A Particle Filter Based Algorithm for State Estimation of Dim Moving Point Target in IR Image Sequence

Under a tracking framework, the definition of the target state is the basic step for automatic understanding of dynamic scenes. More specifically, far object tracking raises challenges related to the potentially abrupt size changes of the targets as they approach the sensor. If not handled, size changes can introduce heavy issues in data association and position estimation. This is why adaptability and self-awareness of a tracking module are desirable features. The paradigm of cognitive dynamic systems (CDSs) can provide a framework under which a continuously learning cognitive module can be designed. In particular, CDS theory describes a basic vocabulary of components that can be used as the founding blocks of a module capable to learn behavioral rules from continuous active interactions with the environment. This quality is the fundamental to deal with dynamic situations. In this paper we propose a general CDS-based approach to tracking. We show that such a CDS-inspired design can lead to the self-adaptability of a Bayesian tracker in fusing heterogeneous object features, overcoming size change issues. The experimental results on infrared sequences show how the proposed framework is able to outperform other existing far object tracking methods.

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A Flexible Algorithm for Detecting Challenging Moving Objects in Real-Time within IR Video Sequences

Zingoni

Diani

Corsini

2017

Remote Sensing

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Real-time detecting moving objects in infrared video sequences may be particularly challenging because of the characteristics of the objects, such as their size, contrast, velocity and trajectory. Many proposed algorithms achieve good performances but only in the presence of some specific kinds of objects, or by neglecting the computational time, becoming unsuitable for real-time applications. To obtain more flexibility in different situations, we developed an algorithm capable of successfully dealing with small and large objects, slow and fast objects, even if subjected to unusual movements, and poorly-contrasted objects. The algorithm is also capable to handle the contemporary presence of multiple objects within the scene and to work in real-time even using cheap hardware. The implemented strategy is based on a fast but accurate background estimation and rejection, performed pixel by pixel and updated frame by frame, which is robust to possible background intensity changes and to noise. A control routine prevents the estimation from being biased by the transit of moving objects, while two noise-adaptive thresholding stages, respectively, drive the estimation control and allow extracting moving objects after the background removal, leading to the desired detection map. For each step, attention has been paid to develop computationally light solution to achieve the real-time requirement. The algorithm has been tested on a database of infrared video sequences, obtaining promising results against different kinds of challenging moving objects and outperforming other commonly adopted solutions. Its effectiveness in terms of detection performance, flexibility and computational time make the algorithm particularly suitable for real-time applications such as intrusion monitoring, activity control and detection of approaching objects, which are fundamental task in the emerging research area of Smart City.

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A Particle Filter Based Algorithm for State Estimation of Dim Moving Point Target in IR Image Sequence

Cited by 4 publications

References 8 publications

Gaussian Particle Filter Based Algorithm for Tracking of a Dim Moving Point Target in IR Image Sequences

Gaussian Particle Filter Based Algorithm for Tracking of a Dim Moving Point Target in IR Image Sequences

A Cognitive Control-Inspired Approach to Object Tracking

A Flexible Algorithm for Detecting Challenging Moving Objects in Real-Time within IR Video Sequences

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