Crossfire Camera System for 360-Degree Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional object detection systems require significant resources and power to achieve a 360-degree angle of view due to the need for multiple cameras and complex image processing to stitch panoramic images, leading to excessive processing demands and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A crossfire camera system with pairs of cameras positioned and oriented in a crossfire configuration to cover a 360-degree angle of view without blind spots, allowing object detection operations to be performed directly on individual camera images rather than panoramic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple cameras (six or more) are positioned and oriented to achieve a 360-degree angle of view, then the angle of view coverage is improved, but the device complexity and processing resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 360-degree viewing requirement into multiple overlapping fields of view, with each camera capturing a portion of the environment. By strategically positioning cameras so that their fields of view overlap, the system achieves complete 360-degree coverage without requiring excessive numbers of cameras, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full angular coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the fields of view of multiple cameras through image stitching to create a unified panoramic representation of the environment. This merging process allows the system to achieve 360-degree coverage using fewer cameras by intelligently combining their individual views, reducing the total number of cameras needed while maintaining complete angular coverage.
2Area of moving object
If multiple cameras are used to achieve a 360-degree angle of view, then the angle of view coverage is improved, but the power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 360-degree viewing task among a smaller number of cameras with overlapping fields of view. This segmentation strategy reduces the total number of active cameras required, thereby lowering overall power consumption while still achieving complete angular coverage through the coordinated operation of fewer devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the visual data from multiple cameras into a single panoramic image through image stitching algorithms. This merging approach allows the system to achieve 360-degree coverage with fewer cameras, reducing the total power consumption associated with operating multiple camera devices while maintaining complete environmental awareness.
3Area of moving object
If a stitching application is used to generate panoramic images from multiple cameras, then the angle of view coverage is improved, but the processing resources required to detect objects in real-time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image stitching operations in advance to create a unified panoramic representation before object detection begins. By preparing the stitched panoramic image beforehand, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time stitching operations during detection, thereby reducing processing resource requirements while maintaining 360-degree coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a stitched panoramic copy of the environment from multiple camera views, which serves as a unified representation for object detection. This copying process consolidates information from multiple cameras into a single data structure that can be processed more efficiently, reducing real-time processing requirements while preserving complete angular coverage information.
4Reliability
If the physical gap between cameras is accounted for, then blind spots are eliminated, but the number of cameras required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the environmental monitoring task by positioning cameras with overlapping fields of view. This segmentation ensures that the gaps between individual camera views are covered by adjacent cameras, eliminating blind spots while using a minimized number of cameras. The overlap strategy guarantees complete coverage without requiring excessive devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fields of view of multiple cameras through image stitching to create a continuous panoramic representation without gaps. This merging process eliminates blind spots by seamlessly combining adjacent camera views, achieving complete 360-degree coverage with a reduced number of cameras through intelligent field-of-view integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a camera system includes a first camera that has a first camera angle of view and a second camera that has a second camera angle of view. The first camera is positioned and oriented to have a first coverage area and the second camera is positioned and oriented to have a second coverage area that at least partially overlaps the first coverage area. An angle between a center axis of the first camera angle of view and a center axis of the second camera angle of view exceeds the first camera angle of view.