US 7,256,899 B1
WIRELESS METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL NON-CONTACT SHAPE SENSINGGeneral
US 7,256,899 B1
WIRELESS METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL NON-CONTACT SHAPE SENSING
Tech Center:
2800 Semiconductors/Memory, Circuits/Measuring and Testing, Optics/Photocopying, Printing/Measuring and Testing
Examiner:
Sang H. Nguyen
Art Unit:
2886 Optics
Agent:
Hansen Huang Tech Law Group LLP
Inventors:
Ivan Faul; Waldean A. Schulz
Assignee:
Priority:
10/04/06
Filed:
10/04/06
Granted:
08/14/07
Expiration:
10/04/26
Abstract
Methods for acquiring an approximation of the surface geometry of a 3-dimensional object include projecting pattern of structured light on the object, moving the pattern with respect to the object, acquiring images of the intersection of the light on the object over time, determining local coordinates of points on the intersection with respect to the pattern, tracking the position of the pattern, transforming the local coordinates to object coordinates, and accumulating the points as a model of the surface of the object. The methods include a step for wirelessly and possibly compactly transmitting geometrical data which characterizes an intersection for a given position of the scanner with respect to the object. Systems for embodying the method include a self-powered wireless, non-contact optical scanner, the location and orientation of which may be tracked with respect to an object coordinate system.