987 results about "Photogrammetry" patented technology

Affordable methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting position, attitude (orientation) or other object characteristic data to computers for the purpose of Computer Aided Design, Painting, Medicine, Teaching, Gaming, Toys, Simulations, Aids to the disabled, and internet or other experiences. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize electro-optical sensors, and particularly TV Cameras, providing optically inputted data from specialized datum's on objects and / or natural features of objects. Objects can be both static and in motion, from which individual datum positions and movements can be derived, also with respect to other objects both fixed and moving. Real-time photogrammetry is preferably used to determine relationships of portions of one or more datums with respect to a plurality of cameras or a single camera processed by a conventional PC.

Camera system and methods to capture panoramic imagery from a camera mounted on a moving platform, using low-cost digital image sensors. The panoramic imagery appears seamless and natural to the eye. The panoramic imaging system and methods are specifically designed to accommodate the long acquisition times of low-cost digital image sensors, despite the motion of the camera during image capture. Pairs of cameras are arranged about an axis and a pairwise firing sequence enables capturing a series of adjacent images without gap or overlap. Additionally, when combined with suitable supplemental sensors, the image data provide location information about objects in the image for use in elementary photogrammetry.

Affordable methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting position, attitude (orientation) or other object characteristic data to computers for the purpose of Computer Aided Design, Painting, Medicine, Teaching, Gaming, Toys, Simulations, Aids to the disabled, and internet or other experiences. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize electro-optical sensors, and particularly TV Cameras, providing optically inputted data from specialized datum's on objects and / or natural features of objects. Objects can be both static and in motion, from which individual datum positions and movements can be derived, also with respect to other objects both fixed and moving. Real-time photogrammetry is preferably used to determine relationships of portions of one or more datums with respect to a plurality of cameras or a single camera processed by a conventional PC.

The method according to the invention gene rates an aerial image mosaic viewing a larger area than a single image from a camera can provide using a combination of computer vision and photogrammetry. The aerial image mosaic is based on a set of images acquired from a camera. Selective matching and cross matching of consecutive and non-consecutive images, respectively, are performed and three dimensional motion and structure parameters are calculated and implemented on the model to check if the model is stable. Thereafter the parameters are globally optimised and based on these optimised parameters the serial image mosaic is generated. The set of images may be limited by removing old image data as new images are acquired. The method makes it is possible to establish images in near real time using a system of low complexity and small size, and using only image information.

A video system for providing an operator with a three dimensional stereoscopic image of the oral cavity of a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging unit for providing at least two stereoscopic images of the oral cavity, a pair of switchable shutters for alternatingly blocking the view of the left eye and the right eye of the operator, a synchronizing unit for synchronizing the switching of the pair of switchable shutters with the rate of generation of the two stereoscopic video images by the imaging unit and a video display for displaying the two stereoscopic images.

The invention relates to a calibration technology for multiple structured light projected three-dimensional profile measuring heads, discloses a technology for calibrating multiple structured light projected three-dimensional profile measuring heads in different directions, which can be used for the quick label-free measurement of an object profile projected by structured light, and belongs to the technical field of optical measurement. In the calibration technology, only a calibration object of a plane with a plurality of calibration patterns is required to be designed and is not required to be manufactured into a high-precision three-dimensional target with known geometrical relationships on all surfaces; and geometrical parameters among all planes of the calibration object can be obtained by a close-range photogrammetry technology to upgrade the calibration object into the three-dimensional target, so the difficulty of machining and maintaining the high-precision three-dimensional target directly is reduced. By utilizing the technology, multiple structured light projected three-dimensional profile measuring heads can be measured from different visual angles in a label-free mode, and point clouds scanned in different directions are unified to one coordinate system automatically, so error accumulation caused by splicing is avoided effectively, and the time of the three-dimensional appearance reconstruction of the object can be shortened.

