3D Object Position Tracking with Unsynchronized Multi-Camera Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining the position of objects in real-life scenes require synchronized cameras and a minimum of two cameras to see the object, limiting camera variety and being difficult to implement in sports events due to occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A method using a device that obtains images from multiple cameras with different fields of view, builds a 3D model of the object's position over a time window, and establishes its real-world position without time synchronization, utilizing camera-specific information and physiological constraints to optimize the object's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronized cameras are used to determine object position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and camera variety is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time synchronization requirement from the camera system by using unsynchronized cameras with individual time stamps. Each camera operates independently without needing to be synchronized to a common clock, removing the complex synchronization infrastructure while maintaining position detection capability through post-processing alignment of time-stamped images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces time stamping as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between unsynchronized cameras and the position determination process. Each camera image is tagged with its capture time, allowing the system to align and process images from different cameras at different times without requiring the cameras themselves to be synchronized.
2Reliability
If a minimum of two cameras must see the object, then measurement reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to occlusion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing images over a time window before determining position. Multiple images are captured at different times, and the system proactively searches through these pre-captured images to find instances where the object is visible, rather than requiring simultaneous visibility in a single frame from multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static requirement (object must be visible in simultaneous images from multiple cameras) to a dynamic approach (searching through a sequence of images over time). The system dynamically adjusts which images are used for position determination based on visibility conditions at different time points, allowing it to handle occlusion by selecting images where the object is visible.
3Measurement precision
If synchronized camera systems are used, then object position can be determined, but adaptability of camera setups deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the camera system multi-functional - cameras can be of different types, have different fields of view, and operate independently without requiring synchronization. The system can process images from various camera sources (different resolutions, frame rates, positions) uniformly through time-stamp-based alignment, greatly increasing camera variety and setup flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting the real-world position of an object in a real-world scene includes obtaining, from a plurality of cameras each having a different field of view of the object, a plurality of images of the object in the real-world scene over a first time window, each of the plurality of images being provided by a different one of the cameras; determining the position of the object in each image captured by each of the plurality of cameras over the first time window; building a 3D model of the continuous real-world position of the object in the real-world scene over the first time window based upon the determined position in each image captured by the plurality of cameras; and establishing, from the 3D model, the 3D position of the object at a particular time in the real-world scene.