Surveying Instrument Edge Detection Reduces Measuring Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D surveying instruments require numerous measuring points, leading to inefficiencies in data collection and accuracy, especially when measuring edges, as the distance-measuring light is divided by edges, resulting in inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and instrument that acquire images, extract edges, select measuring points near intersections, and perform surveys on these points, excluding irregular data and fine alignments, allowing for reduced measuring points and accurate edge measurements by calculating planes surrounded by edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If raster scanning is performed by measuring a predetermined range with fine pitch, then a vast amount of 3-dimensional surveying data can be collected quickly, but the number of measuring points increases significantly and storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential features (edges) from the complete set of measuring points. Instead of measuring every point in the raster scan, the system identifies and measures only edge points that define the object boundaries, thereby reducing the quantity of data while preserving the essential 3D structural information needed for accurate representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a simplified copy of the object's geometry by representing it through edge lines rather than complete surface data. The edge extracted from the image serves as a simplified representation that captures the essential shape and structure, allowing accurate 3D reconstruction with far fewer measurement points than a full raster scan would require.
2Measurement precision
If the distance-measuring light is projected at an edge, then the edge position can be located, but the light is divided by the edge causing inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary edge extraction from an image before conducting distance measurements. By first identifying the precise location and orientation of edges through image processing, the system can then position the distance-measuring light appropriately near the edge without directly projecting it onto the edge itself, thereby avoiding light division while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary step of image-based edge detection between the object and the distance measurement process. The extracted edge information from the image acts as an intermediary that guides the positioning of measurement points, allowing the system to measure near edges without the problematic direct projection of light onto edges that causes division and inaccuracy.
3Area of stationary object
If unnecessary data is incorporated as measuring data, then more comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the continuity of the data is lost and measurements must be repeated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary edge information from the measurement data, removing unnecessary interior points that would compromise data continuity. By focusing measurements on edge points identified through image processing, the system maintains data continuity while achieving comprehensive coverage of the object's boundaries and essential features.
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 enhances measurement reliability and accuracy, reduces the number of surveying points, and improves economic feasibility by minimizing unnecessary data collection and storage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system for collimating a measuring point
Implementation Method 2
a distance-measuring unit comprising a light wave distance measuring system
Data Source
AI summary
A surveying instrument, comprising an optical system for collimating a measuring point, a driving unit for performing scanning in a measurement range the optical system, a distance-measuring unit comprising a light wave distance measuring system, an image pickup unit for taking an image in the measurement range, an image processing unit for performing image processing to extract edges from the image picked up, and a control arithmetic operation unit for selecting a point near the edge as a measuring point on the image picked up and for controlling the distance-measuring unit to carry out surveying operation of the measuring point.