Camera View Correlation via Fisheye and PTZ Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video systems lack the capability to simultaneously provide a wide angle field of view and a narrow field of view of an environment, making it difficult to both survey large areas and focus on specific objects or events effectively, particularly in surveillance applications.
Innovation Solution
The system combines an immersive camera system with a PTZ camera system, where the immersive camera system uses back-to-back fisheye lenses to capture a wide angle view and the PTZ camera system provides a narrower view, with a processor correlating the views to allow users to switch seamlessly between the two, using correlation data and methods like parallax correction to ensure accurate object tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single camera system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the capability to provide both wide angle and narrow field of view simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an immersive camera system with wide angle lenses and a PTZ camera system with narrow field of view cameras into a single integrated platform. Multiple cameras are mounted on a common structure with shared control mechanisms, allowing the system to provide both wide survey views and focused detailed views simultaneously without requiring separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera system is designed to perform multiple functions: the immersive cameras provide 360-degree panoramic coverage for area surveillance, while the PTZ cameras provide zoomed-in detailed monitoring of specific targets. The system can switch between and combine these different viewing modes, making a single system that adapts to various surveillance needs rather than requiring separate specialized systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple camera systems are integrated, then the field of view capability is improved, but the correlation and object tracking between different views becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously receives image data from both immersive and PTZ cameras, compares the views, and automatically adjusts PTZ camera positioning and zoom levels to maintain accurate correlation with objects identified in the wide angle views. This real-time feedback loop ensures that objects detected in panoramic views can be reliably tracked and focused on by the narrow field of view cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical correlation methods with automated electronic image processing and computer vision algorithms. The processor digitally correlates images from different camera systems by identifying common features, calculating geometric transformations, and automatically adjusting camera positions and orientations, eliminating the need for complex manual calibration and mechanical synchronization mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If a narrow field of view camera is used, then the focus on specific objects is improved, but the survey capability of large areas is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surveillance system is segmented into specialized camera components: immersive cameras with wide angle lenses are dedicated to area survey and panoramic coverage, while separate PTZ cameras with narrow field of view are dedicated to detailed object monitoring. This segmentation allows each component to excel at its specific function while the integrated system provides both capabilities simultaneously through coordinated operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for correlating views of two or more video camera systems includes obtaining a plurality of data point coordinate sets to represent relative positioning between the camera systems and data point objects in the environment. The views may be correlated through Interpolation or extrapolation using the obtained data point coordinate sets. Devices such as lasers may also be used to correlate views of two or more video camera systems.