Cognex Corporation
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING SURFACE FEATURES IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES

Abstract:

The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to identify a surface feature of a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud. Data indicative of a path along a 3D point cloud is received, wherein the 3D point cloud comprises a plurality of 3D data points. A plurality of lists of 3D data points are generated, wherein: each list of 3D data points extends across the 3D point cloud at a location that intersects the received path; and each list of 3D data points intersects the received path at different locations. A characteristic associated with a surface feature is identified in at least some of the plurality of lists of 3D data points. The identified characteristics are grouped based on one or more properties of the identified characteristics. The surface feature is identified based on the grouped characteristics.