Depth-Camera Object Volume Measurement via Base Plane Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the volume of objects using depth cameras struggle with accurately estimating the base plane, especially when the object is food in a container, due to visibility issues and variable density, leading to inaccuracies in volume calculation.
Innovation Solution
A method that aligns multi-dimensional data of a container with and without an object using orthogonal axes, sampling techniques, and normal vectors to predict the base plane, enabling accurate volume estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a depth camera is used to measure the volume of food in a container, then the measurement can be performed without complex lighting and angle requirements, but the base plane of the food becomes difficult to detect leading to reduced measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the container at different positions before volume calculation. These pre-captured images are stored and later used to reconstruct the base plane, allowing accurate volume measurement even when the base plane is not visible in the current view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from 2D image analysis to 3D spatial reconstruction by capturing images at multiple positions and reconstructing the base plane in three-dimensional space. This dimensional change allows the system to detect the base plane even when it is not visible from a single viewpoint.
2Loss of information
If video analysis and photographic measurement methods are used for volume calculation, then texture and color information can be utilized, but the accuracy is reduced due to fluctuations in texture or color and requires appropriate angles and lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical measurement methods (video analysis and photographic measurement) with a depth camera-based 3D reconstruction approach. This substitution eliminates the dependence on lighting conditions, angles, and texture/color information while achieving more accurate volume measurements through spatial data.
3Device complexity
If the base plane is not properly estimated in depth camera measurements, then the measurement process remains simple, but the error in the base plane area leads to significant volume calculation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the container at different positions before volume calculation. These pre-captured images are stored and later used to reconstruct the base plane, allowing accurate volume measurement even when the base plane is not visible in the current view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the base plane information by capturing images at multiple positions and reconstructing the base plane in 3D space. This copied base plane data is then used for accurate volume calculation, eliminating the need for direct visual contact with the base plane in the measurement view.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of predicting a volume of an object, the method being performed by one or more processors of a computing device, the method including: obtaining first multi-dimensional data of a container without containing an object and second multi-dimensional data of the container containing the object; aligning the first multi-dimensional data with the second multi-dimensional data; predicting a base plane of the object based on the aligned first and second multi-dimensional data; and calculating a volume of the object based on the predicted base plane of the object.