Parallel Camera Arrays for Low-Blur Moving Print Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for capturing images of moving printed materials face challenges in high-speed applications due to the need for accurate motion tracking and physical size constraints, which can lead to motion blur and inefficiencies in image processing.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with an array of cameras having overlapping fields of view and an imaging controller that determines an optical system configuration profile to select cameras and trigger intervals, ensuring each region of interest is captured in its entirety by a single camera, allowing for clear images and efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If line scan technology is used to obtain images of moving printed material, then image resolution can be sufficiently high, but accurate tracking of motion is required which is not feasible in high speed image acquisition applications
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent area scan cameras arranged in an array, each capturing a specific region of interest. This eliminates the need for continuous motion tracking by dividing the imaging task into discrete, simultaneous captures across multiple cameras, resolving the contradiction between high resolution and motion tracking complexity.
2Measurement precision
If line scan systems are used for high resolution imaging, then image quality is improved, but the systems are physically too large to fit in tight areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-line scan approach to a two-dimensional array of area scan cameras. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve high resolution through the array configuration rather than requiring a large physical line scan mechanism, enabling compact installation while maintaining image quality.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to capture large areas, then coverage is improved, but processing complexity increases when regions of interest span multiple cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining regions of interest and pre-assigning them to specific cameras based on the optical system configuration profile. This preliminary action ensures that each region of interest is captured by a single camera, eliminating the need for complex post-processing merging operations and reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining wide coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for capturing images during production of printed material includes an optical device comprising a plurality of cameras arranged in an array with adjacent pairs of cameras having overlapping fields of view. An imaging controller device determines a layout of content on printed material, and determines, based on the layout, an optical system configuration profile. Determining the optical system configuration profile includes selecting one or more cameras for capturing images of regions of interest on the printed material and determining a trigger interval for triggering the selected one or more cameras. The imaging controller device triggers the selected cameras at times determined based on the trigger interval to capture images of the regions of interest on the printed material as the printed material moves in fields of view of the one or more cameras during production of the printed material.