Dual-Camera PTZ Tracking With Reduced Wide-Angle View Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PTZ cameras with multiple focal distances suffer from unnecessary movement of the wide-angle camera unit due to synchronized pan/tilt operations with the telephoto camera, leading to increased angle of view movements when tracking a moving subject.
Innovation Solution
The cameras are configured to rotate in the same direction with the first camera rotating at a higher speed than the second camera, using a mechanical system with different reduction ratios for the pan drive, and optionally separate motors for each camera, to control the angle of view displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wide angle camera unit and telephoto camera unit perform synchronized pan/tilt operations with the same movement, then both cameras can track the subject together, but the wide angle camera produces unnecessary movements of the angle of view that increase instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different motion characteristics to different camera units based on their specific functions. The telephoto camera unit moves synchronously with the subject to maintain tracking, while the wide angle camera unit remains relatively stable to provide a steady overview. This local differentiation of motion quality resolves the contradiction between tracking adaptability and angle of view stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pan/tilt movements of each camera unit based on real-time tracking requirements. The control unit enables the telephoto camera to follow subject movements while allowing the wide angle camera to maintain a more stable position, creating dynamic motion differentiation that balances tracking capability with image stability.
2Productivity
If the wide angle camera rotates at the same speed as the telephoto camera, then both cameras maintain synchronized tracking, but the wide angle camera experiences excessive angle of view displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotational speed parameter differently for each camera unit. The telephoto camera rotates at a speed matched to subject movement for effective tracking, while the wide angle camera rotates at a reduced speed to minimize angle of view displacement. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between tracking efficiency and angle of view control precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both camera units are disposed in positions capable of pan/tilt operations, then the system achieves versatile image capturing coverage, but the mechanical structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple camera units into a single integrated control unit that manages pan/tilt operations for both the wide angle and telephoto cameras. This unified control approach enables versatile image capturing coverage while reducing mechanical structure complexity by consolidating control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus comprises a first camera; a second camera that has an image capturing angle of view that is a wider angle than an image capturing angle of view for the first camera; wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to rotationally drive the first camera and the second camera in the same direction in joint operation with each other, and to make a rotational speed of the first camera larger than a rotational speed of the second camera.