Synchronized Camera and Light Source Pulse Timing for Mobile Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile automation apparatuses in retail environments face challenges in operating cameras and light sources due to battery power constraints, strobe-related discomfort, and parasitic reflections, which affect image acquisition and battery life.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with cameras configured to acquire images periodically at a specific exposure time and frequency, and light sources are operated at a higher frequency that is imperceptible to human vision, with paired light sources and cameras operated at different times to avoid parasitic reflections, ensuring continuous illumination without battery drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light sources are operated at high brightness with pulse duration matching camera exposure time, then clear image acquisition is achieved, but strobe-related discomfort is induced in sensitive observers
Solution Approach 1:
The light source operates in periodic pulses synchronized with the camera exposure times. By controlling the duty cycle and timing of these periodic pulses, the system provides sufficient illumination for clear images while limiting the temporal exposure that causes strobe discomfort to human observers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light source parameters including pulse duration, frequency, and intensity. By varying these parameters based on camera exposure requirements and observer sensitivity thresholds, the system achieves optimal balance between image quality and comfort, preventing strobe-related discomfort while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If light sources are operated continuously to provide sufficient illumination, then clear image acquisition is maintained, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the light source operates in periodic pulses that are synchronized with camera exposure times. This periodic activation provides sufficient illumination only when needed for image capture, dramatically reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining image acquisition quality during active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action during camera exposure periods by synchronizing light pulses with exposure times. The light is activated continuously only when the camera is capturing images, ensuring no loss of measurement precision during active operation while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods between exposures.
3Productivity
If multiple cameras operate simultaneously with their paired light sources, then productivity is improved, but parasitic reflections interfere with image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the operation of multiple camera-light source pairs into distinct time slots or channels. By dividing the simultaneous operation into sequential segments, the system allows multiple cameras to operate without their light sources causing parasitic reflections in each other's fields of view, thus maintaining productivity while eliminating interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple camera-light source pairs operate in periodic cycles with staggered timing. Each pair activates in sequence rather than simultaneously, with the timing coordinated to complete image acquisition before the next pair activates. This periodic sequential operation maintains high data capture rates while preventing parasitic reflection interference between channels.
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 enables clear image acquisition without strobing discomfort and reduces battery consumption while minimizing parasitic reflections, ensuring efficient data capture and extended battery life.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source configured to periodically provide illumination light for the camera, the illumination light having a pulse duration that corresponds to the given exposure time
Implementation Method 2
a camera, configured to acquire images periodically according to a given exposure time
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a device and method for improved operating of cameras and light sources of a mobile automation apparatus. Light sources are operated to periodically provide illumination light for a camera operating according to a given exposure time and frequency, with a pulse duration having a respective frequency that is an integer multiple of the camera frequency, and higher than a threshold frequency where successive activations of the light sources are imperceptible. Furthermore, a light source paired with a camera is located at a distance from the paired camera that illuminates an object imaged by the paired camera, and where parasitic reflections from the paired light source are not reflected into the paired camera.