Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for determining projection angles of light rays based on values of the wavelength of the projected individual light ray, comprising (a) a light projection means for generating a bundle of light rays with spatially varying wavelengths to illuminate surface of objects in the scene such that light rays projected from different projection angles (θ) have different spectral wavelengths (λ), and (b) a sensor means for detecting the wavelengths (λ) of light rays reflected from objects' surface that is illuminated by said light projection means, and (c) a calibration means for relating the wavelengths (λ) detected by said sensor to the light ray projection angles (θ), whereby projection angles (θ) of light rays can be determined based on the wavelengths (λ) of the light rays detected by the sensor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for determining projection angles of light rays based on values of the wavelength of the projected individual light ray, comprising (a) a light projection means for generating a bundle of light rays with spatially varying wavelengths to illuminate surface of objects in the scene such that light rays projected from different projection angles (θ) have different spectral wavelengths (λ), and (b) a sensor means for detecting the wavelengths (λ) of light rays reflected from objects' surface that is illuminated by said light projection means, and (c) a calibration means for relating the wavelengths (λ) detected by said sensor to the light ray projection angles (θ), whereby projection angles (θ) of light rays can be determined based on the wavelengths (λ) of the light rays detected by the sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a variable wavelength filter for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a prism for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a diffraction grating for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
277 words
An apparatus for determining 3D coordinates of surface points of objects in the scene, comprising (a) a light projection means for generating a bundle of light rays with spatially varying wavelengths to illuminate surface of objects in the scene such that light rays projected from different projection angles (θ) have different spectral wavelengths (λ), and (b) a sensor array means for detecting the wavelengths (λ) of light rays reflected from objects' surface that is illuminated by said light projection means, and for determining the viewing angle (α) of the surface point corresponding to each pixel of the image sensor array based on image sensor's geometric and optical parameters, and (c) a calibration means for relating the wavelengths (λ) detected by each pixel of said sensor array to light ray projection angles (θ) for surface points viewed by all pixels of the sensor means, and (d) an data extraction means for computing distances in the 3D space between the focal point of the image sensor array and surface points in the scene (and therefore determining 3D coordinates of surface points of objects in the scene), based on (i) values of light projection angles (θ) determined by said sensor array and said calibration means, (ii) viewing angles (α) of pixels in said sensor array determined by its geometric and optical parameters, and (iii) distance between said image sensor and said light projector in the 3D space. whereby full frames of 3D images, in which each pixel value represents a 3D distance between the focal point of the image sensor array and a surface point in the scene corresponding to the pixel, can be obtained at sensor array's frame rate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
277 words
An apparatus for determining 3D coordinates of surface points of objects in the scene, comprising (a) a light projection means for generating a bundle of light rays with spatially varying wavelengths to illuminate surface of objects in the scene such that light rays projected from different projection angles (θ) have different spectral wavelengths (λ), and (b) a sensor array means for detecting the wavelengths (λ) of light rays reflected from objects' surface that is illuminated by said light projection means, and for determining the viewing angle (α) of the surface point corresponding to each pixel of the image sensor array based on image sensor's geometric and optical parameters, and (c) a calibration means for relating the wavelengths (λ) detected by each pixel of said sensor array to light ray projection angles (θ) for surface points viewed by all pixels of the sensor means, and (d) an data extraction means for computing distances in the 3D space between the focal point of the image sensor array and surface points in the scene (and therefore determining 3D coordinates of surface points of objects in the scene), based on (i) values of light projection angles (θ) determined by said sensor array and said calibration means, (ii) viewing angles (α) of pixels in said sensor array determined by its geometric and optical parameters, and (iii) distance between said image sensor and said light projector in the 3D space. whereby full frames of 3D images, in which each pixel value represents a 3D distance between the focal point of the image sensor array and a surface point in the scene corresponding to the pixel, can be obtained at sensor array's frame rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a variable wavelength filter for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a prism for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the structured illumination is generated by using a light source and a diffraction grating for producing simultaneously a bundle of light rays spreading more than one dimensions and with spatially varying wavelengths.