Monitoring Camera with Mirror for Overlapping Area Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring systems face challenges in efficiently covering large areas with minimal camera usage while managing costs and data technical links, as they require multiple cameras to achieve comprehensive coverage.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system utilizing a single camera with a reflecting device to capture overlapping partial sections of a monitoring area, combined with an evaluator module for object identification and positioning, allowing for enhanced image evaluation and object detection without the need for multiple cameras or complex synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to cover large monitoring areas, then the coverage area is improved, but the system cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A reflecting device (mirror) is introduced as an intermediary element between the camera and the monitoring area. The mirror reflects light from areas that would otherwise be outside the camera's direct field of view, enabling a single camera to capture images of multiple directions and expand the effective monitoring area without adding more cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting device adds a spatial dimension to the monitoring capability by redirecting light paths. Instead of placing multiple cameras at different locations (spatial distribution), the mirror creates a virtual imaging path that effectively adds another viewing dimension, allowing the camera to monitor areas that would require additional physical camera positions.
2Reliability
If multiple cameras are deployed to achieve comprehensive coverage, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the initial investment and servicing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single camera system with a reflecting device performs multiple monitoring functions that would traditionally require multiple dedicated cameras. The system can monitor different directions and areas simultaneously, making the single camera unit multi-functional in terms of coverage area and monitoring perspectives, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting device serves as a cost-effective intermediary that enables expanded coverage without the high costs associated with deploying, installing, and maintaining multiple additional camera systems. The mirror is a low-cost component that provides the same coverage expansion function that would otherwise require expensive additional hardware.
3Quantity of substance
If a single camera with reflecting device is used, then the system cost is reduced, but the difficulty of image evaluation and object identification increases due to overlapping sections
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluator creates a common coordinate system that provides a unified reference frame for all image sections, including those captured via the reflecting device. By transforming all images into this common coordinate system, the evaluator enables consistent object detection and tracking across different viewing angles and perspectives, making the image evaluation process as straightforward as working with single-perspective images.
Solution Approach 2:
The correspondence module dynamically adjusts and optimizes parameters such as coordinate transformations, image alignment, and region of interest definitions based on the geometric relationships between the direct field of view and the reflected field of view. This automated parameter optimization simplifies the evaluation process by adapting the image processing parameters to the specific configuration of the camera and mirror setup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient coverage of large areas with fewer cameras, improving object detection and characterization by using overlapping image sections from different perspectives, reducing costs and eliminating network latency.
Implementation Method 1
a reflecting device (6), the reflecting device being disposed in the field of view of the monitoring camera (3); thus enabling the monitoring camera (3) to capture a second partial section of the monitoring area (2) via the reflecting device (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system for a monitoring area. The monitoring system includes a monitoring camera, a reflecting device, and a evaluator. The monitoring camera has a field of view 4 for capturing a first partial section of the monitoring area. The reflecting device is positioned in the field of view of the monitoring camera such that the monitoring camera captures a second partial section of the monitoring area, wherein the first and the second partial sections are positioned to overlap in a common partial section of the monitoring area, wherein a first image area a depicts the first partial section I and a second image area depicts the second partial section in the monitoring image. The evaluator is configured to identify at least one correspondence object in the first as and the second partial section.