Welding information providing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a welding information providing device, and more particularly, to a welding information providing device which can protect the eyes of a user by using a plurality of cameras while providing images from the same position even using different cameras. In order to achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the present invention may comprise: a body which can be worn by a user; a camera unit mounted on the body and including a first camera acquiring an image frame by photographing a welding site where welding work is not being performed, and a second camera mounted at a different position from the first camera and acquiring an image frame by photographing a welding site where welding work is being performed; an image generation unit that generates and provides a processed image based on an image frame acquired by the first camera or the second camera; and a display unit that displays the processed image provided by the image generation unit to the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding information providing device, and more particularly to a welding information providing device which can protect the eyes of a user by using a plurality of cameras while providing images from the same position even if different cameras are used. Background Art

[0002] In order to be protected from the light and high heat generated during the welding process, the user uses protective tools such as welding helmets. When wearing the protective tools, the user can only check the welding progress through the protective tools. Therefore, in order to check various information during the welding process, such as the conditions set in the welding device, the protective tools must be removed and checked with the naked eye, which is inconvenient.

[0003] If the user is not very skilled, especially when wearing an automatic welding helmet or a manual welding helmet, the user can only see the part adjacent to the welding light, and it is difficult to identify the specific welding conditions, such as the surrounding environment of welding, etc. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide the user with a high-definition image so that the user can visually confirm the surrounding environment of welding, and provide the user with specific information related to the welding status information.

[0004] Furthermore, when performing welding work, since the illumination / brightness of the welding light spot is very high, a blackening filter is required to protect the user's eyes from the influence of the welding light spot and ensure the smooth progress of the welding work. At this time, other areas except the welding light spot become completely invisible, which not only makes the welding work very difficult, but also reduces the accuracy of welding.

[0005] The above-mentioned problems not only affect welding work, but also bring the same problems to medical personnel in skin micro-plastic surgery and / or diagnosis and treatment using high-brightness / high-illuminance light such as laser, and also affect other work using high-brightness / high-illuminance light. Summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a welding information providing device which can protect the eyes of a user by photographing a welding site using different cameras before, during and after welding work.

[0007] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a welding information providing device that can provide a user with an image from the same position even if a specific position is photographed using a different camera.

[0008] However, these problems are exemplary, and the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, one aspect of the present invention may include: a main body, which can be worn by a user; a camera unit, which is installed on the main body and includes a first camera and a second camera, the first camera acquires image frames by photographing a welding site where no welding work is being performed, and the second camera is installed at a position different from the first camera and acquires image frames by photographing a welding site where welding work is being performed; an image generation unit, which generates and provides a processed image based on the image frame acquired by the first camera or the second camera; and a display unit, which displays the processed image provided by the image generation unit to the user.

[0010] In addition, the first camera and the second camera may be driven in a switching manner.

[0011] In addition, the camera unit may further include a frame for fixing the first camera and the second camera so that the first camera and the second camera are installed on the body.

[0012] In addition, the camera unit may further include a light shielding box which is combined with the frame and disposed in front of the second camera.

[0013] Additionally, the light shielding box may include a liquid crystal panel that shields the welding light.

[0014] In addition, the first camera and the second camera may be arranged to face directions that are not parallel to each other.

[0015] Furthermore, a path changing unit may be further included which guides the processed image provided by the image generating unit to the display unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the structure of a welding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 For description Figure 1 A block diagram of components of a welding information providing device.

[0018] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a welding information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 To show the view from the rear Figure 3 Figure 2 shows a welding information providing device.

[0020] Figure 5 For along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line I-I'.

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part A.

[0022] Figure 7 is a diagram for describing the operation of a camera module including a plurality of cameras.

[0023] Figure 8 To pass Figure 7 Schematic diagram of an image captured by a camera module.

[0024] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a camera unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of symbols:

[0026] 10: Welding system

[0027] 100: Welding information providing device

[0028] 101: Ontology

[0029] 102: Power switch

[0030] 103: User input module

[0031] 110: Camera unit

[0032] 111: Framework

[0033] 112: Outer cover

[0034] 113: Shading Box

[0035] 1131: LCD panel

[0036] 1132: Coating

[0037] 114: Camera

[0038] 1141: First Camera

[0039] 1142: Second Camera

[0040] 120: Image generation unit

[0041] 130: Path change unit

[0042] 140: Display unit

[0043] 150: Lens unit

[0044] 160: Processor

[0045] 170: Sensor unit

[0046] 180: Fixed unit

[0047] 190: Communication unit

[0048] 200: welding gun DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail in the specification. The effects and features of the present invention and its implementation methods will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various forms.

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.

[0051] In the following embodiments, terms such as “first” and “second” do not have a limiting meaning but are used to distinguish one component from another.

[0052] In the following embodiments, a singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] In the following embodiments, terms such as “including” or “having” refer to the presence of features or components described in the specification, and do not preclude the possibility of adding one or more other features or components.

[0054] In the drawings, the size of the components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each element shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of description, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to the content shown.

