unit 140, a tracking processing unit 150, an imaging device control unit 160, and a tracking information storage unit 170. A process for tracking a tracking target in images continuously captured from the apparatus 200 is performed.

  Here, the tracking target means an object that is currently being tracked, and includes either a tracking target specified by the user, a shield that shields the tracking target, and other shielding objects that overlap the shielding target. Is set. Specifically, when a tracking target that is the original tracking target is detected in the image, the tracking target is always set as the tracking target, and the tracking target is shielded by one or more shielding objects in the image. If it cannot be detected, one of the shielding objects is set as a tracking target.

  The target tracking device 100 can be configured using a general-purpose information processing device including a CPU, a memory, an input / output interface, a communication device, an input device, and the like. Moreover, you may comprise as dedicated apparatuses, such as a monitoring system.

  The image input unit 110 continuously inputs images from the imaging apparatus 200 and performs processing such as decoding as necessary. The display unit 120 displays the image input by the image input unit 110 as a moving image on a display device (not shown) built in the outside or the target tracking device.

  The tracking processing unit 150 performs tracking processing of the object set as the tracking target by the tracking target setting unit 140. Various methods have been proposed for the tracking processing, but the tracking processing method is not particularly limited in the present invention. In this embodiment, the tracking target is recognized and tracked by shape recognition using a template divided into a plurality of blocks, which is a basic method for convenience, but the likelihood is calculated using particles. A method of tracking the tracking target may be used. In addition, it is desirable that the tracking processing unit 150 tracks changes in the shape and size of the tracking target and updates information regarding the tracking target as needed.

  The tracking target designation receiving unit 130 receives a tracking target designation from the user. For example, the user can designate a tracking target by designating an area in the image where the tracking target exists using an input device such as a pointing device. When the tracking target designation receiving unit 130 receives the designation of the tracking target from the user, the tracking target designation receiving unit 130 creates the tracking target information 171 and records it in the tracking information storage unit 170 which is a storage area.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the tracking target information 171. As shown in this figure, the tracking target information 171 stores a shape (color, contour) 171a, size 171b, motion vector 171c, position 171d, last update time 171e, and shielding state 171f as information regarding the tracking target. For the shape (color, contour) 171a, size 171b, and position 171d, it is desirable to retain not only the latest information but also history information.

  The shape (color, outline) 171a, size 171b, and position 171d of the tracking target are acquired from the image and recorded when the specification of the tracking target is received. The tracking processing unit 150 of the target tracking device 100 detects a tracking target from images continuously captured based on these pieces of information, and tracks the tracking target. The shape (color, contour) 171a, size 171b, and position 171d are updated as needed, and a motion vector is calculated based on the moving direction and speed of the tracking target, recorded in the motion vector 171c, and updated as needed. . In the last update time 171e, the time when these pieces of information were last updated is recorded. Further, in the shielding state 171f, the tracking target setting unit 140 records the state where the tracking target is detected or whether the tracking target is shielded and cannot be detected.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. 1, the imaging device control unit 160 controls the imaging device 200 in response to movement of the tracking target or change of the tracking target due to shielding or the like. Specifically, panning, tilting, and zooming with respect to the imaging apparatus 200 are performed such that the tracking target is located at the center of the image and the occupation area of the tracking target is a predetermined ratio with respect to the entire area of the input image. To do.

  The tracking target setting unit 140 includes an overlap detection unit 141, a shielding possibility determination unit 142, a priority determination unit 143, a shielding object state monitoring unit 144, and a shielding time monitoring unit 145. The tracking target setting unit 140 performs a tracking target setting process and the like by controlling these functional units.

  In the image input by the image input unit 110, the overlap detection unit 141 is in a state where another object overlaps the entire tracking target and the tracking target is shielded, and the tracking target cannot be detected. Detects a state where at least a part of the object has overlapped with another object, a state where the shielded tracking target reappears, and a state where another shielded object has reappeared.

  When a state in which another object overlaps the tracking target and is shielded and the tracking target cannot be detected is detected, the overlap detection unit 141 treats the other object as a shielding object, creates shielding object information 172, and performs tracking. Record in the information storage unit 170.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the shielding object information 172. As shown in the figure, the shielding object information 172 includes a shielding object ID 172a, a shape (color, contour) 172b, a size 172c, a motion vector 172d, a position 172e, a last update time 172f, a tracking target flag 172g, an estimated shielding time 172h, The shielding elapsed time 172i is stored as information related to the shielding object. For the shape (color, contour) 172b, size 172c, and position 172e, it is desirable to retain not only the latest information but also history information.

