Imaging System Zoom Lens Positioning via Wide-Angle Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems with wide-angle and zoom-lens cameras face challenges in setting the imaging direction of the zoom-lens camera to a specified position on an image captured by the wide-angle lens camera, as they lack necessary depth information, making it difficult to change the imaging direction to a position intended by the user.

Innovation Solution

The system prioritizes one piece of position information in the object space as an imaging position and uses a combination of pan, tilt, and zoom controls, along with distance measurement techniques like autofocus or light field analysis, to adjust the imaging direction of the zoom-lens camera based on specified position information or default tilt positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If distance measurement techniques are added to provide depth information, then the ability to set imaging direction to specified positions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to set imaging directionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the imaging function into two separate cameras: a wide-angle lens camera for capturing overall images and a zoom-lens camera for detailed imaging. This segmentation allows each camera to specialize in its function while the control system integrates their data to provide precise positioning without requiring complex depth measurement hardware in each camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary that processes images from the wide-angle camera, determines specified positions, and translates these into control signals for the zoom-lens camera. This intermediary processing layer enables precise imaging direction control without requiring direct complex hardware integration between cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras with different functions are used, then imaging versatility is improved, but synchronization and coordination between cameras becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging versatilityVSAvoidcamera coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functional capabilities of wide-angle and zoom-lens cameras into a coordinated surveillance system. The control system combines images from both cameras and synchronizes their operation, allowing the zoom-lens camera to target positions identified in the wide-angle camera's field of view, thereby achieving versatile imaging with manageable coordination through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If the zoom-lens camera is positioned at a different location from the wide-angle camera, then coverage area is improved, but accuracy in setting imaging direction to specified positions deteriorates due to unknown depth information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system uses feedback from the wide-angle camera's image data to continuously adjust and determine the specified positions. By processing the wide-angle image to identify target positions and then calculating the corresponding control signals for the zoom-lens camera, the system maintains positioning accuracy despite the cameras being at different locations, as the control decisions are based on real-time feedback from the wide-angle view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3232658B1Imaging system, imaging system control method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 CANON KK
  • EP3232658B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3232658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232658B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5B

AI summary

The present invention provides an imaging system which allows an imaging direction to be changed to a position intended by the user. An imaging system according to the present invention includes an image acquiring unit adapted to acquire an image captured by the first imaging apparatus; a position determining unit adapted to determine one of a plurality of pieces of position information in an object space of the image as an imaging position in priority order; and a controlling unit adapted to change a viewing point of a second imaging apparatus based on the imaging position.