[0055] In the following embodiments, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to the three axes on the rectangular coordinate system, but can be interpreted in a broad sense including these axes. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis can be orthogonal to each other, but can also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

[0056] If a specific embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process can be performed in a different order than the described order. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed substantially at the same time, or can be performed in an order opposite to the described order.

[0057] Hereinafter, based on the above principles, the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a welding system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] See also Figure 1, the welding system 10 of the present invention may include a welding information providing device 100 and a welding gun 200. The welding information providing device 100 and the welding gun 200 may be connected via a communication network to send and receive data. The welding information providing device 100 and the welding gun 200 may be operated in a one-to-one matching manner, but are not limited thereto, and may also be operated in a one-to-n corresponding manner. That is, one welding information providing device 100 may be connected to n welding guns 200, and n welding information providing devices 100 may be connected to one welding gun 200. In addition, the welding information providing device 100 and the welding gun 200 may send and receive data by communicating with a separate server (not shown).

[0060] The welding information providing device 100 can provide information about welding conditions to the user. Specifically, the welding information providing device 100 can use at least one camera included in the camera unit of the welding information providing device 100 to acquire an image frame, and based on this, generate a processed image and display it to the user. The welding information providing device 100 can generate a processed image (e.g., a composite image) using a high dynamic range (HDR) technology, and provide the user with a high-definition processed image by display. At this time, the user can visually check the shape of the weld bead and information about the surrounding environment other than the adjacent part of the welding light through the high-definition processed image.

[0061] The welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may set a camera unit at a position equivalent to the user's field of view to obtain an image frame. Accordingly, the welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide the user with more accurate welding information by obtaining an image similar to when the user directly looks at the work site.

[0062] In addition, the welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can synthesize and provide a high-definition welding image, and for this purpose, it can obtain images through two or more cameras and display each image through at least one display unit. For example, the camera unit can have two cameras, which will be described in detail later.

[0063] The welding information providing device 100 can synthesize images by repeatedly shooting after setting different shutter speeds, ISO sensitivities and gain values ​​for each camera. The welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve image quality by performing contrast processing on processed images.

[0064] In addition, the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention may provide a function of displaying welding information in a favorite color (e.g., green, blue) through RGB. In addition, the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention may provide a magnification correction function (e.g., zooming in and out of the screen). In addition, the welding information providing device 100 of the present invention may provide a temperature composite image using a separate thermal imaging camera. At this time, the welding information providing device 100 may display the welding temperature in color. The welding information providing device 100 of the present invention may support a function of providing all of the above functions with sound (e.g., a guide alarm) or a guide voice.

[0065] The welding gun 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention can sense welding conditions through at least one sensor, including welding temperature, welding direction, welding slope, welding speed, and the distance between the base material and the welding gun 200, etc., which are related to real-time welding work. The welding gun 200 can monitor the state of the welding gun and change the setting value of the welding gun according to the welding condition.

[0066] The welding information providing device 100 of the present invention can receive information about work settings and work status from the welding gun 200 through a communication network connected to the welding gun 200, and provide work information to the user through visual feedback based on the received welding information.

[0067] For example, when the welding information providing device 100 receives sensing information about the welding temperature value, a notification corresponding to the temperature value may be output in various ways, such as light, vibration, or message, etc. At this time, the notification may be visual feedback provided on the display unit of the welding information providing device 100, or may be auditory feedback through sound (e.g., a guide alarm) or a guide voice.

[0068] On the other hand, the sensing information about the temperature value may include information about whether it exceeds a preset temperature range, etc. In addition, the sensing information about the temperature value may include a value, grade, level, etc. corresponding to the temperature value of the welding surface.

[0069] If the welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention determines that the temperature values ​​of the welding gun and the welding surface are outside the preset temperature range, the user can be guided to stop working. When welding outside the preset temperature range, there is a risk of quality degradation, so the user can be guided to adjust the temperature value of the welding gun.

[0070] At this time, the visual feedback may be to provide an icon indicating danger in a partial area of ​​the display unit of the welding information providing device 100 that displays the work site. As another example, the welding information providing device 100 may provide a stoppage guidance through visual feedback by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the saturation of a specific color (e.g., red) on the display screen of the entire display unit.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to at least one sensor included in the welding gun 200, the welding information providing device 100 can also sense welding information through the sensor included in the welding information providing device 100. At this time, as welding information, the welding condition can be sensed by at least one sensor, which includes the light level, welding temperature, welding direction, welding slope, welding speed, and the distance between the base material and the welding gun 200, etc., which are related to the real-time welding work.

[0072] Likewise, the welding information providing apparatus 100 may provide guidance corresponding to the welding information based on the welding information sensed by the sensor included in the welding information providing apparatus 100 .

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present invention, after providing guidance on the shutdown, the welding information providing apparatus 100 may change the operation of the welding gun 200 by sensing a preset user motion or a preset user voice, etc.

