3D Scanner Dynamic Range Imaging via Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D laser scanners require lengthy time to acquire high dynamic range (HDR) images, especially in areas with high contrast, due to the need for multiple exposures, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A 3D measuring device that includes a processor system, a 3D scanner, a color camera, and nontransitory executable computer instructions to convert RGB color images to a color model with an intensity channel, fuse intensity values with color images, and generate tone-mapped images, replacing brightness values outside a predetermined range with intensity values, thereby creating enhanced colorized scanner images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional HDR methods are used to acquire color images with multiple exposures, then image quality and color accuracy are improved, but acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image acquisition process by using a beam steering mechanism to direct light to different regions of the sensor array with different exposure settings. Specifically, the beam is steered to expose first pixels through a first aperture for short exposure and second pixels through a second aperture for long exposure, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple exposure data in a single shot rather than requiring multiple sequential exposures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial distribution of exposure settings across the sensor array. Instead of applying a single exposure setting uniformly to all pixels, different regions of the sensor array are assigned different exposure settings through beam steering to different apertures. This spatial differentiation allows simultaneous capture of short and long exposure data across different spatial zones, resolving the time-quality tradeoff
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple images with different exposures are acquired for HDR, then dynamic range coverage is improved, but processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor array into different regions that receive different exposure settings through beam steering to different apertures. This segmentation allows the system to capture a wide dynamic range in a single exposure event, with each spatial region contributing data for different portions of the dynamic range, thereby achieving high dynamic range coverage without the complexity of processing multiple separately acquired images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the beam steering mechanism serve multiple functions: it not only performs the primary function of directing light to the sensor array for 3D scanning but also simultaneously distributes different exposure settings to different spatial regions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate HDR acquisition sequences, reducing processing complexity while maintaining versatile dynamic range coverage
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 reduces the time required to acquire color images and provides more accurate color representation by rapidly generating enhanced color images, achieving results three times faster than traditional HDR methods while maintaining image detail and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A TOF laser scanner is a scanner in which the distance to a target point is determined based on the speed of light in air between the scanner and a target point
Implementation Method 2
The beam steering mechanism includes a first motor that steers the beam of light about a first axis by a first angle that is measured by a first angular encoder (or other angle transducer). The beam steering mechanism also includes a second motor that steers the beam of light about a second axis by a second angle that is measured by a second angular encoder (or other angle transducer)
Implementation Method 3
a color camera configured to acquire at least one color image of the scan area
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates is provided. The method includes rotating (202) a 3D scanner about a first axis, the 3D scanner having a light source, a light receiver and a color camera. A plurality of light beams is emitted from the light source and reflected light beams are received with the light receiver. A processor determines 3D coordinates (204) of points on the object based on the emitted light beams and the reflected light beams. For each of the points an intensity value (206) is measured based on the reflected light beams. A color image of the object is acquired (208) with the color camera. The intensity values are fused (214) with the color image to generate (216) an enhanced image, the enhanced image includes color data. Color data is merged with the 3D coordinates of the points. The 3D coordinates of the points are stored with the color data. Once the 2D color images are acquired (208), 8-bit tone mapped images are generated from the intensity values (206). The 2D color images are converted from an RGB color model to a Hue-Saturation-Value (HSV) color model. At least a portion of the brightness values in the converted RGB image are replaced (214) by the corresponding intensity values (206) from the scan data.