3D Modeling Illumination Control for High Dynamic Range Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D modeling systems face challenges with high dynamic range imaging, leading to inaccurate results due to variations in lighting intensity and ambient light noise, which affect the accuracy of photometric data and cause distortions in reconstructed models.

Innovation Solution

The system controls directional energy sources to emit energy at different intensities, capturing images at multiple intensity levels to achieve consistent and proportional pixel intensities, and uses a single exposure time for all images to minimize ambient light impact, allowing for accurate reflectivity values across bright and dark areas, and compensates for the near-far effect by calculating distance-based compensation factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the light sources are made much brighter than the ambient light to reduce noise, then the accuracy of photometric data is improved, but areas of the collected images become over-exposed because the object brightly reflects the light from the light sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of photometric dataVSAvoidover-exposure of image areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the intensity of light sources based on the reflectivity characteristics of different areas of the object. Brightly reflective areas receive reduced illumination intensity to prevent over-exposure, while dark areas receive increased intensity to ensure adequate signal strength. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across the entire object surface without causing over-exposure in any region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple images are captured at different light intensities, then accurate reflectivity values are obtained for both bright and dark areas, but the image capture time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflectivity values accuracyVSAvoidimage capture time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs dynamic intensity adaptation during the image capture process itself, rather than requiring multiple separate captures at different intensities. The light source intensity is adjusted in real-time based on detected reflectivity characteristics, allowing the system to capture accurate reflectivity data in a single imaging sequence. This eliminates the time penalty associated with capturing multiple images at different intensities while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If the object is illuminated by directional energy sources from multiple directions, then comprehensive photometric data is collected, but the near-far effect causes areas further from light sources to be lit less well, leading to high dynamic range and reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of photometric dataVSAvoidaccuracy in dark areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality adjustment by tailoring the illumination intensity to the specific reflectivity characteristics of each area of the object. Areas with high reflectivity receive reduced light intensity, while areas with low reflectivity receive increased intensity. This localized adaptation ensures that photometric data of appropriate quality is collected from all regions of the object, eliminating the accuracy problems caused by the near-far effect while maintaining comprehensive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables accurate reflectivity values for both bright and dark areas, reduces data processing, minimizes image capture time, and improves the quality of 3D models by maintaining proportional intensity values, thus enhancing the precision and accuracy of 3D surface modeling.

Implementation Method 1

The 3D surface is illuminated by light (or other electromagnetic radiation), and the two-dimensional images are created using the light reflected from it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

specular reflection (particularly exhibited by glass or polished metal) in which, if incident light (visible light or other electromagnetic radiation) strikes the surface of the object in a single direction, the reflected radiation propagates in a very narrow range of angles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpecular reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

Lambertian reflection (exhibited by diffuse surfaces, such as matte white paint) in which the reflected radiation is isotropic with an intensity according to Lambert's cosine law

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLambertian reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3381015B1Systems and methods for forming three-dimensional models of objects
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 FUEL 3D TECH LTD
  • EP3381015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3381015B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3381015B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A 3D modelling system is proposed in which an object is successively illuminated by at least one directional energy sources from at least three directions. The directional energy source(s) are controlled to emit energy at different respective intensities at different times. For each direction, at least one image of the object is captured at each of multiple corresponding light intensities. Images captured from the respective directions at first times are used in determining the corresponding intensities with which the object is illuminated from the respective directions at second times. The multiple images of the object for each direction provide high dynamic range data about the propensity of points on the object to reflect light propagating in the corresponding direction.