Multi-function camera system

{
  "publication_number": "US11673780B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Multi-function camera system",
  "abstract": "A multi-function camera system, applied to a forklift truck, includes a camera device and a display device installed on the forklift truck, and an image processing unit coupled between the camera device and the display device, capable of shooting and displaying a corresponding real image in order to assist operations of the forklift truck. In addition, the camera device is equipped with a fill light module capable of providing multiple light colors, and the image processing unit includes an identification module capable of identifying the optical identification code. Accordingly, the camera system with multiple functions of monitoring, fill light, identification and positioning etc. is achieved.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A multi-function camera system of a forklift truck, the multi-function camera system comprising: a camera device of an elongated shape, arranged at a front side and on a fork module of the forklift truck to thereby ascend and descend with the fork module, the camera device comprising, at a frond end thereof: a camera lens positioned to continuously shoot real images of a pallet fork of the forklift truck and any object loaded on the pallet fork, a fill light module used for providing illumination light of at least one color in a shooting direction of the camera lens, a plurality of fill light lamps arranged at a surrounding of the camera lens, and configured to provide illuminating light, and a laser head for projecting an auxiliary positioning laser beam, the laser head being positioned at substantially a same height as an extended fork of the fork module, such that an operator of the forklift truck determines the height of the extended fork based on a mark of the auxiliary positioning laser beam projected by the laser head; an image processing unit coupled to the camera device and used for performing image processing on the real images shot by the camera device; a display device arranged on the forklift truck and coupled to the image processing unit, used for continuously displaying the real images shot by the camera device or processed by the image processing unit, wherein the image processing unit includes an identification module, the identification module being configured to continuously monitor the real images to identify an optical identification code in the real images shot by the camera device, and obtain merchandise information corresponding to the optical identification code from a remote database; and the display device is configured to receive the merchandise information from the image processing unit and to continuously display the real images with the merchandise information overlaid thereon.",
    "2. The multi-function camera system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fill light lamps are capable of providing lights of different colors.",
    "3. The multi-function camera system according to claim 2, wherein the display device is a monitor capable of displaying an image or a Head Up Display (HUD) capable of displaying an image on a front windshield of the forklift truck.",
    "4. The multi-function camera system according to claim 3, wherein the optical identification code identified by the identification module is any one of one to four dimensional codes.",
    "5. The multi-function camera system according to claim 1, wherein the laser head is a laser head of a point shape, a flat shape or a cross shape.",
    "6. The multi-function camera system according to claim 5, wherein the display device is a monitor capable of displaying an image or a Head Up Display (HUD) capable of displaying an image on a front windshield of the forklift truck.",
    "7. The multi-function camera system according to claim 6, wherein the optical identification code identified by the identification module is any one of one to four dimensional codes.",
    "8. The multi-function camera system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit further comprises a positioning module; the positioning module is used for overlaying a ring radar pattern onto the real image during activation of the laser head.",
    "9. The multi-function camera system according to claim 8, wherein the display device is a monitor capable of displaying an image or a Head Up Display (HUD) capable of displaying an image on a front windshield of the forklift truck.",
    "10. The multi-function camera system according to claim 9, wherein the optical identification code identified by the identification module is any one of one to four dimensional codes.",
    "11. The multi-function camera system according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a monitor capable of displaying an image or a Head Up Display (HUD) capable of displaying an image on a front windshield of the forklift truck.",
    "12. The multi-function camera system according to claim 11, wherein the optical identification code identified by the identification module is any one of one to four dimensional codes.",
    "13. The multi-function camera system according to claim 12, wherein the image processing unit is an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).",
    "14. The multi-function camera system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit is an Electronic Control Unit (ECU)."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a vehicle camera surveillance field, in particular, to a multi-function camera system applied to a forklift truck and capable of providing different observation viewing angles and providing functions of multi-color fill flight, product identification and positioning etc.\n\nForklift trucks, also known as forklift, are industrial vehicles commonly seen in places of factories and warehouses, and they can be used to perform operations of loading and unloading of merchandise placed on pallets, stacking or short-distance transportation etc. Generally, in such working environment, merchandise are mostly packaged in boxes, and when an operator is transporting merchandise, under the condition where the content of the merchandise boxes is unknown, he or she often needs to use other instruments to verify the merchandise before operating the forklift truck to transport such merchandise. Consequently, there is a need to improve the operation efficiency.\n\nIn addition, generally, during the operation of a forklift, the operator often cannot observe the pallet fork, also known as fork, at the lower portion of the front side of the vehicle at appropriate viewing angle, such that he or she needs to make repetitive adjustments in order to align with the pallet. Although it is known that camera and display can be used to assist the operator in the observation of the pallet fork, nonetheless, since warehouse environments are mostly dark, and the stacking of merchandise can hinder the vision and lighting, the current condition of use of a forklift truck is still quite inconvenience to operators.",
  "cpc": [
    "B66F 9/0755",
    "B66F 9/07504",
    "G03B 15/00",
    "G03B 15/03",
    "G03B 29/00",
    "G05D 1/0246",
    "G05D 2201/0216",
    "G06T 7/80",
    "H04N 23/55",
    "H04N 23/57",
    "H04N 23/74",
    "H04N 5/262"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B66F 9/075",
    "G05D 1/02",
    "H04N 23/57"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Autoequips Tech Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ting-Peng WANG",
    "I-Jen Lai"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-01-30",
  "publication_date": "2023-06-13",
  "grant_date": "2023-06-13",
  "priority_date": "2019-02-01",
  "application_number": "US-202016777382-A",
  "family_id": "67703478",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "JPH0554496U",
    "US20030019934A1",
    "JP2006096457A",
    "JP2011195334A",
    "KR101600980B1",
    "US20170212517A1",
    "CN205754547U",
    "CN205642738U",
    "CN207364595U",
    "KR20180114506A"
  ]
}