A composition, apparatus and method for preparing a 3-D impression or replica of small objects. It is particularly aimed at the dental field and provides improved optical texture of an impression or replica of a small object to enable imaging by photogrammetry. The composition comprises a liquid curable polymer; macroparticles having a size greater than about 1 μm in diameter and microparticles present in a size range of less than about 1 μm such that the macroparticles and microparticles are present in a ratio in the range of between 5:1 and 15:1 (by volume); wherein the impression or replica formed from the composition has a surface particle distribution effective to allow imaging by photogrammetry.

The invention relates to processes for measuring one or more surfaces of a part utilizing both Photogrammetry and laser tracking devices. The measured part may comprise the barrel of an airplane. In other embodiments, varying types of surfaces may be measured in both airplane and non-airplane applications. In one embodiment, such a process may comprise measuring at least one surface of a part utilizing Photogrammetry, and simultaneously measuring the at least one surface utilizing laser tracking.

Novel tools and techniques for generating survey data about a survey site. Aerial photography of at least part of the survey site can be analyzed using photogrammetric techniques. In some cases, an unmanned aerial system can be used to collect site imagery. The use of a UAS can reduce the fiscal and chronological cost of a survey, compared to the use of other types aerial imagery and / or conventional terrestrial surveying techniques used alone.

A method of scanning an object includes the steps of: providing a digitizer adapter having at least three markers disposed along a target surface thereof, wherein the digitizer adapter includes a spherical member disposed a predetermined distance at its center point to each of the at least three markers; securing the adapter along an outer surface of the object; creating a plurality of digital images of the object; extracting the coordinates of the at least three markers from the image using photogrammetry; calculating the coordinates of the center point of the spherical member based on the coordinates of the at least three markers; generating surface data by scanning the outer surface of the object and the spherical member; calculating the coordinates of the center point of the spherical member based on at least three points from the surface data of the spherical member; and aligning the center point coordinates to facilitate combining the data from the photogrammetric and surface scan processes.

The invention provides aerial photogrammetry by using two or more flying vehicles, each equipped with a GPS device and an image pickup unit, comprising a step of setting up two or more photographing points and setting up a photographing point area, respectively, with each of the photographing points as the center, a step of measuring a position of the flying vehicle by the GPS device, a step where each of the flying vehicle reaches each corresponding photographing point area and maintains the position of the photographing point area, a step of acquiring a time when the flying vehicle finally reaches the photographing point area, a step of setting up a shutter timing time after a predetermined time from the moment when the flying vehicle has finally reached the photographing point area, and a step of taking aerial photographs by the two or more flying vehicles at the shutter timing time.

The inventions herein relate generally to improvements in photogrammetry and devices suitable for obtaining such improvements. Some embodiments use only a single passive image-capture device to obtain overlapping 2D images, where such images at least partially overlap with regard to at least one object of interest in a scene. Such images can be processed using methods incorporating structure from motion algorithms. Accurate 3D digital representations of the at least one object of interest can be obtained. Substantially accurate measurements and other useful information regarding the at least one object of interest are obtainable from the methodology herein.

A structured light pattern digitizing method is combined with photogrammetry to determine a 3D model of an object. The structured light digitizing operation generates a 3D model of the object being scanned, and this model is then used to compute a higher accuracy model using photogrammetry.

The invention discloses a portable crop parameter measurement and growth vigor intelligent analysis device and method. The device comprises a spectral imaging module, a laser structured light scatter emitter, a binocular photography measurement module, an image acquisition control module, a data acquisition module, a data processing module, a data analysis and application module and a battery module. The device and the method provided by the invention realize fast automatic measurement of a crop canopy structure based on a structured light measurement technology of laser triangulation range-finding principle. A laser single-point light source is converted to a specific form to serve as a light source by an optical splitter to generate evenly spaced point-like projection light sources, and the generated light beams can irradiate a measured surface. When a multispectral image is acquired, the three-dimensional coordinate or spatial form of each light spot or light bar by a photogrammetry technology, and three-dimensional reconstruction of a crop canopy structure can be realized by a spatial interpolation technology.

