3D Coordinate Calculation from Photographic Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for measuring three-dimensional coordinates in a space are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly in construction and building design, due to the need for repeated site visits and the high cost and limitations of three-dimensional scanners, making it difficult to accurately measure distances between arbitrary points within an allowable error range.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize photographic images captured by a camera to calculate three-dimensional coordinates of marked points by receiving input coordinates, designating corresponding images, calculating camera information, projecting image planes, determining projection points and lines, and comparing pixels to minimize distance, allowing for efficient calculation of three-dimensional coordinates without expensive equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional scanners are used to measure absolute depth of the surrounding environment, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional coordinates measurement precisionVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses photographic images (2D copies) to represent and measure 3D space coordinates, replacing the need for expensive 3D scanners. By capturing spatial information through camera images and calculating coordinates through image processing and geometric relationships, the system achieves measurement functionality using simple photographic copies instead of complex scanning equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/optical scanning systems with a computational approach using camera imaging and coordinate calculation algorithms. Instead of using physical 3D scanners to directly measure depth, the system uses standard cameras to capture images and computes three-dimensional coordinates through mathematical processing of image data and camera positioning information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional measuring devices are used to measure distances between arbitrary points, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time consumption and labor effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary capture of multiple photographic images of the space beforehand, storing them for later analysis. When measurement is needed, the system processes these pre-captured images to calculate coordinates of arbitrary points, eliminating the need to physically visit the site again. This preliminary action of capturing images in advance significantly reduces measurement time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital representation (copy) of the space through photographic images, allowing repeated measurements of arbitrary points without physical site visits. By working with image copies rather than returning to the actual location, the system enables rapid measurement of any point while preserving measurement accuracy through coordinate calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If three-dimensional scanners are used to obtain coordinates of all points, then measurement completeness is improved, but equipment cost and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidequipment usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses standard camera images as copies to represent spatial information, replacing expensive and difficult-to-operate 3D scanners. By processing photographic images through coordinate calculation algorithms, the system achieves reliable three-dimensional coordinate measurement using equipment that is widely available and easy to operate, significantly improving ease of use while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, specialized 3D scanning equipment with inexpensive standard cameras. The system uses multiple ordinary photographic images (effectively disposable data captures) to reconstruct three-dimensional coordinates, eliminating the need for costly specialized equipment while achieving reliable measurement results through computational processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11222433B23 dimensional coordinates calculating apparatus and 3 dimensional coordinates calculating method using photo images

Publication Date: 2022.01.11 CUPIX INC

AI summary

Provided are a method and apparatus for calculating three-dimensional coordinates using photographic images, and more particularly, a method and apparatus for calculating three-dimensional coordinates using photographic images in which a plurality of photographic images are analyzed to calculate the three-dimensional coordinate of a point commonly marked on the photographic images. By using the method and apparatus for calculating three-dimensional coordinates using photographic images captured by a camera, three-dimensional coordinates of arbitrary points marked on the photographic images can be easily calculated.