Automatic Tracking Device Zoom Scaling Factor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic tracking apparatuses struggle to maintain a sufficient zoom scaling factor during tracking, leading to a loss of the subject and difficulty in identifying features of the tracked object, such as a person, due to the zoom scaling factor being insufficiently increased.

Innovation Solution

The automatic tracking apparatus includes a zoom scaling factor controller that increases the zoom scaling factor when the tracking speed is below a predetermined threshold, and an imaging region controller that adjusts the imager's direction after zooming up or down, while storing and combining pre-zoom and post-zoom video for display, and uses a scaling factor registration part to set appropriate zoom values based on tracking speed zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the zoom scaling factor is increased during tracking, then the imaging size of the subject is improved, but the subject may be lost from the angle of view

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging size of subjectVSAvoidsubject retention in angle of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the zoom scaling factor adjustable and variable during tracking operations. The system dynamically changes the zoom scaling factor based on tracking speed conditions, allowing the imaging size to be optimized without permanently fixing the zoom level. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt between maintaining subject size and keeping subject in view based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the zoom scaling factor parameter based on tracking speed. When tracking speed is below a threshold, the system increases the zoom scaling factor to improve imaging size. This parameter change allows the system to optimize image quality while maintaining subject retention through conditional adjustment rather than fixed settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the zoom scaling factor is kept low to prevent losing the subject, then the subject retention is improved, but the imaging size of the subject becomes too small to identify features

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubject retention in angle of viewVSAvoidfeature identification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the zoom scaling factor based on tracking stability. When tracking speed is low (stable tracking), the zoom scaling factor is increased to improve feature identification capability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing high zoom levels during stable tracking while maintaining subject retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the zoom scaling factor parameter conditionally based on tracking speed thresholds. By increasing the zoom scaling factor when tracking is stable (speed below threshold), the system improves measurement precision for feature identification while maintaining subject retention through the conditional nature of the parameter change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the zoom scaling factor is frequently adjusted during tracking, then the imaging size adaptability is improved, but the tracking stability deteriorates due to subject loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging size adaptabilityVSAvoidtracking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by adjusting the zoom scaling factor based on periodic evaluation of tracking speed conditions. Rather than continuous adjustment, the system evaluates tracking stability and adjusts zoom scaling factor at appropriate intervals when conditions warrant change. This reduces unnecessary adjustments that would destabilize tracking while maintaining adaptability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the zoom scaling factor parameter only when tracking speed conditions indicate stability (below threshold). This conditional parameter change approach provides adaptability in imaging size while maintaining tracking stability by avoiding unnecessary adjustments during unstable tracking conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2117225B1Automatic tracking device and automatic tracking method
Publication Date: 2012.05.23 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2117225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2117225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2117225B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is constructed so that a subject of a tracked object can be imaged larger even during tracking and a feature of the tracked object such as a person can be specifyed easily while continuing the tracking. An automatic tracking apparatus controls a direction of an imager 11 and adjusts an imaging region so as to include a tracked object in imaged video by a pan/tilt/zoom controller 13 and a pan/tilt driver 14. Here, a tracking speed is acquired from control information for controlling the imager 11 by a tracking speed decision portion 17. Then, when a tracking speed is a predetermined value or less, a zoom scaling factor is calculated according to the tracking speed by a zoom scaling factor calculator 16 and a zoom scaling factor of the imager 11 is changed by the pan/tilt/zoom controller 13 and a zoom lens driver 15.