Abstract: A laser scanner scans a scene to form a point cloud representing points on a surface within the scene. The point cloud is used to create a corresponding visual representation of the point cloud from a single eye point that is displayed as an image array, such as a cube map, on a computer screen. Each point of the point cloud is represented on the computer screen as a pixel having a value other than a background value. An offset is determined between a reference position of the pixel and an intersection point, which is the point at which a ray from the point to the scanning position intersects a plane coincident with plane of the computer screen including the pixel. The offset is stored in an offset grid, whereby each pixel of the image array has a corresponding offset value in the offset grid. That is, the invention provides for encoding actual point coordinates with respect to the pixels of the image array by storing depth and angular offsets at each pixel in the image array that has an associated point.

Abstract: A laser scanner scans a scene to form a point cloud representing points on a surface within the scene. The point cloud is used to create a corresponding visual representation of the point cloud from a single eye point that is displayed as an image array, such as a cube map, on a computer screen. Each point of the point cloud is represented on the computer screen as a pixel having a value other than a background value. An offset is determined between a reference position of the pixel and an intersection point, which is the point at which a ray from the point to the scanning position intersects a plane coincident with plane of the computer screen including the pixel. The offset is stored in an offset grid, whereby each pixel of the image array has a corresponding offset value in the offset grid. That is, the invention provides for encoding actual point coordinates with respect to the pixels of the image array by storing depth and angular offsets at each pixel in the image array that has an associated point.

Abstract: A laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can be used to identify objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: A laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can be used to identify objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for acquiring tie-point target locations on a structure that eliminates the need for the user to manually identify features that can be used to register multiple scenes so that they share a single coordinate system. In the present invention, readily identifiable objects, known as targets, are placed on or near the structure. When the structure is scanned, the targets are identified and can then be used in other operations, such as registration.

Abstract: Methods for operating a laser scanning system are disclosed. The laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can also be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can additionally be used to identifying objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: Methods for operating a laser scanning system. The laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can also be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can additionally be used to identifying objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: Methods for operating a laser scanning system are disclosed. The laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can also be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can additionally be used to identifying objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: An integrated system generates a model of a three-dimensional object. A scanning laser device scans the three-dimensional object and generates a point cloud. The points of the point cloud each indicate a location of a corresponding point on a surface of the object. A first model is generated, responsive to the point cloud, that generates a first model representing constituent geometric shapes of the object. A data file is generated, responsive to the first model, that can be inputted to a computer-aided design system.