  The shield ID 172a stores an identifier for identifying the shield. The shape (color, outline) 172b, size 172c, and position 172e are acquired from an image and recorded when a shielding object is detected. When the shielding object is a tracking target, the tracking processing unit 150 of the target tracking apparatus 100 detects the tracking object shielding object from images continuously captured based on these pieces of information, and performs tracking.

  Then, the shape (color, contour) 172b, size 172c, and position 172e are updated as needed, a motion vector is calculated based on the moving direction and moving speed of the tracking target shielding object, and recorded in the motion vector 172d, Update from time to time. The last update time 172f records the time when these pieces of information were last updated. Further, the tracking target flag 172g records a state as to whether or not the shielding object is a tracking target. Note that the shape (color, outline) 172b, size 172c, position 172e, and the like are detected only for the shielding target object.

  The estimated shielding time 172h stores an estimated value of the time for which the shielding object shields the tracking target. The estimated shielding time can be calculated from the size and motion vector of the shielding object, and the size and motion vector of the tracking target, for example. That is, the relative movement distance from when the shielding object shields the tracking target until the tracking target reappears is calculated from the size of the shielding object and the tracking target size, and the motion vector of the shielding object and the motion vector of the tracking target are calculated. The estimated shielding time can be calculated by dividing by the difference.

  However, it is not necessary to calculate the estimated shielding time strictly, and it is sufficient if an approximate time can be obtained. The size can be, for example, the length on the screen in the vertical and horizontal directions when the tracking target or the shielding object is approximately represented in a rectangular shape. Note that the estimated shielding time may be simply calculated based on the difference between the motion vector of the shielding object and the motion vector of the tracking target. In this case, the larger the difference in motion vector between the shielding object and the tracking target, that is, the larger the relative speed, the shorter the estimated shielding time.

  The shielding elapsed time 172i stores the elapsed time from the time when the estimated shielding time is calculated. It is assumed that the shielding elapsed time is updated sequentially. If the occlusion elapsed time exceeds the estimated occlusion time, the tracking target can be regarded as not being occluded by the occluded object.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. 1, when the shielding target to be tracked overlaps at least partly with another object, the shielding possibility determination unit 142 determines the size of the other object and the tracking target. Based on the shape, it is determined whether other objects can completely occlude the tracking target. As a result, when it is determined that the tracking target cannot be completely occluded, other objects are not handled as occluded objects and are excluded from the tracking target. On the other hand, when it is determined that the tracking target can be completely shielded, another object is handled as a shielding object, and shielding object information 172 is created and recorded in the tracking information storage unit 170. Note that it may be determined whether another object can completely block the tracking target based on only the size.

  The priority determination unit 143 calculates the priority of which shield is set as the tracking target when an object that overlaps the tracking target that is the tracking target is handled as the shielding target. The tracking target setting unit 140 determines a shield with a high priority calculated by the priority determination unit 143 as a tracking target. Here, the priority is calculated to be higher as the remaining time of the estimated shielding time is longer. The remaining time of the estimated shielding time can be calculated by subtracting the shielding elapsed time 172i from the estimated shielding time 172h.

  For example, when a walking person is designated as a tracking target, a running car and a standing signboard are detected almost simultaneously as a shield. At this time, the difference between the motion vector and the motion vector of the tracking target is large for the traveling vehicle, so the estimated shielding time by the traveling vehicle is shorter than the estimated shielding time of the standing signboard. Therefore, the priority is calculated higher for the standing signboard. This is because, if the standing signboard is the target of tracking, even if the person who is the tracking target moves while being shielded by the car, the shielding time by the car is estimated to be short. This is because the tracking target is redetected.

  On the other hand, if the traveling vehicle is the target of tracking, if the tracking target person is shielded by the standing signboard and the tracking target person reappears from the standing signboard, Therefore, since the place away from the standing signboard is photographed, the tracking target is lost. Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of before and after detection, the higher the priority is set for the shielding object with the longer remaining time of the estimated shielding time, and the tracking accuracy for the tracking target is improved by setting it as a tracking target. Yes.

  The shielding state monitoring unit 144 detects that the tracking target cannot be shielded as a result of a change in the size or shape of the shielding object when the shielding object is set as a tracking target. To do. It may be possible to simply detect that the tracking target obstruction can no longer block the tracking target based on only the size.

  When the shielding object set as the tracking target changes to a size and shape that cannot cover the tracking target, the shielding object is excluded from the tracking target, and the priority determination unit 143 has the highest priority at that time. A shield with a high degree, that is, a shield with the longest remaining time of the estimated shielding time is set as a tracking target. At this time, the imaging device control unit 160 estimates the current position of the shielding object based on the motion vector of the shielding object newly set as a tracking target, and the imaging device control unit 160 causes the imaging device 200 to include the position in the image. The imaging target position is controlled.

