Aspect Ratio Switching Imaging Range Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring camera systems face challenges in maintaining an imaging range when switching between videos with different aspect ratios, often resulting in distortion due to changes in field angle during zoom control, as seen in Japanese Patent Publication No. 07-114461.
Innovation Solution
An output apparatus and method that control the imaging unit to maintain an imaging range in one direction by adjusting the field angle and clipping images to achieve the desired aspect ratio, using a control unit to set the field angle in either the vertical or horizontal direction to a larger angle than the original, and an output unit to clip images accordingly, ensuring the imaging range corresponds to the original aspect ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the aspect ratio is changed by clipping an image, then the aspect ratio switching is achieved, but the field angle changes causing the imaging range to shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the field angle parameter when switching aspect ratios. Specifically, when switching from 16:9 to 4:3, the field angle is increased to capture a wider area, compensating for the clipping effect and maintaining the imaging range stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the field angle based on the selected aspect ratio. The system transitions from a fixed field angle approach to a dynamic one where the field angle varies according to the aspect ratio being displayed, ensuring consistent imaging range across different aspect ratios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the magnification is changed to achieve aspect ratio switching, then the aspect ratio is adjusted, but distortion occurs in the video
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing magnification which affects the entire image, the patent extracts the central region of the captured image that corresponds to the desired aspect ratio. This extraction approach avoids introducing distortion while achieving the aspect ratio change.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than magnifying the image to change aspect ratio (which causes distortion), the patent inverts the approach by capturing at a larger field angle and then selecting the appropriate region, thereby avoiding magnification-induced distortion entirely.
3Adaptability or versatility
If zoom control is used to change aspect ratio, then the field angle changes, but the imaging range cannot be maintained in the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically changes the field angle parameter according to the target aspect ratio and preset position combinations. Each preset position has predefined field angle values that ensure the imaging range remains centered on the desired subject when aspect ratio switching occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
When a captured image having the first aspect ratio is to be output, the first captured image obtained by imaging the first imaging range is output. When a captured image having the second aspect ratio smaller at the ratio of the length in one of the vertical and horizontal directions to the length in the other direction than the first aspect ratio is to be output, the second captured image with an imaging range in the one direction corresponding to the first imaging range is output.