Handheld Optical Scanner for Irregular Object Volume Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the volume of complex, irregularly shaped objects are inaccurate, leading to errors in estimating storage and transportation needs, resulting in wasted resources and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held scanner system with a central processing unit that calculates volume by scanning objects from multiple angles, excluding walls and floors from the measurement, providing precise cubic volume calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand tools such as measuring tapes and yardsticks are used to measure the volume of disparately-shaped goods, then the measurement process is simple and portable, but the measurement precision deteriorates significantly for complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement tools (measuring tapes, yardsticks) with an automated optical scanning system. The optical scanner captures 3D spatial data of the object and the processor calculates volume algorithmically, eliminating the need for manual measurement and visual estimation while achieving high precision for complex shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D representation (point cloud or mesh model) of the physical object through optical scanning. This digital copy allows the processor to calculate volume precisely by integrating the scanned surface data, avoiding the inaccuracies of manual measurement while maintaining ease of operation through automated scanning.
2Ease of operation
If visual estimation is used to measure the volume of complex-shaped goods, then the measurement process remains simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates with errors as high as 10-20% or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual estimation with automated optical scanning and computational volume calculation. The optical scanner objectively captures the object's 3D geometry and the processor algorithmically computes the volume, eliminating the subjectivity and inaccuracy inherent in visual estimation while keeping the operation simple through automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement through automated scanning and calculation without requiring operator intervention in the measurement process itself. The scanner automatically captures geometric data and the processor independently calculates volume, providing consistent accurate results without relying on operator judgment or estimation skills.
3Productivity
If inaccurate volume estimates are used, then the measurement process remains simple and quick, but transportation and storage efficiency deteriorate leading to wasted resources and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow manual measurement with rapid automated optical scanning and computational volume calculation. The system quickly captures 3D data and calculates volume without requiring time-consuming manual measurement or estimation, providing accurate results that optimize transportation and storage resource allocation, thereby reducing waste and costs.
4Measurement precision
If accurate volume measurement systems are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the volume measurement system into separate functional modules: an optical scanning module for data capture, a processing module for volume calculation, and a display/output module for results. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal measurement system that can handle various types of disparately-shaped goods through a single optical scanner and processor combination. The system adapts to different object geometries automatically through algorithmic volume calculation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized measurement tools and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for measuring volumes. The apparatus includes a base having a central processing unit, a receiver and a dock; and a scanner having an inertial navigation system, a transmitter, a sensor, a reset control, and a trigger in communication with a microprocessor. An alternate embodiment scanner may include an exclude control, which instructs the central processing unit to exclude floor, ceiling, and walls from the volume calculation. The method of measuring volumes includes the steps of placing the scanner in the dock, actuating a reset control which establishes a reference point for the inertial navigation system, scanning objects, transmitting the data points scanned to the central processing unit, and calculating the volume of the object(s) scanned.