Measurement Device Synchronization Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement devices face synchronization errors between the illumination and image capturing periods due to differing responsiveness of illuminators and image capturing devices, leading to inaccurate object positioning in robot coordinate systems.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a controller that synchronizes the illumination and image capturing periods by outputting timing information based on an overlapping measurement period, ensuring accurate timing for both processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the illumination period and image capturing period are operated independently without synchronization, then the responsiveness of each device is maintained, but a synchronization error occurs between the timing of object measurement and sensor position/attitude acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of the illuminator and image capturing device into a unified control framework. The controller determines timing information based on both the illumination period and image capturing period, ensuring they are synchronized. This combines previously independent operations into a coordinated system, eliminating synchronization errors while maintaining the responsiveness of each device through proper timing coordination.
2Measurement precision
If the timing of obtaining sensor position and attitude is determined according to one period (illumination or image capturing), then the device operation is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to synchronization error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment where the controller adaptively determines the timing information based on the actual illumination period and image capturing period characteristics. Rather than using a fixed timing scheme, the system dynamically coordinates the periods to ensure they overlap appropriately, achieving both measurement precision and operational simplicity through adaptive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from both the illuminator and image capturing device operations to determine optimal timing information. By monitoring the actual timing and characteristics of both periods, the controller adjusts the synchronization to ensure accurate object measurement while maintaining ease of operation through automated timing coordination.
3Illumination intensity
If the illumination period is extended to ensure adequate lighting, then image quality improves, but the synchronization window with the image capturing period becomes more difficult to coordinate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller determines the timing information in advance based on the required illumination period and image capturing period characteristics. By pre-coordinating the timing and duration of both periods, the system ensures adequate illumination intensity while minimizing synchronization coordination time. The preliminary determination of timing allows both periods to be properly aligned without excessive coordination overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement device for measuring a position of an object, includes an illuminator configured to illuminate the object, an image capturing device configured to capture the object illuminated by the illuminator, a calculator configured to obtain the position of the object based on an image obtained by the image capturing device, and a controller configured to control the illuminator and the image capturing unit. The controller outputs timing information indicating a timing determined in accordance with a measurement period that is an overlapping period of an illumination period for causing the illuminator to illuminate the object and an image capturing period for causing the image capturing device to capture the object.