Network Camera Control via Coordinate-Based Region of Interest
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing systems, such as monitoring cameras and digital cameras, face difficulties in easily setting and controlling image capturing conditions, particularly in designating a region of interest and adjusting the camera's angle of view and zoom, which complicates the operator's ability to grasp the resulting image effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus and method that utilizes a viewer terminal connected to a network camera, allowing users to set a region of interest on a display screen using coordinates, which calculates and adjusts the camera's angle of view and zoom based on user input, enabling intuitive PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control and displaying the expected image state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If joystick or slider control is used for PTZ operations, then the camera can be controlled to change angle of view and capturing direction, but the operator cannot easily grasp what the image will be like in advance and the operation requires skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system displays a preview image showing the expected captured image state before the operator finalizes the PTZ operation. This preliminary display allows the operator to see what the image will look like after zooming or panning, enabling informed decision-making without requiring extensive skill or trial-and-error operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback by displaying both the current captured image and a preview image showing the expected result of the PTZ operation. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to understand the relationship between current and future image states, making the operation intuitive and reducing the skill barrier.
2Ease of operation
If zooming control is performed without position designation, then the operation is simplified, but the position relation between current angle of view and zoomed-out angle of view cannot be designated easily
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a preview image dimension that overlays or displays alongside the current captured image. This additional visual dimension shows the expected zoomed-out angle of view position relation, allowing the operator to intuitively understand where the zoomed-out image will be positioned without complex coordinate inputs or precise designations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention enables one to easily set an image capturing condition, and to easily grasp a state of a captured image. For doing so, an instruction of either a zooming-in control or a zooming-out control of the image capturing apparatus, is determined based on a position relation of a first coordinate and a second coordinate instructed with respect to an image from the image capturing apparatus displayed on a display unit. The image capturing apparatus is controlled based on the result of that determination, the first coordinates and the second coordinates.