Autonomous Camera Tracking Object of Interest
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring and surveillance systems require human operators to manually control camera movements to track mobile objects, which diverts their attention from critical security tasks and limits the effectiveness of real-time monitoring in large or densely populated areas.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous camera control system that calculates the distance of a mobile object of interest from the camera's field of view edges and adjusts the camera's speed and direction to maintain the object within the frame, reducing operator workload and improving tracking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a human operator manually controls the camera to track mobile objects, then the camera can follow the object of interest, but the operator's attention is diverted from critical security tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the camera to autonomously track mobile objects by automatically detecting objects of interest, calculating their trajectories, and adjusting camera positioning without human intervention. This self-service capability frees the operator from manual camera control while maintaining continuous tracking of relevant targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual control system with an automated computer vision and control system. The system uses image processing algorithms to detect and track objects, then automatically generates camera movement commands, substituting human-operated mechanical control with an automated electromechanical system.
2Speed
If the camera speed increases to track fast-moving objects, then the tracking accuracy improves, but the object may move beyond the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of the object's trajectory, speed, and direction based on current position data. Using these predictions, the system proactively adjusts camera speed and positioning before the object moves out of the field of view, ensuring continuous tracking without overshooting or losing the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the object's position within the field of view and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust camera speed. When the object approaches the field of view boundary, the system reduces camera speed to maintain the object within the frame, while still achieving effective tracking of fast-moving targets.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method is provided that includes receiving from a camera, video depicting a scene having a center bounded by first and second horizontal edges. The scene also includes an identified object of interest (OI) having a region around the identified OI and a motion vector representing a location, and an amount and at least a horizontal direction of movement. The method also includes calculating from the location of the identified OI, a distance of the identified OI from either or both of the horizontal edges of the scene, and in which the first horizontal edge is in the horizontal direction of movement and the second horizontal edge is opposite the horizontal direction of movement. And the method includes causing an increase or decrease in speed of the camera in the horizontal direction of movement based on location of the identified OI relative to the first / second horizontal edges.