  The shielding time monitoring unit 145 deletes, from the shielding object information 172, the shielding object recorded in the shielding object information 172, with the estimated remaining shielding time remaining, is regarded as having been released from the shielding state. . When the shielding object deleted from the shielding object information 172 is a tracking target, the priority determination unit 143 has the highest priority at that time, that is, the remaining time of the estimated shielding time is the longest. Set the shield as the tracking target. At this time, the imaging device control unit 160 estimates the current position of the shielding object based on the motion vector of the shielding object newly set as a tracking target, and the imaging device control unit 160 causes the imaging device 200 to include the position in the image. The imaging target position is controlled.

  Next, the operation of the target tracking device 100 will be described. Here, a tracking target is set as a tracking target, and a normal state in which the tracking target is tracked is called a tracking target tracking mode. The tracking target is shielded by one shielding object, and the shielding object becomes a tracking target. The state in which the shield is in a single shielding object tracking mode, and the state in which the shielding object is a tracking target and is further shielded by another shielding object is referred to as the overlapping shielding object tracking mode.

  First, the operation of the target tracking device 100 in the tracking target tracking mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to tracking the tracking target, the target tracking device 100 accepts designation of a tracking target from the user as an initial setting (S101). As described above, the tracking target designation can be performed by the tracking target designation receiving unit 130 receiving the designation of the area corresponding to the tracking target in the image from the user. When the specification of the tracking target is received, information regarding the tracking target is recorded in the tracking information storage unit 170 as tracking target information 171 (S102).

  Then, based on the information recorded in the tracking target information 171, the tracking processing unit 150 performs tracking target tracking processing in the image captured from the imaging apparatus 200 (S 103). If necessary according to the result of the tracking process, the tracking target information 171 is updated (S104), and the imaging apparatus 200 is controlled (S104).

  The tracking target information 171 is updated when, for example, the shape, size, position, and motion vector of the tracking target change. At that time, the last update time 171e of the tracking target information 171 is updated. The imaging device 200 is controlled to change the imaging range of the imaging device 200 according to the movement of the tracking target, for example.

  During tracking of the tracking target, when the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state in which other objects are overlapped and shielded and the tracking target cannot be detected (S106: Yes), the mode shifts to the single shield tracking mode. When the tracking target is not occluded (S106: No), the tracking target tracking process (S103) and subsequent processes are repeated until the tracking is finished (S107: Yes).

  Next, the operation of the target tracking device 100 in the single shield tracking mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state in which another object is overlapped and shielded and the tracking target cannot be detected (FIG. 3: S106: Yes), the mode shifts to the single shield tracking mode, and the state related to the shield is detected. The shield information 172 is generated (FIG. 4: S201).

  Then, from the tracking target size and motion vector obtained before being shielded, the size and motion vector of the shielding object, the time for which the shielding object shields the tracking target is estimated and recorded in the shielding object information 172 ( S202). However, the shielding time may be simply estimated from the difference between the tracking target and the motion vector of the shielding object.

  Next, the shielding object is set as a tracking target (S203), and based on the information recorded in the shielding object information 172, the tracking processing unit 150 performs the tracking process of the shielding object in the image captured from the imaging device 200 (S204). ). If necessary according to the result of the tracking process, the shielding object information 172 is updated (S205), and the imaging apparatus 200 is controlled (S206).

  When the overlap detection unit 141 detects the appearance of the tracking target during tracking of the shielding object (S207: Yes), the shielding object information 172 is discarded (S208), the tracking target is set as a tracking target (S209), and tracking is performed. The system shifts to the target tracking mode and performs tracking target tracking processing (FIG. 4: S103).

  If the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state in which the tracking target is at least partially overlapped with another object during tracking of the shielding object (S210: Yes), the shielding possibility determination unit 142. However, based on the size and shape of the other object and the tracking target, it is determined whether or not the object can block the tracking target, and if it is determined that the tracking target can be blocked (S211: Yes), Transition to the overlapping occlusion tracking mode.

  In other cases, that is, when a state in which another object overlaps the shielding object to be tracked is not detected (S210: No), and a state in which another object overlaps is detected (S210: If the object cannot block the tracking target (S211: No), the process after the blocking object tracking process (S204) is repeated.

  Next, the operation of the target tracking device 100 in the overlapping shield tracking mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  During tracking of the shielding object, a state in which the tracking target object is at least partially overlapped with another object is detected (FIG. 5: S210: Yes), and the object can shield the tracking target. When it is determined (S211: Yes), the process shifts to the overlapping shield tracking mode, and the shield information 172 regarding the new shield is generated (FIG. 6: S301).

