Camera control system and method of controlling a set of cameras

A computer device comprising:

• a memory to store data and instructions;
• a processor in communication with the memory;
• and
• a computer-readable camera controlling application accessible via the memory and the processor, wherein the camera controlling application is operable to:
• receive an area data object defining the topographical area of interest comprising dimension parameters defining at least two dimensions of the topographical area of interest and position parameters defining a position for the topographical area of interest;
• derive a centroid of the topographical area of interest from the area data object;
• determine a subset of target cameras from the set of cameras having a zone of potential coverage comprising the topographical area of interest;
• compute pan and tilt angles for one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras such that a field of view of the one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras is centered with respect to the centroid;
• compute for one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras a zoom factor, the zoom factor calculated by determining a narrowest field of view angle of the target camera that encompasses the entire topographical area of interest as determined from the area data object;
• and
• generate transmission commands for the subset of target cameras based on the computed zoom factor and the computed pan and tilt angles.

A computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer device, comprising:

• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to receive an area data object defining the topographical area of interest comprising dimension parameters defining at least two dimensions of the topographical area of interest and position parameters defining a position for the topographical area of interest;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to derive a centroid of the topographical area of interest from the area data object;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to determine a subset of target cameras from the set of cameras having a zone of potential coverage comprising the topographical area of interest;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to compute pan and tilt angles for one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras such that a field of view or the one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras is centered with respect to the centroid;
• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to compute for one or more target cameras of the subset of target cameras a zoom factor, the zoom factor calculated by determining a narrowest field of view angle of the target camera that encompasses the entire topographical area of interest as determined from the area data object;
• and
• at least one instruction for causing the computer device to generate transmission commands for the subset of target cameras based on the computed zoom factor and the computed pan and tilt angles.