An array computing camera

Abstract

The application provides an array computing camera, relates to the technical field of camera equipment, and solves the technical problem that the prior art cannot monitor target scenes of different distances and field of view ranges. The array computing camera comprises at least two camera modules and an angle adjusting assembly, the camera modules are arranged on the angle adjusting assembly, the lenses of the camera modules are zoom lenses or detachably replaceable fixed-focus lenses, the angle adjusting assembly is used for adjusting an optical axis included angle between optical axes of two adjacent camera modules, and the optical axis included angle when the lens is a long-focus lens is smaller than the optical axis included angle when the lens is a short-focus lens. The lens of the application adopts a zoom lens or a detachably replaceable fixed-focus lens to realize adjustment of the focal length of the lens, and the angle adjusting assembly is used to ensure that the coverage ranges of the adjacent lenses after the adjustment of the focal length have local overlaps so as to facilitate subsequent picture splicing and fusion, and the combination of the two can monitor target scenes of different distances and field of view ranges.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of camera equipment technology, and in particular to an array computing camera. Background Technology

[0002] The array computing camera is composed of multiple lens modules. By using video image stitching technology to stitch and merge the video images captured by each module, it can expand the field of view and obtain higher resolution images, thus achieving ultra-high-definition coverage of large scenes. Current array computing cameras, when monitoring fixed scenes, can pre-select installation points based on multiple monitoring conditions such as target monitoring distance, imaging field of view angle, and monitoring height to achieve optimal monitoring results. However, current array computing cameras cannot meet the needs of monitoring complex and ever-changing multi-target scenarios. These current array computing camera devices consist of fixed-focal-length lens modules and fixed installation methods. The focal length of the fixed-focal-length lens itself cannot be changed, resulting in a fixed coverage area. Furthermore, the fixed installation method of the lens module means that the field of view of the array computing camera is fixed. For complex and flexible multi-target scenarios, array computing cameras that cannot adjust their focal length cannot meet the monitoring needs of such scenarios, especially those where the usage location is fixed and cannot be changed at will. When shooting distant targets, insufficient focal length results in unclear distant targets; when shooting close targets, the field of view is insufficient, failing to fully cover the monitored target.

[0003] Therefore, designing an array computing camera capable of monitoring multi-target scenes has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an array computing camera that solves the technical problem of existing technologies that cannot simultaneously monitor target scenes at different distances and with varying fields of view. The numerous technical effects of the preferred solutions among the many technical solutions provided by this invention are detailed below.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0006] The array computing camera provided by the present invention includes at least two camera modules and an angle adjustment component. The camera modules are mounted on the angle adjustment component, and the lenses of the camera modules are zoom lenses or detachable and replaceable fixed-focus lenses. The angle adjustment component is used to adjust the optical axis direction of the camera modules.

[0007] Preferably, the angle adjustment component includes a fixed component and a movable component, the camera module is disposed on the movable component, and the movable component and the fixed component are movably connected.

[0008] Preferably, the angle adjustment component includes a first adjustment mechanism, the first adjustment mechanism having a swing member, the camera module being disposed on the swing member, and the first adjustment mechanism being used to swing and adjust the optical axis pointing of the camera module.

[0009] Preferably, the number of the oscillating components is the same as the number of the camera modules and they are set in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0010] Preferably, the number of the oscillating components is two or more (an even number), the oscillating components are arranged symmetrically, the rotation axes of the two oscillating components are set far apart from each other, and the oscillating ends of the two oscillating components are set close to each other.

[0011] Preferably, the first adjustment mechanism simultaneously adjusts the swing ends of at least two swinging members.

[0012] Preferably, there are at least four swinging members, which are arranged in two groups on the upper and lower sides of the first adjusting mechanism, and the rotation axes of the two groups of swinging members are at different distances from the center line.

[0013] Preferably, the first adjustment mechanism simultaneously adjusts the swing ends of the four swinging components.

[0014] Preferably, the first adjusting mechanism includes a connecting frame, the swing member, a first adjusting screw, and a nut block. The first adjusting screw is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame, and the nut block is adapted to be mounted on the first adjusting screw. A limit block is provided on the nut block, and a limit hole groove is provided in the length direction of the swing member. One end of the swing member is hinged to the connecting frame, and the other end is movably connected to the limit block through the limit hole groove.

[0015] Preferably, there are four swinging components, which are located in pairs on the upper and lower sides of the connecting frame. The length of the swinging component on one side of the connecting frame is greater than the length of the swinging component on the other side, and the optical axis of the camera module on the swinging component is tilted towards the connecting frame.

[0016] Preferably, the angle adjustment assembly further includes a second adjustment mechanism, the connecting frame is disposed on the second adjustment mechanism, and the second adjustment mechanism is used to swing and adjust the first adjustment mechanism.

