Wearable Welding Imaging With Adaptive Focus Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding operations are hindered by high-luminance light, which obstructs visibility of the surroundings and complicates accurate image capture, leading to reduced welding precision and increased risk due to delayed or inaccurate auto-focus in real-time imaging.
Innovation Solution
A wearable welding information providing apparatus with a camera unit, display unit, and processor that adjusts auto-focus based on environmental conditions, providing high-definition composite images and real-time welding information, while minimizing interference from high-luminance light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If auto-focus function is enabled in camera unit, then image clarity is improved under normal conditions, but image shaking and delay occur during welding operation
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit dynamically switches between auto-focus and manual focus modes based on operational conditions. During welding operations, the system transitions from auto-focus to manual focus to prevent image shaking, while maintaining auto-focus capability for other scenarios, thus adapting the focusing mechanism to specific operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focus mode parameter from auto-focus to manual focus when welding conditions are detected. This parameter change eliminates the continuous focusing adjustments that cause image shaking during welding, providing stable images while maintaining the ability to capture clear images in non-welding scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If darkening filter is used to protect from welding light, then eye protection is improved, but visibility of surrounding environment is completely blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The visual information is segmented into two channels: direct optical view through the welding mask with darkening filter for eye protection, and captured images from the camera unit that show the surrounding environment. The display unit overlays or alternates between welding spot view and surrounding environment view, allowing simultaneous eye protection and environmental awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit acts as an intermediary that captures the surrounding environment independently of the darkening filter. The captured images are then processed and displayed to the user, providing visibility of the welding surroundings without requiring removal of the protective mask or compromising eye protection.
3Ease of operation
If camera size is reduced for wearing convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but image quality and focus control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical focus adjustment mechanisms with an electronic focus control system. The camera unit uses electronic focusing through the processor to adjust focus based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for large manual focus mechanisms while maintaining image quality in a compact form factor suitable for wearing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a welding information providing apparatus including a main body provided to be worn by a user, a camera unit including at least one camera attached to an outer side of the main body and obtaining welding image frames with respect to a welding operation, a display unit disposed inside the main body and providing a welding image to the user, and a processor configured to control the display unit to display the welding image generated based on the welding image frames, wherein the camera unit obtains the welding image frame by setting or disabling an auto-focus (AF) function according to an input of the user or pre-set conditions.