Auxiliary Shell and Lens for Mobile Animal Nose Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device cameras lack the necessary depth of field and magnification to capture high-quality images of animal noses, which are often curved and small, and are prone to stray light reflections, making it difficult to acquire usable nose pattern images for biometric identification.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary apparatus comprising a mount unit, shell unit, and lens attachment unit for mobile devices, which adjusts focal length, field of view, and provides controlled lighting to ensure high-quality nose pattern images, including a translucent shell to block stray light and an illumination unit for additional light sources, with adjustable aperture and power options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile device camera is used to capture animal nose images, then convenience and accessibility are improved, but image quality and depth of field are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple components: the mobile device camera, the shell unit with diffuser, and the illumination unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining the overall convenience of using a mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell unit with diffuser acts as an intermediary between the illumination source and the animal nose. It modifies the light properties to provide soft, even illumination that eliminates harsh reflections while maintaining the simplicity of mobile device operation.
2Device complexity
If standard mobile device camera is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but depth of field and magnification capability are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The depth of field problem is solved by segmenting the imaging system into a mobile device camera (maintaining simplicity) and an external shell unit with diffuser (providing optical control). This separation allows the camera to remain simple while the shell unit provides the necessary optical modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell unit with diffuser changes the optical parameters of the lighting system, creating soft, even illumination that increases the effective depth of field. The diffuser modifies light propagation characteristics to illuminate the curved nose surface uniformly without creating sharp reflections.
3Device complexity
If regular lighting is used for nose imaging, then setup simplicity is maintained, but stray light reflections from wet nose surface degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser in the shell unit serves as an intermediary between the light source and the animal nose. It transforms direct, harsh light into soft, diffused light that eliminates specular reflections from the wet nose surface while maintaining setup simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wet nose surface, which normally causes harmful reflections, is illuminated in a way that converts the reflection issue into a benefit. The diffused light creates soft highlights that reveal nose texture and pattern details without creating glare, turning the reflective property into an advantage for pattern visualization.
4Manufacturing precision
If dedicated camera hardware is used for nose imaging, then image quality is improved, but accessibility and ease of use for average users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by combining a standard mobile device camera with an external shell unit and illumination system. This configuration allows the system to function as a dedicated nose imaging device while remaining accessible to average users through their existing mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell unit with diffuser acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple mobile device operation and professional-quality imaging. It provides the optical control necessary for high-quality images while the mobile device provides accessibility and ease of use.
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
Enables the capture of high-resolution, clear animal nose pattern images that can be used for identification, overcoming the limitations of standard mobile device cameras by providing a controlled environment and enhanced imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The shell unit, whose length and opening size can be adjusted for the target animal, serves as a controlled image acquisition environment for capturing good quality nose pattern images by blocking out stray lights
Implementation Method 2
including a translucent shell to block stray light and an illumination unit for additional light sources
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for capturing animal nose pattern images on a mobile device using a camera embedded in the mobile device and a mount unit attached to the mobile device that facilitates simple and secure attachment onto the mobile device. A shell unit connects and encloses a space between the animal nose and the camera of the mobile device. A lens attachment unit placed over the camera and having one or more lenses allows a regular mobile device camera to take animal nose pattern images with no internal hardware modification. An illumination unit provides additional light to improve an image quality. The mount unit is a mechanism by which the shell unit, the lens attachment unit and the illumination unit are fastened onto the mobile device.