[0017] Preferably, the second adjustment mechanism includes a fixed part, a hinge rod, a second adjustment screw, and a hinge member. One end of the hinge rod is hinged to the connecting frame, and the other end is hinged to the fixed part. The hinge member is rotatably disposed on the fixed part. A protrusion is provided on the connecting frame. One of the protrusion and the hinge member is threadedly connected to the second adjustment screw, and the other is hinged to the second adjustment screw.

[0018] Preferably, there are two of each of the first adjusting mechanism and the hinge rod, the connecting frames on the two adjusting mechanisms are hinged to each other, and the protrusion is disposed on the connecting frame of one of the first adjusting mechanisms.

[0019] Preferably, the camera module is a visible light camera module or a thermal imaging camera module.

[0020] The application employs the above technical solution and has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] The camera module in this application uses a zoom lens or a detachable and replaceable fixed-focus lens, which can change the focal length of the camera module for clear shooting of close-up and distant scenes. Secondly, the angle adjustment component meets the requirement of local overlap of the coverage area of ​​the basic adjacent camera modules of the array computing camera. The resulting structure can take into account the monitoring of target scenes at different distances and field of view.

[0022] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main view structure of the array computing camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a top-view structural diagram of the array computing camera provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the array computing camera in the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main view structure of the array computing camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a top-view structural diagram of the array computing camera provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the rear-view three-dimensional structure of the array computing camera provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the forward-looking three-dimensional structure of the array computing camera provided in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in the coverage area of ​​the camera module during the zoom process of the array-based camera, provided in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in the coverage area of ​​the camera module during the zoom process of the array computing camera provided in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the figure: 1. Camera module; 2. Angle adjustment component; 3. First adjustment mechanism; 4. Second adjustment mechanism; 5. Connecting frame; 6. Swinging component; 7. First adjustment screw; 8. Nut block; 9. Limiting block; 10. Limiting hole groove; 11. Fixing part; 12. Hinge rod; 13. Second adjustment screw; 14. Hinge component; 15. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0035] A specific embodiment of the present invention provides an array computing camera, combined with an appendix Figure 1As shown, it mainly includes at least two camera modules 1 and an angle adjustment component 2. The camera modules 1 are mounted on the angle adjustment component 2. Specifically, the lens of the camera module 1 is a zoom lens or a detachable and replaceable fixed-focus lens. The focal length of the lens can be adjusted by zooming the zoom lens or replacing it with a fixed-focus lens of different focal lengths. Lenses of different focal lengths can clearly monitor target scenes at different distances. For example, for distant scenes, a long focal length lens can be used to achieve clear imaging, while for close-range target scenes, a short focal length lens can be used to achieve clear imaging with a wide angle of view. The optical axis angle when the lens is long is smaller than the optical axis angle when the lens is short. When adjusting the lens focal length... Meanwhile, the coverage area of ​​camera module 1 changes. When adjusting from a short focal length to a long focal length, although distant objects can be seen clearly, the field of view is relatively reduced. The coverage areas of adjacent camera modules 1 may not overlap locally, resulting in blind spots and even preventing subsequent image stitching (this technology is existing and will not be elaborated upon). In this application, the angle adjustment component 2 adjusts the angle between the optical axes of two adjacent camera modules 1, indirectly adjusting the field of view covered by adjacent camera modules 1. This ensures that the coverage areas of adjacent camera modules 1 have local overlap, and in conjunction with the attached... Figure 8 and attached Figure 9 It is worth noting that the coverage area of ​​the camera module refers to the area captured by the camera module. The diagram is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual coverage area. The diagram shows the adjustment of the array-based computational camera when viewing distant targets. When the focal length of camera module 1 changes from short to long, its coverage area decreases. At this time, blind spots appear between the coverage areas of adjacent camera modules 1, and adjacent camera modules 1 cannot achieve local overlap. The angle adjustment component 2 adjusts the angle of the optical axis of adjacent camera modules 1, which is actually adjusting the angle of each camera module 1. This makes the angle between the optical axes of two adjacent camera modules 1 smaller, and their coverage areas continue to overlap, thus ensuring clear monitoring of distant target scenes. Conversely, when the lens focal length is shortened, the angle adjustment component 2 adjusts the angle between the optical axes of two adjacent camera modules 1 to increase the coverage area, while also ensuring that the coverage areas of adjacent camera modules 1 have local overlap.

[0036] In one embodiment, the angle adjustment component 2 in this application may include a fixed component and a movable component. The fixed component is used for fixed installation, and the camera module 1 is disposed on the movable component. The movable component and the fixed component are movably connected. The angle of the camera module 1 can be adjusted through the movable connection between the movable component and the fixed component. For example, the movable component and the fixed component can adopt a ball joint and ball socket structure similar to that on a universal joint to achieve the adjustment function.

