Automated 3D Scan Location Planning via Distance Transform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D scanners have limited visibility ranges and require manual placement and movement to capture complete environmental scans, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor costs due to the need for multiple scans to cover occluded areas.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that generates a plan for scan locations using a distance transform on a map of the environment, identifying candidate scan locations and selecting optimal positions for 3D scanning to ensure comprehensive coverage with minimal overlap and obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual placement and movement of 3D scanners is used to capture complete environmental scans, then complete environmental coverage is achieved, but labor costs increase and scanning efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the environment map before scanning to automatically determine optimal scan locations. By pre-calculating the scan plan using distance transform and visibility analysis, the system eliminates manual placement decisions during the scanning process, thereby improving efficiency while ensuring complete coverage.
2Reliability
If multiple scans are performed to cover occluded areas, then complete environmental coverage is achieved, but the number of scans increases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visibility analysis and distance transform to evaluate whether each potential scan location provides sufficient coverage of occluded areas. By incorporating feedback from the environment map and previously identified scan locations, the system optimizes the scan plan to minimize the number of scans required while ensuring all areas including occluded regions are captured.
3Device complexity
If 3D scanners with limited measurement range are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of scan locations required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from manual 3D scan location planning to automated computational planning by applying distance transform and visibility analysis algorithms. This dimensional shift from physical manual adjustment to computational automation resolves the contradiction by allowing simple scanners to achieve comprehensive coverage through intelligent automated planning.
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 efficient and accurate 3D scanning by automating the placement of scan locations, reducing the number of scans required and minimizing labor costs while ensuring complete environmental coverage.
Implementation Method 1
apply a distance transform to the map, wherein the distance transform determines a path through the map
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are embodiments including a system for automatically generating a plan of scan locations for performing a scanning operation where the system includes a storage medium that is coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to receive a map of an environment, apply a distance transform to the map, wherein the distance transform determines a path through the map, wherein the path comprises a plurality of points, and identify a set of candidate scan locations based on the path. The processor is also configured to select scan locations from the set of candidate scan locations for performing 3D scans, and perform the 3D scans of the environment based on the selected scan locations. Also provided are embodiments for a method and computer program product for automatically generating a plan of scan locations for performing a scanning operation.