Interpolating Missing Slices in 3D Object Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D scanning techniques often produce unequally spaced slices, which can be problematic for computer vision algorithms and applications like 3D printing, as they require uniform data for processing and comparison.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that applies an interpolation algorithm to a set of object scan images to generate interpolated scan images, ensuring equidistant spacing by determining pixel colors based on corresponding pixels in adjacent images and surrounding pixels, and inserting these images between existing scans until a predetermined distance is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If 3D scanning techniques are used to capture internal structures, then visibility of internal features is improved, but the slices may be unequally spaced which causes problems for computer vision algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that generates virtual intermediate slices between existing non-uniform slices. These intermediate slices act as a mediator that transforms the non-uniform slice data into a format suitable for computer vision algorithms, without altering the original scanned data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of slice spacing from non-uniform to uniform by interpolating intermediate slices. This parameter transformation makes the data compatible with algorithms that require equidistant slices while preserving the original internal feature information.
2Ease of manufacture
If 3D printing technology is used to manufacture parts, then production of custom components is improved, but the technology requires uniform data with equidistant slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the slice spacing parameter from non-uniform to uniform by generating virtual intermediate slices. This parameter change enables compatibility with 3D printing technology that requires equidistant slices, while preserving the original scanned geometry information.
3Reliability
If missing or damaged slices occur in scan data, then data completeness deteriorates, but the slices may be recovered through interpolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses interpolation algorithms that generate virtual intermediate slices to recover missing or damaged slice data. These interpolated slices act as a recovery mechanism that restores data completeness by inferring missing information from surrounding slices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enhancing a set of object scan images may be provided. The set of object scan images comprises at least two scan images. The method comprises determining first distance and determining an interpolated scan image, by applying an interpolation algorithm comprising determining any pixel of the interpolated scan image as a white pixel if the corresponding pixels on the scan images are both white. The same applies to black pixels. The method may further comprise determining any pixel which corresponding pixels are black on one of the two image scans and white on the other image scans as white (black) if a predefined percentage of the directly surrounding pixels is white (black) in the interpolated scan image. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting the interpolated scan image between the first scan image and the second scan image and repeating the above steps until a stop condition is met.