Aerial Scanner Twist Angle Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile scanning instruments, particularly those mounted on aerial vehicles, face limitations in achieving high-resolution point clouds due to constraints in line-to-line distance and point-to-point distance, which are inversely proportional to carrier velocity and scan rate, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A mobile scanning instrument with a beam deflection element that applies a twist angle optimization algorithm to adjust the scan pattern relative to the carrier velocity, optimizing the line-to-line and point-to-point distances by rotating the beam deflection element or changing its operational mode, using a prism pair or other beam deflection elements to enhance point cloud homogeneity and density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carrier velocity is increased to improve productivity, then the line-to-line distance increases, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan pattern adjustable and adaptable to different carrier velocities. The beam deflection element can modify its operation dynamically to optimize the scan pattern, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision while operating at higher carrier velocities. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to respond to changing operational conditions and maintain optimal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by introducing a twist angle parameter that can be adjusted to optimize the scan pattern. By modifying parameters such as the twist angle and scan pattern configuration, the system can compensate for increased carrier velocity and maintain appropriate line-to-line distance, thereby preserving measurement precision while improving productivity.
2Measurement precision
If the scan rate is increased to improve measurement precision, then the point-to-point distance decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a adjustable scan pattern that can adapt to different operational requirements. The beam deflection element can dynamically modify its scanning behavior to optimize point-to-point distance measurement, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision without requiring excessively high scan rates that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by introducing a twist angle parameter that can be adjusted to optimize the scan pattern. By modifying parameters such as the twist angle and scan pattern configuration, the system can achieve appropriate point-to-point distance without requiring excessively high scan rates, thereby maintaining measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
3Loss of time
If the number of survey runs is reduced to save time, then the point cloud density decreases, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a adjustable scan pattern that can optimize data collection efficiency. By dynamically adjusting the scan pattern with variable twist angles, the system can achieve appropriate point cloud density in fewer survey runs, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters by introducing a twist angle parameter that can be optimized to improve data collection efficiency. By modifying parameters such as the twist angle and scan pattern configuration, the system can achieve sufficient point cloud density with fewer survey runs, thereby reducing the time required for surveying while maintaining measurement precision.
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
The solution enables higher flexibility in survey design, reduces the number of survey runs, and expands the operational envelope of survey systems by allowing higher flight speeds while maintaining or improving point cloud density and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a beam deflection element configured to define an actual transmission direction of the generated scanning pulses with respect to the main axis, wherein the actual transmission direction varies along a scan pattern
Implementation Method 2
determine the distance of object points based e g. on time-of-flight measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile scanning instrument configured to be mounted on a carrier and to acquire point cloud data representing a target area at an object distance whilst the carrier vehicle is travelling at a carrier velocity relative to the target area. The mobile scanning instrument comprises (i) a pulse source unit configured to generate scanning pulses with a pulse rate, and (ii) a beam deflection element configured to define an actual transmission direction of the generated scanning pulses, wherein the actual transmission direction varies along a scan pattern with a scan rate. The scanning instrument is configured to offset the scan pattern with a twist angle representing a rotation about a main axis and to optimize the twist angle based on an optimization target representing a point density and/or a homogeneity of the point cloud data.