Patent Application
20130329003
1. Technical Field Disclosure
The embodiment of the present disclosure relates generally to photography and, more particularly, to a video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Positioning a video camera is required in using an IP camera, a web cam or a videoconference system. When a user needs to locate an area inside (or outside) a frame or zoom in an area, a remote control is required to drive the video camera to slowly turn to the area which is needed to be zoomed in. The above-mentioned operation is time-wasting and complicated.
Many efforts have been devoted trying to find a solution of the aforementioned problems. Nonetheless, there still a need to improve the existing apparatus and techniques in the art. Therefore, it is an important subject and also a purpose in need of improvement that how to solve the problem of a conventional positioning mode being time-wasting and complicated.
A video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof are provided, which addresses the problem of a conventional positioning mode being time-wasting and complicated.
One aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a method for controlling a video camera positioning system, and the video camera positioning system comprises a video camera, a motor, and a micro controller. The method comprises: controlling the motor for driving the video camera to capture a panoramic frame; dividing the panoramic frame into a plurality of frames, wherein each of the frames comprises encoded information; controlling the motor turning the video camera lens to the frame corresponding to an encoded command signal when the micro controller receiving the encoded command signal; and zooming in the frame.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panoramic frame is divided into n×n frames by the micro controller, and n is a positive integer and greater than 2. The micro controller controls the motor to turn the camera lens to the frame for a distance. The motor is controlled by the micro controller to rotate with first speed when the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames; the motor is controlled by the micro controller to rotate with second speed when the distance is one frame; and the motor is controlled by the micro controller to rotate with third speed when the distance is less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the micro controller is operable to look up a distance-speed table for obtaining the first speed, the second speed, and the third speed respectively when the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames, one frame, and less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame is divided into a plurality of subframes by the micro controller, and each of the subframes comprises the encoded information. The micro controller is operable to control the motor to turn the camera lens to the subframe corresponding to the encoded command signal when the micro controller receives the encoded command signal such that the video camera further zooms in the subframe.
In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the micro controller receives a zoom out command signal at the time the video camera zooms in any frame of the panoramic frame, the video camera is controlled by the micro controller to zoom out the frame captured by the video camera and return to the panoramic frame. If the video camera zooms in any subframe of the frame at the time the micro controller receives a zoom out command signal, the video camera is controlled by the micro controller to zoom out the subframe captured by the video camera and return to the frame.
In another aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a video camera positioning system is provided. The video camera positioning system comprises a video camera, a motor, and a micro controller. The motor is electrically connected to the video camera. The micro controller is electrically connected to the motor and operable to control the motor to drive the video camera to capture a panoramic frame. The micro controller is operable to divide the panoramic frame into a plurality of frames, and each of the frames comprises encoded information. The micro controller is operable to control the motor to turn a camera lens to the frame corresponding to an encoded command signal when the micro controller receives the encoded command signal, such that the video camera zooms in the frame.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, the micro controller is operable to divide the panoramic frame into n×n frames, and n is a positive integer greater than 2. The micro controller is operable to control the motor to turn the camera lens to the frame for a distance. The micro controller is operable to control the motor to rotate with a first speed when the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames, the micro controller is operable to control the motor to rotate with a second speed when the distance is one frame, and the micro controller is operable to control the motor to rotate with a third speed when the distance is less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the video camera positioning system further comprises a memory. The memory is operable to store a distance-speed table, and the micro controller is operable to look up the distance-speed table for obtaining the first speed, the second speed, and the third speed respectively when the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames, equal to one frame, and less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, in operation, the micro controller is operable to divide the frame into a plurality of subframes, and each of the subframes comprises the encoded information. The micro controller is operable to control the motor turn the camera lens to turn to the subframe corresponding to the encoded command signal when the micro controller receives the encoded command signal, such that the video camera further zooms in the subframe.
In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, if the micro controller receives a zoom-out command signal at the time the video camera zooms in any frame of the panoramic frame, the micro controller is operable to control the video camera to reduce the frame captured by the video camera and return to the panoramic frame. If the micro controller receives the zoom out command signal at the time the camera zooms in any subframe of the frame, the micro controller is operable to control the video camera to zoom out the subframe captured by the video camera and return to the frame.
As a result, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof. By recording the panoramic frame in advance, so as to avoid the problem of unable to select an edge portion of a frame for zoom in, regardless the object of interest being too large or the visual angle of the camera being too small. Also, it can be zoomed in for single frame or subframe or a region frame consisted of a plurality of frames or subframes. The zoomed in frame can be further divided for the user to perform multiple zoom-in processes based on the actual requirement.
Moreover, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof so as to adjust the motor rotation speed depending on the distance to let the motor rotate with a optimized speed when the distance is farther, such that the positioning time is reduced. In other words, the positioning time is just the same for a user each time even if the distance is farther because the positioning time is adjusted as the above-mentioned way. Moreover, the micro controller can control the outputting current of the motor based on the distance such that the motor is capable of rotating in different speeds based on various scenario so as to reduce power consumption.
The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:
a schematically shows a diagram of dividing portions of a panoramic frame according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
As used herein, “around,” “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around,” “about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.
