Laser Scan Data Spherical Displacement Map Rendering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rendering three-dimensional laser scan data, such as bubble views and combined point clouds, are limited in perspective and computationally expensive, leading to difficulties in discerning surfaces at close distances and gaps in surface representation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing laser scan data as a spherical displacement map, generating a tessellation pattern, and rendering the image using this pattern, which allows for efficient rendering of static and moving images by processing each scan independently and combining them in a common buffer, utilizing graphics processing units (GPUs) and application programming interfaces like DirectX or OpenGL.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual points are displayed to represent laser scan data, then the representation covers the scanned area, but gaps appear in surface representation at close distances making it difficult to discern surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the point cloud data by projecting points onto a spherical surface and generating a photorealistic image that replicates the appearance of the scanned environment. This copy provides continuous surface representation without gaps, solving the problem of surface discernibility while maintaining accurate spatial relationships from the original point cloud data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If combined point cloud from multiple scans is used to allow free roaming perspectives, then viewing flexibility is improved, but computational expense increases and rendering becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rendering process by creating a spherical displacement map that encodes all point cloud data in a compact structured format. This segmentation allows the system to maintain free-roaming viewing flexibility while significantly reducing computational expense during rendering, as the structured spherical map enables efficient sampling and projection operations compared to processing raw combined point cloud data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by converting the combined point cloud data into a spherical displacement map before rendering operations. This preliminary action organizes the data in a structure that enables fast rendering from any perspective, eliminating the need for expensive real-time computations during the actual rendering process.
3Illumination intensity
If bubble view is used to display laser scan image, then realistic appearance is achieved, but viewing is limited to scanner location only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension of freedom by allowing virtual camera movement through the scanned environment while maintaining the photorealistic bubble view appearance. The spherical displacement map enables the virtual camera to be positioned anywhere within the scanned space, not just at the original scanner location, thus achieving both realism and viewing flexibility simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of rendering an image of three-dimensional laser scan data is described. The method includes providing a set of laser scan data for a given scan as a spherical displacement map and generating a tessellation pattern by sampling the spherical displacement map. A graphics processing unit may generate the tessellation pattern.