Optical Data Synchronization via Delay Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing optical data from laser scanners and cameras on moving bodies are costly and inflexible, requiring exposure signals and specific hardware, which limits their usability and versatility.
Innovation Solution
An optical data processing apparatus that extracts feature points from laser scan point clouds and images, calculates delay times, and projects images to align viewpoints, allowing for synchronization without exposure signals or additional hardware, enabling the use of various cameras and improving system flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exposure signals and specific hardware are used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the exposure signal mechanism from the synchronization system. Instead of relying on camera-side exposure signals, the system uses command timing information and delay time calculation to achieve synchronization, thereby removing complex hardware requirements while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a delay time calculation mechanism as an intermediary to bridge the synchronization gap. By calculating the delay time between command output and actual photographing, the system achieves synchronization without requiring direct exposure signal transmission or additional specialized hardware
2Reliability
If exposure signals and specific hardware are used for synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal synchronization method that works with various camera types without requiring exposure signal functions. The delay time calculation approach is camera-agnostic, allowing the system to adapt to different camera models and manufacturers while maintaining reliable synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the camera's own command timing information and inherent delay characteristics to achieve synchronization. By measuring the delay between command output and actual photographing, the system self-adjusts without requiring external exposure signals or specialized hardware, thereby improving adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
Synchronizing between multiple optical data can be maintained by a facilitated method. An optical data processing operational unit (108) includes an optical data obtaining part (301) which obtains laser scan data by a laser scanner mounted on a moving body and image data of a photographed image photographed by a camera mounted on the moving body; and a delay time obtaining part (305) which calculates Δt when the point cloud image viewed from the viewpoint at time a specific time T made based on the laser scan data is obtained and the camera photographs with a delay Δt when the camera is ordered to photograph at time T; wherein relationships of exterior orientation elements of the laser scanner and the camera are known, and Δt is calculated in a condition in which difference in overlapping degree of the point cloud image and the photographed image is minimal.