Automatic Door Sensor Assembly with Zoned Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic door systems using Time of Flight (TOF) cameras are computationally intensive and expensive, posing challenges for economical operation due to high energy requirements and costs.
Innovation Solution
An automatic door assembly utilizing a 2D area scan camera combined with a separate information-generating device, such as a projector for structured light patterns, to enhance detection accuracy while reducing computational and energy demands by employing a control device that selectively performs detailed and rough analyses based on image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TOF cameras are used to monitor the area in front of the sliding door, then detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection area into a first detection area (monitored by area scan camera) and a second detection area (monitored by additional sensors). This segmentation allows using a lower-cost, lower-power area scan camera for the general monitoring area while reserving more accurate but energy-intensive sensors for the critical second detection area closer to the door, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different sensor types and analysis depths for different spatial zones. The first detection area uses standard area scan camera with rough analysis, while the second detection area (where objects pose immediate danger) uses additional sensors and detailed analysis. This localized approach ensures high detection accuracy where needed while minimizing overall energy consumption.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If TOF cameras are used to create three-dimensional images, then object detection capability is improved, but computational requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection task into two levels: rough analysis using a standard area scan camera for the first detection area, and detailed analysis using additional sensors for the second detection area. This segmentation eliminates the need for computationally intensive TOF cameras while maintaining adequate detection capability through the two-tiered approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a structured light projector as an information-generating device that works with the area scan camera. This combination provides enhanced depth information and object detection capability without requiring full TOF camera systems, thus reducing computational requirements while improving detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If detailed analysis of image data is performed across the entire detection area, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task into rough analysis for the entire first detection area and detailed analysis only for the second detection area. This segmentation ensures that computationally intensive detailed analysis is performed only where necessary (near the door where objects pose immediate danger), reducing overall processing energy while maintaining detection accuracy in critical zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the analysis depth according to spatial location. Areas farther from the door undergo rough analysis with lower computational requirements, while areas closer to the door undergo detailed analysis with higher accuracy. This localized processing strategy optimizes the balance between detection accuracy and processing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic door system (1) comprises at least one door leaf (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) which can be moved by a drive apparatus (6). A control device (7) is designed to control the drive apparatus (6) in such a way that the latter moves the at least one door leaf (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). A sensor device (8) comprises a first area scan camera (9a) which comprises an image sensor, the first area scan camera (9a) being designed to generate first image data from a detection area (11) within which the automatic door system (1) can be monitored. The control device (7) is designed to determine whether the at least one door leaf (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) can be moved safely by means of a detailed analysis based on at least a portion of the first image data from the first area scan camera (9a) and at least one additional piece of information (12). The sensor device (8) comprises an information-generating device (13) which is separate from the first area scan camera (9a) and contributes to the generation of the at least one piece of additional information (12).