Optical Position Detection Using Parallelogram LED Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical systems for detecting the position and orientation of objects in space, particularly in aeronautical applications, face challenges with ambiguity, precision, and computational complexity, especially under dynamic conditions, requiring high-resolution sensors and extensive processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The method employs an optical device with a parallelogram-shaped cluster of sensors and a holographic video-projector emitting light patterns, allowing for the determination of object position and orientation through a deterministic process with reduced computational requirements, using a transformation analysis of projected images to infer the object's position and attitude.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a tetrahedron cluster of LEDs is used on the helmet, then the position and orientation detection can be performed, but the computational complexity increases and calculation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition and orientation detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into two independent parts: a simplified geometric model (parallelogram) for rapid computation and a complete tetrahedron LED cluster for comprehensive spatial information. The parallelogram formed by four selected LEDs provides enough constraints for position and orientation calculation without requiring complex tetrahedron geometry processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts a parallelogram configuration from the tetrahedron LED cluster by selecting four specific LEDs. This extracted parallelogram contains sufficient geometric information for detection while eliminating the computational burden of processing the complete tetrahedron structure, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution cameras are used, then the precision of position and orientation detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidsensor requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the LED configuration from a tetrahedron to a parallelogram. This parameter change in the transmitter geometry simplifies the mathematical model for position and orientation calculation, allowing standard cameras to achieve the required precision without needing high-resolution sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are placed optimally, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the ease of manufacture and implementation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidimplementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a asymmetric parallelogram configuration of LEDs on the helmet rather than a symmetric arrangement. This asymmetric geometry provides unambiguous position and orientation detection while being straightforward to implement with standard LED mounting techniques, balancing detection accuracy with manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 detection accuracy and reduces calculation time, enabling faster and more precise positioning and orientation determination with fewer sensors, suitable for dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

an optical device with a parallelogram-shaped cluster of sensors and a holographic video-projector emitting light patterns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2059828B1Method for detecting the space orientation and position of an object
Publication Date: 2013.01.23 THALES SA
  • EP2059828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2059828B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2059828B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the optical detection of the position and orientation of an object using an optical device that comprises at least one parallelogram related to said object, wherein said optical device comprises optical means and electronic analysis means for determining the co-ordinates of the parallelogram A'B'C'D' four summits in an orthonormal co-ordinate system having a 0 origin indicated by R0 (O,i,j,k). The principle of the device involves determining the summits of the parallelogram A'B'C'D' on the basis of known characteristics of the parallelogram and four known points of a quadrangle ABCD. The quadrangle represents an image from the projection of the parallelogram A'B'C'D' into a known image plane. The A'B'C'D' characteristics of the parallelogram can for example be its height, its width and the co-ordinates of one of its points in the co-ordinate system R0.