  Then, from the size and motion vector obtained before the tracking target is shielded and the size and motion vector of the new shield, the time for the new shield to shield the tracking target is estimated and recorded in the shield information 172. (S302). However, the shielding time may be simply estimated from the difference between the tracking target and the new motion vector of the shielding object.

  When there are a plurality of shielding objects that can be recognized on the screen (S303: Yes), that is, when the new shielding object and the previous shielding object are overlapped, but both are visible on the screen, The priority of the shielding object is determined (S305). In the determination of the priority, the remaining time of the estimated shielding time at each time point of each shielding object is calculated, and the priority of the shielding object having the longer remaining time is calculated higher. Then, a high priority shielding object is set as a tracking target (S306), and the tracking target flag 172g of the shielding object information 172 is updated.

  On the other hand, when there is only one shielding object that can be recognized on the screen (S303: No), that is, when a new shielding object completely shields the previous shielding object, or a new shielding object, When completely obstructed by the previous obstruction, a recognizable obstruction is set as a tracking target (S304). In this case, as will be described later in the processing (S405), priority is determined when a completely shielded object reappears.

  Next, based on the information recorded in the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object set as the tracking target, the tracking processing unit 150 performs the shielding tracking process in the image captured from the imaging apparatus 200 (S307).

  During the tracking of the shielding object, when the shielding object state monitoring unit 144 detects that the tracking target cannot be shielded as a result of a change in the size or shape of the shielding object (S308: Yes), a process for excluding the shielding object from the tracking target candidate is performed.

  This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In order to exclude a shielding object that has changed to a size or shape that cannot cover the tracking target from the tracking target candidates, first, the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object is discarded (FIG. 8: S501).

  As a result, when there is one shielding object that shields the tracking target (S502: Yes), the single shielding object is set as a new tracking object (S503). In this case, since the shielding object newly set as the tracking target does not necessarily exist near the previous shielding object, the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target is referred to. The current position of the shielding object is estimated based on the position 172e and the motion vector 172d at the last update time 172f (S504).

  Then, after the imaging device control unit 160 controls the pan, tilt, and zoom functions of the imaging device so that the estimated current position is included in the image (S505), the mode shifts to the single shielding object tracking mode, and the shielding object The processing after the tracking processing (FIG. 5: S204) is performed.

  On the other hand, when a plurality of shielding objects that block the tracking target remain (S502: No), the priority is determined by calculating the remaining time of the estimated shielding time at that time for the remaining shielding objects (S506). ) A high-priority shielding object is set as a tracking target (S507).

  Also in this case, since the shielding object newly set as the tracking target does not necessarily exist near the previous shielding object, refer to the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target. Then, the current position of the shielding object is estimated based on the position 172e and the motion vector 172d at the last update time 172f (S508).

  Then, the imaging device control unit 160 controls the pan, tilt, and zoom functions of the imaging device so that the estimated current position is included in the image (S509), and remains in the overlapped obstacle tracking mode. The tracking process (FIG. 6: S307) of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target is continued.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 6, if the state in which the shielding object can shield the tracking target continues during tracking of the shielding object (S308: No), it may be necessary depending on the result of the tracking process. For example, the shielding object information 172 is updated (S309), and the imaging apparatus 200 is controlled (S310).

  Moving to the flowchart of FIG. 7, during the tracking of the shielding object in the overlapping shielding object tracking mode, the shielding time monitoring unit 145 has the remaining time of the estimated shielding time among the plurality of shielding objects recorded in the shielding object information 172. When the lost shielding object is detected (S401: Yes), it is considered that the shielding state of the shielding object is released, and processing for discarding the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object is performed.

  This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object for which the remaining estimated shielding time has expired is discarded (S601). As a result of discarding the shielding object information 172, when the shielding object becomes single (S602: Yes), the single shielding object is set as a tracking target (S603).

  In this case, since the shielding object newly set as the tracking target does not necessarily exist near the previous shielding object, the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target is referred to. The current position of the shielding object is estimated based on the position 172e and the motion vector 172d at the last update time 172f (S604).

  Then, after the imaging device control unit 160 controls the pan, tilt, and zoom functions of the imaging device so that the estimated current position is included in the image (S605), the mode shifts to the single shielding object tracking mode, and the shielding object The processing after the tracking processing (FIG. 5: S204) is performed.

