Single Camera Obstacle Detection via Infrared and Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart electronic devices, such as driverless cars and sweeper robots, face challenges in detecting obstacles efficiently due to the increased hardware cost and power consumption associated with using multiple cameras or sensors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a single camera and infrared sensor system that captures images and calculates distances using infrared rays, allowing for obstacle detection and avoidance by adjusting the camera's angle to capture multiple images and determine if obstacles are planar or non-planar, thereby reducing hardware costs and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras or sensors are used to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but hardware cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a single camera with an infrared sensor to create a hybrid detection system. The infrared sensor detects thermal radiation from obstacles while the camera captures visual information, allowing the system to achieve reliable obstacle detection with fewer components than multiple cameras would require
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera system is made multi-functional by integrating it with infrared sensing capabilities. The system can detect both visible light images and infrared thermal signatures, enabling it to perform multiple detection functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated sensors
2Reliability
If multiple cameras or sensors are used to detect obstacles, then obstacle detection capability is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a camera and infrared sensor into a single integrated detection system. This combination achieves reliable obstacle detection through complementary sensing modalities while reducing the total component count and associated hardware costs compared to using multiple cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared sensor acts as an intermediary that enhances the camera's obstacle detection capability. By detecting thermal radiation that the camera cannot perceive, the infrared sensor provides complementary information that improves overall detection reliability without requiring additional cameras
3Device complexity
If a single camera is used to detect obstacles by capturing multiple images at different angles, then hardware cost is reduced, but detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the infrared sensor to identify potential obstacles and their thermal signatures. This preliminary action allows the camera to focus on specific areas of interest, reducing the number of images needed and accelerating the overall detection process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from infrared sensor detection to guide camera operation. When the infrared sensor detects thermal radiation indicating an obstacle, the system activates the camera to capture images of that specific area, creating a feedback loop that reduces unnecessary imaging and speeds up detection
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
Effectively detects obstacles and avoids collisions by using a single camera and infrared sensor system, reducing hardware costs and power consumption while maintaining efficient obstacle detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting device 30 transmits infrared rays and receives reflected infrared rays. The detecting module 101 calculates a distance between the object 2 and the electronic device 1 according to a time interval between transmitting the infrared rays and receiving the reflected infrared rays
Implementation Method 2
The detecting module 101 calculates a distance between the object 2 and the electronic device 1 according to a time interval between transmitting the infrared rays and receiving the reflected infrared rays
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting an obstacle applicable in an electronic device includes detecting whether at least one object is within a line of sight of an image capturing device. The image capturing device is controlled to capture a first image of the object and the image capturing device is caused to move until a capturing angle for capturing another image of the object is changed. The image capturing device is controlled to capture a second image of the object and a determination is made as to whether the object in the first image is the same as the object in the second image. For such recognized objects, the object is determined to be a non-planar obstacle when the object in the first image is not the same as the object in the second image.