Linked-Up Camera System with Control Look-Up Table for PTZ Zoom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Panoramic cameras lack optical zoom capabilities, resulting in reduced image resolution when zooming in on distant objects, and their field of view differences with PTZ cameras require close proximity for effective surveillance.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that utilizes a calibration unit to establish a control look-up table for linked-up cameras, allowing a PTZ camera to adjust its field of view based on a region of interest specified in a panoramic image, enabling precise capture of detailed views by overlapping fields of view and enhancing image resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If digital zoom is used to enlarge panoramic image for observing distant objects, then the field of view is expanded, but the image resolution greatly reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a panoramic camera and a PTZ camera into a linked-up photographing system. The panoramic camera provides wide-angle coverage while the PTZ camera provides optical zoom capability. When zooming is needed, the system switches to or activates the PTZ camera to capture the distant object, thereby maintaining both wide field of view coverage and high image resolution for distant objects.
2Measurement precision
If PTZ camera is used to support optical zoom for distant objects, then image resolution is improved, but the field of view becomes smaller than panoramic camera
Solution Approach 1:
The linked-up photographing system makes the camera system universal by combining two cameras with different functions. The panoramic camera handles wide-area surveillance while the PTZ camera handles detailed observation of distant objects. The system can switch between or combine the functions of both cameras, making it adaptable to both wide-field monitoring and detailed inspection requirements.
3Reliability
If panoramic camera and PTZ camera are disposed close to each other for coordinated operation, then the field of view overlap is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the coordination between the panoramic camera and the PTZ camera. This control unit processes images from both cameras, determines regions of interest, and controls the PTZ camera's panning, tilting, and zooming operations accordingly. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system complexity by providing a centralized control mechanism rather than requiring complex direct coordination between the two cameras.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a linking-up photographing system and a control method of linked-up cameras thereof including the following steps. A first image is acquired via a first camera. A second image is acquired via a second camera and presents a field of view (FOV) which partially overlaps a FOV of the first image at least. A control look-up table is established according to the first image and the second image. A designating command specifying a region of interest (ROI) in the first image is received. A FOV of the second camera is adjusted according to the ROI and the control look-up table, and then the second camera photographs a view specified by the ROI, so as to obtain a third image. In this way, the second camera can link up and cooperate with the first camera easily.