Infrared Sensor 3D Shape Detection via Segmented Area Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared distance measuring sensors face challenges in accurately acquiring three-dimensional coordinate values due to the reflection characteristics of the floor surface, which affects the precision of detecting the three-dimensional shape of a detection area.

Innovation Solution

A detection method and system that utilize an infrared distance measuring sensor to acquire three-dimensional coordinate values of at least two points in a smaller second area, calculate the position of a plane including the second area, and decide this position as the three-dimensional shape of a larger first area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If an infrared distance measuring sensor is used to acquire three-dimensional coordinate values of the floor surface, then the detection coverage area can be enlarged, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to reflection characteristics of the floor surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverage areaVSAvoidthree-dimensional coordinate values precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection area is divided into a first area (larger area with lower precision requirements) and a second area (smaller area with higher precision requirements). By segmenting the detection space and applying different measurement strategies to different regions, the system achieves both large coverage and high precision where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different measurement approaches are applied to different regions: the second area (smaller region) uses a measurement method that ensures high precision three-dimensional coordinate acquisition, while the first area (larger region) uses a different approach that prioritizes coverage. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between coverage area and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the infrared distance measuring sensor measures the entire first area directly, then the detection efficiency is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to reflection characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidthree-dimensional coordinate values precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into two stages: first measuring the larger first area to establish overall coverage and efficiency, then focusing on the smaller second area to achieve high precision coordinate values. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both detection efficiency and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs measurement on the smaller second area with excessive precision requirements to ensure that at least two points with accurate three-dimensional coordinate values can be obtained. This partial focus on a smaller region with higher measurement standards resolves the contradiction between overall detection efficiency and local measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If a smaller second area is used for measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the detection coverage area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional coordinate values precisionVSAvoiddetection coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the detection task into two parts: measuring a smaller second area to obtain high-precision coordinate values, and using those values to represent the larger first area. This segmentation allows high precision measurement on a small area while still achieving coverage of the larger area through plane extrapolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The high-precision measurement results from the smaller second area are used to create a representative model (plane equation) that copies the characteristics of the larger first area. This copying approach allows the system to achieve both small-area measurement precision and large-area detection coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This approach allows for accurate detection of the three-dimensional shape of the first area by overcoming the limitations of infrared distance measuring sensors in capturing precise three-dimensional coordinates, especially when dealing with reflective surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared distance measuring sensor, which detects reflected light of infrared light cast by the infrared projector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the reflection characteristic of the floor surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12270909B2Detection method and detection system

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A detection method includes acquiring three-dimensional coordinate values of at least two points in a second area included in a first area, based on measured values acquired by measuring the first area by an infrared distance measuring sensor, the second area is smaller than the first area, calculating a position of a plane including the second area, based on the three-dimensional coordinate values of the at least two points, and deciding the position of the plane as a three-dimensional shape of the first area.