Mirror Units for Switching Imaging Gaze Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems mounted on mobile entities face challenges in efficiently capturing high-resolution images of large areas, such as tunnel walls, due to the need for multiple passes and the resulting motion blur.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of an imaging unit and a plurality of mirror units, including a first mirror unit that maintains a constant imaging range and a second mirror unit that switches the gaze direction, allowing for efficient image capture with reduced motion blur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single high-speed camera with high-resolution is installed in the inspection vehicle, then image quality is improved, but the number of trips required to capture a 180-degree image increases to 60 times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mirror units to change the optical path dimension, allowing the camera to sweep across a 180-degree field of view by reflecting light at different angles. This transforms the problem from needing 60 trips to capture 180 degrees to a single pass with the mirror system redirecting the camera's view across the entire tunnel wall area.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror units act as intermediaries between the camera and the tunnel wall. By placing mirrors in the optical path, the system extends the effective field of view without changing the camera itself, allowing a single camera to capture what would otherwise require multiple trips.
2Measurement precision
If the camera angle of view is limited to 3 degrees, then image resolution is maintained, but the number of trips to capture a 180-degree image increases to 60 times
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror system introduces an angular dimension to the optical path, allowing the camera to effectively scan across 180 degrees while maintaining its narrow 3-degree field of view. This is achieved by reflecting light at varying angles off the mirrors, extending the coverage without changing the camera's intrinsic properties.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple passes are made to capture images of the tunnel wall, then complete coverage is achieved, but motion blur increases due to vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror system enables continuous sweeping of the field of view across the tunnel wall in a single pass. By rapidly changing the mirror angles, the system maintains continuous imaging coverage without interruption, eliminating the need for multiple discrete passes that would cause motion blur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror units are dynamically adjusted at high frequency during the single pass to sweep across the 180-degree field of view. This periodic changing of mirror angles creates a continuous scanning effect that captures the entire tunnel wall in one uninterrupted motion, avoiding the motion blur that would result from multiple separate passes.
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 configuration enables the capture of a 180-degree image of a tunnel wall with a single high-speed camera in a single pass, significantly reducing the number of trips required and improving image quality by minimizing motion blur.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of mirror units, wherein: at least a first mirror unit and a second mirror unit of the plurality of mirror units are disposed on an optical axis of the imaging unit
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system is provided. The system is mounted on a mobile entity and includes: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject; and a plurality of mirror units, wherein: at least a first mirror unit and a second mirror unit of the plurality of mirror units are disposed on an optical axis of the imaging unit, the first mirror unit is used in such a manner that an imaging range of the imaging unit is a constant area of the subject, and the second mirror unit is used to switch a gaze direction of the imaging unit.