Stereoscopic Gas Position Sensing With Single-Camera Light Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereophotographic systems for detecting gas presence in interstitial spaces are expensive due to the requirement of two infrared cameras.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic measuring device utilizing a lighting assembly with multiple lighting positions and an imaging apparatus to determine position information of event locations by imaging and evaluating projection locations on a background surface, using a single camera and varying light properties to detect gas presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two infrared cameras are used for stereophotographic gas detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single camera to capture stereoscopic information by imaging projection locations of a light source on a background surface from different lighting positions. Instead of using two cameras to directly capture the gas cloud, the system creates optical copies/projections of the light source through the gas medium onto the background, and analyzes the displacement of these projections to determine gas presence and position, thereby achieving stereoscopic measurement with a single camera
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a background surface as an intermediary element to receive and display the projections of the light source. The background surface acts as a mediator that converts the three-dimensional spatial information of the gas medium into two-dimensional projection location displacements that can be captured by a single camera, enabling stereoscopic measurement without requiring multiple cameras
2Measurement precision
If two infrared cameras are used for stereophotographic gas detection, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates optical projections of the light source through the gas medium onto the background surface. By analyzing the displacement of these projected copies from different lighting positions, the system achieves accurate gas detection using a single, less expensive camera instead of two costly infrared cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive infrared cameras with a standard imaging apparatus (camera) that is significantly cheaper. The system uses visible or near-infrared light sources and a simple background surface instead of requiring expensive infrared detection equipment, thereby reducing the overall system cost while maintaining measurement capability
3Device complexity
If a single camera is used instead of two cameras, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the three-dimensional gas detection problem into a two-dimensional projection analysis problem. By projecting the light source through the gas medium onto a background surface and analyzing the displacement of projection locations in two dimensions, the system recovers three-dimensional position information using a single camera, effectively using dimensionality transformation to maintain precision with reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from direct gas cloud imaging to projection location displacement analysis. By measuring the displacement of projected light source positions on the background surface rather than directly imaging the gas medium, the system achieves accurate position determination with a single camera through parameter transformation
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 and cost-effective detection of gas events in interstitial spaces using a single camera setup, reducing equipment costs while maintaining precision.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting assembly is configured to illuminate the background surface across the interstitial space from a first lighting position and from at least a second lighting position
Implementation Method 2
the imaging apparatus is configured to image the first projection location and the second projection location in a spatially resolved manner
Implementation Method 3
an interaction of the medium to be detected with the first and second light beams changes at least one property of the first projection location and a property of the second projection location
Data Source
AI summary
A stereoscopic measuring device for determining position information of an event location comprises a background surface and a lighting assembly having a first lighting position and a second lighting position for the illumination of the background surface at different angles. The light beams from the lighting positions passing through an event location are projected at spaced-apart projection locations at a projection location distance. The measuring device also includes an imaging apparatus for imaging the projection locations and an evaluation apparatus for detecting an event, for determining the projection location distance and the position information of the event location based on the projection location distance. The event location is a location at which the medium to be detected appears. Its interaction with the light beams changes a property of the projection locations compared to reference conditions in which the medium to be detected is absent or effective in a different way.