Monocular 3D Position Measurement Using Reflection Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing position measurement systems require multiple cameras to achieve accurate three-dimensional positioning, which increases installation costs and processing loads, and struggle with reflections from surfaces as noise rather than utilizing them for positioning.

Innovation Solution

A position measurement system using a monocular camera that distinguishes between direct and reflection images of a light emitter based on known installation positions and image-capturing directions, employing visible-light communication to determine the three-dimensional position of the emitter by analyzing light patterns and angles, reducing the need for multiple cameras and leveraging reflections for accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to achieve accurate three-dimensional positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional positioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of cameras required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts reflection images, which were traditionally treated as noise or interference, into useful positioning information. By distinguishing between direct images and reflection images of the light emitter, the system achieves three-dimensional positioning accuracy without requiring multiple cameras, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light emitter as an intermediary that emits light signals with identifiable characteristics. This light emitter serves as a mediator between the single camera and the three-dimensional space, enabling the camera to extract positional information through analysis of light patterns and reflection characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for multiple cameras while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to achieve accurate three-dimensional positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional positioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms reflection images from problematic noise into valuable positioning data. By using the reflection characteristics of the light emitter, the system achieves accurate three-dimensional positioning with a single camera, significantly reducing the processing load compared to systems requiring multiple cameras to achieve the same precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If reflections from surfaces are treated as noise, then measurement reliability is maintained, but useful positioning information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning information from reflections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by converting reflection images, which were previously discarded as noise, into useful positioning information. The system distinguishes between direct images and reflection images of the light emitter, utilizing the reflection characteristics to achieve three-dimensional positioning while maintaining measurement reliability through proper image identification and processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 accurate three-dimensional positioning with reduced installation costs and processing loads, allowing for precise measurement even with a single camera by effectively utilizing reflection images, and simplifying the design and implementation of positioning systems.

Implementation Method 1

a position of a direct image resulting from directly receiving light from a light emitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a position of a reflection image by reflected light resulting from light emitted by the light emitter being reflected by a predetermined plane within the space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250299355A1Position measurement system, position measurement method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a position measurement system, including a processor that obtains, from an image obtained by an image capturer having a known image-capturing direction and a known installation position in a space, a position of a direct image resulting from directly receiving light from a light emitter that is movable in the space and a position of a reflection image by reflected light resulting from light emitted by the light emitter being reflected by a predetermined plane within the space, and obtains a three-dimensional position of the light emitter in the space based on the position of the reflection image and the position of the direct image in the image.