Dual Camera Module System With Integrated Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices in materials handling facilities, such as retail stores, require multiple mounts and connections for elevated configurations, leading to increased installation and maintenance costs, and must be kept within specific temperature ranges to operate optimally.
Innovation Solution
A dual camera module system with pairs of digital camera modules mounted in housings at non-parallel angles, featuring overlapping fields of view and internal power and network connections, along with cooling systems like fans or blowers to manage heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If imaging devices are mounted in elevated configurations on ceiling or walls, then the fields of view can include accessible floor spaces and storage units, but individual mounts and power/network connections are required for each device, increasing installation and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging devices into a single integrated imaging system with a shared housing unit. This housing contains multiple cameras, power supply components, and network communication interfaces, eliminating the need for separate mounts and connections for each individual camera while maintaining elevated configuration for comprehensive floor space coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural mounting support, houses power supply components, contains network communication interfaces, and accommodates multiple imaging devices. This multi-functional design reduces the overall complexity compared to separate dedicated mounts and connections for each function.
2Area of stationary object
If imaging devices are mounted in elevated configurations, then comprehensive coverage of floor spaces is achieved, but the devices must be maintained at specific temperatures to operate properly, increasing cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates cooling components directly into the shared housing unit, combining thermal management functions with the housing structure. This integrated approach allows efficient heat distribution and temperature control for multiple imaging devices without requiring separate cooling systems for each camera, thereby reducing overall cooling requirements while maintaining elevated configuration for comprehensive coverage.
3Reliability
If multiple individual imaging devices are deployed, then comprehensive monitoring coverage is achieved, but hardware and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging devices into a single integrated system housed in one unit, maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage while reducing the total number of separate hardware installations required. This consolidation reduces installation costs and simplifies deployment while preserving the reliability of multi-device monitoring coverage.
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 dual camera module system reduces hardware and installation costs while providing comprehensive coverage with efficient heat management, enabling reliable operation in elevated configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The housing may include a fan or blower for circulating cooling air flow through the housing to remove heat generated by the camera modules
Data Source
AI summary
A dual camera module system includes a housing and a pair of camera modules (e.g., digital cameras) that are aligned with fields of view that overlap below the housing. The camera modules are mounted to a bench within the housing. The dual camera module system is configured for mounting above areas such as retail establishments or other materials handling facilities. The housing is formed from one or more sections of plastic or like materials, and includes inlets and outlets that enable air to flow past the camera modules and other components within the housing, and to maintain such components at a desired temperature. Images captured by the imaging devices of the camera module may be utilized for any purpose.