Tracking system using optical tags
AssigneeParelec Israel Ltd.
InventorMichael Braiman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for identifying objects including fixing tags to respective objects, each such tag comprising at least one optical emitter. The at least one optical emitter on each of the tags is driven to emit optical radiation of a respective color, selected from among the first plurality of colors emittable by the tags, during a respective time slot, selected from among a second plurality of time slots during which the tags may emit the optical radiation. A camera captures sequence of electronic images of an area containing the objects to which the tags are fixed. The electronic images in the sequence are processed in order to identify, responsively to the colors of the optical radiation emitted by the tags and the time slots in which the optical radiation is emitted, the objects to which the tags are fixed.
Claims21
Apparatus for identifying objects, comprising:
- a multiplicity of tags, each such tag being adapted to be fixed to a respective one of the objects and comprising:
- at least one optical emitter, which is adapted to emit optical radiation of a respective color, selected from among a first plurality of colors emittable by the tags;
- and
- a controller, which is coupled to drive the at least one optical emitter to emit the optical radiation during a respective time slot, selected from among a second plurality of time slots during which the tags may emit the optical radiation;
- at least one camera, which is adapted to capture a sequence of electronic images of an area containing the objects to which the tags are fixed;
- and
- an image processor, which is adapted to process the electronic images in the sequence in order to identify, responsively to the colors of the optical radiation emitted by the tags and the time slots in which the optical radiation is emitted, the objects to which the tags are fixed.
A method for identifying objects, comprising:
- fixing tags to respective objects, each such tag comprising at least one optical emitter;
- driving the at least one optical emitter on each of the tags to emit optical radiation of a respective color, selected from among a first plurality of colors emittable by the tags, during a respective time slot, selected from among a second plurality of time slots during which the tags may emit the optical radiation;
- capturing a sequence of electronic images of an area containing the objects to which the tags are fixed;
- and
- processing the electronic images in the sequence in order to identify, responsively to the colors of the optical radiation emitted by the tags and the time slots in which the optical radiation is emitted, the objects to which the tags are fixed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.