Getting started with HQV, using an iPad with a LiDAR camera and no additional attachments? You’re in the right place.
This article outlines how to get the best scan results when using HQV 3.0. To use this version of Harvest Quality Vision, you must have an iPad Pro with a LiDAR sensor (4th generation or later).
Best practices for completing a successful scan
When you’re getting familiarized with your new Harvest Quality Vision 3.0 (HQV) scanning system, it’s normal to need to practice a little in order to take an effective scan sample.
Paying attention the on screen warnings, and sounds from the device will be the best indication of how to take a good scan. Reviewing scan reconstructions on the Croptracker web browser as you get familiar with scanning can help.
Don’t hesitate to contact support@croptracker.com if you would like your scans reviewed.
Standard Scan Method
Hold your tablet so the camera is facing straight down towards the fruit. The device should be level and parallel to the fruit.
Hold the tablet approximately 40cm or 16inches* away from the fruit. If you are too close or too far away from the bin, you cannot start scanning. If your height changes throughout a scan, a warning will appear on the screen. Maintaining a level height is while scanning is important for obtaining accurate information.
*Note: if you are scanning small fruit, you may be instructed to scan closer by default. See note at bottom of page for small fruit scanning tips.
Cover the top of the bin following an S-shaped motion and return to the same corner you started at as shown in the animation below.
The green dots will cover areas you have already scanned. You do not need to go over these areas once they have been painted green.
Scanning a standard apple bin should take approximately 10-15 seconds.
A clicking noise will sound while the camera is actively scanning.
If you move the camera too slow, not enough images will be captured to make a quality scan.
If you move the camera too fast a warning will display on the screen. Moving the camera too fast may result in tracking loss and a decrease in scan accuracy.
Scan animation
Avoid over-scanning
Continuous movement is important for a thorough scan result. We recommend moving the iPad over the bin, so that you have covered over the majority of the fruit within 10-15 seconds.
Do not spend time scanning over the same spot repeatedly: it may degrade the overall result, as well as produce larger scan files that take additional processing time.
Standard Scan Distance
The HQV camera has a minimum operating range of approximately 40cm (16in) for fruit apple size and larger.
If the camera is too far away from the fruit, the dots will not appear in green over the fruit.
If the camera is too close, the scan can lose tracking and focus.
An example of how far to hold the iPad above a bin for scanning effectively.
Aim for consistent lighting during your scan
Outdoor and bright, even lighting work best for HQV scanning. Sunlight will produce the best results for size and color. When a scan is taking place outdoors, environmental conditions will vary. This is not an issue if the light remains consistent in the moment you are performing your scan. Take note of your light meter – if there is a notable change in lighting while the scan is active, the tracking process may be negatively impacted. Check if there is anything blocking the light meter (like a finger!) affecting the sensor.
If you are scanning indoors in a dark area, there is a preference that can be enable that will trigger the devices flashlight to come on when scanning. For information on how to change this preference, see this article.
White balance/color accuracy
In some instances, the color accuracy is impacted negatively if the white balance is changes during a scan. This may be because the iPad has auto-adjusted the white balance to a range based on lighting conditions not reflective of the scanning environment. For example, if the iPad camera was in a dark setting, and then an attempt to scan is started immediately in brighter lighting conditions without any pause for auto-adjustment, white balance inaccuracies can occur.
Having as much lights as possible, consistent lighting during a scan and starting the scan at the correct distance can help with this.
Avoid initiating a scan when too close to the objects, as this tends to throw off the white balance calibration.
Scan Resolution for Small Fruit
When scanning fruit smaller than the standard size (apples), the resolution of the images captured in the scan can be adjusted for better results. In the HQV preference menu, there are options for changing the default resolution of the scans. For fruit cherry size or smaller, the recommended resolution is ‘Ultra High’. For fruit the size of a prune plum, the ‘High’ resolution setting is recommended.
Check your scan for capture quality
You can assess the quality of your scan’s data capture after you tap the Stop button. Review the scan coverage by moving the camera around the area you just scanned to see that the fruit in the bin is covered fully and that you have not scanned anything else at a vastly different depth, like the ground.
You can also check scan quality by looking at the reconstruction on the web browser. If you notice the reconstruction is not level, is missing large chunks of looks otherwise strange, don’t hesitate to contact support@croptracker.com for review and further training.