Heavy Equipment 3D Mapping via Prism Tracking and Photogrammetry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting three-dimensional data from heavy equipment operations are inefficient, requiring separate work processes and specialized knowledge, leading to low efficiency and increased time consumption.

Innovation Solution

An operating device and method that integrates a measurement data receiving unit, image data obtaining unit, and operating unit to track and calculate the positions of a reflecting prism and camera on heavy equipment, allowing for real-time data collection and processing of multiple photographed images to determine feature points in a specific coordinate system, and perform adjustments to optimize positional relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a surveying device such as a laser scanner is used to collect three-dimensional data after heavy equipment work is completed, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity is reduced because work and data collection are performed separately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional data accuracyVSAvoiddata collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the surveying device (laser scanner) with the heavy equipment itself, integrating the measurement function into the working equipment. This allows the heavy equipment to collect three-dimensional data during its normal operation without requiring separate data collection processes, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision through the use of professional surveying technology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surveying device operates continuously during the heavy equipment's work process, collecting three-dimensional data in real-time as the equipment moves and performs its function. This eliminates idle time between work completion and data collection, ensuring continuous useful action and significantly improving data collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Measurement precision

If a surveying device is used to collect three-dimensional data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring specialized equipment and personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional data accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy equipment is equipped with multiple functions: its primary working function and the secondary function of three-dimensional data collection. By making the heavy equipment universal and multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate specialized surveying equipment and personnel, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through the integrated laser scanner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple photographed images are processed to calculate feature points and positional relationships, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to complex calculation processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature point position accuracyVSAvoidcalculation processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple photographed images continuously during heavy equipment operation, storing them for later processing. The complex calculation processes are performed on stored data without delaying the operational workflow, allowing precise feature point position calculation while minimizing time loss to the actual work process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables efficient data collection of heavy equipment work results, improving operational efficiency and enabling real-time surveillance and alerting for potential interference, while reducing errors through adjustment calculations.

Implementation Method 1

calculates a relationship of relative position between multiple feature points common in the multiple photographed images and the mutually different multiple positions of the camera, and which specifies position of the multiple feature points in the specific coordinate system based on comparison between the mutually different multiple positions of the camera and the measurement data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotogrammetry: Photogrammetry

Implementation Method 2

measurement data of which a measuring device, of which the position and orientation in a specific coordinate system are known, tracks and measures positions of a reflecting prism for heavy equipment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4589251A1Computing device, computing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4589251A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4589251A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4589251A1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

Three-dimensional information can be obtained from the viewpoint of heavy equipment. Position of reflecting prism 102 for heavy equipment 100 on which camera 101 and the reflecting prism 102 are installed is tracked and positioned by total station 200 of which external orientation parameters in a specific coordinate system are known so as to obtain positioning data, image data of multiple photographed images of which an overlapping range is photographed from mutually different multiple positions by the camera 101 are obtained, relationship of relative position between multiple feature points p1, p2, p3 extracted from the multiple photographed images and the mutually different multiple positions of the camera 101 is calculated, trajectory of travel of the camera 101 with respect to the multiple feature points p1, p2, p3 based on change of the relationship of relative position is calculated, positions of the multiple feature points p1, p2, p3 in the specific coordinate system based on comparison between the calculated trajectory of travel of the camera 101 and the positioning data are calculated.