Gated Imaging Reception Apparatus for Drone and Vehicle ID
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gated imaging systems struggle to distinguish between security vehicles on the ground and drones in the air, as both are captured in the same image, leading to ambiguity in determining their presence and identity, especially in scenarios with system failures like GPS or communication network failures.
Innovation Solution
A reception apparatus that performs gated imaging by emitting pulsed light and controlling exposure timing to identify ID information transmitted as an optical signal using cyclic gated imaging, allowing for the differentiation of ground-based and aerial objects through a combination of a gated imaging unit and an identification unit that decodes ID symbols from time-series images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or communication network systems are used to identify security vehicles and drones, then identification accuracy is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical signal as an intermediary communication medium between security vehicles/drones and the monitoring system. Instead of relying directly on GPS or communication networks, the system uses visible light signals that can be detected by the gated imaging apparatus, providing a fallback identification method that works independently of electronic communication systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the identification parameter from electronic data transmission (GPS coordinates, communication signals) to optical signal characteristics (light intensity, modulation frequency, color). This parameter change allows the system to identify vehicles through physical light properties that are not dependent on functional electronic systems.
2Measurement precision
If gated imaging is used to capture images at specific distances, then depth discrimination is improved, but object identification capability deteriorates because multiple objects appear indistinguishable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process into two independent components: spatial positioning (achieved through gated imaging depth discrimination) and object identification (achieved through optical signal decoding). By separating these functions, the system can simultaneously maintain depth discrimination capability while adding identification capability through the optical signal component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the optical signal transmission system multi-functional by enabling it to carry identification information while being detectable through the existing gated imaging apparatus. The same optical detection system used for capturing images at specific distances also detects the identification signals, eliminating the need for separate identification hardware.
3Measurement precision
If optical signals are transmitted for ID identification, then object differentiation is improved, but detection complexity increases due to the need for specialized detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical signal detection to be performed by the existing image sensor in the gated imaging apparatus, making the detection system multi-functional. The same sensor that captures spatial information also detects the optical identification signals, avoiding the need for separate specialized detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own imaging capability to detect identification signals. The gated imaging apparatus serves itself by using its image sensor to both capture images and detect optical signals, eliminating the need for external or additional detection mechanisms.
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
Enables accurate identification and differentiation of ground-based and aerial objects within the same image frame, ensuring clear determination of security vehicle presence and drone arrival, even in cases of system failures, by superimposing identified ID information onto the image.
Implementation Method 1
controlling exposure timing on the basis of a time it takes for the emitted pulsed light to reciprocate the any given distance
Implementation Method 2
receiving reflection light of the pulsed light from the subject
Implementation Method 3
identifies ID information transmitted as an optical signal by a transmission apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a reception apparatus, a reception method, a transmission apparatus, a transmission method, and a communication system capable of identifying ID information from an image captured with gated imaging. A reception apparatus of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a gated imaging unit that emits pulsed light to a subject existing at any given distance, and performs gated imaging by receiving reflection light of the pulsed light from the subject by controlling exposure timing on the basis of a time it takes for the emitted pulsed light to reciprocate the any given distance; and an identification unit that identifies ID information transmitted as an optical signal by a transmission apparatus existing in an imaging direction of the gated imaging on the basis of a plurality of time-series images obtained by cyclic gated imaging with the gated imaging unit.