Patent ID: 6323898
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A tracking apparatus for tracking an imaging object, comprising:imaging means for imaging the imaging object;driving means for driving said imaging means to perform panning and tilting;position detection means for detecting a position of the imaging object within an image imaged by said imaging means;reference area setting means for setting a reference area so that at least a tracking portion of said imaging object is located at a tracking position therefor within said reference area;means for predicting a range of positions of said imaging object, said predicting means increasing the predicted range of positions if the detected position of the imaging object is in a peripheral region of the image; andautomatic tracking means for calculating a displacement amount between the detected position of the imaging object and said reference area in the image and controlling said driving means based on the displacement amount so that the tracking portion of the imaging object is automatically tracked to the tracking position, said automatic tracking means controlling said driving means based on the predicted range of positions when the position detection means does not detect the imaging object.