Automated Chute Fullness Detection Illumination Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatically assessing the fullness of a chute in facilities that handle packages is complicated by variations in illumination and debris, making it difficult to allocate resources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves capturing images of the chute using an image sensor, processing them to generate a fullness indicator by comparing with a reference image, and providing this indicator to a notification system for resource allocation, which includes compensating for ambient illumination and removing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If image-based detection is used to assess chute fullness, then automation and real-time monitoring are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to illumination variations and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a reference image of the empty chute before objects are deposited, establishing a baseline for comparison. This preliminary action enables the detection system to differentiate between chute features and objects by comparing current images against the pre-established reference, improving measurement precision while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the contribution of ambient illumination from the image data by comparing pixel values between the reference image and current image. This extraction of harmful illumination effects allows the detection system to focus on object presence without being confounded by lighting variations or debris.
2Device complexity
If simple image capture is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to sensitivity to lighting conditions and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from pixel value comparisons between the reference image and current image to determine object presence. By continuously comparing current image data against the reference and using the difference signal to trigger fullness notifications, the system achieves reliable detection without complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the empty chute state through the reference image and uses this copy as a template for comparison. This copying approach allows the simple image capture system to reliably distinguish between chute features and objects by matching against the stored reference pattern, improving reliability without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: storing (i) a reference image of a chute for receiving objects, and (ii) a region of interest mask corresponding to a location of the chute in a field of view of an image sensor; at a processor, controlling the image sensor to capture an image of the chute; applying an illumination adjustment to the image; selecting, at the processor, a portion of the image according to the region of interest mask; generating a detection image based on a comparison of the selected portion and the reference image; determining, based on the detection image, a fullness indicator for the chute; and providing the fullness indicator to notification system.