Position Tracking System Using Active Infrared Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position tracking systems face inaccuracies due to interference from other moving objects, direct sunlight, and obstructions such as clothing or hair, which can cause loss of object tracking, and are often cumbersome and distracting.
Innovation Solution
A position tracking system utilizing an active infrared light-emitting device with a loop of infrared light-emitting elements on opposite sides, allowing constant unimpeded viewing and quick installation, and a processor that generates tilt and pan signals to maintain tracking, even through clothing or hair, using a visible-light video camera and tilt and pan mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a visible light camera is used to detect light reflected from objects, then the system can track objects in well-lit environments, but the camera cannot detect objects in dark environments or when objects are obscured by clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection function into two separate devices: a visible light camera for detecting reflected light in well-lit environments, and an infrared camera for detecting infrared light emitted or reflected from objects in dark or obscured conditions. This segmentation allows each camera to operate optimally in its designated environment, resolving the contradiction between adaptability across lighting conditions and reliability when objects are obscured.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines both visible light and infrared detection capabilities into a single tracking system that can operate universally across different lighting conditions. The processor integrates signals from both cameras, enabling the system to track objects whether they are visible, infrared-emitting, or a combination, thereby achieving both adaptability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an infrared camera detects infrared light from a marker on the object, then the system can track objects in dark environments, but the marker may be obscured by clothing, hair, or other objects causing loss of tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function by using a visible light camera to detect the marker's position in well-lit environments and an infrared camera to detect the marker in dark environments. This segmentation ensures that each camera type operates in its optimal condition, preventing the obscuration problem that plagues single-mode infrared systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives and integrates signals from both visible light and infrared cameras. It determines the object's position by synthesizing information from both detection modes, thereby maintaining reliable tracking even when one mode (infrared) may be obscured by clothing or hair.
3Reliability
If a single camera system is used for position tracking, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot reliably track objects when obscured or in different lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function into two specialized cameras: a visible light camera for day/well-lit conditions and an infrared camera for night/dark conditions. This segmentation improves reliability by ensuring at least one camera can detect the object under any lighting condition, while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from single-wavelength (visible or infrared) to multi-wavelength detection. By operating at different wavelengths simultaneously, the system can penetrate different media (clothing, hair) and adapt to different lighting conditions, thereby improving reliability without requiring a completely new system architecture.
4Productivity
If the camera detects disturbances in ambient light from object movement, then the system can track moving objects, but other moving objects in the field of view can skew the signals causing inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function by using active infrared light sources on the tracked object rather than relying solely on passive detection of ambient light disturbances. This active approach allows the system to ignore other moving objects in the field of view, as only the object with the active infrared source will reflect the specific infrared wavelength, thereby maintaining high precision while preserving tracking speed.
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
The system provides continuous and accurate tracking of moving objects without distraction, allowing for efficient recording of lectures or other applications without the need for human operators, and is adaptable for various environments and uses.
Implementation Method 1
The active infrared light-emitting device includes a loop having at least two infrared light-emitting elements disposed along the loop on opposite sides of the loop. The infrared light-emitting elements are capable of passing light through clothing, hair, paper, etc.
Implementation Method 2
The infrared light-emitting elements are capable of passing light through clothing, hair, paper, etc.
Implementation Method 3
an infrared-sensitive device, such as an infrared camera, that generates signals in response to detected infrared light in a field of view of the infrared-sensitive device
Implementation Method 4
A processor is responsive to the signals generated by the infrared-sensitive device for determining a position of the detected infrared light
Implementation Method 5
a tilt and pan mechanism for moving a visible-light video camera in response to the tilt and pan signals from the processor
Implementation Method 6
a visible-light video camera for recording visible light within the field of view as the infrared-sensitive device
Data Source
AI summary
A position tracking system includes an infrared-sensitive device, such as an infrared camera that generates signals in response to detected infrared light in a field of view of the infrared-sensitive device. A processor is responsive to the signals generated by the infrared-sensitive device for determining a position of the detected infrared light. The processor also generates tilt and pan signals based on the position of the detected infrared light. A tilt and pan mechanism moves a visible-light video camera in response to the tilt and pan signals from the processor. The active infrared light-emitting device includes a loop having at least two infrared light-emitting elements disposed along the loop, on opposite sides of the loop. A control box is disposed in the loop and is in electrical communication with the infrared light-emitting elements. When the loop is disposed around an object that rotates relative to the infrared-sensitive device, a constantly unimpeded viewing channel is provided between the infrared-sensitive device and at least one of the elements due to the positioning of the elements. The position information obtained from the infrared-sensitive device is used to direct a visible-light camera to track the active infrared light-emitting device in a manner similar to that performed by a human camera operator.