Mobile Dimensioning via Camera Pose Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual dimensioning of objects, especially those with irregular shapes, is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to inaccurate representation of space occupied in shipping containers or vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device equipped with a tracking sensor, including a camera, and a controller that tracks successive poses to detect dimensioning events, generate object boundaries, and determine dimensions based on these boundaries, using both contact and non-contact mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tape measurement is used to dimension objects, then the process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but it is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tape measurement system with an optical/image processing system. The mobile device captures images of objects and uses image processing algorithms to automatically calculate dimensions, eliminating the need for manual tape measurement and significantly reducing both time and human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service dimensioning where the mobile device automatically captures images, processes them through algorithms, and generates dimension data without requiring manual intervention. The object itself provides the measurement information through its visual appearance in the captured image.
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement is used for irregularly shaped objects, then the measurement process remains simple, but the dimensions do not accurately reflect space consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional linear measurements to two-dimensional area calculations by capturing images of irregular objects and processing them to determine the actual space occupied. This dimensional approach accurately represents the footprint and volume requirements of irregularly shaped objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or representation of the object's shape through image capture and processing. This digital model accurately reflects the object's irregular geometry and can be used to calculate space requirements without physical contact or simplification of the object's shape.
3Reliability
If tape measurement is used to determine object dimensions, then the equipment required is minimal, but manual entry of dimensions is error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement and data entry with an automated optical measurement system. The mobile device captures images and automatically processes them to extract dimension data, eliminating manual transcription errors and improving reliability through automated calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying the captured image with overlaid dimension measurements, allowing verification of the automated measurement process. This feedback mechanism ensures accuracy and allows users to confirm that the automated dimensioning correctly represents the object.
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
The solution enables accurate and efficient determination of object dimensions, including irregular shapes, reducing manual errors and improving the precision of space calculations in logistics and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a camera to capture images of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes: a tracking sensor including a camera; a controller connected with the tracking sensor, the controller configured to: control the tracking sensor to track successive poses of the computing device in a frame of reference; detecting a plurality of dimensioning events associated with an object; in response to detecting each of the dimensioning events, generate a respective position in the frame of reference based on a current one of the poses; generate, based on the positions, an object boundary in the frame of reference; and dimension the object based on the generated object boundary.