Dual Camera Positioning for Zoomed-In Imaging Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the intrinsic position of an image-recording camera in environments with optical structures are prone to noise and inaccuracies, especially in zoomed-in situations with long focal lengths, limiting their effectiveness in television and film applications.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an image-recording camera and a measurement camera with a known fixed position, where the evaluation unit determines the intrinsic position of the image-recording camera by aligning both cameras to record a common section of the environment, allowing the measuring camera to continuously detect and correct the position of the image-recording camera using optically detectable structures, and refining the position calculation using the higher-resolution image from the image-recording camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a measuring camera with large viewing angle is used to capture marker points, then the camera can record more marker points despite obstructions, but the spatial resolution decreases leading to noisy and inaccurate position calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging task into two segments: the measuring camera with large viewing angle captures the overall scene and marker points, while the image-recording camera with long focal length captures high-resolution details. The evaluation unit integrates data from both cameras, allowing each to optimize for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary that processes and combines data from both the measuring camera and image-recording camera. It uses the high-resolution image from the image-recording camera to correct and refine position calculations derived from the measuring camera, thereby eliminating noise and improving accuracy.
2Length of moving object
If a camera with long focal length is used to zoom in on objects, then close-up recording is achieved, but position calculation accuracy decreases causing noise and misplacement of virtual objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the capabilities of two cameras: the measuring camera provides accurate position data through wide-angle marker detection, while the image-recording camera provides high-resolution close-up imagery. The evaluation unit combines these data streams to achieve both zoomed-in recording and accurate position calculation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit uses feedback from the high-resolution image of the image-recording camera to continuously correct and refine position calculations. By comparing expected marker positions with actual detected positions in the high-resolution image, the system compensates for calculation errors and maintains accuracy even with long focal length zooming.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a more precise and low-noise determination of the camera's position, improving the matching of real and virtual images, and is particularly advantageous in television and film applications by reducing noise and misplacement of virtual objects, even with long focal lengths.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement camera (30) fixedly mounted on the image-recording camera (20) in a known position relative thereto, wherein an evaluation unit (40) is connected to the measurement camera (30) and configured to determine the position of the image-recording camera (20), at least from structures in the image of the measurement camera (30)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the distinct location of an image-recording camera (20) within an environment (10), by virtue of structures (13) being visually detectable, wherein the apparatus comprises at least the image-recording camera (20), a measuring camera (30) that is permanently mounted on this camera (20) in a known location and an evaluation unit (40) that is designed to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera (20) at least from the structures (13) in the image (31) from the measuring camera (30). According to the invention, the image-recording camera (20) and the measuring camera (30) are oriented such that they can at least to some extent record a common detail (21) from the environment (10), which contains structures (13) that are visually detectable by the two cameras (20; 30) in their respective image (21; 31). The measuring camera (30) is also connected to the evaluation unit (40), which is designed to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera (20) at least from the structures (13) in the environment (10) that are detected by the measuring camera (30) in its image (31), wherein the evaluation unit (40) is also designed to locate these structures (13) at least to some extent in the image (21) from the image-recording camera (20) too and to correct the distinct location of the image-recording camera (20), as ascertained from the image (31) from the measuring camera (30), using the position of the structures (13) that is ascertained from the image (21) from the image-recording camera (20).