Monitoring Camera Height Measurement via Autofocus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring camera apparatuses lack accurate information about camera installation height, leading to degraded detection accuracy and false subject detection due to unknown installation heights, which complicates tracking processes and requires labor-intensive manual entry or special sensor installation.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring camera apparatus equipped with an imaging unit, autofocus function, rotating unit, distance detecting unit, direction detecting unit, and height calculating unit that automatically measures camera installation height by converting detected subject distance into vertical length using the shooting direction, eliminating the need for manual entry or special sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual entry or special sensor installation is used to detect camera installation height, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging unit serve dual purposes: capturing monitoring images and detecting subject distance through autofocus operation. This eliminates the need for separate distance sensors while maintaining measurement capability, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own autofocus mechanism to detect subject distance, making the imaging unit self-sufficient for height measurement without requiring external sensors or manual input. The camera serves itself by utilizing its existing optical focusing capability for distance detection
2Measurement precision
If manual entry or special sensor installation is used to detect camera installation height, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs height measurement by utilizing the autofocus function and direction detection, eliminating the need for manual height entry or special sensor installation. The camera measures its own installation height autonomously, greatly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement operations with automated optical and computational methods. The autofocus mechanism and direction detection work together with calculation units to automatically determine installation height, substituting mechanical/manual processes with automated systems
3Reliability
If subject detection is performed without considering installation height, then detection speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The direction detection unit and height calculation functionality are integrated into the existing monitoring system, allowing the same hardware to serve both monitoring and measurement purposes. This adds reliability through height-aware detection without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses direction detection feedback to calculate installation height, which then feeds back into the subject detection process to improve accuracy. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust detection parameters based on known installation height, reducing false detection while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and accurate measurement of camera installation height with a simple configuration, improving detection accuracy and reducing false detection, thereby enhancing tracking performance without the need for manual input or additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an autofocus function for automatically adjusting focus of the imaging unit; a distance detecting unit for detecting subject distance from the imaging unit to a subject using the autofocus function
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a monitoring camera apparatus which can measure camera installation height easily with a simple configuration. The monitoring camera apparatus includes a distance detecting unit and direction detecting unit. The distance detecting unit detects subject distance D to a subject using an autofocus function. The direction detecting unit detects a shooting direction θ of the imaging unit rotated by a rotating mechanism. A height calculating unit calculates camera installation height H by converting the detected subject distance D into vertical length using the shooting direction θ in which the subject distance D is detected.