Synchronous Camera Triggering for Package Dimension Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual measurement of package dimensions is time-consuming and prone to errors, and existing automatic systems face accuracy issues when measuring packages in motion or with dark surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A data capture system comprising a motion sensor, capture controller, and multiple cameras that capture synchronous images of a package within a capture volume, generating a point cloud for accurate dimension determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement is used to obtain package dimensions, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement systems with an automated optical measurement system using cameras and image processing. The system captures images of packages on conveyor belts and automatically calculates dimensions through computer vision algorithms, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is designed to operate autonomously without human intervention. The automated image capture and processing system performs measurements independently as packages move through the conveyor, enabling continuous operation and significantly improving productivity while maintaining precision through algorithmic dimension calculation.
2Productivity
If automated measurement systems are used to improve productivity, then measurement speed increases, but measurement precision deteriorates for packages in motion or with dark surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system triggers image capture based on motion detection before the package completes its movement. The motion-activated triggering ensures that images are captured at the optimal moment when the package is in the correct position, allowing accurate dimension measurement even for moving packages without requiring them to stop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts measurement parameters based on detected package characteristics. For dark surfaces that may interfere with optical detection, the system adjusts imaging parameters such as exposure time, gain, or lighting conditions to ensure accurate edge detection and dimension calculation maintain high precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture synchronous images for accurate dimensioning, then measurement precision improves for moving objects, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is divided into specialized functional modules: motion detection subsystem, image capture subsystem with multiple cameras, and image processing subsystem. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the complex task of measuring moving packages to be broken down into manageable components that can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single motion-detection-triggered mechanism that controls multiple cameras simultaneously. This universal triggering approach allows the same control logic to coordinate several cameras for capturing synchronous images from different angles, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to measure moving packages accurately.
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 rapid and accurate measurement of package dimensions, improving efficiency and reducing errors, especially when packages are in motion or have challenging surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor configured to generate a detection signal responsive to detecting an object at a capture position within a capture volume
Implementation Method 2
a capture controller connected to the motion sensor and configured, responsive to receiving the detection signal, to generate and transmit a shutter command substantially simultaneously to each of a plurality of cameras that causes each camera to capture a respective image of a synchronous set of images of the capture volume
Implementation Method 3
the image processing server further configured to generate a point cloud representing the object based on the synchronous set of images, for use in determining dimensions of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A data capture system for object dimensioning includes: a motion sensor configured to generate a detection signal responsive to detecting an object at a capture position within a capture volume; a capture controller connected to the motion sensor and configured, responsive to receiving the detection signal, to generate and transmit a shutter command substantially simultaneously to each of a plurality of cameras that causes each camera to capture a respective image of a synchronous set of images of the capture volume; an image processing server connected to each of the plurality of cameras and configured to receive the synchronous set of images from the cameras, and to store the synchronous set of images in a common repository; the image processing server further configured to generate a point cloud representing the object based on the synchronous set of images, for use in determining dimensions of the object.