Stereo Camera Assembly With Shared Pan-Tilt Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring systems for autonomous devices, such as robots and vehicles, are software-intensive and expensive due to the need for multiple pan-tilt setups with servo motors, which are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A binocular camera system with three-axis controls using servo motors, servo controllers, and position sensors to adjust camera focus and triangulate distance, allowing 360-degree stereo vision with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pan-tilt setups with servo motors are used for distance measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two cameras into a single stereo camera assembly that shares common pan-tilt mechanisms. Instead of using separate pan-tilt setups for each camera, the invention merges the mounting structures so that both cameras are adjusted together by shared servo motors, reducing the total number of motors from 5 to 3 while maintaining triangulation capability for accurate distance measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared pan-tilt mechanisms serve multiple functions: they control the orientation of both cameras simultaneously, enable 360-degree stereo vision, and provide closed-loop control for both camera systems. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining the precision needed for distance measurement.
2Measurement precision
If multiple pan-tilt setups with servo motors are used for distance measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pan-tilt control systems so that two cameras share three servo motors instead of requiring five separate motors. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the triangulation-based distance measurement precision through shared angular control and closed-loop positioning.
3Measurement precision
If five servo motors are used for pan-tilt setups, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the control systems by having two cameras share three servo motors. The first servo motor controls panning for both cameras, the second controls tilting for both cameras, and the third provides independent panning for the second camera. This shared control architecture reduces motor count and simplifies the control system while maintaining precise angular positioning needed for triangulation.
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
The system provides accurate distance measurement with reduced costs and complexity by using a multi-camera setup with three-axis controls, enabling efficient triangulation and centering of objects within the camera's field of view.
Implementation Method 1
Each axis control may comprise a servo motor, servo controller, and a position sensor measuring angular rotation such as an encoder, Hall effect sensor or potentiometer position sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
The distance measuring assembly is a two camera system featuring three axis controls connected such that a first camera has pan and tilt control and the second camera shares the pan and tilt of the first camera and further has an independent pan or tilt. The second camera is attached to the first camera by a dogleg servo horn providing an offset to align the optical axis of the first and second camera. The assembly is adapted to find a target object by locating it and aligning an optical axis of each camera with the target object, and using the angular offset calculated by the axis controllers to triangulate the position of the target object.