3D Imaging Solutions for the Human Body and the Natural and Built Environments

利用主动成像传感器的三维几何工程测量系统被用于许多不同的应用领域。一个值得注意的应用是使用双荧光成像(X射线视频图像)来实验室测量骨骼运动，以帮助确定骨关节炎的原因。这种痛苦的情况目前影响着460万加拿大人，预计在未来30年内将增加到1000万。地球测量学测量系统的第二个应用是使用地面激光扫描仪创建自然和已建环境的三维模型，以支持民用基础设施完整性监测、观察景观变化和记录大型室内空间。不管是哪种应用，测量结果的准确性都是至关重要的。作为成像技术一部分的几个基本过程在“后台”运行，终端用户看不到。然而，这些过程对于从成像系统获得准确的测量是至关重要的。有几个缺点必须克服，才能实现其真正的潜力。这些缺陷阻碍了测量过程的自动化，因此需要训练有素的专家操作员。此外，它们阻碍了实现尽可能高的尺寸精度，从而限制了对这些技术的更广泛的采用。这一研究计划的长期目标是使非专家能够使用地球测量学技术来解决需要准确的3D空间模型的现实世界问题。根据这项发现拨款，将开发新的传感器校准、数据登记和三维建模过程，以克服当前系统的限制。将实现高度的过程自动化，以允许非专家用户使用测量系统。对双重透视成像系统固有误差的改进建模和新的图像配准方法将允许准确测量膝关节运动，以帮助更好地了解骨关节炎的原因。将开发新的地面激光扫描仪系统校准程序，以纠正尚未解决的仪器误差，这些误差目前限制了这些仪器系统的精度，用于精密工程应用。一种优化网络设计过程的新方法将降低记录大型室内环境(如购物中心、机场和工业综合体)的劳动力成本。最后，严格的变更检测方法将提高在自然环境和已建成环境中量化变更的能力。这项工作将使全球10亿美元的地面激光扫描服务行业受益，到2023年，该行业的价值将翻一番以上。

Three-dimensional geomatics engineering measurement systems that utilize active imaging sensors are used in many diverse applications. One notable application is the use of dual fluoroscopic imaging (X-ray video imagery) for laboratory measurement of skeletal motion to help identify the cause of osteoarthritis. This painful condition currently affects 4.6 million Canadians and is expected to increase to 10 million in the next 30 years. A second application of geomatics measurement systems is the use of terrestrial laser scanners to create three-dimensional models of the natural and built environments in support of civil infrastructure integrity monitoring, observing landscape changes and recording large indoor spaces. Regardless of the application, the accuracy of the resulting measurements is critical. Several fundamental processes that are part of imaging technologies operate “in the background”, unseen by end users. Nevertheless, these processes are critical to obtaining accurate measurements from imaging systems. Several shortcomings exist that must be overcome in order to realize their true potential. These shortcomings prevent the automation of measurement processes, thereby requiring highly trained, expert operators. Moreover, they prevent the realization of the highest possible dimensional accuracy, thereby limiting broader uptake of the technologies. The long-term objective of this research program is to enable non-experts to use geomatics technologies to solve real-world problems that require accurate 3D spatial models. Under this Discovery Grant, new sensor calibration, data registration and three-dimensional modelling processes will be developed to overcome current system limitations. A high degree of process automation will be realized to permit measurement system use by non-expert users. Improved modelling of errors inherent to dual fluoroscopic imaging systems and new image registration methods will allow accurate measurements of knee joint motion to help gain a better understanding of the causes of osteoarthritis. New terrestrial laser scanner system calibration processes will be developed to correct unresolved instrument errors that currently limit the accuracy of these instruments systems for precision engineering applications. A new approach to the optimal network design process will reduce labour costs for the documentation of large indoor environments such as shopping malls, airports and industrial complexes. Finally, rigorous change detection methodologies will improve the ability to quantify change in both the natural and built environments. This work will benefit the global $1 billion terrestrial laser scanning service industry that will more than double in value by 2023.