Ocular Motor Controller for Image Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ocular motor systems in moving objects, such as autonomous robots, fail to reliably prevent image blurring due to translational movement, as they do not effectively consider the distance to the visual target in their correction mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An ocular motor controller that utilizes the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex, incorporating a pair of image pickup devices, a distance information acquisition section, a translational movement sensor, and a correction section to measure and correct for rotational and translational movements, ensuring the visual target remains fixed in the image pickup position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image processing method is used to prevent blurring, then image quality is improved, but response speed is slow due to frame-by-frame processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/image processing system with a biological-inspired vestibulo-ocular reflex system. The correction section directly controls the ocular device based on translational movement detection, bypassing frame-by-frame image processing and achieving high-speed response through direct sensor-to-actuator control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the moving object's own translational movement detection capability to automatically correct image blurring. The correction section utilizes the detected translational movement to directly adjust the ocular device, creating a self-correcting system that operates without external processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If existing ocular motor system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but image blurring prevention reliability is insufficient due to lack of distance consideration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage blurring prevention reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The correction section serves multiple functions: it detects translational movement, calculates compensation amounts based on distance information, and controls the ocular device. This multi-functional approach improves reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The correction section acts as an intermediary between the translational movement detector and the ocular device. It processes the relationship between translational movement and distance to generate appropriate compensation commands, bridging the gap between detection and execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If visual feedback method is used, then image quality is improved, but system complexity increases due to frame-by-frame processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex frame-by-frame image processing with a direct sensor-based control system. The correction section uses translational movement detection to directly control the ocular device, eliminating the need for visual feedback processing while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2157783B1Eyeball movement controller using principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex
Publication Date: 2016.02.17 ZHANG XIAOLIN
  • EP2157783B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2157783B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2157783B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An ocular motor controller for preventing an image blur by using the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex in response to translational movement. The ocular motor controller comprises an image pickup section (20) used as an ocular device, an ocular drive section (30) for rotating the image pickup section, a distance information acquisition section (40) for acquiring information concerning the distance from the image pickup section (20) to a visual target (1), a translational movement sensor (50) for measuring the variation due to the translational movement of a moving object, and a correction section (60) for utilizing the rotational movement driven by the ocular drive section. The correction section (60) cancels the variation due to the translational movement measured by the translational movement sensor (50) and corrects the rotation by the ocular drive section (30) by using the acquired distance information on the distance to the visual target (1) and variation information on the variation due to the translational movement so as to fix the image pickup position of the visual target (1).