Mobile 3D Crowd Scanning Using Distributed Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for generating 3D models using personal imaging devices, such as smartphones, are cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when a single person needs to circumnavigate the subject, leading to issues like subject movement and variances in field of view, which can result in gaps and distortions in the final model.
Innovation Solution
A method where a group of people distributed around a subject use independently controlled mobile devices to capture images simultaneously, utilizing a common application to synchronize and process the images, thereby reducing the time and effort required for scanning and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single person circumnavigates the subject to capture images, then the scanning process can be completed with one device, but the process becomes time-consuming and causes subject movement leading to model gaps and distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning task into multiple segments by distributing image capture devices around the subject. Each device captures images from its specific position, and all images are later integrated to form the complete 3D model. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-point capture, eliminating the time-consuming single-person circumnavigation while maintaining comprehensive coverage and accuracy.
2Loss of time
If multiple image capture devices are used simultaneously around the subject, then scanning time is reduced and image quality improves, but the system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates multiple image capture devices. The server receives image data from all devices, processes the information, and manages the integration of images from different positions. This intermediary approach simplifies the coordination complexity by centralizing control while enabling simultaneous multi-device operation, thus reducing scanning time without overwhelming system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a common application is used to synchronize multiple devices, then image capture coordination improves, but the requirement for device compatibility and network connectivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal common application that runs on multiple types of image capture devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) regardless of their specific operating systems or hardware. This application provides standardized synchronization and coordination functions across diverse devices, enabling precise image capture coordination while maintaining broad device compatibility through a unified interface layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining a 3D model of a subject includes capturing a plurality of images of the subject by an image capture device, associating respective ones of the plurality of images with a timestamp and unique identification number, transmitting image capture data comprising the timestamp and the unique identification number to an external server, receiving a transmission comprising the unique identification number, and, responsive to receiving the transmission, transmitting a first image of the plurality of images that is associated with the unique identification number.