The invention relates to the field of photogrammetry and surveying and mapping, particularly to a digital mapping method and system based on a live-action 3D model. Digital mapping is carried out by unmanned aerial vehicle oblique photography 3D modeling and cooperation with a ground survey robot, digital mapping of the data acquisition result is more portable and flexible, at the same time high resolution live-action 3D model data can be acquired, and the sense of reality is strong. A control point coordinate acquired by the ground survey robot can effectively control the overall accuracy of the model, an acquired feature point coordinate can effectively compensate for the defect of low coordinate precision because of the influence of a barrier object on unmanned aerial vehicle aerial photography modeling. The method and system provided by the invention have greatly improved work efficiency, also can acquire vivid 3D topographic and geomorphic data at the same time, and meet the demand for diversified data results.

A triangulation-type, three-dimensional imager device uses photogrammetry to provide alignment or registration of the multiple point clouds of an object generated by the imager. The imager does not need a calibrated artifact such as a scale bar in its use of the photogrammetry process but instead uses the point cloud data generated by the imager to set the scale required by and utilized in the photogrammetry process.

An apparatus for generating 3D geographical models includes a processor and memory storing executable computer program code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including removing points of a cloud depicting vertical structures in meshes of triangles detected in an area corresponding to a set of 3D points responsive to identifying triangles on vertical structures. The triangles include vertices corresponding to geocoordinates. The program code further causes the apparatus to interpolate non-vertical structures of triangles to generate a dense cloud of points. The program code further causes the apparatus to downward project delineated points of segmented rooftops to closest points of a ground to generate 3D polygonal models depicting geographical objects. The program code further causes the apparatus to generate texturized objects responsive to mapping triangle locations to the 3D polygonal models and assign texture to vertical structures and rooftops. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

The invention is applicable to the field of machine visual and three-dimensional measurement and provides a target correction method and system. The embodiment of the invention provides the target correction method, comprising the following steps of: photographing a target from different angles to obtain a plurality of images; respectively extracting the center of a marking point in each image as a characteristic point and establishing a corresponding relation of the marking points with the same name between the images; combining a close-range photogrammetry technology to calculate a three-dimensional coordinate of the characteristic point, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate is restrained by a scale factor; finally obtaining the scale factor and zooming the three-dimensional coordinate of each characteristic point to an actual size. The target manufactured and corrected by the method has the advantages of higher precision, easiness for operation and low cost. Meanwhile, the scale factor is obtained by adopting a fringe projection measurement system and a standard ball, the correction precision is higher and the relative precision (absolute precision / target size) can reach 1:1000. Therefore, the method and the system provided by the invention can be widely applied to the vision measurement and the system calibration.

The invention provides a camera for photogrammetry, which comprises a shaft 11 tiltably supported in any direction via a gimbal 14, a GPS device having a GPS antenna 12 installed on an upper end of said shaft, and a photographic device main unit 13 installed on a lower end of said shaft, wherein optical axis of said photographic device main unit is designed so as to direct in vertical and downward direction, said photographic device main unit has an image pickup unit 24 installed in a known relation with said GPS antenna and a control device for controlling image pickup of said image pickup unit, and said control device 19 controls said image pickup unit so that still image is acquired by the image pickup unit, and an image pickup position at the time of image pickup is obtained by said GPS device.

Shims used to join part assemblies are automatically designed and fabricated without the need for fitting part assemblies together in order to determine the exact dimensions of voids filled by the shims. The locations of key features on part assemblies are surveyed using a merged photogrammetry and laser tracking technique that generate the dimensions of a virtual shim. The dimensions of the virtual shim are contained in a digital file that can be used to automatically fabricate the shim using automated fabrication equipment such as a CNC machining center. The automated virtual shim design maybe modified to reflect the effect of part assembly fit on performance characteristics of the aircraft.

