Weld Camera Focus Indicators for Positioning and Focal Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera-integrated welding helmets lack efficient indicators for welders to understand the camera's positioning and focus, leading to difficulties in positioning the camera correctly and increased weight, cost, and battery demands due to extensive data recording and image processing.
Innovation Solution
The proposed weld recording systems incorporate visible indicators, such as laser points or light beams, to show the camera's field of view and focal distance, along with distance sensors for improved focal adjustment and reduced computational and power requirements by transmitting raw image data to external computing devices for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visible indicators and distance sensors are added to show camera positioning and focus, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A visible indicator (laser or light beam) is introduced as an intermediary element to show the camera's field of view and focal distance. This mediator provides visual feedback to the welder without requiring complex electronic interfaces or controls, thereby improving ease of operation while adding minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements visual feedback through the visible indicator that continuously shows the camera's positioning and focus status. This real-time feedback allows the welder to understand and adjust the camera position intuitively, improving operational ease without requiring complex control systems.
2Weight of moving object
If raw image data is transmitted to external computing devices for processing, then weight of moving object is reduced, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing function is extracted from the welding helmet camera system and relocated to external computing devices. This extraction removes the heavy processing hardware from the helmet, significantly reducing weight while preserving full image processing capability through the external system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of processing images locally, the system transmits raw image data to create a digital copy that can be processed externally. This copying approach maintains complete image information while allowing the helmet to remain lightweight, as only data transmission components are needed rather than full processing hardware.
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
These systems enable welders to easily position the camera, reduce the weight and cost of the equipment, and conserve battery life by offloading image processing, thereby enhancing the efficiency and usability of weld monitoring and recording.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor configured to measure a distance between the camera and the object illuminated by the visible indicator
Implementation Method 2
a laser source coupled to the camera and configured to project a visible indicator onto an object that is within the field of view of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed example weld monitoring systems include: a camera having a field of view and configured to capture images of the field of view of the camera; a light source coupled to the camera and configured to project a visible indicator onto an object that is within the field of view of the camera, such that the visible indicator at least partially overlaps the field of view of the camera; and communication circuitry configured to transmit data representative of the images.