3D Reconstruction Mode Switching for Redundant Scan Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Scanning a physical environment for 3D reconstruction is computationally expensive and often results in redundant scans, leading to wastage of resources due to maintaining high scanning frequencies in previously reconstructed areas.

Innovation Solution

A method that toggles between discovery and monitoring modes for 3D reconstruction based on detecting changes in the environment or system constraints, adjusting resource usage accordingly to optimize performance and conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high frequency scanning is maintained for 3D reconstruction, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase due to redundant scans in previously reconstructed areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts scanning frequency based on the operational state. In discovery mode, high-frequency scanning is performed to capture new environmental data. When transitioning to monitoring mode for previously reconstructed areas, the system reduces scanning frequency to conserve computational resources while maintaining sufficient accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scanning frequency parameter based on the operational mode. High frequency scanning is applied when discovering new areas, while lower frequency scanning is applied when monitoring known areas. This parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high frequency scanning is maintained for 3D reconstruction, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases due to redundant processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts scanning frequency based on the operational state. In discovery mode, high-frequency scanning is performed to capture new environmental data. When transitioning to monitoring mode for previously reconstructed areas, the system reduces scanning frequency to conserve computational resources while maintaining sufficient accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic scanning at reduced frequency in monitoring mode rather than continuous high-frequency scanning. This periodic action maintains adequate 3D reconstruction accuracy for known areas while significantly reducing energy consumption by skipping redundant scan cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If discovery mode is used for all areas, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and use of energy increase due to continuous high frequency processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D reconstruction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts scanning frequency based on the operational state. In discovery mode, high-frequency scanning is performed to capture new environmental data. When transitioning to monitoring mode for previously reconstructed areas, the system reduces scanning frequency to conserve computational resources while maintaining sufficient accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different scanning frequencies to different spatial regions based on their reconstruction status. New areas receive high-frequency scanning for detailed reconstruction, while previously reconstructed areas receive lower-frequency scanning. This local differentiation optimizes processing complexity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260038194A1Toggling operating modes for generating 3D representations

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that adjusts operating modes for generating three-dimensional (3D) representations of a physical environment. For example, an example process may include acquiring sensor data by the one or more sensors in a physical environment and operating the device according to a first operating mode and a second operating mode during different periods of time. In the first operating mode (e.g., discovery mode), the device generates a 3D representation of the physical environment based on the sensor data and the device monitors one or more conditions to switch to the second operating mode. In the second operating mode (e.g., monitoring mode), the device monitors the one or more conditions to switch to the first operating mode and generates the 3D representation differently than the first operating mode.