Camera Tracking Control for Subject Loss Recovery

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capturing systems face challenges in maintaining tracking of a subject after loss of tracking, particularly when the subject size is small or when returning to the home position, making redetection difficult.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus that includes a detection unit, a tracking unit, and a processing unit to determine the direction of subject movement before loss of tracking, allowing for precise adjustment of the capturing direction or field of view based on the derived movement to facilitate redetection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the image capturing area is increased when loss of tracking occurs, then the field of view is expanded to potentially locate the subject, but the subject size in the captured image decreases further making redetection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capturing areaVSAvoidsubject size in captured image

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting the subject's movement direction and position before the subject actually leaves the capture area. The prediction unit calculates where the subject is likely to move based on historical tracking data, and the control unit proactively adjusts the capture area and magnification in advance, so when the subject does move, it remains within the adjusted capture area with appropriate size, avoiding loss of tracking entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the capture area and magnification adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the capture area size and magnification level based on real-time prediction of subject movement, allowing the system to optimize both the field of view and subject size simultaneously according to the subject's motion patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If control returns to the home position when loss of tracking occurs, then the system resets to a known position, but additional position and orientation control is required for redetecting the subject

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking recoveryVSAvoidposition and orientation control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting the subject's movement direction and position before the subject actually leaves the capture area. The prediction unit calculates where the subject is likely to move based on historical tracking data, and the control unit proactively adjusts the capture area and magnification in advance, so when the subject does move, it remains within the adjusted capture area with appropriate size, avoiding loss of tracking entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the subject's position and movement patterns, and using this information to adjust the capture area and magnification. The prediction unit analyzes tracking history and provides feedback to the control unit, which then modifies the capture parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to subject behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If the subject size is small in the captured image before loss of tracking, then the subject may be difficult to detect, but increasing the capture area causes the subject size to decrease further

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capturing areaVSAvoidsubject size in captured image

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the capture area and magnification adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the capture area size and magnification level based on real-time prediction of subject movement, allowing the system to optimize both the field of view and subject size simultaneously according to the subject's motion patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting the subject's movement direction and position before the subject actually leaves the capture area. The prediction unit calculates where the subject is likely to move based on historical tracking data, and the control unit proactively adjusts the capture area and magnification in advance, so when the subject does move, it remains within the adjusted capture area with appropriate size, avoiding loss of tracking entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250350844A1Control apparatus and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 CANON KK

AI summary

A control apparatus controls tracking shooting performed by an image capturing apparatus. The control apparatus detects a subject in an image obtained by the image capturing apparatus; tracks the subject by controlling a capturing direction of the image capturing apparatus based on the detected position of the subject; and performs predetermined processing when a lost state in which a subject is unable to be detected during tracking of the subject occurs. If it is possible to derive the direction of movement of a subject immediately before occurrence of the lost state, with the predetermined degree of reliability or higher, the control apparatus performs processing for determining the capturing direction of the image capturing apparatus after occurrence of the lost state based on the direction of movement.