Wall Tracking System Using Rotating Light Beam Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking methods for determining the position of a spot on a wall are inefficient due to limitations in resolving vertical changes, which are less frequent than horizontal changes in interior spaces, and require multiple images and complex calculations to accurately position markers.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system utilizing a mobile measuring station and a base station that generates a pattern of light spots on a wall, with a bundle of light beams rotated about an axis to create a wandering pattern, allowing for distance measurements and image analysis to determine the position of a marked spot based on image coordinates and emission directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bundle of light beams is rotated about an axis to create a wandering pattern, then measurement precision in vertical direction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by rotating the bundle of light beams about an axis to create a wandering pattern. This dynamic movement allows the light spots to traverse vertical distances on the wall, enabling measurement of vertical positions that would be difficult to achieve with a static light source. The rotation mechanism transforms a potentially complex multi-axis problem into a simpler single-axis rotation that still achieves three-dimensional positioning capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are recorded to determine position accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by rotating the light beam bundle at a controlled rate to create a time-varying wandering pattern. This periodic motion allows the system to capture multiple positions of light spots on the wall over time, and by analyzing the temporal sequence of these positions, the system can determine the three-dimensional location of markers efficiently. The periodic rotation provides a natural timing reference that simplifies the correlation between multiple images and spatial positions.
3Measurement precision
If distance measurements are performed in multiple directions using a rotating measuring light beam, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing distance measurements in multiple directions during an initialization phase before the actual tracking measurement. The measuring light beam is rotated to scan the environment and record distance data to wall surfaces in advance. This pre-acquired distance information is stored and later used to rapidly determine positions during the tracking phase without requiring real-time rotation and measurement, thus improving measurement speed while maintaining precision.
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
The system achieves accurate and efficient determination of the position of a marked spot on a wall by combining distance measurements and image analysis, improving resolution and reducing computational complexity, particularly in environments with fewer vertical changes.
Implementation Method 1
The distance measurements in the measuring directions are preferably carried out using a measuring light beam from an optical distance measuring unit
Implementation Method 2
The respective distance from the axis of the base station to the wall in the emission directions is determined on the basis of distance measurements from the wall in measurement directions emanating from the base station
Implementation Method 3
The marked point is recorded in a first image with a camera of a mobile measuring station
Data Source
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AI summary
A tracking method determines the position 53 of a location 2 marked on a wall 3 using the following steps. The marked location 2 is recorded in a first image 9 using a camera 17 of a mobile measuring station 6, which camera is oriented in a line of vision 18. The image coordinates xO, yO of a first image point (S) onto which the marked location 2 is mapped in the first image 9 are determined. A beam having at least one ray of light 40 is rotated or swivelled through at least one axis 29 of the base station 5, in emission directions 41 that change according to a prescribed procedure, to produce a migrating pattern of points of light 8 on a wall 3 of the interior. A series of images 9 of the wall 3 is recorded in the line of vision 18, with one of the migrating points of light 8 being mapped in the series onto at least one second image point P1, P2. The image coordinates x1, y1; x2, y2 of the at least one second image point P1, P2 are determined. The emission directions 41 of the rays of light 40 whose points of light 8 are mapped onto the at least one second image point P1, P2 at one instant in one of the images 9 are determined on the basis of the instants at which the respective image 9 is recorded. The distance d1, d2 between the axis 29 of the base station 5 and the wall 3 in the emission directions 41 is ascertained on the basis of distance measurements, stored in a reference database 52, from the wall 3 in directions of measurement 44 from the base station 5. The position of the marked location 2 is ascertained on the basis of the image coordinates x0, y0 of the first image point (S), the image coordinates of the second image point P1, P2, the emission direction 41 associated with the second image points P1, P2 and the respective distances (d1, d2) of the axis 29 of the base station 5 from the wall 3 in the associated emission direction 41.