Camera Motion Measurement With Variable Strobe Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera-based motion measurement systems face challenges in accurately analyzing objects with varying speeds due to issues with superimposed multiple exposures, especially when using strobe lights, which can cause overlap for slow-moving objects and inadequate capture for fast-moving objects, leading to errors in speed, spin, and launch angle measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system that employs a variable-interval strobe pattern with shorter intervals for fast-moving objects and longer intervals for slower objects, allowing for non-overlapping exposures and enabling accurate determination of object characteristics by correlating pulse intervals with exposure distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high strobe frequency is used to capture fast-moving objects, then the object can be captured before it moves out of frame, but slower moving objects experience superimposition of exposures causing overlap and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the strobe frequency based on the detected speed of the object. When a fast-moving object is detected, the system increases strobe frequency to capture multiple positions before the object exits the frame. When slower objects are detected, the system decreases strobe frequency to prevent exposure superimposition and overlap. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between capturing fast objects and avoiding overlap for slow objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter (strobe frequency) based on object characteristics. By detecting object speed and adjusting the strobe frequency parameter accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between capturing sufficient exposures for fast objects and maintaining adequate separation for slow objects, thereby resolving the measurement precision issue.
2Measurement precision
If a low strobe frequency is used to avoid superimposition for slow-moving objects, then exposure overlap is reduced, but fast-moving objects may move out of the camera's field of view before sufficient imprints are captured
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic strobe frequency adjustment where the frequency is lowered for slow-moving objects to prevent exposure overlap while being raised for fast-moving objects to ensure sufficient imprints are captured before the object exits the frame. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining exposure separation and capturing enough data points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the strobe frequency parameter in response to detected object speed. For slow objects, the parameter is decreased to avoid superimposition; for fast objects, it is increased to capture adequate positional data. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between exposure separation and sufficient data capture.
3Quantity of substance
If a constant high strobe frequency is used, then fast-moving objects can be captured with multiple imprints, but the imprints for slower objects are superimposed causing errors in speed, spin, and launch angle measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the strobe frequency parameter from a constant value to a variable value that adapts to object speed. This ensures that fast-moving objects receive high-frequency strobing to generate multiple imprints, while slow-moving objects receive lower frequency strobing to prevent superimposition. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between quantity of imprints and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different strobe frequencies to different objects based on their individual speed characteristics. Each object receives a customized strobe rate appropriate to its motion speed, ensuring optimal imprint separation and quantity for accurate measurement. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction between generating sufficient imprints and maintaining measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If a constant low strobe frequency is used, then superimposition is avoided for slow objects, but fast objects move out of frame before enough imprints are captured for accurate analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the strobe frequency parameter upward for fast-moving objects to ensure sufficient imprints are captured before the object exits the frame, while maintaining lower frequencies for slow objects to prevent superimposition. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between exposure separation and adequate number of imprints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically modifies strobe frequency based on real-time object speed detection. Fast objects trigger high-frequency strobing to capture multiple positional imprints, while slow objects trigger low-frequency strobing to maintain separation. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between preventing superimposition and capturing sufficient data points.
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
The system effectively captures and analyzes the motion of objects across a wide range of speeds, providing accurate measurements of speed, spin, and trajectory by correlating pulse intervals with exposure distances, reducing overlap and enhancing image processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source for short pulses at a known, constant, high frequency, such as strobe lights
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include obtaining a first image of an object by using a first field-of-view, determining location information from the first image, and obtaining a second image of at least a portion of the object using a second, reduced field-of-view. The method may further include obtaining the second image based at least in part on the location information, and using the second image to determine that the object has moved. Additionally, the method may include, based at least in part on the determination, triggering the capture of one or more additional images of the object and using the additional images to determine a characteristic related to at least one of the object's location, movement, or speed.