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EP0813040A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Precision spatial mapping with combined video and infrared signals

Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1997-06-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-06-06
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Abstract

Abstract A system (10) for virtually modeling a physical system having immovable and movable objects includes at least two video cameras (20-24, 62), each of the video cameras being configured to provide a sequence of images. An image processing system (60) extracts modulated infrared signals from the sequence of images to identify the spatial location of objects (55, 70, 75) using information obtained from both visible light images and infrared images. With this information, a virtual reality modeling system constructs a virtual reality model. Infrared pointers that direct modulated infrared spots having a unique identification against surfaces can be used for surveying, while active (50, 57) or passive (51) infrared tags can track movable objects for virtual reality modeling.

Inventors

  • 👤 Daniel H. Greene
  • 👤 Roy Want
  • 👤 William M. Newman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1097; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/04; G01C11/06; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 72 words
A system for virtually modeling a physical system having immovable and movable objects, comprising: at least two video cameras, each of the video cameras being configured to provide a sequence of images, an image processing system configured to extract modulated infrared signals from the sequence of images and identify the spatial location of objects, and a virtual reality modeling system for constructing a virtual reality model using identified object spatial location information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 1, wherein a spot of modulated infrared light is directed against a predetermined object to map its spatial location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein an infrared tag is attached to an object, with data relating to the object encoded in the infrared tag.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 91 words
A system for precisely locating a spot of light, comprising: at least two video cameras, with each video camera configured to provide a sequence of images at a first frame rate, a light pointer directing a series of identifying light signals at a second rate, less than the first frame rate, with a reflection of the identifying signals being perceptible by the video camera as a modulated light spot, an image processing system configured to extract a three dimensional spatial location of the modulated light spot from the sequence of images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the identifying light signals are infrared light signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising a scanning mechanism for automatically providing a series of modulated light spots, with each light spot spatially separated from another and having a unique identifying light signal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 84 words
A system for precisely locating positions of reflective surfaces, comprising: at least two video cameras, each video camera providing a sequence of images, a light pointer for directing a series of identifying light signals at a reflective surface, a reflection of the identifying signals being perceptible by the video camera as a modulated light spot, and an image processing system configured to extract a three dimensional spatial location of the modulated light spot from the sequence of images derived from two or more cameras.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the identifying light signals are infrared light signals.

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