11-671 - Visual Tracking in Unconstrained Environments

Description:
  • Visual tracking

  • Human-computer interaction

  • Video surveillance systems

Abstract

USC researchers have developed an algorithm capable of tracking objects and humans in unconstrained environments in the presence of occlusions, abrupt motion, motion blur, and frame-cuts. This technology outperforms current state-of-the-art methods by automatically exploiting and tracking all regions with similar appearance to the target. The algorithm allows accurate and reliable tracking of targets, even when the targets move in and out of the field of view.

Benefit

  • More effective than state-of-the-art technologies

  • Real-time tracking

  • Target reacquired even when leaving field of view

  • Excels in real-world video sequences

Market Application

Visual tracking in unconstrained environments is challenging due to variances in lighting conditions, cluttered backgrounds, and changes in observations. Other issues arise with targets leaving the field of view and regions with similar appearances as the targets being tracked instead of reacquiring the right target. Previous attempts of tracking targets in unconstrained environments involve frequent tracking failures and are complex and expensive. A method of tracking an object leaving the field of view or while completely occluded while in an unconstrained environment is critical for many applications, including video surveillance and checkout-free shopping.

Publications

Context tracker: exploring supporters and distracters in unconstrained environments, IEEE 2011

Other

  • Experimentally validated

  • Available for exclusive and non-exclusive license

Status: Software available

Patent Information:

  • Title: Visual Tracking in Video Images in Unconstrained Environments by Exploiting on-the-fly Context Using Supporters and Distracters
  • App Type: Utility
  • Country: United States
  • Serial No.: 13/528,668
  • Patent No.: 9,437,009
  • File Date: 6/20/2012
  • Issued Date: 9/6/2016
  • Expire Date: 5/14/2035
  • Patent Status: Patent Issued