Camera Optical Axis Tracking via Sensor Direction Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surveillance camera systems require the telephoto and wide-angle cameras to be positioned closely together, limiting the flexibility in placing sensors for detecting moving objects.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a first detection unit to detect moving objects using a sensor and determine a direction towards the object, a control unit to adjust the camera's optical axis direction along this determined path, and a second detection unit to identify the moving object from captured images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the telephoto camera and wide-angle camera are placed in the vicinity of each other, then the imaging optical axis of the telephoto camera can be directed to the direction substantially the same as the direction to the moving object from the wide-angle camera, but the positions of the cameras cannot be separated from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational process that calculates the direction to the moving object based on position information from the wide-angle camera and uses this direction information to control the telephoto camera's optical axis. This intermediary calculation bridge allows the cameras to be spatially separated while maintaining accurate tracking capability, resolving the contradiction between position flexibility and detection accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the telephoto camera and wide-angle camera are placed in the vicinity of each other, then the moving object can be imaged by the telephoto camera, but the sensor cannot be disposed at flexible positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surveillance system into functionally independent modules: the wide-angle camera for detection, the telephoto camera for detailed imaging, and a control unit for coordinating them. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned independently based on operational requirements rather than being constrained to a fixed close-proximity configuration, thereby improving sensor placement flexibility while maintaining system functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cameras are placed at separated positions, then the sensor can be disposed at flexible positions, but the imaging optical axis of the telephoto camera cannot be directed to the direction substantially the same as the direction to the moving object from the wide-angle camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit continuously receives position information from the wide-angle camera, calculates the appropriate direction, and adjusts the telephoto camera's optical axis accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that even when cameras are spatially separated, the telephoto camera reliably tracks the moving object by constantly adjusting its orientation based on real-time position data, thereby maintaining tracking reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus determines a direction (first direction (12)) from a sensor (10) toward a moving object (20) by detecting the moving object (20) using the sensor (10). The information processing apparatus causes a camera (30) to perform imaging while moving the optical axis direction (34) of the camera (30) along the first direction (12). As a result, a plurality of captured images (32), each of which is captured in the different direction, are generated by the camera (30). The information processing apparatus (2000) detects the moving object (20) by performing image analysis on the captured image (32).