Automated Floor Plan Generation Using Laser Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accurately surveying and managing building spaces are inefficient, requiring specialized skills and time, and often result in inaccurate floor plans, which can lead to costly operational issues and ineffective space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A simplified data acquisition methodology using a laser level/rangefinder and mobile computer to create object-oriented graphical representations of building spaces, allowing for accurate and automated 2D and 3D floor plans without the need for traditional CAD drawing skills, enabling faster, cheaper, and more intelligent space management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional CAD drawing methods are used to create floor plans, then detailed and accurate building space representations can be achieved, but the process requires highly skilled technicians, is time-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual CAD drawing operations with an automated system that uses a laser range finder to automatically capture building dimensions and a processor to generate floor plans. The system substitutes human skill-based mechanical drawing with automated optical measurement and computational processing, eliminating the need for highly skilled CAD technicians while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing unskilled personnel to operate the laser range finder and mobile computer to automatically generate accurate floor plans without requiring specialized CAD training. The automated processing and generation features allow the system to serve itself, reducing dependency on expert operators.
2Loss of information
If traditional manual surveying methods are used, then building space data can be captured, but the process is time-consuming and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual measurement and drawing processes with automated laser ranging and computer-generated floor plans. The laser range finder rapidly captures dimensional data and the processor automatically generates visual representations, dramatically reducing the time required to complete building surveys while ensuring complete data capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically capturing all necessary building space data through laser ranging before any manual intervention is needed. The mobile computer and processor immediately process the captured data to generate floor plans, eliminating subsequent time-consuming manual drafting and data processing steps.
3Reliability
If detailed building inventory data is maintained, then accurate facilities management decisions can be made, but the cost of acquiring and maintaining such data is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces costly manual data collection and maintenance operations with automated laser measurement and digital processing. The system captures precise building inventory data through automated ranging and generates maintainable digital floor plans, significantly reducing the operational costs associated with data acquisition and maintenance while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates accurate digital copies of building spaces through laser ranging and computer-generated floor plans. These digital representations serve as virtual replicas that can be stored, reproduced, and updated without the costs associated with physical documentation, reducing operational expenses while maintaining data reliability.
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 enables rapid, accurate, and cost-effective capture and maintenance of building space data, providing comprehensive intelligence for facilities management, reducing operational costs and enhancing decision-making capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A laser level/rangefinder determines distances to walls, floors and ceilings
Data Source
AI summary
A process for surveying space and usage information for management of a plurality of adjacent enclosed spaces in a structure by measuring thickness of a wall adjacent to a door's hinge edge, using a rangefinder to measure the distance between the hinge edge and one of the ends of that wall; using the rangefinder to measure the distance between successive vertices to determine lengths of each of the walls, until lengths of all the walls have been determined; and measuring angles of vertices between adjacent walls. The rangefinder transmits the lengths of the walls to a portable computer that is programmed with CAD software that calculates space polygons from the lengths of the walls and the angles of the vertices between adjacent walls and assures that all of the space polygons close. Usage codes are assigned to the spaces and inputted into the portable computer to be associated with the polygons representing those spaces.