Thermal Camera Tilt Adjustment via Sharpness Signal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in positioning thermal cameras at elevated angles for surveillance is the time-consuming and complex process of fine-tuning the tilt angle to maximize the depth of field, especially in restricted environments like elevated mounts or narrow spaces, where it is difficult for installers to adjust the camera while ensuring optimal image sharpness.
Innovation Solution
A method that assists in tilt angle adjustment by acquiring thermal images, determining sharpness indicators, identifying a maximum sharpness point, and providing a target signal to indicate the optimal tilt angle for the thermal camera, allowing for efficient and user-friendly positioning without the need for motorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual tilt angle adjustment is performed while viewing images on a laptop, then image sharpness can be optimized, but the mounting process becomes time-consuming and difficult in elevated or narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing captured images to determine sharpness indicators and identifying the optimal tilt angle, eliminating the need for manual observation and adjustment by the installer
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to the installer through visual indicators (such as LED lights or display signals) that show whether the current tilt angle is optimal, allowing quick adjustments without needing to view images on a laptop
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is mounted in elevated positions or narrow spaces, then monitoring coverage is improved, but accessibility for adjustment and viewing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The camera autonomously determines its optimal tilt angle by analyzing image sharpness, eliminating the need for human access to elevated or narrow spaces during the adjustment phase
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated optical analysis system that uses image processing algorithms to determine the optimal tilt angle
3Ease of manufacture
If train traffic is stopped for camera mounting, then installation can be performed, but operational time is lost and stopping duration must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is pre-configured with automatic tilt optimization capability before installation, enabling rapid setup that minimizes disruption to train traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid automatic optimization of tilt angle reduces the total installation time required, thereby minimizing the duration of train traffic disruption
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assisting tilt angle adjustment of a thermal camera comprises arranging the thermal camera at an initial tilt angle, acquiring at least one thermal image by the thermal camera, determining, from the at least one thermal image, a series of sharpness indicators of image parts corresponding to vertically spaced parts of the camera view, identifying a maximum in the series of sharpness indicators, based on the identified maximum, determining a target sharpness indicator as a predetermined fraction of the identified maximum, during tilt angle adjustment, assisting by providing a target signal for indicating a target tilt angle of the thermal camera in which a sharpness indicator of a lower part of the camera's field of view equals the determined target sharpness indicator.