Imaging equipment in dustbin

Abstract

The multi-path remote automatic focusing short-distance photographing system equipment is implemented and is used in an intelligent garbage can with a plurality of garbage cans, so that high-definition short-distance photographing of garbage thrown by a user in the plurality of garbage cans after automatic focusing can be realized, and an image is transmitted to a unified high-performance computing and processing unit for processing; computing resources are saved, and the failure rate is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of waste treatment technology. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the need for waste sorting, current smart trash cans typically have multiple bins for each category. Simultaneously, using cameras to photograph trash has become a new method for smart trash cans. Therefore, multiple bins require multiple cameras. If each camera used its own independent image processing unit, it would significantly increase costs. Thus, connecting multiple cameras to a central processing unit for unified processing is the optimal solution. However, existing technologies cannot simultaneously meet the requirements for camera-to-central processing unit installation distance, autofocus, close-up photography, and high-definition image transmission bandwidth. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application implements a multi-channel remote autofocus close-up photography system for use in smart trash cans with multiple bins. It enables high-definition close-up photography of trash disposed of by users in multiple bins after automatic focusing, and transmits the images to a unified high-performance computing unit for processing, saving computing resources and reducing the failure rate. The system includes a central processing unit and multiple camera terminals. The cameras are generally divided into three types: 1. CMOS digital cameras, capable of autofocus and close-up photography, connected to the processing unit via an FPC bus, with a connection distance not exceeding 30 cm; 2. USB cameras, capable of autofocus and close-up photography, with a connection distance not exceeding 2 meters; 3. Analog cameras, unable to achieve autofocus, with signal cable connections reaching distances of 3 meters or more. Therefore, directly connecting the cameras to the central processing unit cannot simultaneously meet the requirements for camera-to-central processing unit installation distance, autofocus, close-up photography of objects, and high-definition image transmission bandwidth. This system uses a CMOS digital camera or a USB camera to directly connect to the camera terminal. The camera terminal is connected to the central processing unit via an Ethernet cable. The installation distance between the terminal and the central processing unit can be within a hundred meters, which is sufficient for a single smart trash can to support multiple trash cans.

[0004] Each smart trash can has one or more bins for storing different types of waste. This application equips each trash can with a camera terminal, which can drive one or more cameras to perform automatic focusing and photography from a single or multi-angle perspective. Each camera is connected to the camera terminal via a CMOS interface FPC cable, a USB cable, or, in some cases, directly soldering the camera's image sensor chip onto the camera terminal's PCB. Each smart trash can has a central processing unit equipped with a high-performance graphics processing unit, connected to the camera terminals via a pluggable wired Ethernet connection, used to process the images transmitted from each camera terminal.

[0005] Each camera terminal can autonomously take pictures of the disposed waste. When the waste disposal door is closed, the ambient light changes from bright to dark, or an object proximity sensor on the camera terminal detects an object, the connected camera is activated to take a picture. The camera terminal can also be activated by instructions from the central processing unit; typically, this is indicated by communication between the waste disposal user's app and the central processor, indicating that waste disposal is complete.

[0006] Each camera terminal is powered by the central processing unit via a PoE Ethernet cable or a separate power cord.

[0007] Not only is it multi-channel and expandable, but each camera can also remotely autofocus and take close-up photos. The connection distance between the cameras and the central processing unit exceeds the maximum 3-meter limit of ordinary cameras, which can support the use of large-scale, multi-type garbage collection stations.

[0008] Each camera can also achieve remotely controlled zoom. Each camera and the central processing unit can transmit uncompressed or low-compression ultra-high-definition images, such as raw images or JPEG images, which are then compressed by the central processing unit into MPEG, H.264, H.265, or other formats to facilitate image transmission to the server that communicates remotely with the trash can. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The above is merely an overview of the technical solution disclosed herein. In order to better understand the technical means of this disclosure, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of the device. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Each camera terminal in this embodiment can carry two cameras: one camera that directly uses a CMOS image sensor to drive a circular focusing lens, which is mounted on the side of the camera terminal body, mounted on one side of the trash can. To minimize size, the camera terminal consists of one or more PCBs stacked together to form a 38*38 module, using an F1C200s processor and an OV564x image sensor, etc., with an M12 lens and a small-hole adapter ring on the casing. The circuit board of this camera terminal module also has a USB interface for connecting one USB AF camera. The USB camera cable is up to 3 meters long and is mounted on the side of another trash can opposite the camera terminal, forming an image capture of one or two perspectives of the disposed trash. Because the characteristics of the disposed trash may only be unique from one side, the image with the clearest and most identifiable view is selected for storage and transmission; alternatively, both views can be stored and transmitted.

[0013] Each camera terminal has a wired ETH interface, which is connected to the central processing unit via a network cable. The power is also provided by the central processing unit, using PoE power delivery or a separate power cord.

[0014] The central processing unit (CPU) is a high-performance processing center with AI processing capabilities. It utilizes high-performance processors such as the RK3588, drives the network port hub chip, connects various camera terminals via network cables, and manages the power supply for each camera terminal. The CPU also communicates with management centers such as big data servers, transmitting images of waste processing and image analysis results to the management service center.

[0015] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, or alterations made by those skilled in the art using the disclosed technical content shall fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An imaging device for use inside a trash can, characterized in that: The imaging device is installed in the trash can and consists of a central processing unit, one or more camera terminals, one or more CMOS image sensors, or one or more USB cameras; The imaging device can achieve long-distance distributed imaging, with a distribution distance of nearly 100 meters. While distributed at a long distance, each camera can adjust focus and autofocus, and can also take close-up pictures of the garbage in the trash can. The central processing unit is connected to the camera terminal via a network cable, with the power cord either inside the network cable or via a separate cable. The installation distance between the camera terminal and the central processing unit can be within a hundred meters, which is enough for one smart trash can to carry multiple trash cans to realize a sufficient number of sorting and disposal scenarios.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The imaging device can capture images of trash at a minimum distance of 5 centimeters, but there is no limit to the maximum distance. The central processing unit also has the function of power management for the camera terminal, providing power to the camera terminal; The camera terminal is connected to a CMOS image sensor and a USB camera. The CMOS sensor and lens assembly are rigidly connected to the camera terminal, and one or more USB cameras are electrically connected to the camera terminal. These cameras are evenly distributed on the top or side wall of the trash can, and are distributed around the trash being disposed of as evenly as possible.

3. The imaging device can also use multiple cameras to perform stereoscopic and panoramic imaging; Stereo or panoramic images are captured by the endpoint cameras and transmitted to the central processing unit for processing.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The imaging device's CMOS sensor and USB camera are both equipped with focusing lens components, enabling both command-based focal length adjustment and automatic focusing.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each camera in the imaging device can transmit uncompressed or low-compression ultra-high-definition images, such as original images or JPEG images, to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is then responsible for compressing these images into MPEG, H.264, H.265, or other formats. This reduces the processing load on the camera terminal while facilitating the transmission of images to a big data server that communicates remotely with the trash can.

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