Variable-Field Illumination for 3D Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D motion capture systems require excessive illumination across a broad detection space, leading to high hardware demands and power consumption due to the need for uniform light intensity, which is often unnecessary and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The system employs an array of lighting elements with varying beam angles, using wide-beam elements for initial detection and switching to narrow-beam elements as the object moves, with a controller adjusting the illumination based on the object's position and predicted trajectory to minimize power usage and reduce the number of necessary lighting elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high illumination intensities are used to illuminate the entire monitored region, then object detection reliability is improved, but power consumption and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different illumination strategies to different spatial regions: wide-beam illumination covers the entire monitored space for initial detection, while narrow-beam illumination is concentrated on the detected object for tracking. This local differentiation ensures sufficient illumination reliability where needed while avoiding unnecessary power consumption in other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system dynamically switches between wide-beam and narrow-beam modes based on detection state. Initially, wide-beam illumination is used to detect objects in the monitored space. Once an object is detected, the system transitions to narrow-beam illumination focused on that object, adapting the illumination characteristics to the current operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If wide-beam lighting elements are used to cover the entire detection space, then illumination coverage is improved, but the number of lighting elements and hardware complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverage areaVSAvoidnumber of lighting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is segmented into two functional groups: wide-beam lighting elements for area coverage and narrow-beam lighting elements for focused illumination. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive coverage using fewer wide-beam elements while reducing the total number of elements needed through strategic use of narrow-beam elements for tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The narrow-beam lighting elements serve multiple functions: they provide focused illumination on the detected object and can be selectively activated based on object position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for numerous wide-beam elements, simplifying the overall hardware configuration while maintaining effective illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If narrow-beam lighting elements are used to focus illumination on the object, then power consumption is reduced, but illumination coverage and adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidillumination coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous useful illumination action by seamlessly transitioning from wide-beam to narrow-beam illumination. The wide-beam elements ensure initial detection coverage, and the narrow-beam elements provide continuous focused illumination on the tracked object, ensuring uninterrupted useful illumination throughout the detection and tracking process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the detection system to control the illumination elements. Detection information about object position and presence feeds back to the illumination controller, which adjusts the activation and beam characteristics of lighting elements accordingly, optimizing both power consumption and coverage adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach optimizes illumination for 3D object detection and tracking, reducing power consumption and hardware requirements while maintaining effective image capture by dynamically adjusting lighting according to the object's position and movement.

Implementation Method 1

an array of lighting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent bulbs, lasers, etc.)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9285893B2Object detection and tracking with variable-field illumination devices

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 SIM IP HXR LLC

AI summary

Imaging systems and methods optimize illumination of objects for purposes of detection, recognition and/or tracking by tailoring the illumination to the position of the object within the detection space. For example, feedback from a tracking system may be used to control and aim the lighting elements so that the illumination can be reduced or increased depending on the need.