An Investigation of Commercially Viable Methods for Vector Mapping a Three Dimensional Space

Abstract

The ability to quickly and accurately measure a space is of significant financial interest to architects, civil engineers, carpenters and others in the building, construction and surveying fields. This project was undertaken to meet such a need by analyzing user requirements, evaluating current methods, designing an alternative method and evaluating this alternative method via the construction and testing of a prototype unit. Consumer requirements were determined through a series of interviews with de-sign and construction professionals. These revealed the basic requirements for future designs, as well as the strengths and drawbacks of some of the methods currently employed. Test models of the two primary methods, the classic tape measure the the more recent laser rangefinder, were purchased and tested firsthand. Three different methods of optical dimensioning were posited as alternatives superior in either functionality or cost. After a series of investigative experiments, one of these methods was selected for final prototyping. This design, which relied primarily on cameras and image processing, was constructed and field tested for functionality. These tests demonstrated a potential for commercial success, and revealed design flaws to be corrected in future design iterations.