Multi-Camera Length Measurement via Image Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional length measurement devices face challenges in accurately measuring large objects due to long camera movement distances and prolonged measurement times, making them unsuitable for high-precision measurements in mass production settings.

Innovation Solution

A length measurement device with multiple cameras capturing images of target points and reference marks on a placement surface, using image processing to calculate positions and lengths without the need for camera movement, thereby reducing measurement time and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a camera is moved to measure the length of a long object, then the measurement can be performed with a single camera, but the movement distance becomes long and measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera systemVSAvoidmovement distance detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement system is segmented into multiple stationary cameras positioned at different locations. Each camera captures images of its local field of view, and the control unit integrates these segmented measurements to calculate the total length of the object, eliminating the need for single camera movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a one-dimensional camera movement approach to a two-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple stationary cameras. By positioning cameras at different locations and using reference marks on the placement surface, the system achieves accurate length measurement through coordinate transformation and image integration without mechanical movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If a camera is moved to measure the length of a long object, then the measurement can be performed with a single camera, but the measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera systemVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement task is divided into parallel segments captured simultaneously by multiple stationary cameras. Each camera independently captures images of its designated area, and the control unit processes these images concurrently to calculate the total length, dramatically reducing measurement time compared to sequential camera movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reference marks are pre-positioned on the placement surface at known locations. These reference marks enable the control unit to perform coordinate transformation and image integration without requiring camera movement or recalibration during the measurement process, allowing for rapid simultaneous capture and processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a highly accurate length measurement device is used, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases and it becomes unsuitable for mass production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical camera movement with an optical-imaging-based measurement approach. Multiple stationary cameras capture images simultaneously, and the control unit uses image processing and coordinate transformation algorithms to calculate precise lengths, achieving both high accuracy and rapid measurement suitable for mass production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Reference marks are pre-positioned on the placement surface at known locations before measurement. This preliminary setup enables the control unit to perform rapid coordinate transformation and length calculation directly from captured images without requiring mechanical movement or iterative calibration, achieving both precision and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10760895B2Length measurement device

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 NIDEC-READ CORPORATION

AI summary

A length measurement device includes: a placement table; cameras imaging images of imaging ranges including target points; first marks within the imaging ranges; a reference position storage unit storing positions of the first marks on a placement surface as first mark reference positions; an image position acquisition unit acquiring, on the basis of the imaged images of the cameras, the target image positions of the target points in the imaged images and the first mark image positions of the first marks in the imaged images; a target position acquisition unit determining positions of the target points on the placement surface on the basis of the target image positions and first mark image positions in the imaged images and the first mark reference positions on the placement surface; and a length acquisition unit determining, on the basis of positions of the target points, the length of a portion to have the length thereof measured.