[0037] In the first embodiment of this application, the angle adjustment component 2 includes a first adjustment mechanism 3, the first adjustment component 3 has a swing member 6, the camera module 1 is disposed on the swing member 6, and the first adjustment mechanism 3 adjusts the optical axis angle of the camera module 1 by swinging the swing member.

[0038] Specifically, in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 ~Attached Figure 7 As shown, the first adjusting mechanism 3 includes a connecting frame 5, a swinging component 6, a first adjusting screw 7, and a nut block 8. The connecting frame 5 is used for mounting the various components and can be a plate-like structure. The first adjusting screw 7 is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame 5, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 2 As shown, a through hole can be opened in the middle of the connecting frame 5. The first adjusting screw 7 is horizontally installed inside this through hole, and both ends of the first adjusting screw 7 are rotatably connected to the connecting frame 5. One end of the first adjusting screw 7 passes through the connecting frame 5 and is provided with a screw handle to facilitate the rotation of the first adjusting screw 7. The nut block 8 is adapted to be installed on the first adjusting screw 7. The nut block 8 is provided with an internal thread hole that matches the external thread of the first adjusting screw 7. Thus, by rotating the first adjusting screw 7, the nut block 8 can be moved along the axial direction of the first adjusting screw 7. A limit switch is also provided on the outer wall of the nut block 8. Block 9, and a limiting hole groove 10 is also provided in the length direction of the swing member 6. The limiting block 9 extends into the limiting hole groove 10 and can move along the length direction of the limiting hole groove 10. One end of the swing member 6 is hinged to the connecting frame 5, and the other end is movably connected to the limiting block 9 through the limiting hole groove 10. The swing member 6 is equipped with a camera module 1. In this structure, when the nut block 8 moves linearly along the first adjusting screw 7, it can be indirectly driven by the action of the limiting block 9 and the limiting hole groove 10 to swing the swing member 6 around the hinge point, thereby driving the camera module 1 on the swing member 6 to swing.

[0039] The number of swing elements 6 in this application can be two or more. Each swing element 6 is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with a camera module 1. In one embodiment, two swing elements 6 are configured and arranged symmetrically on the connecting frame 5. The two swing ends of the two swing elements 6 are located on the inner side (the swing ends of the two swing elements 6 are arranged close to each other), and the pivot of the two swing elements 6 and the connecting frame 5 is located on the outer side (the pivot of the two swing elements 6 is arranged far apart from each other). There is one nut block 8. The swing ends of the two swing elements 6 are connected to one nut block 8 at the same time, so that a first adjusting screw 7 drives the two swing elements 6 to swing at the same time, thereby driving the optical axis of the two camera modules 1 to adjust.

[0040] In another embodiment, the first adjusting mechanism 3 has four swing members 6. Two of the four camera modules 1 are respectively installed at the upper and lower positions of the connecting frame 5. One nut block 8 can drive the four swing members 6 to move simultaneously. Therefore, turning the first adjusting screw 7 can adjust the lateral swing of the four camera modules 1. It is worth noting that the distance from the rotating shaft of the two sets of swing members 6 located at the upper and lower positions of the connecting frame 5 to the limiting block is different. The length of the swing member 6 on one side of the connecting frame 5 is greater than the length of the swing member 6 on the other side, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 3 As shown, the length of the swing member 6 located above the connecting frame 5 is shorter than the length of the swing member 6 located below the connecting frame 5, and the swing members 6 on each side of the connecting frame 5 are arranged symmetrically. The optical axis of the camera module 1 located on the swing member 6 is slightly tilted towards the connecting frame 5, so that the field of view of the camera module 1 above and below the connecting frame 5 is as close as possible to the same straight line direction. The different lengths of the swing members 6 above and below the connecting frame 5 allow the four camera modules 1 to be arranged sequentially from left to right. For this purpose, limit blocks 9 are also provided at both the upper and lower ends of the nut block 8. The limit blocks 9 on the nut block 8 are connected to the two swing members 6 on the connecting frame 5, and the limit blocks 9 below the nut block 8 are connected to the two swing members 6 below the connecting frame 5. In this way, the first adjusting screw 7 drives the four swing members 6 to swing simultaneously. The distance from the rotation axis of the two sets of swing members 6 located above and below the connecting frame 5 to the limit blocks is different, so that when the first adjusting screw 7 is adjusted a certain distance, the swing members 6 above and below the connecting frame 5 will produce different swing angles to meet the adjustment requirements of the camera module 1.

[0041] In the second embodiment of this application, the angle adjustment component 2 further includes a second adjustment mechanism 4, and the connecting frame 5 is disposed on the second adjustment mechanism 4. The second adjustment mechanism 4 is used to adjust the overall angle of the first adjustment mechanism 3 and the camera module 1 disposed thereon.