[0074] In another embodiment, when communication with the welding gun 200 is not smooth, the welding information providing device 100 can obtain the temperature values ​​of the welding gun and the welding surface through the image sensing device equipped by itself. For example, the welding information providing device 100 can obtain the temperature values ​​of the welding gun and the welding surface based on the image data obtained by the thermal imaging camera.

[0075] The above example only describes the case where the information received from the welding gun 200 is welding temperature information. Of course, the welding information providing apparatus 100 can provide various guidance on welding information.

[0076] Figure 2 For description Figure 1 A block diagram of components of the welding information providing device 100 is shown in FIG. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 For viewing from the rear Figure 3 Figure 2 shows a welding information providing device. Figure 5 For along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I' is Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part A.

[0077] See also Figures 2 to 6The welding information providing device 100 may include at least one of a body 101, a camera unit 110, an image generating unit 120, a path changing unit 130, a display unit 140, a lens unit 150, a processor 160, a sensor unit 170, and a communication unit 190. In addition, the welding information providing device 100 may include a fixing unit 180 disposed on the back of the body 101 so as to fix the welding information providing device 100 to the user's head.

[0078] The body 101 is used to protect the user's face and can be worn by the user. The body 101 can be made of a material with a predetermined strength, such as reinforced plastic, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various materials can be used as long as they can resist factors such as sparks that may occur during welding.

[0079] The body 101 can be fixed to the user's head by a fixing unit 180 provided inside the body 101. The fixing unit 180 can have a structure including a plurality of ribs, such as a helmet, and an element including a soft material such as a fiber member or a buffer member can be provided on at least a portion of the inner side surface that directly contacts the operator's head.

[0080] The camera unit 110 is installed at the outside of the body 101 and may include at least one camera 114 that acquires an image frame regarding welding work.

[0081] The camera unit 110 may capture a welding work image by receiving a control instruction from the processor 160 and changing settings such as shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and gain in response to the control instruction.

[0082] As an embodiment, the camera unit 110 may be located at the front portion of the body 101 corresponding to the user's field of view. The camera unit 110 may include one camera 114 to obtain image frames related to welding work, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0083] As another embodiment, the camera unit 110 may further include a camera 114 that acquires an image frame by photographing at other positions than the front face of the body 101 corresponding to the user's field of view.

[0084] The camera unit 110 may include a frame 111 , an outer cover 112 , and a light shielding box 113 .

[0085] The frame 111 may perform a function of protecting the camera 114 .

[0086] In addition, the frame 111 may perform a function of coupling the camera unit 110 to the body 101. For example, the frame 111 may perform a function of fixing at least one camera 114 included in the camera unit 110 and installing the camera 114 on the body 101.

[0087] The outer cover plate 112 is disposed in front of the light shielding box 113 so as to protect the light shielding box 113. The outer cover plate 112 may include a light-transmissive material, such as a transparent material. The outer cover plate 112 may include a resin material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, and may be formed by injection molding.

[0088] The light shielding box 113 can shield the welding light generated during welding. That is, the light shielding box 113 can be blackened based on the welding light information sensed by the sensor unit 170, such as a light sensor, to increase the light shielding degree of the box.

[0089] As an embodiment, the light shielding box 113 may include a liquid crystal panel 1131 (LCD panel), and the blackening degree of the liquid crystal panel 1131 may be adjusted according to the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal. For example, the light shielding box 113 may be implemented with various LCD panels, such as a vertical alignment (VA) LCD, a twisted nematic (TN) LCD, an in-plane switching (IPS) LCD, etc.

[0090] The blackening degree of the light shielding box 113 can be automatically adjusted according to the brightness of the welding light. As described above, in the case of automatic adjustment according to the brightness of the welding light, the sensor unit 170 can be used. When the sensor unit 170 acquires welding light information by sensing the intensity of the welding light, and transmits the information about the welding light intensity included in the welding light information to the processor 160 described later as a predetermined electrical signal, the processor 160 can control the blackening degree based on the intensity of the welding light.

[0091] That is, the shading box 113 can change the shading degree of the liquid crystal panel 1131 in real time to correspond to the intensity of light generated by the welding surface at the welding work site, etc., and the camera unit 110 can capture a welding image in which a certain amount of welding light is blocked by the shading box 113 installed on the front.

[0092] As an embodiment, the light shielding box 113 may include a coating layer 1132, and the coating layer 1132 is disposed on at least one side of the liquid crystal panel 1131. For example, the coating layer 1132 may perform an anti-reflection function.

[0093] As a result, the amount of welding light passing through the outer cover plate 112 reflected by the coating 1132 is reduced, so that the ghosting phenomenon can be minimized or prevented.

[0094] As an embodiment, the coating layer 1132 may be formed by coating the coating layer and drying and / or curing to form a film, such as vacuum deposition, sputtering and / or wet (WET) coating, etc. However, it is not limited thereto, and any coating method that can be easily selected by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs may be used as a method for forming the coating layer according to the present invention.

[0095] As an embodiment, the coating 1132 may be formed and / or coated with magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ), silicon (Si), silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ), etc., but is not limited to the above materials.

