Vehicle Imaging Shutter Sync for Low-Blur Indoor Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for small, lightweight self-propelled vehicles like aerial drones are limited in indoor spaces due to the use of patterned light, which causes objects to appear differently in frames, and require multiple cameras, restricting field of depth and making navigation in large areas impossible.
Innovation Solution
A system using a light emitting device to emit pulses of visible or infrared light synchronized with the shutter of an imaging device, allowing for clear and sharp image capture with low blur, and minimizing energy consumption and heat generation, enabling efficient image matching and navigation in dark environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If patterned light is used for navigation in darkness, then navigation capability is improved, but objects appear differently in frames making tracking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of light emission without the patterned structure. By using unstructured light pulses instead of patterned light, the system maintains illumination capability while eliminating the distortion that makes object tracking difficult, thus resolving the contradiction between navigation capability and tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using patterned light to aid tracking, the patent inverts the approach by using unstructured light and relying on the imaging device's shutter synchronization to capture clear images. This inversion resolves the contradiction by achieving both navigation and tracking through a different mechanism
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used for photogrammetric measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and field of depth are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single imaging device perform multiple functions: navigation, object tracking, and photogrammetric measurement. By synchronizing the shutter with light pulses, one camera can achieve what previously required multiple cameras, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic light pulses synchronized with the imaging device's shutter to enable a single camera to capture multiple perspectives over time. This periodic illumination allows photogrammetric measurements to be made with one camera by capturing sequential images as the vehicle moves, eliminating the need for multiple simultaneous cameras
3Illumination intensity
If continuous light is emitted for imaging in darkness, then image quality is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic light pulses instead of continuous light emission. By synchronizing the light pulses with the imaging device's shutter, the system provides illumination only when needed for image capture, maintaining image quality while significantly reducing overall energy consumption and heat generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares light pulses in advance synchronized with the shutter timing, ensuring that illumination is available exactly when the imaging device needs to capture images. This preliminary coordination eliminates wasted energy from continuous illumination while ensuring image quality is maintained during capture moments
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 clear and sharp images for effective image matching, enhances navigation capabilities, and reduces energy consumption and heat generation, allowing for real-time processing and improved positioning of the vehicle in indoor environments.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device for emitting light pulses out of the self-propelled vehicle, such as pulses of visible light and/or pulses of infrared light
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device for capturing an image of a region located out of the self-propelled vehicle, the imaging device comprising a shutter; wherein the light emitting device is coordinated with the shutter of the imaging device, such that an image is captured by the imaging device during at least part of the duration of a light pulse
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a self-propelled vehicle (100) comprising:—a light emitting device for emitting light pulses out of the self-propelled vehicle (100); and-an imaging device (1) for capturing an image of a region located out of the self-propelled vehicle (100), the imaging device (1) comprising a shutter; wherein—the light emitting device is coordinated with the shutter of the imaging device (1), such that an image (50) is captured by the imaging device (1) during at least part of the duration of a light pulse; wherein:—the light emitting device is configured to emit light pulses wherein each light pulse has a duration of less than 5000μs. The invention also relates to a method of capturing images (50) from a self-propelled vehicle (100).