Stereo Camera Assembly for Wide-Area Tracking and Distant Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereoscopic imaging systems are expensive and limited in tracking objects over large areas without increasing costs or processing resources, and struggle to identify objects at greater distances due to insufficient data and smaller fields of view.
Innovation Solution
A stereo camera assembly comprising a wide-angle lens camera and a telephoto lens camera mounted on a shared structure, where the telephoto lens camera's field of view is at least partially encompassed by the wide-angle lens camera's field of view, allowing for object identification over a larger area and enabling movement of the camera assembly to track objects by pan, tilt, or zoom, using image processing to map and overlap images from both lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional stereoscopic imaging systems are used, then object tracking can be performed, but the system is expensive and limited in tracking objects over large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into two distinct camera units: a wide-angle lens camera for capturing large-area images and a telephoto lens camera for capturing detailed images of distant objects. This segmentation allows each camera to specialize in different functions, enabling large-area tracking without requiring a single complex expensive system
Solution Approach 2:
The stereo camera assembly combines multiple functions in a single integrated system: the wide-angle camera provides broad area coverage while the telephoto camera provides distant object identification capability. This multi-functional design allows the system to track objects across large areas and at various distances without requiring separate specialized systems
2Measurement precision
If conventional stereoscopic imaging systems are used, then object tracking can be performed, but the systems struggle to identify objects at greater distances due to insufficient data and smaller fields of view
Solution Approach 1:
The visual field is segmented into two overlapping regions: a wide field of view captured by the wide-angle camera for area coverage, and a magnified region captured by the telephoto camera for detailed identification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both broad coverage and high identification accuracy simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The telephoto camera's field of view is nested within the wide-angle camera's field of view, creating a hierarchical imaging structure. The telephoto image provides detailed views of specific regions within the broader context of the wide-angle image, enabling accurate object identification while maintaining awareness of the larger area
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single camera is used for tracking, then the system is simpler, but it cannot provide both wide area coverage and detailed distant object identification
Solution Approach 1:
The stereo camera assembly achieves multi-functionality by integrating two cameras with complementary fields of view and focal lengths. The system can adapt to different tracking scenarios: using the wide-angle camera for broad area monitoring, the telephoto camera for distant object identification, or both together for comprehensive tracking across large areas with detailed object recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the capabilities of wide-angle and telephoto imaging into a single integrated stereo camera assembly with shared mounting structure and synchronized operation. This combination allows the system to provide both wide area coverage and detailed distant object identification that would be impossible with a single camera
Data Source
AI summary
An example of the present disclosure provides a stereo camera assembly of an object tracking system. The stereo camera assembly comprises a wide-angle lens camera mounted on a mounting structure and a telephoto lens camera mounted on the mounting structure such that a field of view of the telephoto lens camera is at least partially encompassed by a field of view of the wide-angle lens camera.