[0096] If the reflectivity of the coating 1132 is too low, the amount of welding light passing through the light shielding box 113 is insufficient, resulting in reduced image clarity. If the reflectivity of the coating 1132 is too high, the efficiency of the coating 1132 is reduced, and ghosting may occur.

[0097] Accordingly, as an optional embodiment, the reflectivity of the coating 1132 can be set to be less than 4%, or less than 3.5%, less than 3.0%, and for another example, can be set to be less than or equal to 1.0%.

[0098] In addition, the coating layer 1132 may be formed to have a refractive index of 1.3 to 1.36 to obtain a clear image.

[0099] As an embodiment, the coating layer 1132 may include a single layer or a plurality of layers. In this case, each of the plurality of layers may be formed to have a different refractive index.

[0100] As an embodiment, the coating layer 1132 may be formed to have a thickness of 25 nm to 35 nm. If the coating layer 1132 is formed to have a thickness greater than 35 nm, the weight of the welding information providing device 100 increases, which may increase the user's work fatigue, and if the coating layer 1132 is formed to have a thickness less than 25 nm, the reflectivity of the coating layer 1132 may decrease.

[0101] As an embodiment, the camera unit 110 may include a thermal imaging camera. The welding information providing apparatus 100 may obtain a temperature image by synthesizing a thermal imaging image obtained by the thermal imaging camera with an image of the relevant welding site.

[0102] As an embodiment, the welding information providing device 100 may further include a lighting unit (not shown) electrically connected to the processor 160. The lighting unit (not shown) is located outside the welding information providing device 100, and may irradiate light at least toward the welding work area. The lighting unit (not shown) may include a plurality of LED modules, and the output level of the light irradiated by the lighting unit (not shown) may be adjusted by the control of the processor 160. According to an embodiment, the lighting unit (not shown) may be operated in conjunction with the operation of the camera unit 110 according to the control of the processor 160.

[0103] The image generation unit 120 may be disposed inside the body 101 and may generate a welding image based on the image frame acquired by the camera unit 110 and provide the image to the user. The image generation unit 120 may provide the welding image acquired from the camera unit 110 as is, or may provide a high-definition processed image including welding information.

[0104] For example, the image generation unit 120 can provide a high-definition processed image so that the user can also visually confirm the surrounding environment (e.g., the shape of the previously processed weld bead, etc.) in addition to the adjacent portion of the welding light. In addition, the image generation unit 120 can guide the welding work by providing the user with visual feedback on the progress of welding (e.g., the direction of welding).

[0105] Therefore, hereinafter, the welding image may be interpreted as including an unprocessed welding image acquired from the camera unit 110 and a processed image obtained by synthesizing the image frame acquired from the camera unit 110 and the above-mentioned welding information.

[0106] The image generation unit 120 may include a display panel and an optical system, wherein the display panel is used to generate light including welding image information, and the optical system is used to diffuse the light from the display panel. The image generation unit 120 may be composed of a projector, which may generate and project a welding image through the display panel and the optical system.

[0107] The display panel of the image generation unit 120 may generate and emit light including welding image information. The display panel may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a light emitting diode (LED), or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0108] The image generation unit 120 may be disposed inside the body 101 , and may be disposed at a position where a welding image may be indirectly provided through the path change unit 130 , rather than a position where the welding image is directly provided to the user's field of view.

[0109] As an example, the image generation unit 120 may be positioned so that the direction in which the welding image is provided is perpendicular to the optical axis of at least one camera 114 of the camera unit 110. Figure 5 As shown, the image generation unit 120 can be located near the user's forehead, thereby providing a welding image to the path change unit 130.

[0110] The path changing unit 130 may perform a function of changing the path of the welding image provided from the image generating unit 120 and guiding it to the user's eyes. For example, the path changing unit 130 may include a mirror, an X-cube prism, a dichroic filter, etc., which reflect the welding image.

[0111] Accordingly, the welding information providing device 100 can be set to a smaller size. For example, the image generating unit 120 can be set in a Figure 5 The welding information providing device 100 can be miniaturized by placing the welding information providing device 100 near the user's forehead. In other words, since the user must perform welding work while wearing the welding information providing device 100, the size of the device 100 cannot be increased to a certain extent, but this problem can be solved.

[0112] Although the figure shows that the path changing unit 130 includes one mirror, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited thereto, and of course, the path of the welding image can be further changed by including more mirrors or components that can change the path.

[0113] The welding image whose path is changed by the path changing unit 130 may be provided to the display unit 140 .

[0114] The display unit 140 may be a means for displaying the welding image provided by the image generation unit 120 to the user. That is, the display unit 140 may transmit the welding image related to the welding work and provide it to the user.

[0115] The display unit 140 may be disposed to correspond to the position of the user's eyes and may transmit the welding image by being disposed between the path changing unit 130 and the user's eyes to provide the welding image to the user. The display unit 140 may be disposed closer to the lens unit 150 described later than the path changing unit 130.

[0116] As an example, the display unit 140 may be composed of one unit. For example, the user may receive a welding image by looking at one display unit 140 with both eyes at the same time.