  If a plurality of shielding objects remain as a result of discarding the shielding object information 172 (S602: No), it is determined whether or not the shielding object of the discarded shielding information 172 is a tracking target (S606). If the shield of the discarded shield information 172 is not the tracking target (S606: No), the tracking target is not changed, and the tracking processing of the shielding in the overlapping shielding tracking mode (FIG. 6: S307) is continued. To do.

  On the other hand, when the shield of the discarded shield information 172 is a tracking target (S606: Yes), the remaining priority of the remaining shield is calculated by calculating the remaining time of the estimated shield time at that time. (S607), and a high-priority shielding object is set as a tracking target (S608).

  Also in this case, since the shielding object newly set as the tracking target does not necessarily exist near the previous shielding object, refer to the shielding object information 172 of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target. Then, the current position of the shielding object is estimated based on the position 172e and the motion vector 172d at the last update time 172f (S609).

  Then, the imaging device control unit 160 controls the pan, tilt, and zoom functions of the imaging device so that the estimated current position is included in the image (S610), and the tracking of the shielding object newly set as the tracking target is performed. The process (FIG. 6: S307) is continued.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 7, when the overlap detection unit 141 detects the appearance of the tracking target during the tracking of the shielding object in the overlapping shielding object tracking mode (S402: Yes), all the shielding object information 172 is discarded. (S403) The tracking target is set as a tracking target (S404), the tracking target tracking mode is entered, and tracking target tracking processing (FIG. 4: S103) is performed.

  When the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state in which another shield reappears during the tracking of the shield in the overlapping shield tracking mode (S405: Yes), the priority of each shield is determined (S406). ). In the determination of the priority, the remaining time of the estimated shielding time at each time point of each shielding object is calculated, and the priority of the shielding object having the longer remaining time is calculated higher. Then, a high-priority shielding object is set as a tracking target (S407), the tracking object flag 172g of the shielding object information 172 is updated, and the shielding object tracking process in the overlapping shielding object tracking mode (FIG. 6: S307) and thereafter. Repeat the process.

  If the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state in which at least a part of the tracking target to be tracked overlaps with another object during the tracking of the shielding object in the overlapping shielding object tracking mode (S408: Yes), the shielding is performed. When the possibility determination unit 142 determines whether or not the object can block the tracking target based on the size and shape of the other object and the tracking target, and determines that the tracking target can be blocked (S409: In Yes), it is assumed that a new shielding object is added, and the overlapping shielding object tracking mode is repeated (FIG. 6: S301).

  In other cases, when a state in which another object overlaps the shielding object being tracked is not detected (S408: No), and a state in which at least a part of the other object overlaps is detected ( When the object cannot block the tracking target (S409: Yes), the process after the blocking object tracking process (FIG. 6: S307) in the overlapping blocking object tracking mode is repeated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when another shielding object overlaps the shielding object to be tracked, the shielding object having a long remaining estimated shielding time is preferentially tracked. Since the target is a target, the possibility of redetecting the tracking target can be increased even if the tracking target is shielded by a non-tracking target. Therefore, the tracking accuracy with respect to the tracking target is increased.
(Second embodiment)

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, when another object overlaps the target object to be tracked, the other object can completely shield the tracking target based on the size and shape of the other object and the tracking target. When it is determined, other objects are handled as shielding objects.

  In the second embodiment, it is further determined whether or not the other object is handled as a shielding object based on the front-rear relationship between the tracking target and the other object with respect to the imaging apparatus. Specifically, when the distance between the tracking target and another object from the imaging device is determined, and the other object is in a position where the tracking target cannot be shielded, that is, at a position farther than the tracking target (after) Do not handle as a shield. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the tracking accuracy with respect to the tracking target from being lowered by handling an object that is not likely to be shielded as a shielding object, and to reduce the calculation load of the target tracking device.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the target tracking system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same blocks as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified. As shown in the figure, the target tracking system 20 includes a distance information acquisition imaging device 210 and a target tracking device 101.

  The distance information acquisition imaging device 210 can be configured using, for example, a surveillance camera with a distance measurement function, and captures a moving image, continuously outputs the captured image to the target tracking device 101, The distance information to the imaging target is output to the target tracking device 101.

  Here, as a method for acquiring distance information, for example, an existing method such as laser irradiation, ultrasonic output, or compound eye method can be used. The distance information acquisition imaging device 210 can perform panning, tilting, and zooming based on an instruction from the target tracking device 101 so that the tracking target is within the image.

  The target tracking device 101 includes a distance information / image input unit 310, a display unit 120, a tracking target designation receiving unit 330, a tracking target setting unit 340, a tracking processing unit 350, an imaging device control unit 160, and a tracking information storage unit 370. Yes.

