Camera Light-Pattern Tracking for Moving Object Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems lack an efficient method to automatically track and maintain a light source within the field-of-view, especially when the light source is attached to a moving object, leading to inaccuracies in object positioning in video recordings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a strobe light source attached to the object, emitting a light change pattern synchronized with the camera's frame rate, allowing the tracking controller to detect the light source's location and movement across images, and generate control signals to adjust the camera's field-of-view to align the light source with a target position, ensuring accurate object tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automatic tracking of light source is not implemented, then the system is simpler, but object positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A light source attached to the moving object serves as an intermediary marker that emits detectable light patterns. The camera system detects these light patterns to determine object position and movement, enabling accurate tracking without complex mechanical tracking mechanisms. The light source acts as a mediator between the object and the camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tracking systems with an optical detection system. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to physically track and follow the object, the system uses a camera to capture images and detect light patterns emitted by the attached light source, then processes these images computationally to determine position and generate control signals.
2Measurement precision
If light source detection is not synchronized with camera frame rate, then the system is simpler, but tracking accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source emits light in periodic patterns that are synchronized with the camera's frame rate. This periodic emission creates distinct light patterns in consecutive images that are easier to detect and track accurately. The synchronization ensures that the light source appears at consistent intervals in the captured image sequence, improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detected light patterns to adjust and maintain synchronization. The tracking controller analyzes the detected light source position and movement in each frame, and uses this information to generate control signals that maintain the light source within the field of view, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves tracking accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If field-of-view adjustment is not implemented, then the system is simpler, but object alignment with target position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking controller continuously monitors the light source position in each captured image and compares it with the desired target position. Based on this comparison, the controller generates feedback control signals that adjust the camera's field of view to move the light source toward the target position, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment systems with electronic control of the camera's field of view. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically realign the camera with the target, the system electronically adjusts the field of view parameters based on detected light source position, simplifying the mechanical requirements while maintaining alignment accuracy.
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 approach enables precise alignment and tracking of the light source and attached objects within the camera's field-of-view, improving the accuracy and stability of object positioning in video recordings by compensating for object movement.
Implementation Method 1
emitting a light change pattern synchronized with the camera's frame rate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for object tracking. The method includes capturing, using a camera device, a sequence of images of a scene, detecting, based on a pattern of local light change across the sequence of images, a light source in the scene, comparing, in response to detecting the light source, a location of the light source in at least one image of the sequence of images and a current position of a transport robot to generate a result, and generating, based on the result, a control signal for moving the transport robot toward the light source such that the light source aligns with a target position within the field-of-view.