Multi-Device Camera Zoom for Obstructed Distant Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems, including those in mobile devices, are limited by a single vantage point and lighting conditions, preventing effective zooming beyond line of sight and obstructed views.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes multiple user devices closer to the distant object to record and share zoomed-in visual representations, selecting devices based on proximity and orientation, and combining these representations to provide a comprehensive view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single camera system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the view is limited by line of sight and cannot overcome obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the viewing function across multiple separate camera devices positioned at different locations. Each device captures images from its own vantage point, and the server aggregates these segmented views to provide comprehensive coverage of the distant object, overcoming the line-of-sight limitation of a single camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables multiple user devices to serve different functions - some devices act as cameras while others serve as display terminals. This multi-functionality allows any device in the network to contribute to the overall viewing capability, enhancing versatility without requiring specialized hardware.
2Measurement precision
If zoom function is enhanced, then the image quality improves, but the view is still limited by single vantage point and lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges images from multiple camera devices captured at different positions and orientations. The server combines these merged views to create a comprehensive representation of the distant object, providing both high image quality through multiple captures and view flexibility through aggregated perspectives.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of improving zoom solely through optical means from a single point, the system adds the dimension of spatial distribution by placing cameras at multiple locations. This multi-dimensional approach captures the object from various angles and lighting conditions, enhancing both image quality and viewing flexibility simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used, then the view comprehensive coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple camera devices and aggregates their images. This centralizes the complexity management, allowing individual devices to remain simple while the server handles the coordination, communication, and image synthesis required for comprehensive coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system receives a first request from a first user device to record, using a first camera, a first image of an object in a surrounding environment. The first request includes an indication to zoom the first camera, wherein zooming the camera enlarges an appearance of the object in the image. The system sends a second request to a second user device to record a second image of the object. The second user device is closer to the object than the first user device. A first orientation of the first user device and a second orientation of the second user device satisfies a first criterion. The system causes the second user device to record the second image of the object using the second camera, receives the second image from the second user device, and provides the second image to a display of the first user device.