  The distance information / image input unit 310 continuously inputs images from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210, performs processing such as decoding as necessary, and inputs distance information from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210. The display unit 120 displays the image input by the image input unit 110 as a moving image on a display device (not shown) built in the outside or the target tracking device.

  The tracking target designation receiving unit 330 receives a tracking target designation from the user. When the tracking target designation receiving unit 330 receives the designation of the tracking target from the user, the tracking target designation receiving unit 330 creates the tracking target information 371 and records it in the tracking information storage unit 370 that is a storage area.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the tracking target information 371. As shown in this figure, the tracking target information 371 stores shape (color, contour) 371a, size 371b, motion vector 371c, position 371d, last update time 371e, shielding state 371f, and distance 371g as information about the tracking target. . The difference from the first embodiment is that a distance 371g is included. For the shape (color, contour) 171a, size 171b, position 171d, and distance 371g, it is desirable to retain not only the latest information but also history information.

  The shape (color, outline) 171a, size 171b, and position 171d of the tracking target are acquired from the image and recorded when the specification of the tracking target is received. The distance 371g is recorded based on the distance information input by the distance information / image input unit 310.

  The tracking processing unit 350 of the target tracking device 101 detects a tracking target from images continuously captured based on these pieces of information, and tracks the tracking target. The shape (color, contour) 371a, size 371b, position 371d, and distance 371g are updated as needed.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. 10, the tracking target setting unit 340 includes an overlap detection unit 141, a shielding possibility determination unit 342, a priority determination unit 143, a shielding object state monitoring unit 144, and a shielding time monitoring unit 145. ing. The tracking target setting unit 340 performs tracking target setting processing and the like by controlling these functional units.

  In the image input by the image input unit 110, the overlap detection unit 141 is in a state where other objects overlap the tracking target and the tracking target cannot be detected, and another object overlaps the tracking target. The state, the state in which the tracking target that has been shielded reappears, and the state in which another shield that has been shielded reappears are detected.

  When it is detected that a tracking target cannot be detected because another object overlaps the tracking target, the overlap detection unit 141 handles the other object as a shielding object, creates shielding object information 372, and a tracking information storage unit Record at 370.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data structure example of the shielding object information 372. As shown in the figure, the shielding object information 372 includes a shielding object ID 372a, a shape (color, contour) 372b, a size 372c, a motion vector 372d, a position 372e, a last update time 372f, a tracking target flag 372g, an estimated shielding time 372h, The shielding elapsed time 372i and the distance 372j are stored as information regarding the shielding object. The difference from the first embodiment is that a distance 372j is included. Regarding the shape (color, outline) 372b, size 372c, position 372e, and distance 372j, it is desirable to hold not only the latest information but also history information.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. 10, when the shielding target to be tracked overlaps at least partly with another object, the shielding possibility determining unit 342 determines the size of the other object and the tracking target. Based on the shape, it is determined whether another object can completely block the tracking target and whether the other object is at a distance that can block the tracking target. As a result, if it is determined that the tracking target does not have a size and shape that can completely block the tracking target, or if it is determined that the other object is not within a distance that can block the tracking target, the other object Are excluded from tracking.

  Here, whether or not the other object is at a distance that can shield the tracking target is determined by comparing the distance from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210 of the tracking target with the distance from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210 of the other object. To do. That is, when the distance from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210 of the tracking target is farther than the distance from the distance information acquisition imaging device 210 of the other object, it is determined that the other object is in a position where the tracking target can be shielded.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the other object is at a distance that can shield the tracking target and has a size and shape that can completely shield the tracking target, the other object is treated as a shielding object, and the shielding object information 372 is obtained. Is recorded in the tracking information storage unit 370.

  Next, the characteristic operation of the second embodiment will be described in comparison with the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, during the tracking of the shielding object, the overlap detection unit 141 indicates that the shielding object to be tracked overlaps at least partly with another object. When detected (S210: Yes), the occlusion possibility determination unit 142 determines whether the object has a size and shape that can occlude the tracking target, and determines that the tracking target can be occluded (S211: Yes). At the same time, it switched to the overlapping occlusion tracking mode.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state where the tracking target being tracked is at least partially overlapped with another object during tracking of the blocking target, the possibility of blocking is detected. Based on the size and shape, the determination unit 342 determines whether the object can block the tracking target, and whether another object is within a distance that can block the tracking target, and can block the tracking target When it is determined that, the mode shifts to the overlapping occlusion tracking mode. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, an object at a distance where the tracking target cannot be shielded is excluded from the tracking target. As a result, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment in which the tracking accuracy with respect to the tracking target is increased, it is possible to prevent the tracking accuracy with respect to the tracking target from being deteriorated by handling an object that is not likely to be shielded as a shielding object. The calculation load of 101 can be reduced.

