Motorized Gemstone Imaging System for Remote Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the capability to objectively evaluate gemstones from diverse angles and depths, limiting remote assessment and comparison of their characteristics, such as those required for purchasing or selling gemstones, as they rely on physical examination under a microscope.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that captures high-resolution images and videos of gemstones from 360° viewing angles, allowing remote access and manipulation, enabling users to evaluate gemstones as if they had physical possession, using a combination of movable components like image capture devices, lenses, and illuminators, along with a viewer system for storing and retrieving images/video.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical examination under a microscope is used to evaluate gemstones, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate due to the need for physical shipping and in-person examination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the gemstone through high-resolution photography and video recording from multiple angles and depths. This digital replica allows remote examination without physical shipping, maintaining evaluation accuracy while eliminating time loss associated with physical transport and in-person meetings.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system acts as an intermediary between the gemstone and the examiner. Instead of direct physical examination requiring both parties to be in the same location, the imaging system captures and transmits visual information, serving as a mediator that enables remote evaluation with high precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image capture devices are used to achieve 360° viewing angles, then adaptability and information completeness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning where the image capture device can move along a rotatable arm and rotate to achieve 360° coverage. This dynamic system allows a single device to perform the function of multiple fixed devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete viewing angle coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed as a multi-functional device that can capture images from multiple angles, record video, and examine the gemstone at different depths using a single integrated apparatus. This universal device replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices, simplifying the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system may be collect information related to a specific gemstone such that a user may later access those images in a manner that allows the user to emulate a microscope. The illustrative embodiment of the imaging system may allow a subject gemstone to be rotated by 360 degrees in yaw, pitch, and roll dimensions relative to an image capture device, and the linear distance between the image capture device and the subject gemstone to be adjusted. The illustrative embodiment of the image capture device may record images of the subject gemstone at a plurality of focal points in three-dimensional space from a plurality of angles. A viewer system may be used to access images for a specific gemstone.