[0117] As another example, the display unit 140 may be composed of two units. For example, the display unit 140 may be composed of two units corresponding to the left eye and the right eye of the user, respectively, and each display unit 140 may provide a welding image to the left eye and the right eye of the user.

[0118] As an embodiment, the display unit 140 is made of a material that transmits the welding image whose path is changed by the path changing unit 130 , so that the user can see the welding image through the display unit 140 .

[0119] As a specific embodiment, the display unit 140 may be composed of a rear projection screen. The welding image provided from the image generation unit 120 may be projected to the back of the screen through the path change unit 130, and the welding image may be displayed on the surface of the screen. The welding image displayed on the screen surface may be provided to both eyes of the user. However, the display unit 140 is not limited thereto, and of course, various display technologies may be used as long as the welding image provided by the image generation unit 120 can be transmitted and provided to the user.

[0120] The welding information providing device 100 may include a lens unit 150 for transmitting a welding image transmitted from the display unit 140 at a close distance to both eyes of the user. The welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a welding image through the display unit 140 spaced a certain distance from the user. However, since it is difficult for human eyes to focus on an object that is too close, the focal length can be adjusted by arranging the lens unit 150 between the display unit 140 and the user's eyes.

[0121] That is, the lens unit 150 is disposed on a path through which the welding image transmitted from the display unit 140 passes, and the size of the welding image can be adjusted to provide it to both eyes of the user. By disposing the lens unit 150 between the display unit 140 and the user's eyes, the distance between the user's eyes and the display unit 140 can be reduced, and the size of the welding information providing device 100 can be made compact. Thus, even in a closed space within the welding information providing device 100, the user can ensure a wide field of view and a clear image.

[0122] On the other hand, the distance between the display unit 140 and the lens unit 150 may be shorter than the focal length of the lens unit 150. In addition, the lens unit 150 may project the welding image transmitted from the display unit 140 as a virtual image in front of the user. This makes the user feel that the welding image is farther than the actual distance of the display unit 140, and sees the welding image displayed on the display unit 140 in the form of an enlarged virtual image, so that the effect of looking at a wide viewing angle can be obtained.

[0123] The lens unit 150 may be made of materials such as glass and plastic. For plastic, various transparent resins such as (meth) acrylic resin, styrene resin, and polycarbonate resin may be used. In addition, each lens of the lens unit 150 may be coated with a filter that blocks light in a specific wavelength band. For example, the lens unit 150 may include a lens coated with a filter for blocking blue light.

[0124] The processor 160 may synthesize the image frames received through the camera unit 110 to generate a high-definition processed image. The processor 160 may acquire the processed image by concurrently synthesizing the image frames acquired in time sequence after the camera unit 110 sets the shooting conditions of each image frame differently. Specifically, the processor 160 may control the camera unit 110 to change the shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, gain, etc. of the camera 114 to perform shooting.

[0125] At this time, the processor 160 can set different shooting conditions according to the welding light, ambient light, and the degree of movement of the welding gun 200 sensed at the welding site. Specifically, the processor 160 can set the shooting conditions so that the ISO sensitivity and gain decrease as the welding light and / or ambient light at the welding site increase. In addition, if the movement and / or working speed of the welding gun 200 is sensed to be fast, the shooting conditions can be set to increase the shutter speed.

[0126] The processor 160 may synthesize images of a preset number of image frames in parallel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each image in a preset image frame may be captured under different shooting conditions.

[0127] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when there are two or more cameras 114 in the camera unit 110, the processor 160 can control each camera 114 to set different shooting setting conditions for shooting. Even in this case, the processor 160 can also synthesize images of a preset number of image frames in parallel.

[0128] In addition, the processor 160 may control the image generation unit 120 to generate a welding image based on the image frame acquired from the camera unit 110. At this time, the processor 160 may control settings of the welding image provided to the user, such as size, brightness, and contrast.

[0129] The processor 160 can control the overall operation of the welding information providing device 100 using various programs stored in a memory (not shown). For example, the processor 160 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a system bus. Among them, the ROM is a component that stores a set of instructions for system startup. The CPU copies the operating system stored in the memory of the welding information providing device 100 to the RAM according to the instructions stored in the ROM and executes the operating system (O / S) to start the system. After the startup is completed, the CPU can copy various application programs stored in the memory to the RAM and execute them to perform various operations. Although the processor 160 is described above as including only one CPU, it can be implemented with multiple CPUs (or digital signal processors (DSPs), system on chip (SoC), etc.) when implemented.

[0130] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 160 may be implemented as a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor and / or a time controller (TCON) for processing digital signals. However, it is not limited to the above examples and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), a communication processor (CP), or one or more of an ARM processor, or defined by the term. In addition, the processor 160 may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) with a built-in processing algorithm, a large scale integration (LSI), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0131] The sensor unit 170 may include a plurality of sensor modules, which are used to sense various information about the welding site and obtain welding information. At this time, the welding information may include welding temperature, welding direction, welding slope, welding speed, and the distance between the base material and the welding gun 200, etc., which are related to the real-time welding work. Further, the sensor unit 170 may include a light sensor module, which is used to detect the light level at least in the welding work area.

