Virtual map system and method for tracking objects
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsAlexander Zlatsin, Dimitri Kanevsky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, for automatically tracking objects, including a computer processor and memory, cameras and other sensors and a user interface. A user registers an object with the system by presenting the object to a camera, which produces an image of the object, and describing the object through a user interface. Based on an analysis of the image and the description provided by the user, an object identifier/tracker determines the attributes of the object, classifies the object according to the attributes, and indexes and stores the image in a database. The system will thereafter track the location of the object. Subsequently, the user can query the system to search the database to obtain information regarding the object.
Claims14
A system for tracking an item, comprising:
- a camera for monitoring a space within which said item is located, and for producing an image of said item;
- object identifier/tracker means, for (a) receiving said image, (b) registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space, and (c) updating said logged location if said location in said space changes;
- database means, coupled to said object identifier/tracker means, for storing data representative of said item and said logged location;
- user interface means for (a) accepting a descriptor of said item, wherein said descriptor is used by said object identifier/tracker means when registering said item, and (b) accepting a request regarding said item;
- a search means for formulating and passing a query to said database means based on said request, and for retrieving a result from said database means, said result indicating said logged location of said item;
- and
- output means for reporting said result.
A computer-implemented method for tracking an item, said method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring a space within which said item is located and producing a first image of said item;
- acquiring a descriptor of said item;
- registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space based on said first image and said descriptor;
- storing data representative of said item and said logged location to a storage media;
- monitoring said item and producing a second image of said item;
- identifying said location of said item based on said second image;
- updating said stored data representative of said logged location in a case where said location changes;
- accepting a request regarding said item;
- searching said storage media based on said request and retrieving said data representative of said logged location;
- and
- reporting a result of said search.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.