Motorized Camera Lens Refocusing for Temperature Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras mounted in elevated locations within materials handling facilities face challenges due to temperature variations and adverse conditions, leading to focus issues and requiring frequent maintenance, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cameras with motorized lenses that can automatically adjust focal length and orientation to maintain focus without manual intervention, using motors and sensors to respond to environmental changes and shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If camera is mounted in elevated location, then field of view coverage is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system performs self-focusing using automated lens adjustment mechanisms that detect and correct focus drift caused by temperature changes without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for workers to access elevated locations for routine focus maintenance.
2Area of stationary object
If camera is mounted in elevated location, then field of view coverage is improved, but susceptibility to temperature variations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors focus quality and temperature conditions, then automatically adjusts lens position to compensate for thermal expansion and contraction. This closed-loop feedback mechanism counteracts the harmful effects of temperature variations on focus accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system dynamically changes lens position parameters in response to detected temperature variations, adjusting focal length and focus distance to maintain optimal focus despite environmental changes that affect the elevated-mounted camera.
3Device complexity
If manual focusing adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The automated focusing system performs all focus adjustments without human intervention, detecting focus drift and executing corrections autonomously. This eliminates the time-consuming manual maintenance process while the added automation complexity is justified by the significant productivity gains.
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
Ensures continuous focus and reduces the need for manual maintenance by automatically compensating for temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors, enhancing camera performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of pixel sensors of the image sensor include a plurality of pixel sensors for determining phase disparities
Implementation Method 2
a motor coupled to the lens barrel and configured to reposition the lens barrel based on a calculated digital-to-analog conversion value
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system is automatically focused based on pixel disparity values calculated by the camera at various times. A lens of a camera is positioned at an initial distance from an imaging sensor of the camera based on an initial digital-to-analog conversion value. Subsequently, pixel disparity values are calculated for each of a plurality of regions of a field of view of the camera. An optimal distance between the lens and the image sensor is calculated based on the pixel disparity values and a fitting constant for the camera, as well as the initial digital-to-analog conversion value, and the lens is repositioned to a distance corresponding to the median. The process may be performed following triggering events, or on a regular basis, and repeated over time.