Panoramic Camera Selection via Plan Map Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to intuitively allow users to designate and display regions of interest from multiple omni-directional images captured by multiple cameras, lacking effective methods to manage camera switching and image resolution adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A display image formation apparatus and method that utilize a plan map to allow users to intuitively designate positions, select cameras, adjust image resolution based on distance, and control the angle of view, enabling seamless switching between cameras while maintaining a consistent user experience by using camera icons and coordinate transformations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple omni-directional cameras are used to capture images of a wide range, then the field of view coverage is improved, but the complexity of camera selection and image switching increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidcamera selection and switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a plan map as an intermediary visual interface that displays the positions of multiple cameras and their captured regions. Users can intuitively select desired viewing positions on the map, and the system automatically determines which camera should capture and display the image, eliminating the need for users to manually manage multiple camera switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical camera layout through the plan map interface. This virtual representation allows users to interact with camera positions and selection logic without directly managing the physical camera switching, simplifying the user interaction while maintaining multi-camera functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If image resolution is increased for better detail, then the image quality is improved, but the file size and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoiddata processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing users to designate specific regions of interest on the plan map and only extracting and displaying images at higher resolution for those specific areas. The system adjusts image extraction resolution based on the designated position, providing high detail where needed while reducing processing load for other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If distortion correction is applied to omni-directional images, then the visual accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs distortion correction in advance when creating and storing the plan map data, including pre-calculating the relationship between camera positions, captured regions, and corrected coordinates. This preliminary processing allows the system to quickly retrieve and display already-corrected images without performing real-time distortion correction during user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the view is continuously adjusted to match user designation, then the user experience is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidview adjustment control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling users to directly designate their desired viewing position on the plan map interface. The system automatically handles all subsequent operations including camera selection, image extraction, distortion correction, and display parameter adjustment without requiring users to manually control each parameter, making the system intuitive while managing complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2849439B1Display image formation device and display image formation method
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2849439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849439B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

Provided is a display image formation device with which it is possible to designate in an intuitive manner a location which the user wishes to see when multiple panoramic images obtained by multiple panoramic cameras exist, and with which the image for a designated site can be displayed in a suitable state. A camera selection unit (12) selects one panoramic camera (20) from multiple panoramic cameras (20) on the basis of the positional relationship between a designated position on a planar map and the multiple panoramic cameras (20). An extraction parameter determination unit (14) determines an extracted image region, which is extracted from the image photographed by the panoramic camera (20) selected by the camera selection unit (12). A drawing unit (15) forms a display image wherein the extracted image is arranged on the planar map.