AC Grid Characterization via Flicker Synchronized Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively harness and analyze the subtle AC-induced lighting variations in power grids, leading to unnatural colors in photos and temporal aliasing in videos, necessitating a method to extract information from these variations.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light sensing element, a controllable illumination source, and a processor that captures a sequence of images illuminated by the controllable source, estimates pixel intensity values, and determines AC characteristics such as phase, frequency, and amplitude fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If AC-powered light sources are used for illumination, then the electrical grid can power the lighting infrastructure, but the AC-induced flicker causes unnatural colors in photos and temporal aliasing in videos
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of AC-powered light flicker (operating at 50/60 Hz) to synchronize image capture with the illumination cycles. By capturing images at specific phases of the AC cycle and sorting them accordingly, the system can either eliminate flicker artifacts or intentionally capture flicker patterns for grid analysis, thus resolving the contradiction between using AC power and maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the flicker pattern to determine the AC phase and characteristics before processing the image sequence. This preliminary action allows the system to selectively process images captured at different phases, enabling both high-quality flicker-free imaging and simultaneous grid characterization
2Productivity
If standard imaging methods are used under AC lighting, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the subtle flicker pattern is too subtle and fast to notice with the naked eye and causes temporal aliasing
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a sequence of images and uses feedback from analyzing pixel intensity variations across the sequence to detect the AC flicker pattern. By monitoring the temporal changes in illuminated objects and comparing intensity values, the system can identify the subtle 50/60 Hz flicker that is imperceptible to the human eye, thus achieving precise flicker detection without sacrificing imaging speed
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to detect flicker in a single image, the system captures multiple images at different phases of the AC cycle. This excessive sampling approach ensures that the subtle flicker pattern is captured across the sequence, allowing accurate detection through statistical analysis of intensity variations across multiple frames
3Loss of information
If the flicker pattern is analyzed to extract AC characteristics, then information about the electrical grid can be obtained, but additional processing steps are required beyond standard imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs standard imaging and AC grid characterization using the same captured image sequence. By extracting both visual information and flicker-based electrical grid information from the same data set, the system achieves multiple objectives without requiring separate processing pipelines, thus reducing overall complexity while enabling comprehensive information extraction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection and analysis of AC grid characteristics, allowing for the extraction of information about the electrical grid from AC-induced lighting variations, improving image quality and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device comprising a light sensing element comprising an array of pixels
Implementation Method 2
a flicker pattern of a reference light source powered by an alternating current (AC)
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising receiving data representing light intensity values corresponding to a flicker pattern of a reference light source powered by an alternating current (AC); operating a controllable illumination source, based, at least in part, on said data; capturing, using an imaging device, a sequence of images of a scene illuminated, at least in part, by said controllable illumination source; estimating an intensity value for at least one pixel in said array, correspondingly in each of said images in said sequence of images; and determining a temporal point in said flicker pattern of said reference light source, based, at least in part, on said estimating.