Mobile Device Image Analysis for Object Volume Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for measuring attributes of physical objects, such as volume, are often expensive and difficult to use, and do not typically include specialized equipment in portable electronics, making it challenging to accurately assess object attributes in outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A Mobile Device Image Analysis (MDIA) system that uses mobile devices with digital cameras to acquire images and generate 3D computer models of objects, allowing for automated measurement and verification of attributes like volume, surface area, and material type, by analyzing image data and performing calculations to estimate these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized measurement equipment (theodolites, rangefinders, radar, lidar, sonar, 3D scanners) is used to measure object attributes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices to capture images and create 3D computer models (copies) of physical objects, enabling measurement without requiring specialized measurement equipment. The system processes image data to generate virtual representations that can be measured accurately, replacing expensive specialized equipment with accessible mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems (theodolites, rangefinders, physical 3D scanners) with optical/image-based systems using mobile device cameras. The measurement process is substituted from direct mechanical interaction with the object to indirect measurement through image analysis and 3D model generation.
2Measurement precision
If specialized measurement equipment is used to measure object attributes, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mobile devices that are universally owned and operated by consumers for multiple purposes (communication, photography, etc.) to perform specialized measurement functions. The same device used for casual photography can generate accurate 3D models and measurements, eliminating the need for specialized training or dedicated measurement equipment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to perform measurements themselves using their own mobile devices without requiring specialized equipment or expert operators. The automated image processing and 3D model generation allow end-users to conduct measurements independently, improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices without specialized equipment are used to measure object attributes, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D images captured by mobile device cameras to 3D computer models through computational processing. By adding the third dimension through model generation, the system maintains measurement precision comparable to specialized equipment while using accessible mobile devices. The 3D model enables accurate volume, surface area, and attribute calculations from multiple angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the measurement process by using multiple images taken from different positions and angles, then processing these through algorithms to generate 3D models. This parameter transformation (from single-view 2D to multi-view 3D) compensates for the lack of specialized measurement hardware while maintaining accuracy.
4Reliability
If automated verification of attribute measurements is performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions during the image acquisition phase by capturing multiple images from various angles and positions, which are then processed to generate 3D models. This preliminary data collection enables subsequent automated verification without requiring additional time-consuming measurements, as the verification uses the same image set already captured for model generation.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for analyzing images acquired via mobile devices in various ways, including to estimate measurements for one or more attributes of one or more objects in the images and/or to perform automated verification of such attribute measurements. For example, the described techniques may be used to measure the volume of a stockpile of material or other large object, based on images acquired via a mobile device that is moved around some or all of the object. The calculation of object volume and/or other determined object information may include generating and manipulating one or more computer models of the object from selected images. In addition, further automated verification activities may be performed for such computer model(s) and resulting object attribute measurements, such as based on analyzing one or more types of information that reflect accuracy and/or completeness of the computer model(s).