Optical Calibration System Using Gravity Center Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing optical distance measurement systems require a complex calibration procedure to determine specific detecting points, which complicates the calibration stage and is not suitable for mass production.

Innovation Solution

An optical calibration system that includes a calibration module with a calibration plane and calibration structures, a light source, an optical sensing device, a calculation module, and a storage unit, which simplifies the calibration procedure by calculating and storing the gravity center positions of calibration points, allowing for pre-stored specific detecting points to be used in distance detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a complex calibration procedure is used to determine specific detecting points, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth information accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a calibration module that creates a simplified copy model of the measurement space with known geometric relationships. Instead of performing complex calibrations for each measurement scenario, the system uses pre-defined calibration structures (planes, lines, points) that replicate the essential geometric properties needed for depth calculation, thereby simplifying the calibration procedure while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the calibration problem from determining complex detecting point positions to calculating simple gravity center positions of calibration structures. By changing the calibration parameters from arbitrary detecting points to geometrically-defined calibration structures with known properties, the system reduces calibration complexity while preserving the ability to achieve accurate depth measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple specific detecting points are determined in calibration stage, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth information accuracyVSAvoidcalibration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the calibration space into discrete calibration structures (planes, lines, points) at predetermined positions. Instead of calibrating continuously across the entire measurement space, the system segments the calibration task into measuring only these specific calibration structures, which provides sufficient information for depth calculation while significantly reducing calibration time and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a simplified calibration procedure is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration process simplicityVSAvoiddepth information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration by measuring the gravity center positions of calibration structures at predetermined positions before actual depth measurement. These preliminary measurements establish the necessary calibration data (detecting point positions and depth information transformation functions) in advance, enabling simplified real-time depth calculation without sacrificing measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration structures serve as intermediaries between the light source/optical sensing device and the objects to be measured. By measuring the gravity centers of these intermediary calibration structures with known geometric properties, the system obtains calibration data that enables accurate depth measurement of target objects through a simplified procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies the calibration process, making it more efficient and suitable for mass production by reducing the number of specific detecting points needed and enabling a one-time calibration using a three-dimensional calibration module.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensing device, configured to sense reflected light formed by the calibration plane and the calibration structures reflecting the linear light section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9885779B2Optical calibration system adapted for optical distance measurement system

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

An optical calibration system including a calibration module, a light source, an optical sensing device and a calculation module is provided. The calibration module includes a calibration plane and a plurality of calibration structures between the calibration plane and the light source, wherein the calibration structures are disposed at predetermined calibration positions. The light source projects a linear light section toward the calibration module. The optical sensing device senses reflected light from the calibration plane and the calibration structures reflecting the linear light section to generate a sensed frame. The calculation module calculates positions of gravity centers of a plurality of calibration points in the sensed frame corresponding to the calibration structures.