Rotating Mirror Camera System for Automatic Video Stitching Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional video stitching methods lack adaptability and flexibility, requiring manual adjustment and re-testing due to environmental factors like vibration and wind, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing rotating mirrors on cameras to automatically adjust camera angles and positions, allowing for flexible camera configurations and autonomous testing, enabling seamless video stitching across various scenes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate cameras are mounted respectively with flexible configuration, then adaptability and flexibility are improved, but manual mounting and testing procedures become time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability and flexibilityVSAvoidtime costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables cameras to perform self-testing and self-calibration automatically. The control device coordinates multiple cameras to capture images, and the system automatically processes these images to determine relative positions and adjust parameters, eliminating the need for manual testing and calibration after mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary automatic testing and calibration immediately after camera mounting. By pre-configuring the automatic testing procedure and having it execute right after installation, the system eliminates the need for subsequent manual adjustments even if camera positions shift due to environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual testing and adjustment procedures are used, then camera positioning accuracy can be ensured, but the process becomes troublesome and requires great amounts of manpower and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera positioning accuracyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment procedures with an automated control system. The control device automatically adjusts camera parameters and positions based on image analysis, substituting human operators with an automated feedback control mechanism that maintains positioning accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback control where cameras capture images, the system analyzes the images to determine relative positions, and then automatically adjusts camera parameters to achieve optimal positioning. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures positioning accuracy without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If camera positions are fixed after mounting, then system stability is improved, but any movement due to vibration, wind and rain requires complete re-testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed-camera configuration to a dynamic adaptive system. Cameras can automatically adjust their positions and parameters in response to environmental changes such as vibration, wind, and rain. The system continuously monitors and recalibrates camera positions, maintaining stability while adapting to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2978215B1Method and system for achieving video stitching
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP2978215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2978215B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2978215B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and a system for video stitching. After it is determined that initial mounting of cameras in a MxN video stitching scene is completed, a reference image is selected from MxN images corresponding to MxN cameras; where both M and N are positive integers, at least one of M and N is larger than 1, and a rotating mirror is set in front of a camera lens of each camera; an image whose position does not meet a requirement among respective images except for the selected reference image is adjusted by controlling a rotating mirror corresponding to the image to rotate according to the selected reference image; and video stitching is performed according to an adjustment result. The technical solution of the present disclosure has relatively good adaptability and flexibility and can reduce manpower and time costs.