Scan Reference Marker Detection with Selective 3D Super-Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting scan reference markers in laser scanner data require high-resolution scans, which are costly and time-consuming, and are influenced by factors like lighting conditions and device limitations, limiting detection accuracy and increasing scanning costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a first marker detection algorithm followed by a resolution enhancement algorithm, such as super-resolution, to enhance the resolution of scan data sections, allowing for more accurate detection of scan reference markers, even at lower initial scan resolutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution scans are used for marker detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but scanning time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidscanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scan data is divided into multiple sections, and only the sections containing potential markers are processed at high resolution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high detection accuracy for markers while reducing overall processing time by avoiding high-resolution processing of entire scan data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A first marker detection algorithm is applied to the original scan data to identify candidate marker locations before applying the resolution enhancement algorithm. This preliminary action enables the system to focus computational resources only on regions of interest, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while reducing scanning time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution scans are used for marker detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but scanning costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidscanning costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If resolution enhancement is applied to entire scan data, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resolution enhancement algorithm is applied selectively to specific sections of the scan data where markers are detected, rather than processing the entire scan data at high resolution. This local quality approach maintains detection accuracy for markers while significantly reducing processing time for the overall dataset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If conventional detection algorithms are used, then processing speed is maintained, but detection accuracy is limited by scan resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4682816A1Super-resolution for target detection within scan data provided by a laser scanner

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG

Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3

AI summary

The invention relates to detecting scan reference markers in scan data for referencing scan data generated from different surveying positions. In particular, the invention pertains to a computer-implemented method for the detection of scan reference markers (2) within scan data provided by a laser scanner (1), wherein the scan reference markers are to be fixedly positioned within a scene and provide for a fixed absolute position reference in said scene. Therefore, the computer-implemented method comprises multiple steps. Firstly, the scan data is provided as a three-dimensional visual representation of a scene. Secondly, a first marker detection algorithm is applied to the scan data configured to identify scan reference marker candidates, wherein for each of the identified scan reference marker candidates a section in the scan data is defined. Further, a resolution enhancement algorithm may be applied to the defined section in the scan data, wherein the resolution enhancement algorithm is configured to obtain a comparably higher resolution of the defined section and provide a high-resolution section of the scan reference marker candidate. Moreover, a second marker detection algorithm is applied to the high-resolution section and the fixed absolute position reference of the scan reference marker is retrieved, based on the result of the second marker detection algorithm.