As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.
In operation, the micro controller 130 is operable to control the motor 120 to drive the video camera 110 to capture a panoramic frame. The micro controller 130 is operable to divide the panoramic frame into a plurality of frames, and each of the frames comprises encoded information. The micro controller 130 is operable to control the motor 120 to drive the camera lens to turn to the frame corresponding to an encoded command signal when the micro controller 130 receives the encoded command signal such that the video camera 110 zooms in the frame.
For example, as shown in
Hence, the video camera positioning system 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure records the panoramic frame in advance, so as to avoid the problem of unable to select an edge portion of a frame for zoom in, regardless the object of interest being too large or the visual angle of the video camera 110 being too small.
Furthermore, as shown in
In one embodiment, the panoramic frame captured by the video camera 110 of
Hence, the video camera positioning system 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure can divide the panoramic frame into a plurality of frames such that a user can select the frame he wants to zoom in through the user interface 150, and therefore, there is no need an additional instrument.
In another embodiment, the encoded command signal is generated by at least one number. When the micro controller 130 receives the encoded command signal, the motor 120 is controlled to drive the camera lens to turn to at least one frame corresponding to the encoded command signal such that the video camera 110 can zoom in at least one frame.
The operation mode of generating the encoded command signal by one number is as mentioned above, and operation mode of generating the encoded command signal by more than two numbers is described as follows.
Referring to
In addition, in another embodiment, referring to
Similarly, when a user enters commands corresponding to 1 and 5, or 2 and 4 through the user interface 150, the video camera 110 will zoom in the region frame consisted of 1, 2, 4, and 5 through the above-mentioned operation. In summary, when a user enters commands corresponding to two oblique angle numbers through the user interface 150, the region frame obtained by entering the commands is a square region traversed by the above-mentioned numbers.
In another embodiment, the micro controller 130 can further divide the frame into a plurality of subframes, and each of the subframes comprises encoded information. The micro controller 130 is operable to control the motor 120 to drive the camera lens to turn to the subframe corresponding to an encoded command signal when the micro controller 130 receives the encoded command signal such that the video camera 110 further zooms in the subframe.
For example, as shown in
Hence, a user can use the video camera positioning system 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure to zoom in single frame or subframe based on actual requirement or zoom in a region frame consisted of a plurality of frames or subframes. The zoomed-in frame can be to further perform zoom-in processes based on the user's requirement.
In an optional embodiment, a user can enter a zoom out command manually through the user interface 150, and the user interface 150 will generate a zoom out command signal. If the video camera 110 zooms in any frame of the panoramic frame at the time the micro controller 130 receives the zoom-out command signal, the micro controller 130 is operable to control the video camera 110 to reduce the frame captured by the video camera 110 and return to the panoramic frame. Furthermore, if the video camera 110 zooms in any subframe of the frame at the time the micro controller 130 receives the zoom out command signal, the micro controller 130 is operable to control the video camera 110 to reduce the subframe captured by the video camera 110 and return to the frame.
For example, as shown in
Reference is now made to path A, when the camera lens is turned from the frame labeled by 9 to the frame labeled by 2, said distance is 3 frames. At this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 110 to rotate with first speed (for example: high speed). Referring to path C, when the camera lens is turned from the frame labeled by 8 to the frame labeled by 7, said distance is one frame. At this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 110 to rotate with third speed (for example: low speed). Referring to path B, when the camera lens is turned from the frame labeled by 5 to the frame labeled by 1, said distance is 2 frames. At this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 120 to rotate with second speed (for example: a speed between the high speed and the low speed).
As mentioned above, when the camera lens needs to be moved for more than 3 frames, at this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 110 to rotate with high speed for speedy positioning due to the moved distance of the camera lens being farther. When the camera lens needs to be moved for merely one frame, at this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 110 to rotate with low speed due to the moved distance of the camera lens being nearer. When the camera lens needs to be moved for 2 frames, at this time, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 110 to rotate with a speed between said high speed and said low speed due to the moved distance of the camera lens being normal.
Hence, the way to adjust the motor rotation speed depending on the distance can let the motor 120 rotate with a proper speed when the distance is farther such that the positioning time can be reduced, that is to say, the positioning time is just the same for a user each time even if the distance is farther because of the positioning time is adjusted as the above-mentioned way. Moreover, the micro controller 130 can control the outputting current of the motor 120 based on the distance such that the motor 120 can rotate in different speeds properly in order to reduce power consumption.
In still another embodiment, the memory 140 of the video camera positioning system 100 is operable to store a distance-speed table, and the micro controller is operable to look up the distance-speed table for obtaining the first speed, the second speed, and the third speed respectively when the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames, is one frame, and is less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to this regard, the rotation speed of the motor 120 can be obtained by looking up the distance-speed table or calculated by the micro controller 130 directly according to the distance.
Reference is now made to both
Hence, the method 800 for controlling the video camera positioning system of the embodiment of the present disclosure records the panoramic frame in advance, so as to avoid the problem of unable to select the edge portion for zoom in, regardless the object of interest being too large or the visual angle of the video camera 110 being too small.