In the above example, if the overlap detection unit 141 detects a state where the tracking target is at least partially overlapped with another object during tracking of the shielding target, It was designed to determine the front-rear relationship with the object, but during the tracking of the occlusion, the occlusion object occludes the tracking target continuously or intermittently during the tracking of the occlusion. When it is determined that the target has moved after the impossible distance, that is, after the tracking target, the shielding object may be excluded from the tracking target. The subsequent processing in this case is the same as that in the case where it is determined in the first embodiment that the tracking target is changed in size and shape and the tracking target can no longer be shielded (FIG. 6: S308: Yes). can do.
(Third embodiment)

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the imaging device control unit 160 corresponds to the movement of the tracking target or the change of the tracking target due to occlusion or the like, and the tracking target is located at the center of the image and the entire input image is Thus, panning, tilting, and zooming are performed by controlling the imaging apparatus 200 so that the occupied area of the tracking target has a predetermined ratio. For this reason, when the tracking target that has been shielded by the shielding object reappears, the size on the screen may be different from that before the shielding, and the accuracy of redetecting the tracking target may be reduced.

  For example, if the shielding object is extremely large compared to the tracking target, if the tracking target reappears with the angle of view widened to match the size of the tracking target, tracking on the screen The target size is smaller than that before shielding. For this reason, there is a possibility that the detection accuracy of the tracking target based on the shape and size before shielding is reduced.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, a target tracking device that improves the tracking target detection accuracy by correcting the size information that becomes the detection reference of the tracking target based on the ratio between the tracking target and the size of the shielding object will be described. To do.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the target tracking system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same blocks as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified. As shown in the figure, the target tracking system 30 includes an imaging device 200 and a target tracking device 102.

  The target tracking device 102 includes an image input unit 110, a display unit 120, a tracking target designation receiving unit 130, a tracking target setting unit 440, a tracking processing unit 150, an imaging device control unit 160, and a tracking information storage unit 470.

  The tracking target setting unit 440 includes an overlap detection unit 441, a shielding possibility determination unit 442, a priority determination unit 143, a shielding object state monitoring unit 144, and a shielding time monitoring unit 145.

  In the image input by the image input unit 110, the overlap detection unit 441 is in a state where another object overlaps the entire tracking target and is blocked and the tracking target cannot be detected. A state where at least a part of the object overlaps and a state where the shielded tracking target reappears is detected.

  When a state in which another object overlaps the tracking target and is blocked and the tracking target cannot be detected is detected, the overlap detection unit 441 handles the other object as a shielding object, creates shielding object information 472, and tracks the object. Record in the information storage unit 470.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the shielding object information 472. As shown in the figure, the shielding object information 472 includes a shielding object ID 472a, a shape (color, contour) 472b, a size 472c, a motion vector 472d, a position 472e, a last update time 472f, a tracking target flag 472g, an estimated shielding time 472h, The shielding elapsed time 472i and the size ratio 472j with the tracking target are stored as information on the shielding object. The difference from the first embodiment is that a size ratio 472j with the tracking target is included.

  The size ratio 472j with the tracking target represents the ratio between the tracking target and the size of the shielding object, and can be calculated from the ratio between the size of the tracking target before shielding and the size of the shielding object in the same image. For the shielding object that overlaps the shielding object that shields the tracking target, the size ratio with the tracking target can be indirectly calculated from the size ratio with the previous shielding object. The size ratio 472j with the tracking target is calculated when the overlap detection unit 441 detects a shielding object, and when the shielding possibility determination unit 442 determines that another object overlapping the shielding object is a shielding object. Specifically, the size ratio 472j with the tracking target is calculated and recorded in the shielding object information generation process (S201) in FIG. 5 and the shielding object information generation process (S301) in FIG.

  Returning to the description of the block diagram of FIG. 13, when the tracking target is shielded by the shielding object and the shielding object is the tracking target, the overlap detection unit 441 performs shielding object information about the tracking target shielding object. The size 371b of the tracking target information 371 is updated with reference to the size ratio 472j of the size 472c of the 472 and the tracking target. That is, the current size of the tracking target on the screen is calculated from the size 472c of the tracking target shielding object and the size ratio 472j with the tracking target, and the size 371b of the tracking target information 371 is updated. Specifically, in the shielding object information update process (S205) in FIG. 5 and the shielding object information update process (S309) in FIG. 6, the size 371b of the tracking target information 371 is updated together.

