Image Processing Device for Visual Instruction Conveyance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In image pickup environments, there is a challenge in accurately conveying instructions from a monitoring person to a camera operator due to potential difficulties in conveying voice instructions effectively.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that enables the display of instruction information on a video camera's viewfinder screen, allowing users to perform operations on a touch panel or pointing device, which are then translated into corresponding image pickup instructions displayed on the camera, facilitating clear communication of targeting, zoom, and pan instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voice instructions are used to convey image pickup instructions, then communication between monitoring person and camera operator is enabled, but accuracy of instruction conveyance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of instruction conveyanceVSAvoidaccuracy of instruction conveyance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a display unit to visually copy and show the same information that appears on the camera's viewfinder screen. This allows the monitoring person to see exactly what the camera operator sees, enabling accurate selection of target positions and instruction types without relying on ambiguous voice communication. The visual copy eliminates the information loss that occurs in voice-based instruction conveyance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If touch panel operations are added to enable visual instruction display, then instruction accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of instruction conveyanceVSAvoidcomplexity of control interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit serves multiple functions: it displays the picked-up image, shows overlay information (target positions, instruction types), and provides a touch interface for inputting instructions. By combining these functions into a single device, the patent avoids adding separate complex control systems while still enabling accurate visual-based instruction conveyance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit acts as an intermediary between the camera operator and the monitoring person. It receives image data from the camera, processes overlay information, and presents a unified interface that both parties can view and interact with. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having separate communication channels for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3641296B1Image processing device, image processing method, and image capture system
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3641296B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3641296B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3641296B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The display of information associated with a particular position of a picked-up image is enabled. Image data is transmitted to external equipment. Instruction information regarding the image data is received from the external equipment. A display-use image reflecting the instruction information is generated on the basis of the instruction information. For example, the display-use image is generated by displaying details of the instruction information on an image corresponding to the image data. As another example, position information is added to the instruction information. The display-use image is then generated by displaying the details of the instruction information in an image position indicated by the position information.