Optical System for Position and Orientation Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices for measuring the orientation of objects in space without contact, such as aircraft pilot helmets, are bulky, inefficient in light usage, and have low precision due to the need for dual image acquisition and complex electronics.
Innovation Solution
A simplified system using a single matrix sensor and a point source with a screen to project a luminous contour and shadow, allowing for precise determination of object position and orientation through analysis of the contour and shadow shapes, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed optoelectronic device with two matrix sensors and multiple beam splitters is used to determine reflector position and orientation, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases and bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate matrix sensors into a single matrix sensor by combining the image acquisition functions. The single sensor captures both the reflected light pattern and the shadow pattern simultaneously, eliminating the need for dual sensor arrangements and complex beam splitting optics while maintaining the capability to determine both position and orientation of the reflector.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential measurement information from a simplified optical configuration. By using a single sensor to detect both the luminous contour (for orientation) and the shadow (for position), the system extracts all necessary measurement data from one sensor plane, removing the need for multiple sensors and complex optical path separation elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a point source emits light in a wide angular aperture to cover all reflector positions, then all positions are illuminated, but luminous flux is permanently lost and stealth is harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a narrow angular aperture for the point source and strategically positioning a screen with a localized opening. This creates a concentrated beam that illuminates only the specific region of interest (the reflector at the desired position) while leaving other regions dark. The screen's opening is sized and shaped to provide precise local illumination control, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to track the reflector within the field of view.
3Measurement precision
If two matrix sensors or two images are used to determine reflector position and orientation, then measurement is possible, but uncertainty increases when sensors or images are close in orientation and position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using multiple sensors at different spatial positions to using a single sensor that captures multiple types of information (luminous contour and shadow) in the same image plane. This dimensional change in information encoding allows the system to extract both position and orientation data from a single 2D image, avoiding the uncertainty issues that arise when multiple sensors are positioned close together and capture similar views.
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
The system achieves improved measurement accuracy and energy efficiency by using a single sensor and a compact design, reducing uncertainties in object position and orientation determination.
Implementation Method 1
The retro reflection of the fixed point source, produced by the mobile reflector in the corner of a cube
Implementation Method 2
The central part of the projected reflection permanently contains the projected shadow produced by the screen
Data Source
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AI summary
The general field of the invention is that of systems for detecting the posture of a moving object. The systems according to the invention comprise a fixed electro-optical device including an emission source and a photosensitive sensor. An optical cube corner is disposed on the moving object. The entrance face of the cube corner has a predetermined geometry, the light from the source and back-reflected by the cube corner forming a luminous contour (M'1, M'2, M'3, M'4) on the matrix sensor. The fixed electro-optical device includes an optical element of known shape and location, disposed in the vicinity of said source and arranged so as to form a dark area (e'1, e'2, e'3, e'4) in the central part of the luminous contour. The detection system includes analysis means for determining, from knowledge of the vanishing points of the luminous contour and the position and shape of the dark area, the position and orientation of the moving object.