PTZ Camera Scanning Mode for Wide Area Coverage and High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security systems face a tradeoff between the number of sensors and their effectiveness, with few wide-angle cameras providing poor detail but covering large areas, while many narrow-angle cameras increase complexity and cost, and PTZ cameras require manual operation or automated scanning that can miss events.
Innovation Solution
A video surveillance system that uses PTZ cameras in scanning, acquisition, and interrogation modes to efficiently cover large areas, detect targets, and provide high-resolution imagery while maintaining situational awareness, using computer systems to process image data and generate alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If few wide-angle cameras are used to cover large areas, then area coverage is improved, but video resolution and detail are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras that can dynamically adjust their field of view between wide-angle and narrow-angle modes. The system transitions between scanning mode (wide-angle for area coverage) and acquisition mode (narrow-angle for high-resolution target imaging), allowing a single camera to adapt its coverage characteristics based on operational needs rather than being fixed to one configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The PTZ camera serves multiple functions: it acts as a wide-angle surveillance camera during scanning mode for area coverage, and as a high-resolution imaging camera during acquisition mode for detailed target analysis. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cameras dedicated to each function, resolving the contradiction between area coverage and resolution.
2Measurement precision
If many narrow-angle cameras are used to provide greater detail, then video resolution is improved, but system complexity and cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple narrow-angle cameras into a single PTZ camera capable of switching between scanning and acquisition modes. By consolidating what would traditionally require multiple fixed cameras into one dynamically adjustable camera, the system achieves high-resolution imaging capability while reducing the total number of devices and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than deploying multiple static narrow-angle cameras, the system uses a single dynamic PTZ camera that can switch between wide-angle scanning mode and narrow-angle acquisition mode. This dynamic adjustment provides the resolution of multiple cameras while maintaining the simplicity of a single-camera system.
3Area of stationary object
If PTZ cameras perform automated scanning, then area coverage is improved, but threat detection capability is worsened due to inability to focus on specific targets
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: scanning mode for wide-area coverage and acquisition mode for high-resolution target analysis. When a potential target is detected during scanning, the system transitions to acquisition mode to obtain detailed imagery, thereby maintaining both area coverage and target detection capability through temporal separation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning mode performs preliminary survey of the entire area to identify potential targets of interest. Once a target is detected, the system then transitions to acquisition mode to obtain detailed imagery. This preliminary scanning action enables the system to maintain situational awareness while preserving the ability to focus on specific targets when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A video surveillance system may include at least one sensing unit capable of being operated in a scanning mode and a video processing unit coupled to the sensing unit, the video processing unit to receive and process image data from the sensing unit and to detect scene events and target activity.