Adaptive Visual Camouflage via Real-Time LED Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional universal camouflage patterns are unsuitable for urban environments, where rapidly changing environmental conditions and mobility demands require more efficient visual camouflage solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving real-time image recording of the background using a camera or sensor array, with signal data evaluated for intensity and color, and reproduced on an LED array to create a modified image that adapts to the environment, ensuring the object blends in by adjusting pixel blocks and averaging to maintain a consistent appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional universal camouflage patterns are used, then the camouflage design is simple and easy to manufacture, but the camouflage effectiveness is poor in urban environments with rapidly changing environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamouflage effectivenessVSAvoidcamouflage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the camouflage pattern changeable and adaptable rather than static. The system uses an LED array that can dynamically adjust its pixel configuration based on real-time camera feeds of the environment, allowing the camouflage pattern to evolve and adapt to rapidly changing urban conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by modifying the visual characteristics of the camouflage surface in real-time. The LED array can change color, brightness, and pattern configuration based on environmental conditions captured by the camera, enabling the system to adapt to different urban environments without requiring multiple fixed camouflage designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a static camouflage pattern is used on the object, then the device complexity is low, but the camouflage effectiveness decreases when the object is moved or the environment changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamouflage adaptability to movementVSAvoidimage processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a camera to continuously monitor the environment and feeding this information back to the control system. The control system then adjusts the LED array's pixel configuration based on the captured images, creating a closed-loop system that adapts camouflage patterns in real-time as the object moves or the environment changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static camouflage pattern to a dynamic one that can change in real-time. The LED array is controlled to display different patterns based on the object's position and environmental conditions, maintaining camouflage effectiveness during movement while managing system complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the captured image is displayed one-to-one on the LED panel, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the image shape and orientation do not align with the background due to unknown viewer position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage alignment adaptabilityVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the captured image into multiple pixel blocks that can be independently manipulated. The control system processes these segmented blocks to create a modified image that can be displayed on the LED panel, allowing for alignment and transformation without requiring complex real-time rendering for every possible viewer position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transforming the captured image through processing that adjusts pixel arrangement, orientation, and scaling. This allows the image to be adapted to different viewer positions and environmental contexts, maintaining alignment effectiveness while managing computational complexity through targeted image modification rather than complete re-rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides effective visual camouflage in urban environments by dynamically matching the object's appearance to its surroundings, reducing visibility and enhancing mobility and stealth.

Implementation Method 1

signal data from the camera or sensor array, at least regarding intensity and color, be evaluated in real time and fed into an LED array

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2895816B1Adaptive visual camouflage
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SSZ CAMOUFLAGE TECH AG
  • EP2895816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

In a method for visually adaptively camouflaging objects, the background and/or the surroundings in front of which and/or in which the object is situated are/is detected by means of a camera or a sensor array. The background and/or the surroundings thus detected are/is reproduced as an image (3) in a device for camouflaging the object.