Light Section Triangulation Readout Window Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for high-speed determination of 3D surface contours using light section triangulation face challenges in achieving the highest possible scanning speed, particularly with flat sensors that require defining readout windows before each scan, leading to high computational effort and time expenditure, and struggle with detecting gaps in the light line.
Innovation Solution
The method involves performing a position scan to determine the position and shape of illuminated surfaces, allowing for automatic definition of readout windows that connect or overlap to encompass the entire line image, with reduced resolution for the position scan to speed up data processing, and using virtual pixels to reduce data processing effort, enabling efficient data readout and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a position scan with reduced resolution is performed to determine the position and shape of illuminated surfaces, then the time for defining readout windows is reduced, but the measurement precision of the contour determination is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning process into two distinct phases: a position scan with reduced resolution to locate illuminated surfaces and define readout windows, and subsequent measurement scans with full resolution to determine precise contour data. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently for its specific purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The position scan is performed as a preliminary action before the actual measurement scans. By first identifying the position and shape of illuminated surfaces with reduced resolution, the system prepares the readout windows in advance, so that when full-resolution measurement scans are performed, the data processing is already optimized and faster.
2Loss of time
If readout windows are defined before each scan to reduce data processing amount, then the data processing time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically defining readout windows based on the position scan results. The evaluation unit autonomously determines the position and shape of illuminated surfaces and configures the appropriate readout windows without external intervention, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout windows are dynamically adjusted based on the detected position and shape of illuminated surfaces. Rather than using fixed windows, the system adapts the window configuration to match the actual light line position, optimizing data capture while minimizing unnecessary data processing.
3Productivity
If the scanning frequency is increased to achieve higher productivity, then the production speed is improved, but the minimum time between scans increases due to sensor readout limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reading out and processing all sensor data at full resolution for every scan, the system performs partial action by first conducting a reduced-resolution position scan to identify only the necessary regions of interest. This allows the system to prepare optimized readout windows that will capture the complete light line image in subsequent scans, effectively reducing the data processing burden and enabling higher scanning frequencies.
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 reduces the time between scans, minimizes data processing time, and ensures complete contour determination at high speeds, even at maximum production machine speeds, by optimizing window definition and data processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light line is applied to the contour using a fan-shaped light beam and a recording is made from a different viewing angle using a flat sensor which generates a line image on the flat sensor
Implementation Method 2
non-contact determination of the surface data of a three-dimensional surface contour of objects using the light section triangulation method
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
The problem addressed by the invention is that of fast determination of, in particular, three-dimensional contours, for example in real time in industrial processes. For this purpose, the capturing and also the processing of the data must be optimized. This problem is solved by means of the method according to the invention, wherein first the position of the light-line image is coarsely determined by means of a position scan with reduced resolution, then windows are automatically defined on the sensor therefrom, which windows completely contain the line image, such that, in the case of the subsequent measurement scan, which is performed with greater resolution than the position scan, the data have to be read out merely from the windows.