[0132] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 170 may include an illuminance sensor, and in this case, the sensor unit 170 may obtain information about the welding light intensity at the welding site. In addition to the illuminance sensor, the sensor unit 170 may also include various types of sensors, such as a proximity sensor, a noise sensor, a video sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an RF sensor, and may sense various changes related to the welding working environment.

[0133] The communication unit 190 is used to receive welding information from the welding gun 200 and send instructions for controlling the welding gun 200. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 190 can send the processed image to an external device other than the welding gun 200. At this time, the external device can include various devices including communication modules such as a smartphone of an operator / third party, a computer, etc.

[0134] The communication unit 190 can communicate with various types of external devices according to various types of communication methods. The communication unit 190 may include at least one of a Wifi chip, a Bluetooth chip, a wireless communication chip, and a near-field wireless communication (NFC) chip. In particular, when a Wifi chip or a Bluetooth chip is used, various connection information such as a service set identifier (SSID) and a session key are first sent and received, so that various information can be sent and received after using it to establish a communication connection. A wireless communication chip refers to a chip that performs communication according to various communication standards such as IEEE, Zigbee, the third generation (3G, 3rd Generation), the third generation partnership project (3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP) and long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE). An NFC chip refers to a chip that operates in a near field communication (Near Field Communication, NFC) mode using a 13.56MHz band in various radio frequency identification (RF-ID) bands such as 135kHz, 13.56MHz, 433MHz, 860MHz to 960MHz, 2.45GHz, etc.

[0135] On the other hand, the welding gun 200 may include a separate communication unit, a sensor unit, and a second processor.

[0136] The communication unit transmits and receives data with the welding information providing device 100. The communication unit may include a module capable of short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth, Wifi, Wifi-Direct) or long-range wireless communication (3G, High Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) or Long Term Evolution (LTE)).

[0137] The sensor unit or the second sensor is included in the welding gun 200 to sense welding conditions, such as welding temperature, welding speed, welding slope, welding direction, and a distance between the substrate and the welding gun 200 .

[0138] The sensor unit can detect at least one of various changes, such as a change in the posture of the user holding the welding gun 200, a change in the illumination of the welding surface, a change in the acceleration of the welding gun 200, etc., and can transmit a corresponding electrical signal to the second processor. That is, the sensor unit can sense a state change based on the welding gun 200 and generate a corresponding detection signal, thereby transmitting it to the second processor.

[0139] In the present disclosure, the sensor unit may include various sensors, and according to control when the welding gun 200 is driven (or based on user settings), power is supplied to at least one preset sensor to sense a state change of the welding gun 200 .

[0140] At this time, the sensor unit may include at least one of all types of sensing devices that can detect a change in the state of the welding gun 200. For example, the sensor unit may include at least one of various sensing devices such as an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, an illuminance sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a noise sensor, a video sensor, and a gravity sensor. The illumination level in the welding work area sensed by the illumination sensor of the welding gun 200 may be transmitted to the processor 160 through the communication unit, and the processor 160 may control the lighting unit (not shown) and / or the camera unit 110 based on the illumination level transmitted through the illumination sensor of the welding gun 200, without passing through the sensor unit 170 of the welding information providing device 100.

[0141] On the other hand, the acceleration sensor is used to sense the movement of the welding gun 200. Specifically, the acceleration sensor can measure dynamic forces such as acceleration, vibration, and impact of the welding gun 200, and thus can measure the movement of the welding gun 200.

[0142] The gravity sensor is used to sense the direction of gravity. That is, the sensing result of the gravity sensor can be used together with the acceleration sensor to determine the movement of the welding gun 200. In addition, the direction in which the welding gun 200 is held can be determined by the gravity sensor.

[0143] In addition to the above-mentioned types of sensors, the welding gun 200 may further include various types of sensors, such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a radio frequency (RF) sensor, and may sense various changes associated with the welding work environment.

[0144] The welding information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a power switch 102 .

[0145] The power switch 102 is a part that a user operates to power on or off the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention. For example, the power switch 102 can be set in a position change mode, a button mode, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0146] Since the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention includes components that require power, such as the camera unit 110, the image generating unit 120, etc., when the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention is not in use, the user can turn off the power through the power switch 102 to prevent waste of power.

[0147] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the welding information providing device 100 may further include a user input module 103 .

[0148] The user input module 103 is used to receive user input, which is used to control each element of the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention. For example, the user can control various elements of the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention by inputting operation signals to the user input module 103.

[0149] The user input module 103 can be set to a position change mode, a button mode, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0150] Figure 7 is a diagram for describing the operation of a camera module including a plurality of cameras C1 and C2, Figure 8 To pass Figure 7 Schematic diagram of an image captured by a camera module.

[0151] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8 , it can be confirmed that the camera module has multiple cameras C1 and C2 arranged in parallel with each other.

[0152] Each camera C1, C2 has a certain viewing angle range.

