Surveillance Camera With Integral Wide Angle Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pan-tilt-zoom surveillance cameras can only view a small portion of a room at a time, and integrating a large-domain sensor with these cameras is complicated due to obstructions and the need for multiple sensors, which increases cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A surveillance camera arrangement featuring a large-domain sensor and a pan-tilt-zoom camera within a hemispherical dome window, where the pan-tilt-zoom camera's field of view is unobstructed by the large-domain sensor, allowing for continuous, uninterrupted coverage with a single system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large-domain sensor is positioned on a moving camera to provide unobstructed view, then the sensor coverage is improved, but the camera's field of view is obstructed by the sensor platform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the large-domain sensor in a different spatial dimension (on the stationary pan base) rather than on the moving camera, allowing the sensor to cover the entire room while the camera moves freely without obstruction. This dimensional separation resolves the conflict between sensor coverage and camera view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two independent functional components: a stationary sensor platform on the pan base for global coverage, and a moving camera platform for detailed high-resolution imaging. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with the other.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are used to provide adequate coverage, then the sensor coverage area is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large-domain sensor mounted on the stationary pan base serves multiple functions: it provides global room coverage, detects regions of interest, and enables the high-resolution camera to focus on specific areas. This single sensor performs what would otherwise require multiple sensors, reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the large-domain sensor with the stationary pan base structure, merging two components into one integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting structures and reduces the number of independent components required in the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is positioned on the moving pan stage, then the sensor moves with the camera, but the sensor position changes as the unit pans requiring algorithm compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the large-domain sensor from the moving pan stage and places it on the stationary pan base. This separation removes the sensor from the moving components, eliminating the need for complex algorithms to compensate for changing sensor positions during panning and tilting operations.
4Measurement precision
If a pan-tilt-zoom camera is used to acquire high-resolution images, then the image resolution is improved, but the field of view is limited to a small portion of the room
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a large-domain sensor with wide field of view and a pan-tilt-zoom camera with high resolution into a single integrated system. The sensor provides global coverage while the camera provides detailed imaging of selected regions, combining the advantages of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveillance function is segmented into two complementary tasks: global monitoring performed by the large-domain sensor and detailed inspection performed by the pan-tilt-zoom camera. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function without compromise.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surveillance camera arrangement includes a first camera that performs panning movements about a pan axis, and that performs tilting movements within a plane of tilting motion. The plane of tilting motion is offset from, and substantially parallel to, the pan axis. A second camera is substantially aligned with the pan axis. The second camera has a wider field of view than the first camera.