Imaging Control Apparatus Visualizing Camera Tour Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in checking the moving path and capturing range during a preset tour in network cameras, leading to potential tour setting errors and omissions, as existing technologies either fail to display the moving path or require actual camera angle adjustments to verify the capturing range.

Innovation Solution

An imaging control apparatus that includes an obtaining unit for capturing settings and a generating unit to create a display image showing the moving path and capturing range, allowing users to visualize the path and range without physically moving the camera, by superimposing path information on panoramic images captured by the camera.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the capturing range is changed from one predetermined capturing range to another during a preset tour, then the user can check the capturing range at preset positions, but the user cannot check the moving path and the capturing range while the camera is moved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation on moving path and capturing rangeVSAvoidease of checking capturing range

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the moving path and capturing range before the actual tour execution. The path calculation unit computes the anticipated moving path and capturing range based on preset position information and camera movement characteristics, allowing users to review the planned path and capturing range in advance without actually executing the tour.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the moving path and capturing range by displaying them overlaid on a panoramic image. Instead of requiring actual camera movement to check the capturing range, the system generates a graphical representation showing where the camera will move and what areas will be captured, allowing users to verify the tour settings without physical camera movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If the user checks the capturing range by actually moving the angle of view of the imaging apparatus, then the user can verify the capturing range, but much time is required to perform the check

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of tour settingVSAvoidtime required for checking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the moving path and capturing range before the actual tour execution. The path calculation unit computes the anticipated moving path and capturing range based on preset position information and camera movement characteristics, allowing users to review the planned path and capturing range in advance without actually executing the tour.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the moving path and capturing range by displaying them overlaid on a panoramic image. Instead of requiring actual camera movement to check the capturing range, the system generates a graphical representation showing where the camera will move and what areas will be captured, allowing users to verify the tour settings without physical camera movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the moving path and capturing range are not displayed, then the system maintains simplicity, but the user cannot check whether the capturing ranges assumed by the user are covered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of systemVSAvoidinformation on moving path and capturing range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a visual dimension to the tour setting interface by displaying the moving path and capturing range as graphical overlays on a panoramic image. This dimensional addition allows users to spatially visualize the tour path and capturing ranges without complicating the underlying system architecture, maintaining simplicity while providing comprehensive information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the moving path and capturing range by displaying them overlaid on a panoramic image. Instead of requiring actual camera movement to check the capturing range, the system generates a graphical representation showing where the camera will move and what areas will be captured, allowing users to verify the tour settings without physical camera movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9883103B2Imaging control apparatus and method for generating a display image, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 CANON KK

AI summary

An imaging control apparatus that controls a capturing range in which an image is captured generates a display image showing a range to be captured by image capturing performed while the capturing range is changed from one of a plurality of predetermined capturing ranges to another one of the plurality of predetermined capturing ranges or a range not to be captured by the image capturing performed while the capturing range is changed from one of the plurality of predetermined capturing ranges to another one of the plurality of predetermined capturing ranges.