3D Mesh Edge Detection via Scanning Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining protruding edges of a 3D object in images are computationally intensive, requiring dedicated hardware like GPUs and are dependent on image size, limiting resolution and accuracy in air or space vehicle navigation.

Innovation Solution

A process that projects a 3D mesh of a target onto an image using scanning lines, analyzing segment intersections to identify protruding edges independently of image size, reducing calculation complexity and eliminating the need for specialized hardware like GPUs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pixel-by-pixel image processing is used to detect salient edges, then edge detection accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases significantly requiring dedicated GPU hardware

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge detection accuracyVSAvoidhardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task by focusing only on scanning lines that intersect with the 3D mesh object, rather than processing all pixels in the image. This segmentation reduces the computational domain from the entire image to only relevant regions, eliminating the need for full GPU processing while maintaining edge detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating processing intensity across different image regions. Areas where scanning lines intersect the mesh receive detailed edge analysis, while other regions are skipped. This selective processing maintains accuracy where needed while reducing overall computational complexity and hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If full image resolution is processed to detect salient edges, then detection precision is improved, but calculation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidcalculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information for edge detection by identifying and processing only those scanning lines that intersect with the mesh object. This extraction approach removes unnecessary processing of irrelevant image regions, reducing calculation time while preserving detection precision for the actual object edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only a subset of scanning lines rather than all image rows. This partial processing is sufficient to detect all salient edges of the object while significantly reducing the total computation time compared to full image processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If scanning lines are used to detect mesh intersections, then calculation complexity is reduced, but edge detection completeness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation complexityVSAvoidedge detection completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by using 3D mesh depth information to guide 2D scanning line processing. By incorporating the third dimension (depth/Z-axis) into the scanning process, the method efficiently identifies which scanning lines intersect the object, reducing calculation complexity while ensuring complete edge detection through systematic coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3679517B1Method for determining projecting edges of a target on an image
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE SAS
  • EP3679517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3679517B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~4
  • EP3679517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for locating a three-dimensional target with respect to a vehicle, comprising: - acquiring an image of the target, and - from a three-dimensional mesh of the target, and an estimation of the placement of the target, determining a set of edges projecting from the mesh of the target in said placement, the method being characterised in that the step of determining the edges projecting from the mesh of the target comprises: a) positioning the mesh of the target according to the placement, b) projecting the mesh thus positioned in two dimensions, c) scanning the projection of the mesh by a plurality of scanning lines and, for each scanning line: - defining a set of segments, each segment corresponding to the intersection of a mesh element with the scanning line and being defined by the ends thereof, - analysing the relative depths of the segment ends, the depth being the position in a third dimension orthogonal to the two dimensions of the projection, so as to select a set of points of ends of segments corresponding to edges projecting from the mesh.