Camera Field of View Auto-Determination Using Direction Sensors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera networks face challenges in automatically determining the field of view of cameras, especially when cameras are moved or added, requiring manual labor and leading to incorrect or non-existent spatial reference, which increases the workload for security staff.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating direction and elevation sensors into cameras to measure and generate signals for the controller to automatically determine the field of view, allowing for the selection of cameras with a view containing an event of interest and enabling automatic rotation to bring the event into view without requiring initial mounting position data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual data entry is used to record camera mounting position and field of view, then initial camera configuration can be completed, but additional labor and time are required during installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system automatically determines its own field of view and spatial relationships by capturing images and processing them through algorithms that identify facility features and calculate camera orientation, eliminating the need for manual data entry during installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic field of view determination during camera installation by capturing reference images and calculating spatial relationships before the camera is fully deployed, so that when the camera is later moved or added, the configuration is automatically updated without requiring manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are frequently moved or added to the network, then coverage can be improved, but the spatial reference information becomes incorrect or non-existent requiring reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and detects the camera's current field of view by capturing images and comparing them against the facility model, providing feedback that automatically updates the spatial reference information whenever a camera is moved or added, ensuring the information remains accurate without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The camera configuration system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, automatically detecting and updating spatial reference information when cameras are moved or added to the network, rather than relying on static manual entries that become outdated
3Productivity
If PTZ cameras are repositioned to view events of interest, then event coverage can be improved, but the work load for security staff increases due to lack of spatial reference
Solution Approach 1:
The PTZ camera system automatically determines its spatial orientation and field of view by processing captured images through algorithms that identify facility features and calculate camera bearing, enabling the camera to self-adjust and point toward events of interest without requiring security staff to manually reposition cameras or interpret spatial relationships
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
This solution reduces the need for manual data entry and labor, enabling cameras to automatically capture events of interest by determining and adjusting their field of view, enhancing productivity and reducing workload for security staff.
Implementation Method 1
The direction sensors can be magnetometer sensors configured to measure the angle directions of the field of views relative to magnetic north
Implementation Method 2
The elevation sensors can be resistive sensors or magnetic angle sensors
Implementation Method 3
The elevation sensors can be resistive sensors or magnetic angle sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically determining the camera field of view in a camera network. The system has a plurality of spatially separated cameras and direction sensors, carried on respective cameras, configured to measure the angle directions of the field of views of the cameras. Elevation sensors are operably coupled to respective cameras to measure the elevation angles of thereof. A controller is configured to process direction and elevation measurement signals transmitted from the cameras to automatically determine the cameras' fields of views. One or more cameras having a field of view containing or nearby an event of interest can be selected from the determined field of views and indicated to a user via a graphical user interface. Selected cameras which are rotatably mounted can be rotated if need be to automatically bring the event of interest into the field of views of the selected cameras.