Computer-assisted Method and Device for Determining Object Properties of at Least One Object in a Recording Scene

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This patent describes a computer-aided method and device for determining various properties (such as surface, shape, position, orientation, and material characteristics) of an object within a scene. The system operates by illuminating the object with a light source, capturing images of the object's reflection, and using computational techniques—especially inverse rendering and ray tracing—to iteratively reconstruct and analyze the object's properties. The process works with different types of light sources (including the sun) and does not require specialized projectors, enabling automated and flexible measurement of reflectivity and geometry, even for complex or concave surfaces.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Calibration and regular surface measurement of heliostats (mirrors) in solar power plants to optimize sunlight redirection.
• Quality control and inspection of reflective surfaces in automotive and aerospace manufacturing (e.g., mirrors, windshields, fuselage sections).
• Measurement and inspection of optical components like lenses and telescope mirrors.
• Inspection of glass panes and other transparent or semi-transparent materials in industrial settings.
• Surface analysis of objects with complex, non-flat geometries such as concave or irregularly shaped parts.
• Integration into automated production lines for real-time surface property assessment.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces the complexity and cost of surface measurement setups by eliminating the need for special projectors—any characterized light source can be used.
• Allows measurements under non-ideal or industrial conditions (e.g., daytime, varying object or light source positions).
• Enables fully or semi-automated calibration and inspection, minimizing manual labor and human error.
• Capable of accurately measuring even strongly curved or concave surfaces that challenge traditional techniques.
• Flexibility to work with multiple light sources and cameras, improving the resolution and reliability of the measurements.
• Enables retrofitting of existing industrial installations (such as solar plants) without substantial hardware changes.
• Uses computational algorithms (inverse rendering, optimization) that can be scaled and parallelized for efficiency.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-assisted method for determining object properties of an object (20) to be measured, which is illuminated in a recording scene by a light source (10), in particular for acquiring and/or measuring the object properties, wherein the object properties comprise at least one of the following: a surface (22), a shape of the object (20), one or more surface properties of the object (20), a position of the object (20), an orientation of the object (20), and at least one material property of the object (20), wherein image data of a reflection of beams from the light source (10) at the object (20) to be measured are recorded in the recording scene and analyzed for determining at least one of the object properties. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device (100) for determining object properties of an object.