Simultaneous Image Capture Chamber with Angled Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing multiple sides of collectible items, such as sports cards or coins, often require multiple devices or manual manipulation, leading to potential misalignment, increased time, and wear on equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single camera and a set of mirrors positioned at defined angles within a chamber to simultaneously capture multiple sides of an item, ensuring accurate alignment and reducing wear and tear by eliminating the need for manual manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple image capturing devices are used to capture multiple sides of an item simultaneously, then image capture time is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mirrors as intermediary elements that redirect light paths from multiple sides of the item to a single camera. This allows simultaneous capture of multiple views without requiring multiple cameras, thus maintaining productivity while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical reflection to capture images from different spatial dimensions and angles, projecting them onto a single image sensor plane. This dimensional transformation enables multi-view capture with a single device, resolving the contradiction between capture speed and device complexity
2Device complexity
If manual manipulation is used to flip items for capturing multiple sides, then device cost is reduced, but alignment accuracy and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manipulation of flipping items with an optical system using mirrors and a single camera. This substitution eliminates manual handling errors and maintains precise alignment while still using a simple device configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The mirrors create optical copies of the item from different angles, which are then captured simultaneously by the single camera. This copying mechanism preserves alignment accuracy without requiring physical manipulation of the original item
3Device complexity
If items are manually flipped between captures, then device complexity is reduced, but capture time and potential for item damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous image capture by using mirrors to reflect multiple sides of the item simultaneously into the camera. This eliminates the interruption caused by manual flipping, achieving continuous capture with simple equipment
Solution Approach 2:
By capturing multiple views through optical reflection in a single exposure, the system achieves continuous multi-view capture without temporal separation, eliminating time loss while maintaining equipment simplicity
4Productivity
If multiple devices are used for capturing multiple sides, then simultaneous capture is achieved, but wear and tear on equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple image capturing devices into a single camera system assisted by mirrors. This consolidation reduces the number of active components subject to wear and tear while maintaining simultaneous capture capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mirrors serve as passive intermediaries that redirect light without mechanical movement or electronic components that would wear out. This allows simultaneous multi-view capture while protecting the single camera from excessive use and extending equipment lifespan
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
Ensures accurate and simultaneous capture of multiple sides of items without misalignment, reducing the time and wear on equipment, while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber including: at least first and second mirrors positioned inside the chamber under a defined angle relative each other
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for simultaneous image acquisition are provided herein. An apparatus for simultaneous image capture may include a camera, and a chamber with an aperture, the camera oriented to capture light emitted through the aperture. The chamber may include at least first and second mirrors positioned inside the chamber with a defined angle between them, and a holder for an object to be imaged, the holder positioned inside the chamber between the first and second mirrors. In embodiments, the field of view of the camera includes at least portions of the first and second mirrors with respective portions of the object reflected by the first and second mirrors. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.