Camera Pan Tilt Head Biasing Means for Smooth Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera control systems for capturing high-speed sporting events are inadequate as they rely on human operator skill and reflexes, leading to jerky and erratic footage due to insufficient consideration of complex framing and cinematographic composition.
Innovation Solution
A system using a camera mounted on a pan tilt head with a controller that employs at least two biasing means, such as a point, magnetic line, or target frame, to hierarchically influence the image position within the camera's picture frame, ensuring smooth and focused video capture by anticipating the object's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single central position constraint is used for high-speed object tracking, then the camera can maintain focus on the object, but the footage becomes jerky and mechanically clumsy
Solution Approach 1:
The single constraint position is segmented into multiple biasing means distributed across the picture frame. Each biasing means represents a separate compositional anchor point, allowing the image to be influenced by multiple positions simultaneously rather than being locked to one central location, thereby eliminating jerky movements while maintaining focus stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static single-position constraint to a dynamic multi-position biasing system. The biasing means can be positioned at different locations within the picture frame and weighted differently, allowing the image position to be dynamically adjusted based on compositional requirements while maintaining smooth footage through hierarchical control of multiple anchor points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual camera control is used, then the operator can adapt to complex framing requirements, but the skill level and reflexes limit performance during high-speed events
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs self-control through automated biasing means that independently manage the pan-tilt head positioning. The biasing means automatically calculate and execute the necessary camera movements to maintain optimal composition without requiring manual operator intervention, thereby eliminating the limitations of human reflexes and skill levels while maintaining full adaptability to complex framing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the position of the image within the picture frame is continuously monitored and compared against the biasing means positions. This feedback loop automatically adjusts the camera orientation to maintain the desired compositional relationships, providing adaptive control that surpasses manual operation while remaining fully automated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple biasing means are used to influence image position, then cinematic composition is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex compositional control is segmented into independent biasing means modules, each responsible for a specific compositional anchor point. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple compositional requirements simultaneously through simple, modular components rather than a single complex control mechanism, thereby increasing compositional flexibility while managing system complexity through modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing means positions and hierarchical weights are pre-configured based on desired compositional outcomes. This preliminary setup allows the system to automatically execute complex compositional adjustments without real-time computational complexity, as the control logic is predetermined by the biasing means configuration rather than requiring complex on-the-fly calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for capturing video footage of at least one moving object on a racecourse or sporting field. The video footage includes sequential still pictures each containing a respective image of the at least one moving object. The apparatus including at least one camera mounted on a pan tilt head being configured to follow the movement of the at least one moving object, to thereby capture the video footage, and a controller in communication with the pan tilt head, for controlling the pan and tilt thereof. The controller being used to set the position of a first and a second biasing devices with respect to the limits of a picture frame of said at least one camera. The first and second biasing means are ordered hierarchically by the controller.