Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Force-Sensed Surface Scanning for Diverse Applications

Publication ID: 24-11857379_0007_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Force-Sensed Surface Scanning for Diverse Applications,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857379_0007_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857379_0007_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,379.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

This inventive concept extends the force-sensed surface scanning technology to various industries, including agriculture, infrastructure inspection, material properties evaluation, environmental pollution monitoring, and manufactured product defect detection.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent focused on surface scanning of anatomical organs for medical purposes. However, the technology's potential applications are not limited to the medical field. The new inventive concept addresses the problem of underutilization of this technology by exploring its applicability to diverse industries, thereby expanding its commercial potential.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept leverages the core technology of force-sensed surface scanning to develop novel systems and methods for monitoring agricultural crop health, inspecting infrastructure integrity, evaluating material properties, monitoring environmental pollution, and detecting defects in manufactured products. Each application involves adapting the scanning robot and surface scanning controller to accommodate the specific requirements of the target industry. For instance, in agriculture, the system would analyze force sensing data to detect anomalies indicative of crop disease or stress, while in infrastructure inspection, it would detect anomalies indicative of structural damage or degradation.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the force-sensed surface scanning technology, which are not obvious from the original patent. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of this technology to address specific problems in diverse industries and adapting the system to meet the unique requirements of each application.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in scanning robot design, surface scanning end-effector materials, and surface scanning controller algorithms to accommodate specific industry needs. For example, a specialized scanning robot could be developed for inspecting infrastructure in hard-to-reach areas, or a customized surface scanning end-effector could be designed for evaluating material properties in high-temperature environments.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including agriculture, infrastructure inspection, material science, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing quality control. The market for these applications is substantial, with potential customers including farmers, infrastructure operators, material manufacturers, environmental agencies, and product manufacturers.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B90/03
A A61 A61B34/20
A A61 A61B34/30
A A61 A61B90/06
G G06 G06T7/10
A A61 A61B2034/2068
A A61 A61B2090/065
A A61 A61B2090/378
G G06 G06T2207/10028
G G06 G06T2207/30004

Field of Art

Medical robotics, surface scanning systems, and force-sensing technologies with applications in surgical navigation, diagnostic imaging, and precision scanning across multiple technical domains

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled practitioner with expertise in robotics, sensor technologies, and surface scanning systems, possessing knowledge of force sensing, data analysis algorithms, and cross-domain technology adaptation

Obviousness Rationale

A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the core force-sensing surface scanning technology disclosed in the source patent can be readily adapted to alternative technical domains by modifying the scanning end-effector, surface scanning controller, and data analysis algorithms while maintaining the fundamental sensing and scanning principles. The PTD demonstrates predictable variations that extend the original technological concept through straightforward modifications and domain-specific implementations.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Surface scanning end-effector configured to generate force sensing data about contact force applied to an anatomical organ
PTD Variation
Adapting the end-effector to scan crop surfaces, infrastructure, manufactured products, and environmental surfaces
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that force sensing principles are transferable across surfaces by selecting appropriate sensor configurations and calibrating the end-effector's mechanical properties
Source Patent Element
Surface scanning controller structured to define surface deformation offset based on viscoelastic property parameters
PTD Variation
Modifying the controller to analyze force sensing data for detecting anomalies in different material contexts
Obviousness Reasoning
The algorithmic approach to analyzing force-based deformation is a known technique that can be applied to various material characterization problems with predictable results
Source Patent Element
Generating an intraoperative volume model through surface scanning and force sensing
PTD Variation
Creating diagnostic or inspection models for agricultural, infrastructure, and manufacturing applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Volume modeling techniques are generalizable across domains, with a PHOSITA able to adapt the scanning and reconstruction approach to different surface characteristics
Source Patent Element
Sampling scan path defined across a volume model with geometric pattern traversal
PTD Variation
Developing specialized scanning paths for different surface inspection requirements
Obviousness Reasoning
Scan path optimization is a well-understood engineering design choice that would be obvious to implement across different scanning contexts
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857379's disclosure of force-sensed surface scanning systems, the present publication demonstrates that extending the core technological principles to alternative technical domains represents an obvious variation to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed adaptations constitute prior art that would render obvious patent claims attempting to monopolize force-sensing surface scanning technologies across diverse application contexts.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,379
TitleForce sensed surface scanning systems, devices, controllers and methods
Assignee(s)Koninklijke Philips N.V.