Mobile Image Capture Control for Predictive Object Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for mobile image capturing apparatuses struggle to capture freely moving objects at desired field angles due to delayed tracking and reduced flexibility in image capturing.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that allows a mobile image capturing apparatus to immediately respond to the state of a freely moving object by changing its location, orientation, and image capturing conditions based on steering instruction information from the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the mobile image capturing apparatus analyzes captured images to track freely moving objects, then tracking capability is improved, but tracking delay increases and image capturing cannot be performed at desired field angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidtracking delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile object transmits steering instruction information to the image capturing apparatus in advance before the actual steering action occurs. This allows the apparatus to prepare and respond immediately when the object changes direction, eliminating the delay caused by real-time image analysis while maintaining accurate tracking at desired field angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the mobile image capturing apparatus flies along a predetermined flight route, then flight stability is improved, but ability to capture freely moving objects at desired field angles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight stabilityVSAvoidimage capturing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static predetermined flight route to a dynamic flight path that adapts in real-time based on steering instruction information from the mobile object. The image capturing apparatus continuously adjusts its position and orientation to follow the object's movements while maintaining stable capturing conditions, achieving both flight stability and capturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile object provides feedback through steering instruction information that indicates its intended movement. The image capturing apparatus uses this feedback to adjust its flight path and capturing parameters dynamically, enabling it to track freely moving objects at desired field angles while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If the mobile image capturing apparatus performs tracking by analyzing captured images, then object tracking is enabled, but degree of freedom of image capturing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic trackingVSAvoiddegree of freedom of image capturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By receiving steering instruction information in advance from the mobile object, the system performs preliminary positioning and preparation for image capturing. This eliminates the need for delayed reactive tracking through image analysis, maintaining automatic tracking capability while preserving full degree of freedom in image capturing parameters and angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4564116A1Information processing apparatus and system, control method, program product, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 CANON KK
  • EP4564116A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564116A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4564116A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus that enables a mobile image capturing apparatus to perform image capturing while immediately responding to a state of an object moving around freely and improve a degree of freedom of the image capturing. The information processing apparatus (111) controls a mobile image capturing apparatus (100) equipped with an image capturing apparatus (130). The information processing apparatus includes a steering instruction information obtaining unit (111) configured to obtain steering instruction information about a mobile object (150) with steering, an image capturing control unit (111) configured to control image capturing by the image capturing apparatus (130), and a location-and-orientation control unit (111) configured to control a location and an orientation of the mobile image capturing apparatus (100) by driving the mobile image capturing apparatus based on the steering instruction information.