Multi-Line Time-Division Exposure for Line Scan Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial line scan cameras, which collect images by scanning one line at a time, often result in insufficient image information due to limitations like light sources, leading to cumbersome, slow, and costly multi-camera setups that cannot meet the increasing demands of machine vision for image scanning speed and information.
Innovation Solution
A camera multi-line time-division exposure processing method and system that uses one camera with multiple light sources, where sensor lines correspond to light sources in a one-to-one correspondence, sequentially turning on and off light sources to collect and splice image data, aligning and outputting complete images efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple single line cameras are used to scan the object, then the image information amount increases, but the device size becomes too large and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor lines into a single camera device, merging the functions of multiple single-line cameras into one multi-line camera. This integration maintains the capability to capture comprehensive image information while significantly reducing device size and simplifying the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-line camera is designed with universal functionality to perform the work of multiple single-line cameras. Each sensor line can independently capture image data under different light sources, allowing a single device to fulfill multiple detection functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the need for multiple separate cameras.
2Loss of information
If multiple single line cameras are used to scan the object, then the image information amount increases, but the scanning speed decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-line camera enables continuous scanning by having multiple sensor lines operating simultaneously. While one line is exposing under a light source, other lines are processing or preparing for the next exposure, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the scanning process, thus improving scanning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple sensor lines and light sources in advance. The trigger signal mechanism is pre-configured to coordinate the sequential activation of light sources with corresponding sensor lines, enabling rapid sequential exposure without requiring complex real-time coordination during scanning.
3Loss of information
If multiple single line cameras are used to scan the object, then the image information amount increases, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple camera functions into a single multi-line camera device, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers material costs, assembly costs, and maintenance costs while maintaining the capability to capture comprehensive image information from multiple light sources.
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
This approach enhances image recognition efficiency, reduces device size and cost, integrates multiple detection features into a single position, and synchronously analyzes object features under various illuminations, providing high collection efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of sensor lines of the N sensor lines is configured to respectively collect image data of an object moving through the camera's field of view along one direction under the corresponding light sources
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a camera multi-line time-division exposure processing method and a system. N sensor lines correspond to the n light sources in a one-to-one correspondence. The sensor lines is configured to respectively collect image data of an object moving through the camera's field of view along one direction under the corresponding light sources. The method includes: obtaining a trigger signal to trigger at one time the n light sources to turn on and off sequentially, collecting image data of the object exposed under a turned-on light source, and extracting image data of the object obtained by one sensor line corresponding to the turned-on light source as valid data; splicing all the valid data of the same portion of the object to obtain a spliced image under different light sources; and cyclically outputting the spliced image to obtain a complete image of the object.