Multi-Camera Mobile Frame for Continuous Swimming Video Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for capturing the movements of swimmers in a swimming pool are inadequate due to the challenges of capturing multiple perspectives, particularly from underwater, where traditional camera setups provide limited and fleeting views, and are difficult to maintain a steady pace with the swimmer.
Innovation Solution
A multi-camera system featuring a self-propelled mobile frame that surrounds the swimmer laterally, above, below, ahead, and behind, equipped with stereocameras and sensors, propelled along tracks in the pool, allowing for coordinated and stable video capture from various angles and real-time data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If stationary cameras are placed around the pool, then multiple perspectives can be captured, but the cameras can only provide brief glimpses of passing swimmers and cannot maintain steady pace
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system transitions from a stationary configuration to a dynamic mobile frame that moves along the pool alongside the swimmer. This allows the cameras to maintain a steady pace with the moving target, extending the duration of useful video capture from brief glimpses to continuous recording throughout the swim lane.
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile frame structure serves as an intermediary carrier that holds multiple cameras and moves them together along the pool. This intermediary enables coordinated multi-perspective capture while maintaining synchronization with swimmer motion, solving both the quantity and duration requirements.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a track camera is placed on the side of the pool, then continuous viewing is possible, but only a side view perspective is obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The single track camera approach is segmented into multiple cameras mounted at different positions and orientations on the mobile frame. This segmentation provides diverse perspectives (side, front, rear, underwater) while maintaining continuous viewing through the mobile platform's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds vertical and lateral dimensions to camera placement by mounting cameras above water, below water, and at various heights on the frame. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides comprehensive perspective variety beyond the single side view.
3Loss of information
If multiple cameras are used to capture swimmer from all angles, then comprehensive video data is obtained, but the system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it carries cameras, provides structural support, enables movement along the pool, and positions sensors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating elements that could otherwise be separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cameras, sensors, and support structures are merged into a single integrated mobile frame assembly. This consolidation simplifies operation and deployment compared to managing separate camera systems, while still capturing comprehensive biomechanical data from multiple angles.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-camera system for multidimensional video capture is particularly useful for recording the movements of swimmers. The system includes a self-propelled mobile frame that is of sufficient size to surround a swimmer while he or she swims. The frame carries a number of equipment pods. Each equipment pod houses cameras, typically a pair of stereocameras, and may house additional sensors as well. Propulsion pods connect the frame to a pair of tracks, one of which is on each side of the frame, and propel the frame along the tracks. The frame may also support one or more booms that carry equipment pods with cameras and allow the system to capture video from additional angles. The frame carries transmission hardware allowing it to communicate video and other data to external receivers and communication devices in real time or near real time, and to receive data from external devices.