Multi-Focus Camera Layout for Conveyor Label Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for label recognition on conveyor belts face challenges with varying object distances, requiring complex mechanical focus adjustments, high computing power, and high power consumption, leading to high costs, wear, and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with multiple camera units and sensors, each capturing images in different focus areas, combined with synchronized processing and reduced lighting needs, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustments and high-intensity lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a large aperture with high f-number is used to increase depth of field, then depth of field is improved, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple camera units, each responsible for a specific depth range. The first camera unit captures images in a first focus area (closer objects) while the second camera unit captures images in a second focus area (farther objects). This segmentation allows each camera to operate with optimal aperture settings for its specific range, eliminating the need for a single large-aperture system that would require excessive light transmission compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-depth-of-field approach to a multi-dimensional depth coverage strategy. By using multiple camera units with different focus areas, the system covers multiple depth dimensions simultaneously, allowing objects at various distances to be captured with appropriate focus settings without requiring extreme aperture adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical focus adjustment is used to adapt to varying distances, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with a multi-camera unit configuration. Instead of moving parts that adjust focus dynamically, the system uses multiple fixed camera units, each optimized for a specific depth range. This eliminates mechanical wear and complexity while maintaining adaptability to varying object distances through selective image capture from appropriate camera units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability through a processor that selectively processes images from different camera units based on object distance. Rather than mechanically adjusting focus, the system dynamically selects which camera unit's image data to use, achieving adaptability through intelligent data selection rather than physical adjustment.
3Use of energy by moving object
If high-performance LEDs are added to increase light transmission, then light transmission is improved, but power consumption and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the imaging task across multiple camera units with different focus areas, the patent eliminates the need for high-intensity lighting. Each camera unit can use standard aperture settings appropriate for its depth range, allowing the use of conventional lighting devices rather than requiring multiple high-performance LEDs to compensate for restricted apertures.
4Measurement precision
If object tracking is implemented to determine field of view, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple camera units to cover different depth ranges and focus areas. This eliminates the need for dynamic object tracking to determine field of view, as the system is already prepared with multiple perspectives. The processor simply needs to select which camera unit's data to use based on object distance, rather than actively tracking and adjusting a single camera's field of view.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a camera system for a label recognition device, wherein the camera system is designed to recognize 1D and/or 2D label codes on objects that are moved in particular by a conveyor belt, wherein the camera system comprises a first camera unit with a first camera lens and a first image sensor and at least one processor. The camera system comprises at least a second camera unit with a second camera lens and a second image sensor. The first image sensor of the first camera unit is designed to record an image of an object in a first focus range and the second image sensor of the second camera unit is designed to record an image of an object in a second focus range, wherein the second focus range has a greater distance from the camera system than the first focus range.The processor is designed to process image data from the first image sensor and image data from the second image sensor.