Motorized Camera Mount Alignment for No-Parallax Image Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital device mounts fail to efficiently capture images of the surrounding environment without parallax errors, requiring manual adjustment and resulting in increased human error and reduced image capture speed.
Innovation Solution
A motorized mount system with a base, motor, and adjustable arm that rotates and tilts a digital device to maintain the camera at a no-parallax point, allowing for automated image capture at multiple angles and reducing parallax errors by positioning the camera along the axis of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual adjustment of digital device position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but image capture speed decreases and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized mount system automatically positions the digital device to maintain the camera at the no-parallax point during rotation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the operator. The system self-regulates the device orientation through motor control, improving capture speed while reducing human error in positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motorized system. The motor-driven rotational component and adjustable arm mechanism substitute for human hands and eyes in positioning the device, enabling faster and more precise positioning without requiring operator skill or attention.
2Manufacturing precision
If camera is not positioned at no-parallax point, then device complexity is reduced, but parallax errors increase in captured images
Solution Approach 1:
The mount system incorporates feedback through its motorized positioning mechanism that maintains the camera at the no-parallax point during rotation. The system continuously adjusts the device orientation based on the rotational position, ensuring the camera remains properly aligned without requiring complex manual measurement and adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions the digital device on the adjustable arm mechanism before rotation begins, configuring it to intersect the axis of rotation. This preliminary setup ensures that during automated rotation, the camera maintains the correct position relative to the rotation axis, eliminating parallax errors without requiring real-time intervention.
3Productivity
If automated motorized positioning is implemented, then image capture speed increases, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized mount operates periodically, rotating to discrete positions for image capture rather than continuously moving. The motor activates only during positioning transitions and remains stationary during image capture, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fast capture speeds through efficient use of motorized positioning.
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 enables efficient, automated image capture with reduced parallax errors, increasing the speed of image acquisition and improving the combination of images into a 3D visualization of the environment.
Implementation Method 1
positioning the camera along the axis of rotation... to maintain the camera at a no-parallax point... reducing parallax errors
Data Source
AI summary
An example system comprises a base with a bottom end and a top end opposite the bottom end, a motor within the base, the motor being coupled to a rotational component of the base and configured to turn the rotational component about an axis of rotation, the rotational component being at the top end of the base, the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the top end of the base, and an arm coupled to the rotational component, the arm configured to move a holding member above the top of the base, the holding member configurable to hold a digital device above the top end of the base, the arm being adjustable to position and tilt the holding member, the rotational component being capable of turning the arm and the holding member, the arm configured to tilt the holding member at a first angle relative to the arm.