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US5642293A
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Method and apparatus for determining surface profile and/or surface strain
Assignee: CamSys Inc
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Filing: 1996-06-03
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Granted: 1997-06-24
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Expires: 2016-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A photogrammetry target (cube or other shape of known dimension with reference points in known relation to each other) is placed on or in close proximity to a surface for which surface profile and/or surface strain are to be measured. Identifiable reference points are applied to the surface of interest, and multiple images of the surface with photogrammetry target are taken. At least some of the reference points on the photogrammetry target and the surface of interest must be visible in each image. The surface profile and/or surface strain are determined from the images based on the reference points therein. The determination is made by determining two-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point in each image, correlating the two-dimensional coordinates for the images, determining, for each image, a distance between a vantage point for obtaining the image and the photogrammetry target, and determining, for each image, three-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point on the surface of interest based on the correlated two-dimensional coordinates and the determined distance. The images are obtained by a digital camera, and the surface profile and/or surface strain determination is made by a computer.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Manthey
- 👤 Daeyong Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/16; G01B11/165; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of determining an attribute of a surface, comprising steps of: applying a first plurality of identifiable reference points to the surface; placing a photogrammetry target on or in close proximity to the surface, the photogrammetry target including a second plurality of identifiable reference points; obtaining at least two images of the surface with the photogrammetry target, each image including at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points; and determining, from the at least two images, the attribute based on the at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of determining an attribute of a surface, comprising steps of: applying a first plurality of identifiable reference points to the surface; placing a photogrammetry target on or in close proximity to the surface, the photogrammetry target including a second plurality of identifiable reference points; obtaining at least two images of the surface with the photogrammetry target, each image including at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points; and determining, from the at least two images, the attribute based on the at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the attribute comprises a profile of the surface, and wherein the step of applying comprises projecting the first plurality of identifiable reference points onto the surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises steps of: determining, for each image, two-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point; correlating the two-dimensional coordinates determined for the at least two images; determining, for each image, a distance between a vantage point for obtaining the image and the photogrammetry target; and determining, for each image, three-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point in the first plurality of identifiable reference points based on the correlated two-dimensional coordinates and the determined distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3, wherein each image includes at least two sides of the photogrammetry target, and wherein the step of determining three-dimensional coordinates comprises employing triangulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of determining three-dimensional coordinates comprises employing direct linear transform equations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining comprises taking at least two photographs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising a step of digitizing the at least two photographs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining comprises taking at least two digital photographs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining is performed by a computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a deformed surface, wherein the attribute comprises surface strain, and wherein the step of applying comprises printing the first plurality of identifiable reference points on the surface prior to deformation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining comprises obtaining each of the at least two images from a different vantage point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying comprises applying a first grid pattern including a first plurality of grid points, and wherein the photogrammetry target includes a second grid pattern including a second plurality of grid points.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for determining an attribute of a surface, comprising: means for applying a first plurality of identifiable reference points to the surface; a photogrammetry target for placing on or in close proximity to the surface, the photogrammetry target including a second plurality of identifiable reference points; means for obtaining at least two images of the surface with the photogrammetry target, each image including at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points and having a different orientation; and means for determining, from the at least two images, the attribute based on the at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for determining an attribute of a surface, comprising: means for applying a first plurality of identifiable reference points to the surface; a photogrammetry target for placing on or in close proximity to the surface, the photogrammetry target including a second plurality of identifiable reference points; means for obtaining at least two images of the surface with the photogrammetry target, each image including at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points and having a different orientation; and means for determining, from the at least two images, the attribute based on the at least some of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the applying means comprises means for applying a first grid pattern including a first plurality of grid points to the surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the applying means comprises means for projecting an image of the first plurality of identifiable reference points onto the surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the photogrammetry target has a cube shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the obtaining means comprises a digital camera and wherein the second plurality of identifiable reference points comprises at least six reference points of known position with respect to each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of the first plurality of identifiable reference points and the second plurality of identifiable reference points comprises a square grid pattern with grid points.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the computer determining means comprises a computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the computer is programmed to: calculate, for each image, two-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point; correlate the two-dimensional coordinates calculated for the at least two images; calculate, for each image, a distance between a vantage point for obtaining the image and the photogrammetry target; and calculate, for each image, three-dimensional coordinates for each visible reference point in the first plurality of identifiable reference points based on the correlated two-dimensional coordinates and the determined distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the obtaining means is portable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4969106A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-23 | 2000-12-23 | 2001-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-23 | 2004-12-23 | 2005-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-23 | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |