Synchronized Sensor Tracking for Sharp Moving Object Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face challenges in capturing sharp images of moving objects at high speeds without motion blur, requiring complex synchronization, high lighting, and limited depth of field, while also being inefficient in terms of manufacturing throughput and lighting requirements.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device moves the sensor in the imaging plane to synchronize with the moving object, using conveyor means and rotatable sensor supports to maintain image stability, allowing for longer exposure times and reduced lighting, and employing area array or linear image sensors to capture images without relative movement, thereby achieving sharp images with minimal lighting and increased depth of field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a stationary camera is used to capture images of moving objects, then image quality is improved by immobilizing the object, but manufacturing throughput is reduced due to halting the production line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the image sensor movable instead of stationary. The sensor moves synchronously with the moving object at the same velocity, creating a dynamic system where both the object and sensor are in motion. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to halt the production line while still achieving sharp images, as the relative motion between sensor and object is maintained at zero during the exposure period.
2Productivity
If images are captured of moving objects without immobilizing them, then manufacturing throughput is maintained, but motion blur reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains manufacturing throughput by keeping objects in motion while using a dynamically moving sensor to track them. The sensor's velocity is matched to the object's velocity, allowing continuous capture of sharp images without halting the production line, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to continuously monitor the position and velocity of moving objects and adjust the sensor's motion accordingly. This feedback control ensures the sensor remains synchronized with the object throughout the exposure period, eliminating motion blur while maintaining continuous production flow.
3Manufacturing precision
If short exposure times are used with array sensors to capture moving objects, then motion blur is reduced, but system complexity increases due to shutter synchronization equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex shutter synchronization equipment to achieve short exposure times, the patent uses a dynamic approach where the sensor moves with the object. This allows for longer exposure times without introducing motion blur, thereby reducing the need for complex synchronization mechanisms and simplifying the overall system.
4Manufacturing precision
If powerful strobed illumination is used to increase light received during short exposure, then image quality is improved, but lighting requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the sensor synchronously with the object, the system enables longer exposure times without motion blur. This extended exposure duration allows sufficient light to be collected during the exposure period, eliminating the need for powerful strobed illumination and reducing both lighting requirements and system complexity.
5Use of energy by moving object
If large apertures are used to compensate for short exposure time, then light reception is improved, but depth of field is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic sensor movement allows for longer exposure times, which compensates for using smaller apertures. This resolves the contradiction by enabling sufficient light reception through extended exposure rather than large apertures, thereby maintaining a greater depth of field while still capturing sharp images of moving objects.
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 solution enables the capture of sharp images of fast-moving objects with reduced lighting and increased depth of field, allowing for higher object speeds and improved manufacturing throughput without the need to halt the object, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging device comprises at least one image sensor configured to move synchronically with the moving object in order to prevent or significantly reduce motion blur of captured images
Implementation Method 2
image sensors for capturing images of moving objects reproduced by a camera lens in an imaging plane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~4b
AI summary
There is described an imaging device for capturing images of at least portions of moving objects. The system comprises a stationary camera lens (1 1 ) configured for reproducing an image of at least a portion of each moving object (10) in an imaging plane when said object (10) moves across a capturing region (12). The device further comprises at least one image sensor (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) located in the imaging plane for receiving the reproduced image of the at least a portion of the corresponding moving object (10) and converting said image into electronic signals. The at least one image sensor (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) is mounted on a sensor support (14; 24; 34; 44; 54) adapted to be actuated in a manner that the at least one image sensor (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) is moved in the imaging plane relative to the stationary camera lens (1 1 ), and in a manner that the motion of said at least one image sensor (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) is synchronized with the motion of the moving object (10) to be captured. This ensures that there is substantially no relative movement between the reproduced image in the imaging plane and the image sensor (13; 23; 33; 43; 53) when said moving object (10) moves across the capturing region (12). As a result motion blur of the captured image of the at least a portion of each moving object (10) is prevented or significantly reduced.