[0153] At this time, when multiple cameras C1 and C2 take pictures of any welding site W, Figure 8 Each camera C1, C2 obtains images at different upper and lower positions. Figure 7 Therefore, the image P1 captured by the camera C1 above reflects the portion tilted upwards compared to the image P2 captured by the camera C2 below.

[0154] This is because the cameras C1 and C2 having the same viewing angle range are disposed at different positions, and therefore the position of the welding site W photographed by each camera C1 and C2 is different due to the positional difference between the cameras C1 and C2.

[0155] Applying this phenomenon to Figures 3 to 5In the welding information providing device 100 according to the present invention, when the camera unit 110 includes a plurality of cameras 114 and each camera 114 photographs the same welding scene, it may result in photographing different positions in the Z-axis direction.

[0156] Therefore, when the camera unit 110 includes a plurality of cameras 114 and switches the plurality of cameras 114 according to the situation while photographing a specific welding site, the user's field of view may be distorted or disturbed because images at different positions are provided to the user's field of view.

[0157] In order to solve this problem, a method of correcting the position difference by moving the image up, down, left, and right by the same position difference as other cameras after shooting a wider area with a specific camera may be proposed.

[0158] However, at this time, due to the wide shooting range and other reasons, the image resolution may decrease.

[0159] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 is a diagram for describing a camera unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] See also Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the camera unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first camera 1141 and a second camera 1142 .

[0161] As an embodiment, the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be disposed at different positions from each other.

[0162] As described above, the camera unit 110 may further include a frame 111. For example, the frame 111 may perform a function of mounting the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 on the body 101 by fixing the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142. As described later, the frame 111 may fix the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 so that the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 are disposed at a specific position at a certain angle.

[0163] The first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be driven in a switching manner. For example, when the first camera 1141 is driven, the second camera 1142 may not be driven, and when the second camera 1142 is driven, the first camera 1141 may not be driven.

[0164] The first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be selectively driven based on whether a welding work is in progress.

[0165] The first camera 1141 can capture the welding site W when the welding work is not in progress to obtain an image frame. For example, the first camera 1141 can be used to capture the welding site W before the user starts the welding work, when the welding work is stopped, or when the welding work is completed. That is, when the welding work is not in progress, high illumination / high brightness light (welding light) does not occur, so the first camera 1141 can be used to capture the welding site W.

[0166] The second camera 1142 can capture the welding site W where welding work is in progress to obtain an image frame. For example, when the user starts welding work, the second camera 1142 can be used to capture the welding site W. That is, when welding work is in progress, high illumination / high brightness light (welding light) occurs, so the second camera 1142 can be used to capture the welding site W.

[0167] As described above, the camera unit 110 may further include a light shielding box 113. The elements and functions of the light shielding box 113 may be the same as those described above.

[0168] The light shielding box 113 may be coupled to the frame 111. In addition, the light shielding box 113 may be disposed in front of the second camera 1142.

[0169] Therefore, a certain amount of high illumination / high brightness welding light generated during welding can be shielded by the light shielding box 113. In addition, the second camera 1142 can capture a welding image in which a certain amount of welding light is shielded by the light shielding box 132 set in the front.

[0170] In addition, the light shielding box 113 may not be provided in front of the first camera 1141. As described above, since the first camera 1141 photographs the welding site W when welding work is not in progress, the welding site W can be photographed without shielding external light.

[0171] As described above, the camera unit 110 may include an outer cover 112. Elements and functions of the outer cover 112 may be the same as those described above.

[0172] The outer cover 112 may be coupled to the frame 111. In addition, the outer cover 112 may be disposed in front of the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142.

[0173] As an example, the outer cover 112 may have an area wide enough to cover both the front of the first camera 1141 and the front of the second camera 1142. As another example, the outer cover 112 may be disposed in front of the first camera 1141 and the front of the second camera 1142, respectively.

[0174] As an embodiment, the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be selectively driven by a user operation. Specifically, the user may select the driving of the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 through the user input module 103 or a separate module. For example, the user may drive the second camera 1142 by inputting an input signal for driving the second camera 1142 to the welding information providing device 100 before performing welding work.

[0175] As another embodiment, the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be selectively driven according to the external environment. Specifically, when welding light is generated externally by the sensor unit 170 or a separate module, the processor 160 may stop driving the first camera 1141 and start driving the second camera 1142.

[0176] The image generation unit 120 may generate a processed image based on the image frame acquired by the first camera 1141 or the second camera 1142. As described above, the image generation unit 120 may provide the welding image acquired from the first camera 1141 or the second camera 1142 as it is, or provide a high-definition processed image including welding information.

[0177] As an embodiment, the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be arranged to face directions that are not parallel to each other. For example, the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be arranged to face the same welding site W.

[0178] As a specific embodiment, a virtual line extending along the length direction of the first camera 1141 and passing through the center of the lens of the first camera 1141 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual line L1") and a virtual line extending along the length direction of the second camera 1142 and passing through the center of the lens of the second camera 1142 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual line L2") may form an angle of 5° to 11°. Preferably, the virtual line L1 and the virtual line L2 may form an angle of 8°.

