Optical Sensor Calibration via Off-Surface Focus Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calibrating optical sensor devices for object detection, particularly in three-dimensional coordinate measurement, face challenges in achieving precise accuracy, especially when determining the exact coordinates of an optically recorded point on a calibration object, such as a ball surface, particularly in directions perpendicular to the calibration direction.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves positioning at least one focus position of the optical sensor device at a distance from the surface of a calibration object rather than directly on it. This allows for a more precise recording of the calibration object by increasing the angle of incidence of the radiation, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the calibration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the focus position is arranged directly on the surface of the calibration object, then the coordinate determination is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to small angle of incidence
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the focus position directly on the surface (conventional approach), the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the focus position at a distance from the surface. This inversion allows radiation to strike the surface at larger angles and reflect back through the focus position, thereby improving measurement precision while still enabling coordinate determination through mathematical processing of the detected positions.
2Measurement precision
If the focus position is arranged at a distance from the surface, then the angle of incidence increases and measurement precision improves, but the coordinate determination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a computer or evaluation unit - that performs mathematical processing on the detected positions of the calibration object. This intermediary handles the complexity of coordinate determination from distances measured at different angles, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring the overall system to become overly complex, as the computational task is managed by dedicated software algorithms.
3Ease of manufacture
If radiation is directed onto the calibration object at small angles, then the setup is simpler, but the reflected radiation power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional small-angle setup by arranging the focus position at a distance from the surface, which naturally results in larger angles of incidence. This inversion increases the reflected radiation power that returns to the sensor, thereby reducing energy loss while still maintaining a relatively simple physical setup that can be implemented with standard optical components and computational algorithms.
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
This approach enables more precise calibration of optical sensor devices, reducing errors associated with direct surface positioning and improving the accuracy of coordinate determination, particularly in directions perpendicular to the calibration direction.
Implementation Method 1
radiating electromagnetic radiation along the sensor axis onto a curved surface of a calibration object and detecting radiation reflected by the calibration object
Implementation Method 2
the sensor device is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation with at least one wavelength along a sensor axis and to focus this radiation in a focus position along the sensor axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting a calibration object (10) with an optical sensor device (215), wherein the sensor device (215) is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation with at least one wavelength and to focus this radiation in a focus position (12) along a sensor axis (L), wherein the method comprises: - shining electromagnetic radiation along the sensor axis (L) onto a curved surface (13) of a calibration object (10), which is an outer surface of the calibration object (10), and detecting radiation that is reflected from the curved surface (13) of the calibration object (10);- Arranging the sensor device (215) and the calibration object (10) relative to each other such that the focus position (12) is arranged at a distance from the curved surface (13) and a target state is reached in which a detectable reflected radiation power of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the focus position (12) or an interference characteristic determined on the basis of the detectable reflected radiation fulfills a predetermined condition. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for optically detecting a calibration object (10).