Image Processing for Visible Tracking and Infrared ID Blinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems using blinking visible light sources for identification and information transmission face challenges in tracking and decoding due to the discomfort caused by frequent light source blinking, making it difficult to maintain high coding rates and accurate tracking of moving objects.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of continuously lit visible light sources and freely blinking infrared light sources, where the positions of visible light sources are tracked, and the blinking patterns of infrared light sources are analyzed to identify and decode information, using a single image sensor to capture both types of light, thereby ensuring stable tracking without causing visual discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a visible light source blinks frequently to transmit information at high coding rates, then information transmission efficiency is improved, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining continuous visual reference
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into two distinct functional components: a visible light source dedicated to tracking and an infrared light source dedicated to information transmission. This segmentation allows each light source to perform its specific function optimally without interference, resolving the contradiction between tracking stability and information transmission rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invisible infrared light source acts as an intermediary carrier for information transmission, while the visible light source provides continuous visual reference for tracking. By using infrared radiation as the intermediary medium for data communication, the system achieves high coding rates without compromising visible light continuity for tracking purposes.
2Productivity
If a visible light source blinks frequently to encode information, then communication efficiency is improved, but visual discomfort increases causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light source serves as an intermediary for information encoding and transmission, operating in the invisible spectrum. This allows high-rate communication through blinking patterns without causing visual discomfort to human operators, as the infrared fluctuations are imperceptible to the human eye.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spectral regions are assigned different functional qualities: visible light provides continuous visual reference with stable appearance, while infrared light carries the blinking information signal. This local differentiation of functional qualities across the electromagnetic spectrum eliminates visual discomfort while maintaining communication efficiency.
3Device complexity
If a single light source is used for both tracking and information transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to interference between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into two separate light sources with distinct spectral characteristics: visible light for tracking and infrared light for information transmission. This functional segmentation eliminates interference between tracking and decoding operations, improving both measurement precision and system reliability despite increased component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes different spectral parameters (visible vs. infrared wavelengths) to separate tracking and communication functions. By changing the operational parameter of light wavelength, the system achieves independent optimization of both functions, with visible light providing stable tracking reference and infrared light enabling accurate decoding of blinking patterns.
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 allows for high-tracking accuracy and reliable decoding of information while minimizing visual discomfort, as the continuously lit visible light sources facilitate movement tracking, and the infrared light sources provide information through flickering patterns that are invisible to humans.
Implementation Method 1
acquire a plurality of images that are continuous over time... acquire, as a position of a movable body, a position of a visible light source
Implementation Method 2
acquire identification information about the movable body based on a blinking pattern of an invisible light source
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus 5 is provided with a processing unit, the processing unit acquiring images 44 that are continuous over time, acquiring a position of a visible light source in a lit-up state in each of the continuous images 44, as a position of a movable body 3; and acquiring identification information about the movable body 3 based on a blinking pattern of invisible light of an invisible light source provided on the movable body 3.