Virtual PTZ Video De-Warping for Fixed-Camera Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed cameras that cannot mechanically pan, tilt, or zoom produce videos with a single static point of view, making it difficult to modify the video to incorporate dynamic PTZ changes, such as tracking objects or events of interest.
Innovation Solution
A user interface allows users to record PTZ changes on a de-warped pre-recorded video, capturing PTZ values and timestamps, which are then transmitted to a remote compute device to generate a PTZ-modified video by applying pixel-to-pixel transformations based on the recorded PTZ actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed camera is used to record video, then the camera structure is simple and reliable, but the video cannot incorporate dynamic PTZ changes or track objects of interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of PTZ movements by recording the positions and orientations of virtual camera views at different timestamps. These recorded PTZ values are then applied to transform the original fixed-camera video, creating a virtual PTZ effect without any mechanical movement. This copying approach allows fixed cameras to produce videos with dynamic perspectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical PTZ system with a computational approach. Instead of physically moving the camera through motors and gears, the system uses image processing and coordinate transformations to simulate PTZ effects. The processor applies pixel-to-pixel transformations based on recorded PTZ values, substituting mechanical complexity with algorithmic processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PTZ changes are recorded and applied to video, then dynamic perspectives are achieved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by recording PTZ values and timestamps during video playback or review, rather than processing the entire video with PTZ transformations from scratch. The system captures the essential transformation parameters in advance, which can then be efficiently applied during video generation or export, reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by recording discrete PTZ values (position, orientation, zoom) at specific timestamps rather than continuous transformation data. This parameterized approach allows the system to store and apply transformations more efficiently, reducing computational load compared to frame-by-frame processing while maintaining video quality.
3Area of stationary object
If fisheye lens is used to capture wide area, then the field of view is expanded, but the video becomes distorted and requires de-warping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs de-warping as a preliminary action before applying PTZ transformations. By correcting the fisheye distortion first and then recording PTZ values on the de-warped video, the system ensures that subsequent transformations are applied to geometrically accurate imagery, maintaining both the expanded field of view and proper spatial relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of PTZ values associated with a video and a set of timestamps associated with the video are received. The set of PTZ values is generated (1) after a first command from a user to start recording PTZ changes, (2) before a second command from the user to stop recording the PTZ changes, and (3) based on sampling PTZ actions taken by the user, relative to the video, after the first command, and before the second command. Each PTZ value from the set of PTZ values has an associated timestamp from the set of timestamps that indicates a portion of the video from which that PTZ value was sampled. A modified video is generated based on the set of PTZ values and the set of timestamps.