Optical Position Recognition for 3D Measurement Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-dimensional measurement systems face limitations in correlating data from multiple measurements of large objects due to a small field of view, requiring mechanical or optical registration techniques that may not be optimal, such as restricted object holder placement or obscured reference markers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system employing optical position recognition techniques to correlate measurement data by using an object holder with an optical coding pattern, allowing for the acquisition of frames from multiple surfaces and translating coordinates to create a composite three-dimensional representation, even when the field of view is smaller than the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical registration techniques are used to correlate data from multiple measurements, then data correlation is achieved, but object holder placement is restricted to predetermined locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata correlation accuracyVSAvoidobject holder placement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical registration techniques with optical registration techniques. Instead of using a mechanical grid system that restricts object holder placement to predetermined locations, the system uses optical markers and image processing to determine positions. The camera captures images of optical markers on the object holder, and software calculates the holder's position and orientation, enabling flexible placement anywhere within the measurement volume while maintaining accurate data correlation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If optical registration techniques are used with reference position markers, then data correlation is achieved, but markers may be obscured from the camera

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata correlation accuracyVSAvoidmarker visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a transparent portion to the slide that allows the camera to view the optical coding pattern on the lower surface of the object holder from below. This dimensional change in the slide structure enables the camera to detect markers even when the object is positioned such that markers on the upper surface would be obscured, eliminating the visibility problem while maintaining accurate position detection.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the field of view is smaller than the object size, then detailed measurements are possible, but multiple measurements are required increasing measurement time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement detail accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical markers on the object holder as intermediaries to link multiple measurement frames. The markers provide reference points that allow software to accurately correlate and stitch together multiple measurements taken with a limited field of view. This enables efficient capture of large objects through multiple overlapping views while maintaining high measurement detail accuracy, as the markers facilitate automatic alignment without requiring time-consuming manual registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2136334B1System, apparatus, method, and computer program product for optical position recognition
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SIRONA DENTAL SYSTEMS GMBH CORP LEGAL
  • EP2136334B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2136334B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP2136334B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1E

AI summary

A system, apparatus, method, and computer program product for evaluating an object disposed on an upper surface of an object holder. At least one first frame representing a captured portion of the object is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of a plurality of locations. At least one second frame representing a captured portion of at least one other surface of the object holder besides the upper surface is acquired, while the object holder is positioned at each of the plurality of locations. At least one spatial characteristic associated with the captured portion of the object is determined, based on at least one of the acquired frames. A three-dimensional representation of the object can be formed based on the first frames and at least one spatial characteristic.