The invention discloses an existing bridge quick BIM modeling system and method. The three-dimensional laser scanning technology serves as a bridge three-dimensional geometric data acquisition tool, and the limitation of passive ranging in traditional close-range photogrammetry, namely limitation of natural light conditions, is overcome. In actual application examples, by comparing a BIM model built through three-dimensional scanning and an actual building, it is found that the similarity between the BIM model and the actual building can reach 90% or above. A full-color-point cloud model is obtained through the three-dimensional scanning technology, a vivid and fine virtual model can be generated through three-dimensional entity modeling software processing, the method can be used for webpage real-time publish and sharing, and the cooperative work efficiency is improved. The whole BIM modeling process is convenient, quick and precise, as for small-and-medium-sized bridges, it takes a few hours from field work scanning to building of the whole BIM model, and model errors can be controlled at the millimeter level.

The invention discloses a camera shooting system-based robot on line error compensation device comprising an industrial robot, a multiple observation station and multiple camera combination photogrammetry system, a spatial inertia coordinate measurement system, a photogrammetry system auxiliary drone and a host computer; functions of the spatial inertia coordinate measurement system are jointly fulfilled via a two-dimension inclination angle measuring meter and an encoder built in the industrial robot, the multiple observation station and multiple camera combination photogrammetry system is used for measuring positions and postures of a drone fixed on the robot, the two-dimension inclination angle measuring meter can be used for measuring postures of a tail end of the robot in two directional angles, three-dimensional postures of the tail end of the robot can be measured via high precision angle data solved and calculated via the robot, a compensation value can be obtained after three-dimensional posture data and posture data measured by the camera shooting system are subjected to data integrating and comparing operation, and error can be compensated via control over the industrial robot. The camera shooting system-based robot on line error compensation device does not require off-line calibration of the robot and is high in precision, and the camera shooting system-based robot on line error compensation device can be applied in the industrial fields such as the processing and manufacturing field and the like.

The present invention proposes an evaluation method of solar energy utilization potential in urban high-density areas based on low-altitude photogrammetry, comprising the following steps: low-altitude data acquisition using drones, acquisition of three-dimensional point cloud data, screening of building subject points, selection of seed region, region growth and point cloud patch segmentation, three-dimensional reconstruction, building geometry model, solar radiation simulation and solar energy utilization potential assessment steps. The invention utilizes low-altitude photogrammetry to obtain point cloud data in a high-density area of the city, and performs semantic division and three-dimensional reconstruction on the point cloud data through a parameterization tool to obtain a singular geometric model. Therefore, the solar radiation and dynamic change obtained from the roof and facade of the building are simulated and analyzed in the same platform.

The invention provides a dam slope deformation monitoring system and method. According to the monitoring system, an unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry system is utilized to monitor dams in the whole reservoir area, and an encrypted monitoring area with large deformation quantity and large digital elevation difference (a steep slope) is determined; in the encrypted monitoring area, a ground-based interferometric radar measurement system is utilized to determine a first level key area with larger deformation quantity; in the first level key area, a ground-based three-dimensional laser radarsystem is adopted to select a second level key area with larger deformation quantity, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is adopted in the second level key area to determine a key monitoringparticle with high deformation speed, and a micro core pile is utilized to monitor and forewarn the collapse process of the key monitoring particle area. According to the dam slope deformation monitoring system and method, precise positioning of the collapse position of the dams in the whole reservoir area and integrated monitoring and early warning of space, air and ground are achieved through time seamless monitoring from slow to fast to the instant of collapse and full coverage monitoring from large area to small area to particle and from two-dimensional to three-dimensional space variation.

The present disclosure is directed towards determining, at sea, the respective weights of fish species that are part of a fish catch. By way of the present disclosure, images of a fish catch are taken using triangulation techniques involving stereo-photogrammetry. According to one embodiment, a method for estimating a total weight of a fish catch includes receiving a fish catch on a fishing vessel and capturing images of the fish catch. From the images, fishes are identified and the species to which the corresponding fishes belong are also identified. Using the images, lengths of the identified fishes as well as the total volume occupied by the fish catch are determined, which can be used to estimate the total weight of the fish catch.