3D Data Field Conversion for Machine Vision Pose Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine vision techniques face inefficiencies in processing three-dimensional data, particularly in searching for patterns, due to the need to access neighboring points in 3D data, which interrupts parallelization and reduces processing speed.

Innovation Solution

The method involves converting three-dimensional data into a densely-populated field where each cell has associated values, allowing for the determination of representative data and testing model poses by summing dot products of probes with field vectors, thereby avoiding the need to search for neighboring points and improving processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional three-dimensional data processing methods are used to search for patterns, then the system can identify pattern locations and orientations, but the processing speed is reduced due to the need to access neighboring points in 3D data which interrupts parallelization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddata access complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copied representation of three-dimensional data by generating a two-dimensional projection or map that contains encoded information about neighboring points. This copy allows probe evaluations to access spatial relationships without requiring random access to the original 3D data structure, thereby enabling continuous parallelization and improving processing speed while maintaining pattern recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If a multi-step approach with different resolution models is used to refine pattern pose identification, then the accuracy of pose identification is improved, but the processing time increases due to iterative refinement steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepose identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing by pre-computing and storing a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional data that encodes neighboring point information. This preliminary action allows subsequent pose identification steps to operate more efficiently on the pre-processed data structure, reducing the computational burden of iterative refinement while maintaining high accuracy in pose identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms three-dimensional data into a two-dimensional representation that preserves essential spatial relationships. This dimensionality change allows the system to maintain measurement precision for pose identification while reducing the computational complexity and processing time associated with operating directly in three-dimensional space during iterative refinement steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3624062A1Methods and apparatus for processing image data for machine vision
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 COGNEX CORP
  • EP3624062A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3624062A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3624062A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to perform various aspects, including testing a pose of a model to image data, such as testing a pose of a model in three-dimensional data. Three-dimensional data of an object is received, the three-dimensional data comprising a set of data entries. The three-dimensional data is converted to a field comprising a set of cells that each have an associated value, comprising determining, for each cell value, representative data based on one or more data entries from the set of data entries of the three-dimensional data. A pose of the model is tested with the field to determine a score for the pose.