Multi-Focus Shelf-Viewing Camera for Readable Barcode Panoramas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed-focus camera systems struggle to capture sharp images of objects or barcodes on shelves due to depth of field limitations, especially in macro photography, and auto-focus cameras fail when all depths are equally important, leading to distortions and unreadable barcodes.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with multiple focus capabilities mounted on an autonomous robot captures series of images at different focal lengths, allowing for merging of images to create panoramic views and ensuring that objects, including barcodes, are in focus, using a combination of adjustable lenses, image sensors, and advanced image processing algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed-focus camera is used to capture shelf images, then the device complexity is reduced, but the depth of field is insufficient to capture objects at varying depths clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static fixed-focus camera to a dynamic system that captures multiple images at different focal lengths. The camera systematically varies its focus depth across a range, capturing images at multiple discrete focal points, and then combines these dynamically captured images to achieve comprehensive depth of field coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the depth of field problem by dividing the continuous depth range into multiple discrete focal planes. Instead of attempting to capture the entire depth range in a single image, the system captures separate images at different focal lengths (segmenting the depth axis) and then combines them, effectively segmenting the imaging process to overcome the limited depth of field of individual images.
2Manufacturing precision
If an auto-focus camera is used to capture shelf images, then the image focus quality is improved for specific depths, but the system fails when all depths are equally important
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating an imaging system that serves multiple depth zones simultaneously. Rather than optimizing for a single focal plane, the multi-focal imaging system captures and combines images from multiple focal lengths, making the system universally applicable to objects at any depth within the captured range. This multi-functional approach allows the same system to clearly image both foreground and background elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the imaging process by introducing the focal length dimension. Instead of capturing images at a single fixed focus, the system varies the focal length as an additional dimension of capture, creating a multi-dimensional dataset that can be processed to achieve comprehensive depth coverage. This dimensional expansion transforms the limitation of single-plane focus into a strength of multi-plane capture.
3Manufacturing precision
If focus stacking is used to combine multiple focal length images, then the depth of field is improved, but the computational complexity and image distortion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical focus adjustment systems with a computational approach. Instead of using precision mechanical mechanisms to maintain continuous focus across depth, the system uses computational image processing to combine discrete images captured at different focal lengths. This substitution of mechanical complexity with computational processing achieves similar depth of field enhancement while using more manageable discrete image capture and processing steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If the camera captures images at multiple focal lengths, then the depth of field coverage is improved, but the frequency of image capture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by systematically capturing images across the focal length range without interruption. The camera progresses through the sequence of focal lengths in a continuous manner, ensuring that each focal plane is captured in turn. This continuous systematic capture approach minimizes idle time and ensures efficient use of the imaging process, maintaining productivity while achieving comprehensive depth coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring a shelf includes the steps of moving a camera with multiple focus capability alongside a shelf. A series of shelf images are captured by the camera, with images of at least two different focal lengths being captured. Images having the same focal length can be merged to form at least two panoramic images suitable for further evaluation or review.