Laser Line Probe Dynamic Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser line probes have imaging devices with limited dynamic range, leading to inaccurate determination of 3D coordinates due to saturation in bright areas and noise in dark areas, making it difficult to capture a wide range of brightness values effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating multiple lines of light at different optical power levels, allowing pixels within the linear range to capture valid data from both bright and dark areas, and using a processor to determine composite center values for accurate 3D coordinate calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional imaging device with limited dynamic range is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to saturation in bright areas and noise in dark areas
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple exposures at different optical power levels. Instead of capturing all brightness values in a single exposure, the system divides the measurement into multiple sequential captures, each optimized for specific brightness ranges. This allows accurate measurement of both bright and dark areas by processing each segment separately and combining results.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical power parameter is changed across multiple exposures to extend the effective dynamic range. By varying the optical power level between exposures, the system captures valid data from different brightness ranges, effectively expanding the measurable brightness spectrum beyond what a single exposure could achieve.
2Measurement precision
If multiple lines of light at different optical power levels are generated, then the dynamic range is extended, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing multiple sequential exposures at different optical power levels. Each exposure is captured at a specific time interval, allowing the system to gather comprehensive brightness data across different power levels. The periodic nature of these exposures enables thorough coverage of the brightness spectrum while maintaining a structured measurement process.
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 significantly enhances the dynamic range of the imaging device, enabling accurate measurement of 3D coordinates across a wide range of brightness values, improving the precision and reliability of surface profiling.
Implementation Method 1
each of the pixels in the array of pixels configured to convert an optical energy captured by each of the pixels into an electrical value corresponding to a digital value
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of an object surface with a line scanner, the line scanner including a projector and a camera, the projector projecting onto the object surface a first line of light at a first time and a second line of light at a second time, the integrated energy of the second line of light different than the first line of light, the camera capturing the reflections of the first line of light and the second line of light, a processor determining portions of the image that are saturated or have electrical noise, and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the object surface based at least in part on the processed data.