초록 ▼

A pattern of light is projected upon a surface to be measured which may be devoid of surface detail. A sharply focused image of the surface provides distance discrimination. Although the projected pattern may be separate from the imaging optics, a common optics path removes distortion, provides maxi

A pattern of light is projected upon a surface to be measured which may be devoid of surface detail. A sharply focused image of the surface provides distance discrimination. Although the projected pattern may be separate from the imaging optics, a common optics path removes distortion, provides maximum sensitivity and eliminates processing for misalignment between projector and imager. Parallel detection of regions within the image receiving light intensities above a threshold enables rapid availability of measurements. Optical cross-correlation and Fourier transform processing methods may be employed to enhance image processing with no processing delay. Three-dimensional co-ordinate measurements relative to the sensor are reported for all in-focus regions of the image. Refocusing the lens provides depth coverage.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for simultaneously acquiring the three-dimensional co-ordinates relative to a sensor of at least two spatially separated points on a surface that may be devoid of detail, comprising the steps of: projecting a pattern of light with a projector from a light source; imaging reflected light fro

A method for simultaneously acquiring the three-dimensional co-ordinates relative to a sensor of at least two spatially separated points on a surface that may be devoid of detail, comprising the steps of: projecting a pattern of light with a projector from a light source; imaging reflected light from said pattern with a lens onto a light-sensitive detector array; focusing said image sharply by said lens within a narrow object plane; calibrating the image on said detector array for each unique location of the said sharply focused narrow object plane; storing calibration data from said calibration in a memory; adjusting said object plane focal distance with said lens to intersect the surface of an object to be measured at an intersection; said intersection containing at least two spatially separated points; comparing each measured response to a threshold value; and conveying each response above threshold value into a three-dimensional measurement report from said calibration data.