Rapid three-dimensional surface digitizer

Patent 4705401 Issued on November 10, 1987. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 12, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3187185

3218389

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Inventors

Assignee

Cyberware Laboratory Inc.

Application

No. 06/764302 filed on 08/12/1985

US Classes:

356/606, Line of light projected348/135Object or scene measurement

Examiners

Primary: Evans, F. L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Fihe; Paul B.

International Classes

G01B 11/25 (20060101)
G01B 11/24 (20060101)
G05B 19/42 (20060101)

Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for automatic mensuration of three-dimensional surfaces. The surface is sensed via non-contact optical triangulation means and the optically produced image measured by electronic means. The electronic measurements are encoded as binary data and passed to a digital computer for storage, analysis and other functions. The invention is significant because of the speed and relative simplicity of the method and a provision for alleviating shadowing from large surface irregularities. The apparatus has no moving parts, excepting a mechanism to provide for movement of the apparatus relative to the surface so as to progressively view the entire surface. This invention projects two or more planes of light which intersect the surface at known angles, producing illuminated lines. Said lines are viewed by a video type camera placed at a known angle away from the planes so that displacements in the line may be sensed. Electronic circuits detect and measure points on the line and transfer the data to a digital computer.