Rotatable Stereoscopic Camera Base for Low Latency 3D Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High latency in stereoscopic camera systems disrupts the immersive 3D experience for operators, particularly due to image processing delays, motor reaction times, and network latency, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with a rotatable camera base and wide-angle cameras, connected to a motor and communication interface, receives movement signals to align its image capture direction, allowing for immediate adjustment within the scope of the wide-angle image, and selects the nearest stereoscopic camera pair to maintain immersion while ensuring depth perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the camera base rotates to follow operator head movements, then immersion is improved, but latency increases due to motor reaction time
Solution Approach 1:
The wide-angle cameras are pre-positioned to capture a broad field of view that anticipates potential head movements. The system prepares multiple camera pairs in advance, so when the operator moves their head, the camera base can rotate to the correct position faster because the target position was pre-calculated and prepared based on predicted movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple stereoscopic camera pairs based on the operator's head movement. Instead of relying solely on mechanical rotation speed, the system adapts by selecting from pre-positioned camera pairs that match different viewing directions, reducing the effective rotation distance and time required.
2Loss of time
If wide angle cameras are used to reduce latency, then response time is improved, but depth perception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the viewing field into multiple sectors, each captured by a different stereoscopic camera pair. Each camera pair is optimized for a specific direction with proper baseline spacing for depth perception. The wide-angle capability is achieved by having multiple specialized camera pairs rather than one general-purpose camera, thus maintaining depth quality while expanding coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different camera pairs, each with different orientation and baseline parameters. When the operator moves their head, the system selects a camera pair whose parameters (orientation, baseline distance) are optimal for the new viewing direction, thereby maintaining depth perception quality across different angles without requiring physical camera movement.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple stereoscopic camera pairs are used to maintain depth perception, then depth is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stereoscopic camera pairs are merged onto a single rotatable camera base, sharing common mechanical components (mounting structure, rotation mechanism, power supply). This reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate camera systems for each viewing direction. The camera pairs are integrated in a modular fashion, allowing them to be controlled as a unified system with a single rotation motor.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device and a display device are configured to enable changing direction of capturing a stereoscopic image using a camera pair, according to an operator's motion. The camera device includes a rotatable camera base on which the stereoscopic camera pair is mounted, a motor configured to rotate the camera base, and a communication interface arranged to receive a movement signal corresponding to the operator's motion. The display device transmits the movement signal to enable the camera device to align the image capture direction with the operator view, receives stereoscopic images covering more than the operator view from the camera device, and displays a sector of the stereoscopic images corresponding to the operator view.