  Then, in the tracking target detection process (S207) in FIG. 5 and the tracking target detection process (S402) in FIG. 6, the reappearance of the blocked tracking target is detected based on the updated size 371b. Thereby, even if the size of the tracking target on the screen changes due to the zoom of the imaging device 200 or the like, the detection accuracy of the tracking target can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Target tracking system, 20 ... Target tracking system, 30 ... Target tracking system, 100 ... Target tracking apparatus, 101 ... Target tracking apparatus, 102 ... Target tracking apparatus, 110 ... Image input part, 120 ... Display part, 130 ... Tracking Target designation receiving unit, 140 ... tracking target setting unit, 141 ... overlap detection unit, 142 ... shielding possibility determination unit, 143 ... priority determination unit, 144 ... shielding object state monitoring unit, 145 ... shielding time monitoring unit, 150 ... Tracking processing unit, 160 ... imaging device control unit, 170 ... tracking information storage unit, 171 ... tracking target information, 172 ... shielding object information, 200 ... imaging device, 210 ... distance information acquisition imaging device, 310 ... distance information / image input , 330 ... Tracking target designation receiving unit, 340 ... Tracking target setting unit, 342 ... Shielding possibility determination unit, 350 ... Tracking processing unit, 370 ... Tracking information storage unit, 371 ... Additional Target information, 372 ... shield information, 440 ... tracking target setting unit, 441 ... overlap detection unit, 442 ... shielding possibility determining section, 470 ... tracking information storage unit, 472 ... shield information

Claims (7)

A tracking target designation receiving unit for receiving a tracking target designation;
A tracking target setting unit for setting a tracking target;
A tracking processing unit that tracks a tracking target set by the tracking target setting unit in an input image that is continuously input from the imaging device;
The tracking target setting unit includes:
If the tracking target is recognized in the input image, set the tracking target as a tracking target,
If the tracking target is shielded by an obstacle in the input image, set the obstacle as a tracking target,
When an obstacle set as a tracking target overlaps at least partly with another obstacle in the input image, it is calculated based on the difference between the motion vector of each obstacle and the motion vector of the tracking target. A target tracking device characterized in that, based on an estimated shielding time for each shield to be shielded from the tracking target, a shield with a longer remaining time at the time of the overlapping of the shielding objects is set as a tracking target. The tracking target setting unit includes:
Even if the shielding object set as the tracking target overlaps at least partly with the other shielding object in the input image, based on the size of the other shielding object and the size of the tracking target, The target tracking device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that another shielding object does not shield the tracking target, the other shielding object is not set as a tracking target. The tracking target setting unit includes:
2. The target according to claim 1, wherein the estimated shielding time is calculated using the size of the shielding object and the size of the tracking target in addition to the motion vector of the shielding object and the motion vector of the tracking target. Tracking device. The tracking target setting unit includes:
The target tracking device according to claim 1, wherein a shielding object whose remaining time of the estimated shielding time is eliminated is excluded from a tracking target. An imaging device controller that controls an imaging range of the imaging device;
The tracking target setting unit includes:
When the shield that was set as the tracking target is excluded from the tracking target, the shielding target with the longest remaining time of the estimated shielding time at the time when it was excluded from the tracking target is newly set as the tracking target and the tracking target As the current position is predicted based on the motion vector of the newly set shielding object,
The imaging device controller is
The target tracking device according to claim 4, wherein the imaging device is controlled so that the predicted current position is included in the imaging range. The tracking target setting unit includes:
Based on the distance information associated with the input image input from the imaging device, the distance of the tracking target and the shielding object from the imaging device is calculated,
When the shielding object set as the tracking target overlaps at least partly with another shielding object in the input image, it is determined that the other shielding object does not shield the tracking target based on each calculated distance. In the case, the target tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the other shielding object is not set as a tracking target. A target tracking method in a target tracking device, comprising:
A tracking target designation receiving step for receiving a tracking target designation;
A tracking target setting step for setting a tracking target;
A tracking processing step of tracking the tracking target set by the tracking target setting step in an input image continuously input from the imaging device;
The tracking target setting step includes:
If the tracking target is recognized in the input image, set the tracking target as a tracking target,
If the tracking target is shielded by an obstacle in the input image, set the obstacle as a tracking target,
When an obstacle set as a tracking target overlaps at least partly with another obstacle in the input image, it is calculated based on the difference between the motion vector of each obstacle and the motion vector of the tracking target. A target tracking method characterized in that, based on an estimated shielding time during which each shielding object shields the tracking target, a shielding object having a longer remaining time at the time of overlapping of the shielding objects is set as a tracking target.