3D Triangulation Imaging for Specular Reflection Artifact Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D imaging systems based on light triangulation suffer from artifacts, particularly specular reflections, which make inspection tasks difficult and result in inaccurate 3D representations of objects.
Innovation Solution
Imaging object points at least twice using different illuminations or camera view angles to exploit differences in intensity peak characteristics, excluding data points that differ significantly between images to remove artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light triangulation is used for 3D imaging, then depth information can be obtained, but artifacts such as specular reflections occur that reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing multiple images of the same object point under different illumination conditions or camera view angles before processing. This allows the system to anticipate and identify specular reflection artifacts through comparison, excluding inconsistent data points before final 3D reconstruction, thereby preventing artifact contamination in the depth measurement results.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured to reduce artifacts, then measurement precision improves, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by capturing images in repeated cycles with different illumination conditions or camera angles. Each object point is imaged multiple times in a periodic sequence, allowing the system to identify and exclude artifact-containing images through consistency checking, thereby improving measurement precision while managing imaging time through structured repetition.
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
Reduces artifacts in 3D imaging data, resulting in higher quality 3D representations with fewer inaccuracies.
Implementation Method 1
reflected light from an object to be imaged is captured by an image sensor of a camera and intensity peaks are detected in the image data. The peaks occur at positions corresponding to locations on the imaged object with the incident light, e.g. corresponding to a laser line, that was reflected from the object.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and arrangements for forming image data for use in 3D imaging of an object (520). The image data being from an imaging system (505) based on light triangulation and that provides one or more illuminations (511) in one or more light planes that geometrically correspond to the same plane or parallel planes. The imaging system (505) and camera(s) (530) thereof are configured to image object points of the object (520) at least twice, according to a first imaging and second imaging, during illumination of the object points by said illumination(s). The first imaging and second imaging differing in how specular reflections caused by said illumination(s) are being imaged. First and second image data from the first and second imaging are obtained, corresponding first and second profile images (670) with common mapping to real world coordinates for intensity peaks (682, 683) caused by direct reflections from the object (520). Image data for use in the 3D imaging is formed (802) based on the obtained image data and excludes intensity peak data that for a respective object point imaged twice have intensity peak characteristics that differ between the first and second image data.