Wireless Body Scanning Tower with Stacked Cameras

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing body scanning technologies face challenges such as large footprint, complexity, high cost, and lack of portability, making them difficult for businesses to adopt widely, especially due to the need for extensive space and wired connections.

Innovation Solution

A body scanning system using multiple stationary cameras on a single tower instead of a single moving camera, combined with a wireless turntable, reducing the overall footprint and eliminating the need for wired connections, while incorporating features like voice assistance, LED lights, and weight scales for an interactive and intuitive user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple range cameras are placed around a person to scan the body, then scanning accuracy is improved, but the footprint of the scanner increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody scanning accuracyVSAvoidscanner footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a 2D planar arrangement of cameras around the person to a 3D vertical configuration where multiple cameras are stacked on a single tower. This dimensional change allows multiple cameras to be positioned at different heights and angles, maintaining comprehensive body coverage while concentrating the scanner's footprint in a compact vertical space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested configuration where multiple cameras are integrated into a single tower structure. The cameras are arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner within the vertical tower, similar to nested dolls, allowing multiple scanning elements to occupy minimal horizontal space while maintaining their individual functional positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If a single camera is placed on a rail to reduce footprint, then scanner size is reduced, but device complexity increases due to moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanner footprintVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the camera along a rail to achieve comprehensive coverage, the patent inverts the approach by making the cameras stationary on a vertical tower and rotating the turntable with the person. This eliminates the need for complex horizontal rail mechanisms while achieving the same scanning coverage through the combined rotation of the vertical camera array and the turntable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rail system with a wireless turntable system. The turntable uses wireless communication and power transmission to eliminate physical cable connections, reducing mechanical complexity. The system substitutes complex horizontal camera movement with a simpler vertical camera arrangement combined with turntable rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wired connections are used between turntable and camera tower, then power and data transmission are reliable, but installation complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication and power transmission systems. The turntable communicates with the camera tower wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cable routing through the turntable mechanism. This wireless approach simplifies installation by removing cable management requirements while maintaining reliable data and power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If a large footprint scanner is deployed, then comprehensive body scanning is achieved, but portability and ease of installation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody scanning capabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves comprehensive body scanning capability in a compact footprint by transitioning to a vertical 3D configuration. Multiple cameras are stacked vertically on a single tower at different heights and angles, allowing full-body coverage without requiring extensive horizontal space. This vertical arrangement makes the scanner more portable and easier to install in various locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple cameras and their support structures into a single integrated tower unit. Rather than having separate camera mounts distributed across a large horizontal area, all cameras are combined into one vertical tower structure, consolidating the scanner's physical presence and simplifying installation while maintaining comprehensive scanning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11640672B2Method and system for wireless ultra-low footprint body scanning

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 STYKU LLC

AI summary

A system for scanning a body to create scan data comprises a processor, a range camera capable of capturing at least a first set of depth images of the body rotated to 0 degrees, and at least a second set of depth images of the body rotated to x degrees, wherein x is >0 degrees, and x<360 degrees. a set of computer instructions are executable on a processor capable of synchronizing scan data and body measurements with a server.