Pan-tilt Image Capture System with Automatic Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The preparation procedures for capturing high-resolution images through mosaicking two low-resolution images from cameras are complicated and time-consuming, requiring repeated adjustments of camera angles and image processing steps.

Innovation Solution

An image capture system with a pan-tilt head and driving mechanism, including at least two image capture devices with prime lenses of identical focal length, a distance obtaining module, and a processor to calculate and adjust the relative rotation angle of the devices based on the object's distance and visual angle, allowing automatic positioning for accurate image capture without the need for test images or extensive processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual test image capture and repeated angle adjustment is used, then image mosaicking quality can be improved, but preparation time and procedural complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage mosaicking qualityVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of the relative rotation angle based on object distance and visual angle parameters before actual image capture. The processor calculates the optimal angle configuration in advance using the formula β = f(L, α), where L is object distance and α is visual angle, eliminating the need for repeated manual test captures and adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines the optimal camera angles and positions through self-calibration using the measured object distance and visual angle. The controller autonomously adjusts the relative rotation angle β without requiring manual intervention or repeated test image capture, making the system self-configuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual angle adjustment and repeated testing is performed, then accurate image alignment can be achieved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage alignment accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical angle adjustment with an automated calculation and control system. The processor computes the optimal relative rotation angle β based on object distance L and visual angle α, and the controller automatically positions the cameras, substituting manual mechanical operations with intelligent automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the measured object distance L and visual angle α to automatically determine the optimal relative rotation angle β. The controller continuously monitors and adjusts the camera positions based on calculated parameters, ensuring accurate image alignment without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple test images are captured and processed, then optimal mosaicking parameters can be determined, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemosaicking parameter accuracyVSAvoidpreparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediate calculation step where the processor computes the optimal relative rotation angle β using the measured object distance L and visual angle α. This mathematical intermediary eliminates the need for capturing and processing multiple test images, directly providing the optimal mosaicking parameters through calculation rather than iterative testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3306908B1Image acquisition system and image acquisition method
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3306908B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3306908B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3306908B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an image capture system and an image capture method. The image capture system includes: a pan-tilt-head with a driving-and-supporting mechanism; an image capture module configured to capture images to be mosaicked, where the image capture module includes at least two image capture devices fixed on the driving-and-supporting mechanism and arranged side by side in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, and lenses of the at least two image capture devices are prime lenses of an identical focus length; a distance obtaining module configured to obtain a distance between a to-be-captured object and the image capture module; a processor configured to calculate a width P of the to-be-captured object which is capable of being currently captured by one of the image capture devices based on the distance L and a visual angle of the image capture device in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and calculate a relative rotation angle of the at least two image capture devices in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction based on the width; and a controller configured to control the image capture device to rotate based on the relative rotation angle.