Camera Array Overlap Minimization for Symbol Decoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging systems face challenges in achieving a wide field of view while maintaining sufficient resolution for decoding machine-readable symbols on moving objects, particularly on conveyor belts, due to limitations in the lateral direction, leading to potential missed symbols outside the camera's field of view and increased costs with existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
An array of cameras is positioned with overlapping fields of view, each having an oblique angle relative to the normal direction, allowing for synchronized image capture and partial decoding of symbols, with the overlap area minimizing the number of cameras and processing power required, and avoiding complex image stitching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single imaging system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the field of view in the lateral direction is insufficient to cover the entire width of the conveyor line
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into multiple cameras arranged in an array, where each camera captures a portion of the conveyor line. This segmentation allows the system to cover a wider lateral field of view while keeping each individual camera simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cameras are arranged in a two-dimensional array configuration rather than a single linear arrangement. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions enables comprehensive coverage of the conveyor line width while maintaining reasonable complexity for each camera unit.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple imaging systems are employed to cover the full width, then the field of view is sufficient, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cameras are merged into a coordinated array system with synchronized operation. The cameras work together as a unified imaging system, sharing processing resources and coordination logic, which reduces overall complexity compared to having completely independent imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each camera in the array is designed with identical specifications and capabilities, allowing them to perform multiple functions depending on their position in the array. This universality simplifies the overall system design by using standardized components rather than specialized cameras for different positions.
3Measurement precision
If a larger sensor is used in a single imaging system, then the field of view and resolution are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one large high-resolution sensor, the system segments the imaging task across multiple smaller sensors. Each camera uses a standard-sized sensor, but the combined array provides equivalent or superior resolution through increased total pixel count and distributed sampling.
4Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded to cover the entire conveyor width, then all symbols can be captured, but the resolution for decoding machine-readable symbols decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wide field of view is segmented into multiple overlapping or adjacent views from different cameras. Each camera maintains high resolution for its specific portion of the conveyor, and the system combines these segmented views to achieve both wide coverage and high resolution simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to reduce the overlap areas of the fields of view of multiple cameras when reading symbols (e.g., barcode symbols, text) disposed on moving objects using an imaging system which includes an array of cameras. Each of a plurality of cameras may have a field of view directed toward objects positioned on a conveyor which moves the objects in a longitudinal direction, and the field of view of each of the plurality of cameras may overlap with the field of view of at least one other camera in the plurality of cameras in one or both of the longitudinal direction and a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.