Imaging Device Angle of View Stabilization via Dynamic Cutout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices face challenges in maintaining a stable angle of view when the imaging direction changes temporarily, even at small angles, during the distribution of video information, leading to reduced visibility of the distributed video information.

Innovation Solution

The proposed imaging device and method generate distribution image information with a stable angle of view by cutting out a predetermined range of image information from the captured imaging information. This is achieved through a configuration that includes a pan mechanism, an image processing unit, and a distribution information generation unit, which adjusts the cutout range based on the detected change in the imaging direction and the user's interest determined by imaging time analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the imaging direction changes temporarily at a small angle during video distribution, then the imaging device can adapt to user interest changes, but the angle of view becomes unstable and visibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user interest changesVSAvoidstability of angle of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining the cutout range based on the imaging direction at the time of request, before the actual distribution occurs. This pre-determined cutout range is then used for subsequent frame images even when the imaging direction changes temporarily, ensuring stable angle of view while still adapting to user interest changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the imaging direction and comparing it with the pre-determined cutout range. When the imaging direction changes within a certain angle range, the system detects this change and adjusts the cutout range accordingly, maintaining stability while adapting to user interest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the cutout range is fixed for distribution, then the angle of view remains stable, but the system cannot adapt to temporary changes in imaging direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of angle of viewVSAvoidadaptability to imaging direction changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by making the cutout range adjustable rather than fixed. The cutout range is determined based on the imaging direction at the time of request and can be dynamically adjusted when the imaging direction changes within a certain angle range, allowing the system to adapt to user interest changes while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of the cutout range based on the imaging direction. When the imaging direction changes within a certain angle range, the cutout range is adjusted to accommodate the new imaging direction, allowing the system to adapt to changes while maintaining a stable angle of view for distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the imaging direction changes frequently, then the system can track user interest, but the distributed video information shows frequent angle changes reducing visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to user interestVSAvoidvisibility of distributed video information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining the cutout range at the time of request and using this pre-determined range for subsequent frames. This ensures that even if the imaging direction changes frequently, the distributed video information maintains a stable angle of view, improving visibility while still allowing the system to track user interest through the request mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies beforehand cushioning by establishing a tolerance angle range before distribution occurs. Within this pre-established range, temporary changes in imaging direction are absorbed without affecting the distributed video information, cushioning against the harmful effect of frequent angle changes while maintaining responsiveness to genuine user interest changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4293999B1Imaging device and imaging processing method

Publication Date: 2025.06.11 JVC KENWOOD CORP

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AI summary

An imaging device (1) includes: an imaging unit (2 and 3); an imaging time information storage unit (195) configured to store imaging time information for each imaging direction with respect to the imaging processing in the past; and a distribution information generation unit (19A) configured to sequentially acquire frames from an image signal, cut out partial image information of a preset cutout range from the respective acquired frames, generate distribution image information, specify an imaging direction with the longest imaging time at a predetermined determination timing, from among the stored imaging time information, determine whether the partial image information of the cutout range acquired when the specified imaging direction is captured is included in an imaging angle of view after an imaging direction has changed, and when it is determined as being included, cut out a range corresponding to the partial image information of the cutout range acquired when the specified imaging direction is captured, from a frame to be acquired subsequently, thereby generating the distribution image information.