Line Scanner Speckle Reduction for Faster 3D Coordinate Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld line scanners face challenges with excessive noise from speckle, range limitations due to electrical cable lengths, and processing delays, particularly when using adhesive markers and reduced resolution for speed, which affect the accuracy of 3D coordinate determination.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light source, beam-shaping system, image sensor, and processors to emit, shape, and capture light beams for determining 3D coordinates, reducing the need for adhesive markers and enabling high-dynamic range imaging with reduced computational overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adhesive markers are used for registration, then 3D coordinate registration accuracy is improved, but processing time increases and measurement speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesive markers from the measurement system, extracting the harmful element that caused processing delays. The system achieves markerless operation by using natural surface features and advanced image processing algorithms to identify and register 3D coordinates without requiring external markers, thereby eliminating the time-consuming marker application and processing steps while maintaining registration accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical marker-based registration system with an optical-computational system. Instead of physically attaching markers and manually processing their coordinates, the system uses optical imaging combined with computational algorithms to automatically identify surface features and perform registration, substituting mechanical operations with optical-field and computational-field operations that occur in real-time
2Productivity
If resolution is reduced for faster processing, then processing speed is improved, but measurement precision and fine feature detection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-pass scanning with periodic processing. The system performs multiple scans at different resolutions or with different parameter settings, then combines the results through computational processing. This periodic action allows the system to capture fine details in certain passes while maintaining overall processing speed through optimized algorithms that process data in stages rather than requiring full high-resolution processing in a single pass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing strategies where full high-resolution processing is performed only on regions containing fine features or critical measurement areas, while other regions are processed at lower resolution. This selective approach applies excessive processing power only where necessary, maintaining overall processing speed while preserving fine feature detection capability in critical zones
3Reliability
If electrical cable length is limited for power supply, then system reliability is improved, but operational range and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension constraint (cable length limiting operational range) to a multi-dimensional solution by incorporating wireless power transmission and wireless data communication. This adds new dimensions to the system architecture, allowing the handheld scanner to operate freely in three-dimensional space without being constrained by physical cable length, thereby expanding operational range while maintaining system reliability through redundant wireless connections
4Device complexity
If speckle noise is present in captured images, then 3D coordinate measurement is simplified, but measurement precision and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces speckle reduction algorithms as an intermediary processing step between image capture and 3D coordinate calculation. These algorithms act as a mediator that filters and processes the raw captured images to reduce speckle noise before the coordinates are extracted. The intermediary processing maintains the overall simplicity of the measurement process while significantly improving measurement precision by removing the harmful speckle interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical or optical methods for reducing speckle with computational-field processing. Instead of using complex optical components or mechanical filters to reduce speckle noise, the system uses digital image processing algorithms that computationally remove speckle artifacts from the captured images, substituting physical intervention with computational intervention to achieve the same noise reduction goal
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
Improves accuracy and speed of 3D coordinate measurement by minimizing speckle noise, eliminating cable constraints, and enhancing processing efficiency without sacrificing fine feature detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light source operable to emit a beam of light
Implementation Method 2
a beam-shaping system operable to shape the beam of light and to project the shaped beam of light onto an object
Implementation Method 3
an image sensor operable to capture the beam of light reflected from the object
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first light source that emits a beam of light; an electrical modulator that imparts a time-varying modulation on the beam of light; a beam-shaping system that shapes the beam of light and projects the shaped beam of light onto an object; an image sensor that captures the beam of light reflected from the object; and processors that determine three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of points on the object.