Remote Angle Detection Using Adaptive Encoder Pattern Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angle detection systems struggle to accurately measure angles of remote objects, especially in outdoor environments with obstacles or poor lighting conditions, due to difficulties in reading encoder patterns from a distance.
Innovation Solution
An angle detection system featuring a target unit with a reflection target and an encoder pattern, and a surveying instrument equipped with a distance and angle measurement unit, an imaging system with adjustable focal length, and an arithmetic control unit that adjusts imaging settings and performs pattern recognition to ensure accurate angle measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance from the surveying instrument to the encoder pattern is increased to measure remote objects, then the measurement range is extended, but the encoder pattern reading accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the focal length of the imaging unit changeable according to the distance to the target. When measuring remote objects, the focal length is increased to magnify the encoder pattern image, ensuring that reading accuracy is maintained despite the increased distance. This dynamic adjustment of optical parameters resolves the contradiction between extended measurement range and preserved reading accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the imaging parameters (focal length, imaging magnification) based on the measured distance to the encoder pattern. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains optimal image quality and pattern recognition accuracy regardless of the distance, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement range and reading accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outdoor environment has obstacles or poor lighting conditions, then the adaptability to real-world surveying conditions is improved, but the encoder pattern reading reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the quality of encoder pattern recognition and adjusts imaging parameters accordingly. When lighting conditions or obstacles affect reading reliability, the system uses feedback from the recognition process to adjust focal length, exposure time, or other parameters to maintain reliable reading despite adverse environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts imaging parameters such as focal length, aperture, and exposure time based on real-time environmental conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable encoder pattern reading in varying outdoor conditions, resolving the contradiction between environmental adaptability and reading reliability.
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
Enables accurate angle measurement of remote objects even in challenging outdoor environments by adjusting imaging settings and performing successful pattern recognition, improving reliability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a target unit including a reflection target and an encoder pattern showing an angle in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the target unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided is an angle detection system capable of accurately measuring an angle of a measuring object even when the measuring object is remote. An angle detection system includes: a target unit (10) including a reflection target (11) and an encoder pattern (13B) showing an angle in a circumferential direction around a central axis of the target unit; and a surveying instrument including a survey unit (20) configured to perform a distance measurement and angle measurement to the reflection target, an encoder pattern reading unit (50) configured to read a bit pattern by acquiring an image including the encoder pattern, cutting out a region of the encoder pattern from the image, and reading pixel rows, a display unit (65), and an arithmetic control unit (70), wherein the encoder pattern reading unit includes at least one imaging unit (51, 56) changeable in focal length, and the arithmetic control unit includes a distance and angle operation unit (73) configured to calculate a distance and an angle to the reflection target based on the results of distance and angle measurement, an imaging magnification setting unit (74) configured to set an imaging magnification of the imaging unit (51, 56) according to the distance, a cutout range adjusting unit (75) enabling setting of a cutout region of the encoder pattern by using the image displayed on the display unit (65), an encoder pattern identification determination unit (76) configured to determine whether or not encoder pattern identification is successful by collating the acquired image of the encoder pattern with a pattern template of an encoder pattern stored in advance in a storage unit (63) as to whether they match, and perform reading again at an increased imaging magnification when the identification of the encoder pattern fails, and a read angle operation unit (77) configured to calculate an encoder pattern read angle θE based on an image of an identified encoder pattern.