Opto-Electronic Scanning Measurement with Real-Time Thermal Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scanning measuring instruments face reduced accuracy due to thermal influences, which cause shifts in the position and size of components, necessitating frequent recalibration and are not adequately addressed by existing cooling methods, especially in portable devices.

Innovation Solution

An opto-electronic scanning measuring instrument with distributed temperature sensors and a compensation model that adjusts measurement parameters in real-time based on the current thermal state, using a reference thermal state and compensation coefficients to correct for thermal-induced errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling methods are used to address thermal influences, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems with a computational approach. Temperature sensors detect thermal changes, and a processing unit calculates compensation values that are applied to measurement data, substituting physical cooling mechanisms with electronic sensing and mathematical correction methods.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary elements that detect thermal state without requiring active cooling. These sensors serve as mediators between the thermal environment and the measurement system, enabling passive monitoring and computational compensation rather than active thermal management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If recalibration is performed frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary temperature compensation by detecting thermal state changes and calculating compensation values before final measurement processing. This preliminary action addresses thermal effects proactively, eliminating the need for frequent recalibration and maintaining accuracy without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor thermal state, and the processing unit adjusts compensation values based on detected changes. This closed-loop feedback maintains measurement accuracy dynamically without requiring manual recalibration interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If thermal expansion of components is allowed to occur, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidcoordinate accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter compensation approach by detecting temperature variations and applying mathematical corrections to measurement coordinates. Instead of physically preventing thermal expansion through complex mechanical constraints, the system accepts thermal changes and compensates for them computationally, maintaining simplicity while preserving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4711709A1Opto-electronic scanning measuring instrument and method with temperature compensation
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
  • EP4711709A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4711709A1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP4711709A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and opto-electronic scanning measuring instrument (1) for in-line compensation of thermal influences on the opto-electronic scanning measuring instrument (1) by adapting a set of instrument's parameters associated with a defined reference thermal state of the instrument (1) in dependence on an actually measured thermal state of the instrument (1), sensed by thermal sensors (6a-6d) of the instrument (1), and calculating the respective object point coordinate based on the compensated parameter set.