Autonomous Camera Tracking via Sensor-Mediated Field of View Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for capturing images of live events require skilled operators and fail when cameras lose sight of objects, especially in crowded or obstructed environments, leading to inefficiencies and high production costs.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous system that assigns cameras to tracked objects using location units to determine their location and adjust the camera's field of view, ensuring continuous image capture even when objects move or become obscured, utilizing motorized cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motorized cameras are used to track objects, then the ability to maintain object visibility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computer system that acts as a mediator between the cameras and the objects being tracked. This computer system processes location data from sensors and automatically generates control signals to adjust camera positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction by automating the tracking function without requiring complex manual control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical camera operation with an automated computer-controlled system. Instead of relying on skilled operators to manually track objects, the system uses computer algorithms to process sensor data and automatically control camera motors, substituting human mechanical operation with automated electronic control.
2Manufacturing precision
If skilled operators are used to operate cameras, then image capture quality is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the camera system automatically tracks and captures images without requiring skilled human operators. The computer system processes sensor data, determines optimal camera positions, and executes tracking autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for expensive human expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes human operators with an automated computer control system. The computer processes location information from sensors and automatically controls camera movements, replacing the need for skilled manual operation with automated electronic control, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining image capture quality.
3Area of stationary object
If cameras are positioned to cover large areas, then the field of view is improved, but the resolution and detail of tracked objects decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic camera positioning where cameras can adjust their field of view in real-time based on the location of tracked objects. The system dynamically changes from wide-area coverage to focused close-up views as needed, allowing the camera to maintain both broad situational awareness and detailed object capture by adapting its field of view dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the operational area into multiple zones and uses multiple cameras positioned at different locations. Each camera is assigned to track specific objects or areas, segmenting the overall monitoring task. This allows the system to maintain detailed resolution in multiple locations simultaneously by distributing the field of view across several cameras rather than relying on a single camera to cover everything.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-stream windowing method includes capturing, with a camera located at a fixed position and having a fixed field of view, a high-resolution image stream of an object that moves during said capturing. The high-resolution image stream includes a sequence of high-resolution frames. The method also includes determining, for each high-resolution frame of the sequence of high-resolution frames, a respective window, of a sequence of windows corresponding to the sequence of high-resolution frames, that encloses the object within said each high-resolution frame. The size and location of the respective window are determined based at least on the fixed position, the fixed field of view, and a position of the object. The method also includes generating a low-resolution image stream from the high-resolution image stream by cropping said each high-resolution frame with its respective window.