Camera-Based Object Positioning Using Azimuthal Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of an object in a room using cameras only provide relative positional information, which is insufficient for applications requiring absolute positional data, such as augmented reality enhancements.
Innovation Solution
A method using two synchronized high-resolution cameras with wide-angle lenses captures images of a room, applies azimuthal projection to convert object coordinates into image coordinates, and calculates absolute position through trigonometric derivation using reference points and multiple camera views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic signals are used for positioning in noisy environments, then positioning capability is maintained, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic signal processing with electromagnetic signal processing. Instead of using microphones to detect acoustic waves that are easily corrupted by noise, the system uses cameras to capture optical images and electromagnetic signals. This substitution of the detection mechanism allows the system to maintain positioning reliability in noisy environments while avoiding the signal-to-noise ratio degradation inherent in acoustic methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the signal domain from acoustic frequency to optical frequency. By operating in the electromagnetic spectrum rather than the acoustic spectrum, the system avoids the fundamental limitation of acoustic signal degradation in noisy environments. The positioning is achieved through analyzing optical flow and electromagnetic signal characteristics rather than acoustic wave properties.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each camera in the system multi-functional. Each camera not only captures images for position estimation but also contributes to generating the virtual camera through electromagnetic signal processing. The cameras serve dual purposes: direct position measurement and contribution to the virtual camera model, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual camera as an intermediary computational model that synthesizes information from multiple physical cameras. This virtual camera acts as a mediator that processes electromagnetic signals and optical flow data to achieve accurate position estimation without requiring direct complex coordination of all physical cameras, thus managing system complexity while maintaining precision.
3Ease of manufacture
If acoustic signal processing is used, then existing infrastructure can be leveraged, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces acoustic signal processing with electromagnetic signal processing and parallel computational algorithms. Instead of sequentially processing acoustic waves through multiple stages, the system uses parallel image processing and electromagnetic signal analysis that can be computationally optimized and executed more rapidly, reducing processing time while still leveraging existing camera infrastructure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
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Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining a position of an object (24) in at least one plane of a space (20), in particular in a shop, comprising the following steps: at least two cameras (10) are used to capture respective images of the space (20), each image being an azimuthal projection of a hemisphere on the image plane; determining an azimuth of the object (24) in a respective image; assigning the position to the object (24) using the determined azimuth of the object (24) and a position of at least two previously determined reference points (22).