Optical Path Switching for Surveillance Camera Magnification Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surveillance cameras face limitations in covering large ranges while maintaining clear details from a distance, as monocular cameras with long-focus lenses have a limited field of view, and wide-angle lenses provide a broad view but unclear details, and multiocular cameras struggle with long-distance coverage.
Innovation Solution
An optical path switching method using a reflection mirror or prism to switch between a secondary camera working alone and with a teleconverter, allowing for expanded focal length ranges without increasing the number of image sensors, thereby enhancing the surveillance distance and maintaining clear image details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a monocular camera uses a long-focus lens, then details can be captured from a long distance, but a surveillance range is limited due to a small field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the surveillance function into multiple camera modules with different focal length ranges. A first camera module captures images in a first focal length range, while a second camera module captures images in a second focal length range. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve detailed long-distance capture and broad surveillance coverage by combining results from multiple specialized cameras.
2Area of stationary object
If a wide-angle lens is used, then a large field of view and large surveillance range are achieved, but details from a long distance are captured unclearly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the surveillance function into multiple camera modules with different focal length ranges. A first camera module captures images in a first focal length range, while a second camera module captures images in a second focal length range. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve detailed long-distance capture and broad surveillance coverage by combining results from multiple specialized cameras.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a multiocular camera is used, then some long focal length ranges and short focal length ranges are covered, but a coverage distance of the long focus part is not far enough
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the surveillance function into multiple camera modules with different focal length ranges. A first camera module captures images in a first focal length range, while a second camera module captures images in a second focal length range. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve detailed long-distance capture and broad surveillance coverage by combining results from multiple specialized cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing module acts as an intermediary that receives images from multiple camera modules with different focal lengths and synthesizes them into a composite image. This intermediary processing enables the system to extend the effective coverage distance by intelligently combining data from cameras with different optical characteristics.
4Volume of moving object
If the volume of the surveillance module is reduced and costs are reduced, then a growing requirement for clear details surveillance of a long-distance target cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
Each camera module is designed to be multi-functional, capable of operating in different focal length ranges depending on the optical path configuration. The first camera module can capture in both the first focal length range (when used alone) and the second focal length range (when combined with the second camera module), reducing the need for additional specialized hardware and maintaining long-distance detail capability while controlling volume.
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 method significantly increases the surveillance distance while reducing the camera module's volume and costs, enabling clear long-distance imaging without the need for additional image sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a switching module configured to switch a position of a reflection module, to switch between a first working state, in which the second camera module works alone, and a second working state, in which the second camera module and the teleconverter work together
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides an optical path switching method. The method is applied to a surveillance module including a camera, a teleconverter, a switching element, and a reflection element. The method includes: determining a target magnification; and when the target magnification is less than or equal to a maximum magnification of the camera, setting a magnification of the camera to the target magnification, determining that the reflection element is at a first location or in a first working state, and performing image capture by using the camera alone; or when the target magnification is greater than a maximum magnification of the camera, setting a magnification of the camera to a first magnification, determining that the reflection element is at a second location or in a second working state, and performing image capture by using both the camera and the teleconverter, where a product of the first magnification and a magnification of the teleconverter is the target magnification. The method can significantly increase a surveillance distance of the surveillance module while reducing a volume of the surveillance module and reducing costs.