3D Survey Scan Processing for Fast Digital Model Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D surveying technologies require advanced user skills and time-consuming data handling, making data acquisition and quality assessment cumbersome, especially in dynamic environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that distribute the processing of scan data among a 3D surveying device, a cloud processing unit, and a client device, using a prioritization algorithm to optimize data processing and provide a fast preview of the digital model, considering bandwidth, computing power, and battery power in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If 3D surveying data is processed using traditional centralized methods, then data quality and accuracy can be maintained, but data handling becomes time-consuming and requires advanced user skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of data acquisition and quality assessmentVSAvoidtime for data handling and processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing of 3D surveying data into multiple segments distributed across different processing participants (surveying device, cloud processing unit, client device). Each participant handles specific processing tasks independently, enabling parallel processing and reducing the time required for complete data handling while maintaining quality through distributed validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If complete 3D surveying data is processed to ensure high quality digital models, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of digital modelVSAvoidcomplexity of processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud processing unit as an intermediary between the surveying device and client devices. This intermediary handles complex processing tasks centrally while allowing distributed participants to perform simpler local processing, thereby maintaining high digital model quality without requiring each device to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If all scan data is processed and transmitted to generate comprehensive digital models, then completeness of information is improved, but data overhead and bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of 3D model dataVSAvoiddata overhead and bandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes only the essential and relevant portions of scan data at each processing stage. The distributed processing architecture allows different participants to extract specific features and information from the raw scan data, transmitting only necessary processed results rather than complete raw datasets, thereby reducing data overhead while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If real-time preview of digital models is provided during data acquisition, then productivity is improved, but computing power and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of data acquisition and assessmentVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial processing to generate real-time previews during data acquisition. Instead of processing complete datasets, the system performs partial processing on subsets of scan data to provide sufficient preview quality for immediate assessment. This approach enables real-time feedback while consuming acceptable battery power by avoiding exhaustive processing of all data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables easier and more efficient data acquisition with quicker assessment of data quality, reducing the need for specialized expertise and minimizing data overhead, allowing users to adapt scanning processes dynamically.

Implementation Method 1

The distance measurement may be based on the time of flight, the shape, and/or the phase of the pulse

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

3D surveying devices used in combination with such robotic vehicles are typically configured to provide surveying data during movement of the robotic vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP4365736B1Three-dimensional reality capturing of an environment by a surveying device and distributed processing with improved provision of a preview of a digital model of the environment
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HEXAGON INNOVATION HUB GMBH
  • EP4365736B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4365736B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4365736B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to processing scan data (105, 105') provided by a 3D surveying device (1, 1', 1", 100) to provide a digital model of an environment, wherein the processing of the scan data (105, 105') is distributed among a group of processing participants (1, 1', 1", 100, 101, 8, 8', 8", 102, 109) by deriving a scan task to be currently executed by the 3D surveying device (1, 1', 1", 100) and deriving an associated model type of the digital model of the environment to be provided by the scan data. Minimal processing units (108) of the processing of the scan data (105, 105') are determined to provide a display of a representation of a preview of the digital model in a way that it fulfils visualization criteria (122-125) associated to the model type of the digital model. A prioritization algorithm (118) is used for dynamically distributing the processing of the scan data (105, 105') among the processing participants (1, 1', 1", 100, 101, 8, 8', 8", 102, 109), wherein the prioritization algorithm (118) provides an optimization (126) in terms of definition and distribution of the different processing assignments with a short time to provide the minimum processing units (108) as a target value and with a currently available bandwidth (119) and connection stability (119) of a data exchange between the processing participants with one another, a currently available computing power (120, 130, 131, 132) on each of the processing participants (1, 1', 1", 100, 101, 8, 8', 8", 102, 109), and remaining battery power (121, 129) on the 3D surveying device (1, 1', 1", 100) as input parameters.