In step 820, the panoramic frame can be divided into a plurality of frames by the micro controller 130 as shown in
Hence, the method 800 for controlling a video camera positioning system of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be performed to divide the panoramic frame into a plurality of frames such that a user can select the frame he want to zoom in through the user interface 150, and therefore, there is no need an additional instrument.
The encoded command signal as mentioned in step 830 is generated by at least one number. When the micro controller 130 receives the encoded command signal, the motor 120 is controlled to drive the camera lens to turn to at least one frame corresponding to the encoded command signal such that the video camera 110 can zoom in at least one frame. The detailed description of the encoded command signal is recited in the description of
Referring to step 840, the micro controller 130 controls the motor 120 to rotate with corresponding speed based on the distance and drive the camera lens to turn to at least one frame corresponding to the encoded command signal. The way to obtain the speed is described as follows.
The micro controller 130 is operable to divide the panoramic frame into n×n frames, and n is a positive integer and greater than 2. The micro controller 130 controls the motor 120 to drive the camera lens to turn to the frame for a distance. When the distance is greater than 2n−3 frames, the micro controller 130 is operable to look up the distance-speed table for obtaining the first speed to control the motor 120 to rotate with the first speed. When the distance is one frame, the micro controller 130 is operable to look up the distance-speed table for obtaining the second speed to control the motor 120 to rotate with the second speed. When the distance is less than 2n−3 frames and greater than one frame, the micro controller 130 is operable to look up the distance-speed table for obtaining the third speed to control the motor 120 to rotate with the third speed. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to this regard, the rotation speed of the motor 120 can be obtained by looking up the distance-speed table or calculated by the micro controller 130 directly according to the distance.
Hence, the way to adjust the motor rotation speed depending on the distance can let the motor 120 rotate with a proper speed when the distance is farther such that the positioning time can be reduced, that is to say, the positioning time is just the same for a user each time even if the distance is farther because of the positioning time is adjusted as the above-mentioned way. Moreover, the micro controller 130 can the outputting current of the control motor 120 based on the distance such that the motor 120 can rotate in different speeds properly in order to reduce power consumption.
In step 850, the frame is zoomed in or zoomed out by the video camera 110, and the related operation to zoom in the frame is recited in the description of
Furthermore, the frame can be divided into a plurality of subframes by the micro controller 130, and each of the subframes comprises encoded information. A user can use the user interface 150 to output the encoded command signal. When the micro controller 130 receives the encoded command signal, the motor 120 is controlled to drive the camera lens to turn to the subframe corresponding to the encoded command signal such that the video camera 110 can further zoom in the subframe.
Hence, a user can use the method 800 for controlling a video camera positioning system of the embodiment of the present disclosure to zoom in single frame or subframe based on the actual requirement or zoom in a region frame consisted of a plurality of frames or subframes. The zoomed-in frame can be further divided to perform zoom-in processes based on the user's requirement.
In step 850, the operation to reduce the frame by the video camera 110 is recited as follows. A user can enter a zoom out command manually through the user interface 150, and the user interface 150 will generate a zoom out command signal. If the video camera 110 zooms in any frame of the panoramic frame at the time the micro controller 130 receives a zoom out command signal, the video camera 110 is controlled by the micro controller 130 to reduce the frame captured by the video camera 110 and return to the panoramic frame. Furthermore, if the video camera 110 zooms in any subframe of the frame at the time the micro controller 130 receives the zoom-out command signal, the video camera 110 is controlled by the micro controller 130 to reduce the subframe captured by the video camera 110 and return to the frame.
Those having skill in the art will appreciate that the method 800 for controlling a video camera positioning system can be performed with software, hardware, and/or firmware. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware implementation; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.
In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that each of the steps of the method 800 for controlling a video camera positioning system named after the function thereof is merely used to describe the technology in the embodiment of the present disclosure in detail but not limited to. Therefore, combining the steps of said method into one step, dividing the steps into several steps, or rearranging the order of the steps is within the scope of the embodiment in the present disclosure.
In view of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure; many advantages of the present disclosure are now apparent. As the embodiments of the present disclosure, a video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof can record the panoramic frame in advance, so as to avoid the problem of unable to select the edge portion for zoom in, regardless the object of interest being too large or the visual angle of the video camera 110 being too small. Also, the present disclosure can zoom in single frame or subframe based on the actual requirement or zoom in a region frame consisted of a plurality of frames or subframes. The zoomed-in frame can be further divided to perform zoom-in processes based on the user's requirement.
Moreover, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a video camera positioning system and a method for controlling thereof, so as to adjust the motor rotation speed depending on the distance to let the motor 120 rotate with a desired speed when the distance is farther such that the positioning time can be reduced, that is to say, the positioning time is just the same for a user each time even if the distance is farther because of the positioning time is adjusted as the above-mentioned way. Moreover, the micro controller 130 can control the outputting current of the motor 120 based on the distance such that the motor 120 can rotate in different speeds properly in order to reduce power consumption.
It will be understood that the above description of embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those with ordinary skill in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those with ordinary skill in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
