Camera Focus Compensation via Voice-Coil Motor and Sensor Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras used in inventory monitoring systems in retail environments face challenges in maintaining accurate focus due to changes in orientation and temperature, leading to blurry images and inaccurate detection of inventory changes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a voice-coil motor system that adjusts the camera's image distance using tilt and temperature compensation models, generated through calibration, to maintain a consistent depth of field and object distance, ensuring clear images of inventory locations despite changes in camera orientation and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera is focused to capture a specific depth of field, then image clarity at the focused distance is improved, but changes in orientation or temperature cause the depth of field to shift away from the desired location
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors orientation changes via accelerometer data and temperature changes via temperature sensors, then automatically adjusts the lens position through a voice coil motor to compensate for detected shifts, maintaining stable focus on the desired location despite environmental variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the physical parameter of lens position (image distance) in response to changes in orientation parameters (accelerometer readings) and temperature parameters, dynamically modifying the optical system to maintain consistent depth of field coverage of the target area
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera orientation changes, then the field of view adapts to new directions, but the depth of field shifts away from the desired location causing blur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses accelerometer feedback to detect orientation changes and automatically compensates by adjusting lens position, allowing the camera to adapt its viewing direction while maintaining accurate focus on the intended target location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic focus adjustment system that continuously adapts lens position based on real-time orientation data, enabling the camera to maintain sharp focus across varying operational orientations rather than being fixed at a single focus setting
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature changes occur, then environmental conditions vary, but the depth of field changes causing the focused location to shift
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensor feedback to detect thermal changes and automatically compensates for their effect on depth of field by adjusting lens position, maintaining reliable focus consistency across varying temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the lens position parameter in response to temperature parameter changes, dynamically compensating for thermal expansion and refractive index variations that would otherwise cause focus drift in different environmental temperatures
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
This solution ensures that the camera remains focused on the desired object distance and depth of field, even with changes in orientation and temperature, allowing for accurate monitoring and detection of inventory changes, enhancing the reliability of inventory management systems.
Implementation Method 1
The described techniques may then utilize a motor of the camera, such as a voice-coil motor, to adjust an image distance of the camera lens to compensate for these undesirable changes
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques to compensate for changes in a depth of field of a camera caused by changes in orientation of the camera (e.g., tilt) and changes in the temperature of the camera. For instance, the described techniques may utilize an actuator, such as a voice-coil motor, of the camera to adjust an image distance of the camera lens to compensate for changes in the depth of field of the camera caused by changes in the orientation of the camera and/or changes in temperature of the camera. One or more models may be generated using calibrated input current values for the voice-coil motor which indicate, for various changes in orientation and temperature of the camera, input current values to cause the voice-coil motor to adjust the image distance of the camera to maintain the desired depth of field.