Image Capturing Apparatus Tracking Area Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inconsistent tracking area settings in network cameras lead to unintended tracking operations, as the initial position area may be set outside the tracking imaging area, causing the camera to move outside the intended imaging range, resulting in a tracking operation different from the user's intent.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus that receives information on multiple tracking areas from a client apparatus and notifies the client if any area is outside the tracking imaging area range, preventing inconsistent settings by invalidating the tracking start operation until corrections are made.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the initial position area is set outside the tracking imaging area, then the camera can move to a broader range when tracking target is lost, but the camera may image outside the intended tracking imaging area, causing inconsistency with user's intended tracking operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera movement rangeVSAvoidtracking operation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation to detect whether the initial position area is outside the tracking imaging area before tracking starts. When inconsistency is detected, the system preemptively prevents the tracking operation from starting by displaying a warning message, thereby avoiding the harmful effect of camera moving outside the intended imaging range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying a warning message that indicates the initial position area is outside the tracking imaging area. This feedback mechanism allows the user to understand the inconsistency and make appropriate adjustments to the area settings before tracking begins, ensuring reliable tracking operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If various tracking area settings are allowed, then the tracking function becomes more flexible and versatile, but inconsistency occurs between the set tracking areas, causing tracking operation to deviate from user intent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking area setting flexibilityVSAvoidtracking operation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation of tracking area settings before the tracking operation begins. By checking whether the initial position area is within the tracking imaging area before tracking starts, the system prevents inconsistent settings from causing unreliable tracking operations, while still allowing users the flexibility to set various tracking areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240161309A1Image capturing apparatus, control method of image capturing apparatus, and program recording medium

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus as one aspect of the present invention images a tracking target, receives information of a first area, which is an area for tracking the tracking target, and information of a second area different from the first area, from a client apparatus, and notifies the client apparatus of information indicating whether the second area is outside a range of the first area as a first notification.