Switchable Illumination for Machine Vision Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine vision devices require a wide range of illumination options to effectively capture images of diverse objects, but existing systems often use separate lighting assemblies for direct and diffused lighting, which can be bulky and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A machine vision system with a material having switchable optical properties that can transition between transparent and translucent states to provide either direct or diffused illumination, controlled by conditions such as image quality, object specularity, or presence of a human face, allowing for rapid switching between lighting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate lighting assemblies are used for direct and diffused lighting, then illumination options are provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate direct and diffused lighting assemblies into a single integrated lighting system with one light source and one switchable diffusion element. This merging eliminates redundancy while maintaining both illumination modes, directly reducing device complexity and cost while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source serves dual functions by working with both direct and diffused illumination modes through the switchable diffusion element. This multi-functionality allows one lighting assembly to replace what would traditionally require two separate assemblies, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatile illumination options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate lighting assemblies are used for direct and diffused lighting, then illumination options are provided, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate direct and diffused lighting assemblies into a single integrated lighting system with one light source and one switchable diffusion element. This merging eliminates redundancy while maintaining both illumination modes, directly reducing device complexity and cost while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source serves dual functions by working with both direct and diffused illumination modes through the switchable diffusion element. This multi-functionality allows one lighting assembly to replace what would traditionally require two separate assemblies, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatile illumination options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switchable diffusion element is added, then illumination flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switchable diffusion element that can dynamically change its optical properties between transparent and diffusive states. This dynamic component enables a single lighting assembly to provide multiple illumination modes, improving flexibility while adding only one controlled element rather than requiring multiple static lighting assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The switchable diffusion element changes its optical parameters (transparency/diffusion) in response to control signals. This parameter change allows the same physical structure to function in different illumination modes, achieving illumination flexibility through controlled property changes rather than through multiple separate components.
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 flexible and efficient illumination adjustment, improving image capture quality and user comfort while reducing system complexity and cost by eliminating the need for multiple lighting assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
the material with switchable optical properties contains at least one of an electrochromic material, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, and a suspended particle material
Implementation Method 2
the material with switchable optical properties contains at least one of an electrochromic material, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal material, and a suspended particle material
Data Source
AI summary
Machine vision devices and systems with automatically switchable direct and diffused illumination are provided herein. An example includes a machine vision system, comprising an image capture device, a material with switchable optical properties, wherein the material with switchable optical properties has a transparent state and a translucent state, and a light source, wherein the light source is positioned to illuminate a target of the image capture device, and the material with switchable optical properties is positioned between the light source and the target of the image capture device and configured to switch between the transparent state which is configured to provide direct illumination of the target and the translucent state which is configured to provide diffused illumination of the target.