Image Processing Device for Conveyor Tracking with Measurement Superimposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image processing devices for conveyer tracking do not correlate panoramic images with measurement information, limiting the operator's understanding of the workpiece's state on the conveying route.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device connected to an imaging unit with an overlapping region, which receives captured images, performs measurement processing, synthesizes images by superimposing measurement results within the overlapping range, and outputs the synthesized image along with correlated information, including error detection and varying output modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If panoramic images are generated by synthesizing captured images, then the operator can understand the overall state on the conveying route, but the measurement information on workpieces is lost or not correlated with the panoramic image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement informationVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the panoramic image into multiple captured image regions, each associated with its corresponding measurement information. By dividing the panoramic view into discrete imaging regions that can be individually processed and tagged with measurement data, the system preserves measurement information while maintaining the overall panoramic context for operator understanding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds measurement information directly within the panoramic image structure by superimposing measurement results onto the synthesized panoramic view. This nesting approach allows measurement data to be contained within the visual context of the panoramic image, enabling operators to see both the overall state and specific measurement details simultaneously without requiring separate displays or processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple captured images are synthesized to create a panoramic image, then the coverage area increases, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging coverage areaVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs measurement processing on individual captured images before they are synthesized into the panoramic image. By completing measurement operations on each separate captured image in advance, the system prepares measurement information that can be directly associated with corresponding regions in the final panoramic image, reducing the computational burden during the synthesis phase and accelerating overall processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If the imaging unit captures overlapping regions continuously, then the panoramic image coverage is improved, but the difficulty of identifying and processing overlapping regions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanoramic image coverageVSAvoidoverlapping region identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that uses measurement information from captured images to guide the identification and processing of overlapping regions. By analyzing measurement results and comparing them across consecutive captured images, the system can automatically detect overlapping areas and adjust processing parameters, making the identification and handling of overlapping regions more efficient and accurate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2793183B1Image processing device and recording medium for image processing program
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 OMRON CORP
  • EP2793183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2793183B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2793183B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing device is connected to an image-capturing unit (110) having an overlapping area in an image-capturing range before and after consecutively captured images, and is provided with: an interface for receiveing a plurality of captured images obtained by the image-capturing unit (110); measuring unit for obtaining a measurement result for a subject in a captured image by performing a measurement process with respect to the captured image; a composition unit, which composes an image so that a plurality of captured images overlap one another in an overlap range corresponding to the overlapping area in the order the images were captured, and, in addition, creates a composite image in which the subject measurement result for the overlap range is superimposed on the overlap range; and an output unit for outputting the composite image and information associated with the composite image and denoting the overlap range.