Automatic Camera Head Calibration for Precise Quiet Object Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional robotic camera systems struggle with precise control of camera movements, unnecessary movements, slow reaction times, and audible mechanical noise, especially in dynamically changing scenes, limiting their performance compared to human operators.

Innovation Solution

A camera head system with a brushless DC motor for pan and tilt movements, high-resolution encoders, and a ring actuator for optical adjustments, along with an automatic calibration process using vision software to map actuator settings to field of view, ensuring precise and quiet operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional actuators are used for pan and tilt movements, then the camera can be mounted on robotic equipment, but the camera movements become robotic and noticeable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic camera controlVSAvoidrobotic movement appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical actuators with a brushless DC motor that directly drives the pan platform without timing belts or intermediate mechanical components. This substitution eliminates the characteristic robotic movement patterns while maintaining automated control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the timing belt mechanism from the drive system, using direct motor-to-platform coupling. This extraction eliminates the mechanical intermediaries that cause noticeable robotic movement, leaving only the essential automated control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional timing belt mechanisms are used for motor drive, then the structure is simpler, but audible movement noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor drive structureVSAvoidaudible movement noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical timing belt drive system with a direct-drive brushless DC motor configuration. This substitution eliminates belt friction, tooth engagement noise, and mechanical vibration, achieving quiet operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If conventional camera heads are used, then the basic pan and tilt functions are available, but precise control of camera movements is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasic pan and tilt functionsVSAvoidcamera movement control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates high-resolution encoders that provide feedback on the actual position of the pan and tilt platforms. This feedback enables precise closed-loop control, allowing the system to achieve and maintain exact angular positions while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning systems with an electronic control system using brushless DC motors and encoder feedback. This substitution enables precise digital control of camera movements while maintaining the basic pan and tilt functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Extent of automation

If robotized cameras are used to film moving objects, then automation is achieved, but reaction time is too slow compared to human operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic filming of moving objectsVSAvoidreaction time to scene changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical camera mounting systems with an integrated brushless DC motor system that enables faster acceleration and deceleration. This substitution reduces mechanical inertia and allows the camera to respond more quickly to scene changes while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system achieves precise and adaptive camera control, reducing unnecessary movements and noise, allowing for faster and more accurate tracking of moving objects, comparable to human-operated systems.

Implementation Method 1

The motor is a brushless DC motor that drives directly the pan platform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The rotation angle is precisely captured and read by an encoder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical encoding:

Data Source

PatentUS11683589B2Automatic camera head and operation method

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 SEERVISION GMBH

AI summary

An automatic camera head for panning and tilting a video camera, comprising at least one ring actuator arranged to act on a ring control of an objective of the camera, wherein said ring control is one of: zoom, iris, and focus; and said ring actuator includes a torque measurement unit delivering a signal indicative of the torque applied to the ring control.