Adaptive Image Capture Planning for Accurate 3D Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image acquisition methods using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) lack feedback and analysis during and after flights, leading to suboptimal image quality and inability to meet desired information goals, such as accurate 3D reconstructions or measurements, due to factors like inconsistent flight patterns, occlusions, and sensor limitations.
Innovation Solution
Implement capture plans that analyze acquired images after-the-fact to determine if goals are met, allowing adjustments and improvements in subsequent events, and provide real-time feedback for optimal image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flight plans are used without feedback mechanisms, then the UAV can complete basic image acquisition, but the image quality and information accuracy cannot be optimized to meet desired goals
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that analyze acquired images to determine whether capture goals are met, and use this information to generate improved capture plans for subsequent events. The feedback loop includes: (1) analyzing acquired images to assess goal achievement, (2) generating feedback information about capture plan effectiveness, and (3) using this feedback to create optimized capture plans that improve image quality and information accuracy in future acquisitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of capture plan effectiveness before finalizing the capture strategy. By analyzing images after acquisition and evaluating whether goals were met, the system prepares improved capture plans in advance for subsequent image acquisition events, ensuring better performance without requiring complex real-time adjustments during flight.
2Measurement precision
If multiple image acquisition events are conducted to improve quality, then image quality improves, but time and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism evaluates capture plan effectiveness after each image acquisition event and generates improved capture plans for subsequent events. This systematic approach ensures that each subsequent acquisition is optimized based on previous performance, reducing the number of re-acquisitions needed and minimizing time loss while improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically analyzes acquired images, evaluates goal achievement, and generates improved capture plans without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability streamlines the optimization process and reduces the time needed to prepare for subsequent image acquisition events, making the system more efficient while maintaining improved image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If capture plans are rigid and pre-defined, then operation is simple, but adaptability to achieve specific information goals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The capture plan system transitions from rigid pre-defined parameters to dynamic, adaptive planning. The system automatically adjusts capture plan parameters based on feedback from image analysis and goal assessment. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for specific information goals (such as 3D reconstructions, measurements, or inspection) while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes capture plan parameters dynamically based on feedback information. By analyzing which parameters contributed to successful or unsuccessful goal achievement, the system adjusts parameters such as flight path, altitude, imaging frequency, and camera orientation to better achieve specific information goals, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to improvements in systems and methods in acquiring images via imaging devices, where such imaging devices can be configured, in some implementations, with an unmanned aerial vehicle or other vehicle types, as well as being hand-held. Images are acquired from the imaging devices according to capture plans where useful information types about a structure of interest (or objects, items, etc.) can be derived from a structure image acquisition event. Images acquired from capture plans can be evaluated to generate improvements in capture plans for use in subsequent structure image acquisition events. Capture plans provided herein generate accurate information as to all or part of the structure of interest, where accuracy is in relation to the real-life structure incorporated in the acquired images.