Room Measurement Using Inertial Sensing and Wall Ranging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for determining the dimensions and orientation of room features, such as walls, doors, and windows, are inaccurate and time-consuming, often involving manual measurements that can lead to significant errors.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device equipped with inertial sensors and a ranging module, along with a data processor, is used to measure and process inertial and ranging data to determine the position and orientation of walls and openings in a room, employing algorithms like weighted least squares and Kalman filters to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional manual measurement techniques are used, then the measurement process can be completed with simple equipment, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates and the process becomes time-consuming

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement systems with an automated electronic measurement system that uses inertial sensors, ranging modules, and data processors to automatically capture and calculate spatial data, eliminating the need for manual tape measure operations and significantly improving both accuracy and efficiency

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms measurement parameters from manual visual estimation and physical contact measurement to electronic sensor-based detection of inertial data, ranging data, and spatial coordinates, changing the fundamental parameters measured and how they are captured to achieve higher precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual measurement techniques are used, then the equipment complexity remains low, but measurement accuracy and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device integrates multiple functions including inertial sensing, ranging, image capture, and data processing into a single multi-functional system, allowing one device to perform what previously required multiple separate tools and procedures, thereby improving accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If manual measurement and recording methods are used, then the process is simple to operate, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual recording and sketching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic data capture, processing, and room layout generation without requiring manual intervention for recording and sketching. The device autonomously processes inertial and ranging data to create accurate room representations, eliminating the time-consuming manual documentation step while maintaining ease of use through automated operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual recording and sketching operations with automated electronic data processing and digital room layout generation, substituting the mechanical process of manual documentation with electronic computation and display systems that automatically produce measurement results

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

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 device provides quicker and more accurate measurements of room dimensions and orientations, reducing human error and improving the efficiency of the measurement process.

Implementation Method 1

a ranging module configured to measure a distance to a second wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

inertial sensors configured to measure inertial data representing rotational velocity and acceleration of the device in three orthogonal axes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4433847B1Devices and methods for obtaining dimensions and features of an object
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 3D TECH LTD
  • EP4433847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4433847B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4433847B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Measuring devices, processing devices, systems and methods for determining a position and/or orientation of one or more walls of a room and/or identifying a feature or opening in a wall of a room. A measuring device comprises a datum for positioning against a first wall of the room such that the measuring device has a known alignment and offset relative to the first wall; a plurality of motion sensors configured to measure rotational and linear movement of the measuring device in a body frame comprising orthogonal x, y and z axes, wherein the body frame x-axis and body frame y-axis are parallel to a datum plane defined by the datum and the body frame z-axis is perpendicular to the datum plane; and optionally a ranging module configured to measure a distance to a second wall in a ranging direction parallel to or transverse to the datum plane. A data processor is configured to process motion sensor and/or ranging data to determine position and/or orientation of one or more walls, and/or to identify a feature or opening in a wall of a room.