Imaging Sensor Rotation for Real-Time Object Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud terrace camera systems using mechanical servo systems with electrical motors and gears provide rough angle of view adjustments and suffer from inaccurate location tracking and slow response times, making them unsuitable for real-time object tracking.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method utilizing a controller to receive a depth map, focus distance, and image frame to detect objects and calculate a deflection angle, rotating an imaging sensor with a voice coil motor for precise tracking, enabling real-time object tracking with reduced latency and improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mechanical servo system with electrical motor and gears is used for angle of view adjustment, then the camera can be moved towards a target, but the tracking accuracy is poor and response time is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical servo system with a voice coil motor (VCM) system that directly rotates the imaging sensor. This substitution eliminates gears and mechanical linkages, achieving response times less than 33.3 milliseconds while providing precise angular adjustment for real-time object tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the camera body in three-dimensional space, the patent rotates the imaging sensor in a two-dimensional angular plane. This dimensional change allows precise tracking through angular adjustment alone, achieving accurate tracking without the complexity of mechanical servo positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical servo system is used, then angle of view adjustment is possible, but the system size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle of view adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical servo system with its motor, gears, and linkages is replaced by a compact voice coil motor system. The VCM uses electromagnetic fields to directly rotate the imaging sensor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components while maintaining angle of view adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential function of angular adjustment from the complex mechanical servo system. By using a voice coil motor to rotate the imaging sensor, it retains the angle of view adjustment capability while removing unnecessary mechanical complexity, gears, and associated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If mechanical servo system is used for camera movement, then tracking function is provided, but the response latency is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time tracking capabilityVSAvoidresponse latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the slow mechanical servo system with a voice coil motor system that responds in less than 33.3 milliseconds. The VCM's electromagnetic actuation provides rapid angular adjustment, enabling real-time tracking without the inertia and mechanical delays inherent in servo systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static camera position requiring mechanical movement to a dynamic imaging sensor that can rapidly rotate. This dynamic approach allows the sensor to quickly adapt to moving targets, achieving real-time tracking with minimal response latency through electromagnetic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables real-time object tracking with response times less than 33.3 milliseconds, accurate tracking by adjusting the camera sensor for each frame, and reduces lens distortion, suitable for mobile applications like drones, robotics, and digital security systems at a lower cost and smaller size compared to other solutions.

Implementation Method 1

rotating an imaging sensor with a voice coil motor for precise tracking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoice coil motor: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11616914B2Tracking objects using sensor rotation

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An example apparatus for tracking objects includes a controller to receive a depth map, a focus distance, and an image frame of an object to be tracked. The controller is to detect the object to be tracked in the image frame and generate an object position for the object in the image frame. The controller is to calculate a deflection angle for the object based on the depth map, the focus distance, and the object position. The controller is to further rotate an imaging sensor based on the deflection angle.