초록 ▼

A chromatic confocal technique and apparatus for the rapid three-dimensional measurement of an object shape, particularly of a tooth in a patient's jaw, using an array of polychromatic point light sources, a planar detector matrix, a beam splitter for lateral spectral separation, and an objective fo

A chromatic confocal technique and apparatus for the rapid three-dimensional measurement of an object shape, particularly of a tooth in a patient's jaw, using an array of polychromatic point light sources, a planar detector matrix, a beam splitter for lateral spectral separation, and an objective for illuminating and recording the object. Spectral defined reference light bundles are generated, injected into the detection beam path via a reference beam path and, following spectral splitting, are focused on the detector matrix as reference image points, wherein laterally shifted sub-matrices are numerically defined on the detector matrix for spectral analysis of the object light, which sub-matrices are implemented as spectral cells for three-dimensional measurement of the shape of the object.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for achieving a robust, chromatic confocal technique for three-dimensional measurement of an object shape or shape and position of one or more objects, comprising the following components in the system: a planar array of polychromatic point light sources, the p

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for achieving a robust, chromatic confocal technique for three-dimensional measurement of an object shape or shape and position of one or more objects, comprising the following components in the system: a planar array of polychromatic point light sources, the polychromatic point light sources being adapted to generate a multiplicity of light bundles, a beam splitter at least one element having a refractive power that is wavelength-dependent, at least one planar detector matrix in the path of a detection beam, upstream of which detector matrix means for lateral spectral splitting and means for focusing onto the detector matrix are disposed, and a measuring lens for illuminating and imaging the object, wherein spectrally defined reference light bundles are generated for chromatic calibration, which light bundles propagate along a beam path of the polychromatic point light sources and along a reference beam path and are again coupled into the beam leading to the detection means, and, following spectral splitting, are at least approximately focused onto the detector matrix as reference pinpoint images, which are implemented for spectral analysis of the object light and by which means laterally shifted submatrices are numerically defined on the detector matrix for spectral analysis of the object light, which sub-matrices are implemented as spectral cells for three-dimensional measurement of the shape of the object. 2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said planar array of polychromatic point light sources comprises at least one upstream polychromatic light source as well as at least one passive rastered component, and the reference bundles spread across the passive rastered components of said planar array and propagate along said reference beam path. 3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said reference point images represent spectral reference points, a spectral axis being formed when two such reference points are connected into a line. 4. The method as defined in claim 3, wherein said spectral axis allows for precise numerically-based spectral analysis of each sub-matrix by determination of the angular orientation of said spectral axis on the detector matrix. 5. The method as defined in claim 4, wherein the wavelength of a first reference light bundle is above the spectral distribution of the polychromatic point light sources, and the wavelength of a second reference light bundle is below said spectral distribution. 6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein said planar array of polychromatic point light sources is arranged in a position rotated about an optical axis through an acute angle relative to said spectral axis on the planar detector matrix. 7. A system for achieving a robust, chromatic confocal technique for the three-dimensional measurement of the shape of an object or the shape and position of one or more objects, comprising the following components in the system: a planar array of polychromatic point light sources, the polychromatic point light sources being adapted to generate a multiplicity of light bundles, a beam splitter, at least one element having a refractive power that is wavelength-dependent, at least one planar detector matrix in the path of a detection beam, upstream of which detector matrix means for lateral spectral splitting and means for focusing onto the detector matrix are disposed such that a spectral axis forms on the detector matrix, and a measuring lens for illuminating and imaging the object, wherein a reference beam path including at least one spectrally defined, predetermined reference light bundle is provided in the system for spectral calibration, and wherein said planar array is arranged in a position rotated through an acute angle relative to said spectral axis on said planar detector matrix, said rotation being effected about the optical axis of the system such that a connecting line between point light sources upon projection onto the plane of the detector matrix forms there an acute angle with the λ-axis. 8. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein said planar array of polychromatic point light sources has at least one upstream polychromatic light source as well as at least one passive rastered component). 9. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein the at least one reference light bundle can be added, at least intermittently, to the polychromatic point light sources by switching. 10. The system as defined in claim 7, wherein the light sources used for said reference light bundle are switchable laser diodes.