Depth And Multi-Spectral Camera for Low-Power Activity Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security cameras in retail environments have low resolution and high power consumption, making it difficult to accurately recognize shopper actions and object interactions, and this affects overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
Deploy ambient invariant depth+multi-spectral cameras that utilize IR and spectral illuminators to acquire depth and spectral images, switching between low-power and high-power modes based on motion detection, enabling accurate recognition of human subjects and objects while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing security cameras are used in retail environments, then the system is simple and low cost, but the resolution is low and power consumption is high, making it difficult to accurately recognize shopper actions and object interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between low-power ambient mode and high-power active illumination mode based on motion detection. The controller activates IR and spectral illuminators only when motion is detected, allowing the camera to operate at low power during static periods while maintaining high recognition accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic motion detection to trigger illumination activation. Instead of continuous high-power operation, the camera periodically checks for motion and activates illuminators only during periods when motion is detected, creating a rhythm of low-power and high-power states that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If existing security cameras are used in retail environments, then the device complexity is low, but the resolution is low and environmental biases affect recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple imaging capabilities (ambient light imaging, IR depth imaging, and spectral imaging) into a single integrated camera unit with a unified controller. This consolidation achieves high recognition accuracy through multi-modal data fusion while managing complexity through integrated hardware and software architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is designed as a multi-functional device that can operate in multiple modes: ambient light mode for general monitoring, IR illumination mode for depth imaging in low light, and spectral illumination mode for material identification. This universality allows a single device to perform diverse functions that improve recognition accuracy across different retail scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If active illumination systems are continuously activated, then depth and spectral image quality is high, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts its operation based on scene requirements. The controller activates IR and spectral illuminators only when motion is detected or when image quality metrics indicate poor ambient conditions, allowing the system to maintain high depth and spectral image quality only when necessary rather than operating continuously at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own ambient light sensor to detect lighting conditions and automatically determines when active illumination is needed. This self-service mechanism allows the camera to assess its own imaging needs and activate illumination only when ambient light is insufficient, eliminating the need for external control while optimizing power consumption.
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 efficiently monitors retail environments by accurately identifying interactions between humans and objects, optimizing power usage, and enabling automated retail actions such as restocking and quality control, with improved recognition accuracy and reduced environmental biases.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared (IR) illumination system configured to emit active IR light in an IR light sub-band
Implementation Method 2
a spectral illumination system configured to emit active spectral light in a spectral light sub-band
Implementation Method 3
a sensor array; an infrared (IR) illumination system configured to emit active IR light
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system. The camera system includes a sensor array; an infrared (IR) illumination system configured to emit active IR light in an IR light sub-band; a spectral illumination system configured to emit active spectral light in a spectral light sub-band; one or more logic machines; and one or more storage machines. The storage machines hold instructions executable by the one or more logic machines to address the sensor array to acquire an ambient image; based on at least the ambient image, activate the IR illumination system and address the sensor array to acquire an actively-IR-illuminated depth image; and based on at least the actively-IR-illuminated depth image, activate the spectral illumination system and address the sensor array to acquire an actively-spectrally-illuminated spectral image.