[0042] Specific combinations Figure 6 The second adjustment mechanism 4 includes a fixed part 11, a hinge rod 12, a second adjustment screw 13, and a hinge member 14. One end of the hinge rod 12 is hinged to the connecting frame 5, and the other end is hinged to the fixed part 11. The hinge member 14 is rotatably mounted on the fixed part 11. A protrusion 15 is provided on the connecting frame 5, located on one side of the hinge rod 12. One of the protrusion 15 and the hinge member 14 is threadedly connected to the second adjustment screw 13, and the other is hinged to the second adjustment screw 13. This structure allows the distance between the protrusion 15 and the fixed part 11 to be adjusted by turning the second adjustment screw 13. The hinge member 14 can rotate during the adjustment process to adapt to changes in their positions. During this process, with the fixed part 11 considered stationary, the protrusion 15 moves toward the fixed part 11, indirectly causing the connecting frame 5 to swing longitudinally.

[0043] In this application, the number of the first adjustment mechanism 3 and the hinge rod 12 are both set to two. The two connecting frames 5 on the first adjustment mechanism are provided with protrusions facing each other on both sides. The protrusions are hinged by the intersection. The protrusion 15 only needs to be set on the connecting frame 5 of one of the first adjustment mechanisms 3. Both hinge rods are hinged to the fixed part 11 and can be hinged with the same axis. Using the above-mentioned second adjustment mechanism 4, by turning the second adjustment screw 13, the two connecting frames 5 and the camera module 1 on them can be driven to swing simultaneously in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] The camera module 1 provided in this application can be a visible light camera module or a thermal imaging camera module.

[0045] In this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," and "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0046] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An array computing camera, characterized in that, It includes at least two camera modules and an angle adjustment component. The camera modules are mounted on the angle adjustment component. The lens of the camera module is a zoom lens or a detachable and replaceable fixed-focus lens. The angle adjustment component is used to adjust the optical axis angle between the optical axes of two adjacent camera modules. The optical axis angle when the lens is a telephoto lens is smaller than the optical axis angle when the lens is a short-focus lens. The angle adjustment component includes a first adjustment mechanism, the first adjustment mechanism has a swing member, the camera module is disposed on the swing member, and the first adjustment mechanism is used to swing and adjust the optical axis pointing of the camera module; The number of the swinging components is the same as the number of the camera modules and they are set in a one-to-one correspondence. The first adjustment mechanism includes a connecting frame, the swing member, a first adjusting screw, and a nut block. The first adjusting screw is rotatably mounted on the connecting frame, and the nut block is adapted to be mounted on the first adjusting screw. A limit block is provided on the nut block, and a limit hole groove is provided in the length direction of the swing member. One end of the swing member is hinged to the connecting frame, and the other end is movably connected to the limit block through the limit hole groove. The angle adjustment assembly further includes a second adjustment mechanism, and the connecting frame is disposed on the second adjustment mechanism. The second adjustment mechanism is used to swing and adjust the first adjustment mechanism. The second adjustment mechanism includes a fixed part, a hinge rod, a second adjustment screw, and a hinge member. One end of the hinge rod is hinged to the connecting frame, and the other end is hinged to the fixed part. The hinge member is rotatably mounted on the fixed part. A protrusion is provided on the connecting frame. One of the protrusion and the hinge member is threadedly connected to the second adjustment screw, and the other is hinged to the second adjustment screw.

2. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle adjustment component includes a fixed component and a movable component. The camera module is mounted on the movable component, and the movable component and the fixed component are movably connected.

3. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the oscillating components is two or more, and the oscillating components are arranged symmetrically. The rotation axes of the two oscillating components are set far apart from each other, and the oscillating ends of the two oscillating components are set close to each other.

4. The array computing camera according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first adjustment mechanism simultaneously adjusts the swing ends of at least two swinging components.

5. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are at least four swinging members, which are arranged in two groups on the upper and lower sides of the first adjusting mechanism, respectively. The rotation axes of the two groups of swinging members are at different distances from the center line.

6. The array computing camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first adjustment mechanism simultaneously adjusts the swing ends of the four swinging components.

7. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the swinging components is four. The swinging components are arranged in pairs and located on the upper and lower sides of the connecting frame respectively. The length of the swinging component on one side of the connecting frame is greater than the length of the swinging component on the other side. The optical axis of the camera module on the swinging component is tilted towards the connecting frame.

8. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two of each of the first adjustment mechanism and the hinge rod. The connecting frames on the two first adjustment mechanisms are hinged to each other, and the protrusion is disposed on the connecting frame of one of the first adjustment mechanisms.

9. The array computing camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The camera module is either a visible light camera module or a thermal imaging camera module.

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