[0179] The angle formed by the virtual line L1 and the virtual line L2 may be determined according to various factors, such as the distance between the face of the user performing the welding work and the hand performing the welding work, the angle between the hand performing the welding work and the user's field of vision, the size of the welding information providing device 100 worn on the user's head, and the size and arrangement of each module mounted on the welding information providing device 100, etc. Therefore, when the angle formed by the virtual line L1 and the virtual line L2 does not fall within the range of 5° to 11°, images captured at different positions may be provided to the user according to the driven camera 114.

[0180] As a specific embodiment, the light shielding box 113 and the first camera 1141 can be arranged perpendicular to each other in space. For example, the angle r1 formed by the virtual line L1 and the virtual line L3 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual line L3") extending along the height direction of the liquid crystal panel 1131 of the light shielding box 113 and passing through the center of the liquid crystal panel 1131 can be 90°. Accordingly, the angle r2 formed by the virtual line L3 and the virtual line L4 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual line L4") passing through the center of the liquid crystal panel 1131 and perpendicular to the virtual line L2 can be 5° to 11°, preferably 8°.

[0181] As a specific embodiment, based on the user, the first camera 1141 can be protruded and arranged to face a position farther than the second camera 1142. Fig.10 As shown, the light shielding box 113 may extend in a direction from the first camera 1141 to the front of the second camera 1142 , thereby being disposed in front of the second camera 1142 .

[0182] As a specific embodiment, the outer cover plate 112 may be arranged perpendicular to the second camera 1142. For example, the angle r3 formed by the virtual line L2 and the virtual line L5 extending along the length direction of the outer cover plate 112 (hereinafter referred to as "virtual line L5") may be vertical. Accordingly, the virtual line L1 and the virtual line L5 may form an angle of 79° to 85°, preferably, an angle of 82°.

[0183] As such, the camera unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 disposed obliquely to each other, and accordingly, a position difference of an image due to the position difference between the first camera 1141 and the second camera 1142 may be corrected.

[0184] In addition, as described above, according to the relative positions and tilt angles of the first camera 1141, the second camera 1142, the light shielding box 113 and the outer cover 112, even if the driven camera 114 is switched, the user can be provided with an undistorted or undisturbed view.

[0185] The present invention can provide a welding information providing device which can protect the user's eyes by photographing the welding site using different cameras before, during and after the welding work.

[0186] In addition, the present invention can provide a welding information providing device that can provide a user with an image from the same location even if a specific location is photographed using a different camera.

[0187] However, these effects are exemplary, and the effects of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0188] Thus, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but these are exemplary only, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments may be made therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of the technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

[0189] The specific implementations described in the present embodiment are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present embodiment in any way. For the sake of brevity of the specification, descriptions of existing electronic components, control systems, software and other functional aspects of the system may be omitted. In addition, the connections or connectors of the lines between the components shown in the accompanying drawings exemplarily illustrate functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, and in actual devices, may be expressed as various alternative or additional functional connections, physical connections or circuit connections. In addition, if there is no specific mention of "necessary", "important", etc., it may not be a component necessary for the application of the present invention.

[0190] In the description of the embodiment (especially in the claims), the use of the term "said" and similar indicating terms can correspond to both singular and plural forms. In addition, when describing a range in the embodiment, the invention of a single value within the range is included (unless otherwise described to the contrary), which is the same as describing each single value constituting the range in the specification. Finally, unless the order of the steps constituting the method according to the embodiment is clearly described or there is no contrary description, the steps can be performed in an appropriate order. The embodiment is not necessarily limited to the order of the description of the steps. Any examples or exemplary terms (e.g., etc.) used in the embodiment are only for describing the embodiment in detail, and unless limited by the claims, the scope of the embodiment is not limited by the examples or exemplary terms. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that within the scope of the attached claims or their equivalents, various modifications, combinations and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors.

Claims

1. A welding information providing device, comprising: A body, which can be worn by a user; a camera unit mounted on the body and comprising a first camera and a second camera, wherein the first camera acquires image frames by photographing a welding site where welding work is not being performed, and the second camera is mounted at a position different from the first camera and acquires image frames by photographing a welding site where welding work is being performed; An image generation unit, which generates and provides a processed image based on the image frame acquired by the first camera or the second camera; as well as A display unit displays the processed image provided by the image generation unit to the user.

2. The welding information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first camera and the second camera are driven in a switching manner.

3. The welding information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The camera unit also includes: A frame fixes the first camera and the second camera so that the first camera and the second camera are installed on the body.

4. The welding information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The camera unit also includes: A light shielding box is combined with the frame and arranged in front of the second camera.

5. The welding information providing device according to claim 4, wherein: The shading box comprises: LCD panel, which blocks the welding light.

6. The welding information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first camera and the second camera are arranged to face directions that are not parallel to each other.

7. The welding information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A path changing unit guides the processed image provided by the image generating unit to the display unit.

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