Marker Lighting Control for Camera Recognition in Dark Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for controlling objects moving in specific zones by recognizing markers with cameras face challenges when the zone or surroundings are dark, leading to insufficient marker recognition.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus that acquires brightness, marker map, and object position information, and controls a lighting device to illuminate markers based on their positions and the brightness information, adjusting irradiation range, direction, and luminous intensity as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the lighting device is turned on to illuminate the surroundings when illuminance is low, then the brightness of the surroundings is improved, but the marker may still not be sufficiently recognized due to inappropriate irradiation direction or range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness of surroundingsVSAvoidmarker recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is controlled to provide localized illumination specifically targeting the marker's position rather than uniform illumination of the entire surroundings. The control unit adjusts the lighting parameters (irradiation direction, range, and intensity) based on the marker's location information, ensuring concentrated light delivery to the marker area for reliable recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the marker's position and brightness conditions before activating the lighting device. By acquiring marker position information and current brightness levels in advance, the control unit can pre-calculate the appropriate irradiation parameters, ensuring the lighting is optimally configured before actual illumination occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If the lighting device illuminates the entire surroundings, then the overall brightness is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall brightnessVSAvoidenergy consumption of lighting device

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of illuminating the entire surroundings uniformly, the lighting device is controlled to deliver light only to the specific area where the marker is located. The control unit restricts the irradiation range and direction to match the marker's position, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient brightness for marker recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial illumination action by lighting only the necessary portion of the surroundings (the marker area) rather than the entire environment. This selective illumination approach provides sufficient brightness for the critical recognition task while minimizing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If the lighting device uses fixed irradiation direction and range, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different marker positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting control structureVSAvoidadaptability to different marker positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable system. The control unit modifies the irradiation direction, range, and intensity in real-time based on the detected marker position. This dynamic adaptation allows the lighting device to effectively track and illuminate markers at various locations without requiring physical repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the lighting parameters (irradiation direction angle, range distance, and intensity level) based on the marker's position coordinates. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the lighting device adapts to different marker locations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as the changes are achieved through control algorithms rather than complex mechanical adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach ensures that markers can be sufficiently recognized by the camera even in dark environments, reducing the likelihood of recognition failures due to insufficient lighting.

Implementation Method 1

operating a lighting device installed in the object to illuminate the one or more markers located around the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12291192B2Control apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer readable media encoded with computer program

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A control apparatus for an object moving in a specific zone while recognizing one or more markers deployed in the specific zone by a camera. The control apparatus is configured to execute detecting whether or not that the specific zone or surroundings of the object is darker than a specified brightness, and when detecting that the specific zone or the surroundings of the object is darker than the specified brightness, operating a lighting device installed in the object to illuminate the one or more markers located around the object.