Integrated Visual Marker Optical Safety Device for Image Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical safety devices face challenges in accurately monitoring hazards due to potential sensor malfunctions or misinstallations, which can lead to missed unsafe conditions, and require precise calibration methods that are cumbersome and environment-dependent.
Innovation Solution
The visual marker is integrated within the field of view of the lens on a marker support portion of the housing, allowing for easy installation and continuous monitoring of device operation, while the marker's image is processed separately to assess image quality and calibration without affecting the main surveillance image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the visual marker is placed in a fixed position outside the device housing, then the marker can be easily installed, but it may be damaged or become invisible over the lifetime of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The marker is merged with the device housing by being pre-mounted to an external surface of the housing. This combines the marker installation with the device assembly process, ensuring the marker remains securely attached throughout the device's lifetime while maintaining easy installation through pre-mounting capabilities
2Ease of manufacture
If the marker is placed within the monitored area of the field of view, then the marker can be easily included in the image, but it interferes with the main surveillance image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into separate functions: one dedicated to detecting the marker in specific regions and another for generating the main surveillance image. This allows the marker to be included in the field of view without interfering with the quality of the main surveillance image, as the marker detection and surveillance functions operate independently
3Adaptability or versatility
If the marker position varies depending on the environment, then the device can adapt to different monitoring scenarios, but the installation becomes complex and case-specific
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with universal marker mounting features that can accommodate different marker positions and types. The processing system universally detects markers regardless of their specific location within the field of view, allowing the same device to adapt to various environmental monitoring scenarios without requiring complex case-specific installations
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
Ensures reliable operation of the safety device by simplifying marker installation, providing continuous calibration checks, and maintaining accurate hazard detection even in varying environments.
Implementation Method 1
The lens focuses an optical image of the field of view on a focus area located at least in part on the optical sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~6
AI summary
An optical safety device (1) comprises a housing (2), a lens (3) mounted in a lens opening (22), and an image sensor (4). The lens (3) is configured to focus, on a sensitive surface (41) of the image sensor (4), a main optical image of a field of view, onto a focus area (A). A visual marker (7) is arranged on a marker support of the housing (2) within the field of view, such that a marker optical image is received on a marker projection area (E) of the focus area (A) of the image sensor (4). A processing system (5) is configured to analyze a fixed marker portion (64) of a first digital image (61), formed from marker image data collected by the image sensor (5) on the marker projection area (E), and thus to establish an image quality level.