Optical Geometry Measurement Stochastic Image Averaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical methods for determining the geometry of objects in robust environments, such as industrial settings with vibrations, face challenges in achieving precise measurements due to distortion caused by these vibrations, leading to inaccurate geometry determination.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using an optical measuring device with a lens or lenses to record multiple images of the object, followed by stochastic evaluation using an evaluation unit to generate a time-averaged overall image, which improves the accuracy of geometry determination by averaging out extreme values caused by vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple individual images are captured and evaluated separately, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to vibrations causing distortion in individual images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometry determination accuracyVSAvoidevaluation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual images into a single evaluation image by combining image information from multiple captures. This consolidation allows the system to average out vibration-induced distortions across multiple frames, thereby improving geometry determination accuracy without requiring complex individual image analysis for each frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous image capture during the measurement process, acquiring multiple individual images in succession. This continuous capturing approach ensures that vibration distortions are randomly distributed across frames, allowing statistical averaging to eliminate their effect while maintaining measurement continuity and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If measurements are taken in robust environments with vibrations, then the adaptability of the measuring device is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to uncontrollable relative movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidgeometry determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of vibrations into a beneficial statistical phenomenon. By capturing multiple images during vibration, the system allows random vibration patterns to average out over time, transforming the harmful distortion into a self-canceling effect that reveals the true geometry when images are combined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of information

If individual images are evaluated directly, then the evaluation time is short, but the loss of information occurs due to vibration-induced distortion in single frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric information accuracyVSAvoidimage evaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary image capture and combination before the final geometry evaluation. By pre-combining multiple individual images into a single evaluation image that has already averaged out vibration effects, the system preserves complete geometric information for the final analysis without requiring re-capturing or complex real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3978866A1Method for determining the geometry of an object and optical measuring device
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 WENZEL METROLOGY GMBH
  • EP3978866A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3978866A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3978866A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Known methods for determining the geometry of an object, especially in cases of uncontrollable relative motion, are only capable of inaccurate measurements. To improve accuracy, a method for determining the geometry of an object within a measurement zone using an optical measuring device is proposed. This method involves an uncontrollable relative motion between the optical measuring device and the object, and includes one or more lenses for capturing multiple images of the object, as well as an evaluation unit for evaluating the images. An evaluation image is generated by stochastically analyzing the information from individual images to accurately determine the geometry.