Mobile Image Acquisition with Distance and Exposure Consistency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with cameras face challenges in analyzing changes in objects due to varying capture conditions, such as distance, angle, and lighting, and different user skill levels, making it difficult to discern actual changes in image sequences.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that includes a camera, distance detection mechanism, and an image acquisition application, which uses a reference image to automatically acquire images with consistent exposure settings and distance, and provides tools for users to adjust camera settings and lighting conditions to ensure consistent image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured manually over time, then image sequences can be acquired, but consistency in capture conditions (distance, angle, lighting) deteriorates, making it difficult to analyze actual changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation (handheld camera positioning) with an automated system using a robotic arm to position and stabilize the mobile device. The robotic arm mechanically controls the device's position and orientation, ensuring consistent capture conditions across multiple images while enabling automated sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts camera parameters (exposure, focus, zoom) based on analyzed reference images to maintain consistency. By dynamically changing these parameters according to detected object characteristics, the system ensures that variations in captured images reflect actual object changes rather than parameter inconsistencies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different camera settings are used to capture images, then adaptability to different lighting conditions improves, but consistency across the image sequence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system analyzes reference images to determine optimal camera settings and uses this feedback to automatically adjust exposure, focus, and other parameters for subsequent images. This closed-loop approach maintains consistency by basing parameter selection on actual captured image quality rather than predetermined settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures reference images first and analyzes them before capturing the main sequence of images. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine optimal camera settings based on the specific scene and lighting conditions, ensuring consistency throughout the subsequent image sequence.
3Stability of the object's composition
If automated image acquisition is implemented, then consistency in capture conditions improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single automated system: the mobile device serves as both camera and processor, the robotic arm provides positioning and stabilization, and software handles image analysis and parameter adjustment. This multi-functional integration achieves consistent capture conditions while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separate dedicated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A reference image of one or more objects is displayed on the display of a mobile device in a manner that allows a user of the mobile device to simultaneously view the reference image and a preview image of the one or more objects currently in a field of view of a camera of the mobile device. An indication is provided to the user of the mobile device whether the camera of the mobile device is currently located within a specified amount of a distance at which the reference image was acquired. In response to a user request, the camera acquires a second image of the one or more objects and optionally a distance between the camera and the one or more objects at the time the second image was acquired is recorded. An image management application provides various functionalities for accessing and managing image sequences.