Range Image Position Selection for Faster 3D Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inspection systems based on range images obtained using triangulation suffer from inefficiencies in the capturing process and noise in composite data, leading to inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that determines optimal imaging positions for a range image sensor to capture a reduced number of range images, using a combination of range images to generate composite data with high accuracy, and adjusts the balance between measurement accuracy and imaging time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple range images are captured to reduce noise in composite data, then measurement accuracy is improved, but imaging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidimaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of imaging position selection from capturing all N range images to selectively capturing only M optimal imaging positions. The determiner calculates accuracy for different combinations of range images and identifies the M positions that provide the best measurement accuracy, thereby reducing imaging time while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of accuracy for different combinations of N range images before actual measurement. By pre-determining which M imaging positions will yield the best composite data accuracy, the system avoids unnecessary imaging at suboptimal positions, thus reducing imaging time while ensuring high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If N range images are captured at all imaging positions, then composite data accuracy is improved, but the capturing process becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposite data accuracyVSAvoidcapturing process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameter of the number of range images to be captured by calculating accuracy for different combinations of N range images and selecting only M optimal positions (where M < N). This selective approach improves capturing process efficiency while maintaining composite data accuracy by focusing resources on the most informative imaging positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of capturing all N range images, the patent captures only M partial range images at selected optimal positions. The determiner identifies which subset of M images provides sufficient accuracy for high-quality composite data, thereby improving efficiency without sacrificing measurement quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If M imaging positions are selected from N positions, then capturing efficiency is improved, but measurement accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapturing efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback through the determiner that calculates accuracy for different combinations of M range images selected from N positions. This accuracy calculation provides feedback on which imaging positions contribute most to measurement quality, allowing the system to select M positions that maintain high measurement accuracy while improving capturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary accuracy calculation for different combinations of imaging positions before actual measurement. This pre-evaluation ensures that when only M positions are selected from N, the chosen positions are those that will maintain high measurement accuracy, thus preventing accuracy deterioration while improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system enhances the efficiency of the capturing process while maintaining high measurement accuracy by reducing the number of range images needed and minimizing noise in the composite data.

Implementation Method 1

range images obtained at different imaging positions by a range image sensor to obtain a range image using a principle of triangulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTriangulation: Parallax

Data Source

PatentEP4328539B1Information processing system, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 OMRON CORP
  • EP4328539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4328539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4328539B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An information processing system includes an imaging controller that obtains N range images of a teaching object captured with the range image sensor at N imaging positions, where N &gt; M, a data generator that generates a plurality of composite data pieces from a plurality of different combinations of the N range images, and a determiner that calculates accuracy of each of the plurality of composite data pieces indicating a degree of matching between the composite data piece and the teaching object and determines M imaging positions from the N imaging positions based on the accuracy of each of the plurality of composite data pieces.