Video Generation Device for Watercraft Omnidirectional View

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image generating devices for water-surface movable bodies cannot capture a 360-degree view around the device, limiting the ability to image directions different from the imaging device's direction, and lack indication for unavailable capture ranges.

Innovation Solution

An image generating device with a captured image inputting module, position acquiring module, posture acquiring module, additional display information acquiring module, and synthesized image generating module that creates a synthesized image by superimposing virtual reality graphics on the captured image based on positional and posture information, allowing indication of areas beyond the captured image range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single camera is used to image the situation around the water-surface movable body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage area is limited and cannot capture 360 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the captured image in three-dimensional space, allowing the limited camera view to be represented and extended virtually. The captured image is projected onto a three-dimensional virtual space, creating a virtual model that can be viewed from multiple angles without adding physical cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image display to three-dimensional virtual space representation. By projecting the captured image onto a three-dimensional virtual space and allowing rotation around the water-surface movable body, the system provides omnidirectional viewing capability without requiring multiple physical cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the captured image is displayed in its original form, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the loss of information occurs for directions not captured by the camera

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the physical environment by projecting the captured image onto a three-dimensional virtual space. This virtual model preserves all spatial information and can be rotated to display any direction, eliminating information loss without requiring additional physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a three-dimensional virtual space as an intermediary between the captured image and the display. This virtual space acts as a mediator that preserves all spatial information from the limited camera view and makes it accessible from any viewing angle through virtual rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple cameras are installed to achieve 360-degree coverage, then the coverage area is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple physical cameras, the patent creates a virtual representation of the environment using a single camera's captured image. This virtual copy provides 360-degree viewing capability through three-dimensional space projection and rotation, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the coverage limitation by adding a third dimension to the image display. By projecting the two-dimensional captured image onto a three-dimensional virtual space, the system enables omnidirectional viewing without requiring multiple cameras positioned at different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the graphic is placed only within the captured image area, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the adaptability is reduced for displaying information in uncaptured directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay flexibilityVSAvoidplacement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows graphics to be placed in the third dimension of the virtual space, extending beyond the boundaries of the original two-dimensional captured image. This enables information to be displayed in directions not captured by the camera while maintaining proper spatial relationships through the three-dimensional coordinate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3633985B1Video generation device
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3633985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3633985B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3633985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure is to enable to confirm a situation around a water-surface movable body also for a direction different from an imaging direction of an imaging device. A captured image inputting module accept an input of an image captured by an imaging device installed in a water-surface movable body. A position acquiring module acquire positional information indicative of a position of the water-surface movable body. A posture acquiring module acquire posture information indicative of a posture of the water-surface movable body. An additional display information acquiring module acquire additional display information including information indicative of positions of one or more locations. The synthesized image generating module generate a synthesized image where a graphic rendering a three-dimensional virtual reality object indicative of the additional display information is synthesized on the captured image based on the positional information, the posture information, and the additional display information, and when the captured image is placed partially in the synthesized image, place the graphic across a boundary of the captured image.