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Method and apparatus for three dimensional imaging using multi-phased structured light

Assignee: Cyberoptics Corp
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Filing: 1997-03-18
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Granted: 2000-04-11
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Expires: 2017-03-18
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for three dimensional imaging using multi-phased structured light. Measurement of dimensions as small as two hundred microns within one percent accuracy is possible, and multiple scans of a target object, such as the solder pads on an electronic circuit board substrate, are not required. A light source, having a pair of synchronized lamps and a specially designed reticle, projects two different phases of structured light onto a target object. The two phases are projected nearly instantaneously, and the detector is able to discriminate between the two exposures presented by the two out of phase illuminations. The method for presenting the three dimensional image uses filtering techniques and certain assumptions to resolve intensity equations having three unknowns from the two exposures of out of phase structured light.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eric P. Rudd
  • 👤 David Fishbaine
  • 👤 Paul R. Haugen
  • 👤 David M. Kranz

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 19:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/25; G01B11/2518; G01B11/2527

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for producing an image of a target object, comprising: an energy source for projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; one energy structuring device disposed in said path for structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other; a detector adapted for receiving the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure and for producing readings from the detected energy; and a processor for producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for producing an image of a target object, comprising: an energy source for projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; one energy structuring device disposed in said path for structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other; a detector adapted for receiving the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure and for producing readings from the detected energy; and a processor for producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two sequential exposures of energy occur nearly simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device incorporates a single repetitive pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device structures said two sequential exposures of energy to be 180° out of phase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said two sequential exposures of energy are projected onto said target object at a preselected triangulation angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said triangulation angle is selected to obtain a desired fringe frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said triangulation angle is in the range of 15° to 30°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device comprises a reticle that varies in opacity in a sinusoidal manner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said detector is a two dimensional CCD array.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 83 words
A method for producing an image of a target object, comprising: projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; structuring said two sequential exposure of energy to be out of phase with each other with a single energy structuring device disposed in said path; detecting the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure; producing readings from the detected energy; and producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 83 words
A method for producing an image of a target object, comprising: projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; structuring said two sequential exposure of energy to be out of phase with each other with a single energy structuring device disposed in said path; detecting the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure; producing readings from the detected energy; and producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object further comprises projecting said two sequential exposures of energy nearly simultaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other comprises structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be 180° out of phase with each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of projecting two sequential exposures of energy along a path onto said target object further comprises projecting the two sequential exposures of energy onto said target at a preselected triangulation angle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said preselected triangulation angle is selected to obtain a desired fringe frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said preselected triangulation angle is in the range of 15° to 30°.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 106 words
An apparatus for producing an image of a target object, comprising: an energy source for projecting two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; one energy structuring device incorporating a single repetitive pattern, said one energy structuring device disposed in said path for structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other; a detector adapted for receiving the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure and for producing readings from the detected energy; and a processor for producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 106 words
An apparatus for producing an image of a target object, comprising: an energy source for projecting two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; one energy structuring device incorporating a single repetitive pattern, said one energy structuring device disposed in said path for structuring said two sequential exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other; a detector adapted for receiving the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure and for producing readings from the detected energy; and a processor for producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one energy structuring device structures said two sequential exposures of energy to be 180° out of phase.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy are projected onto said target object at a preselected triangulation angle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said triangulation angle is selected to obtain a desired fringe frequency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said triangulation angle is in the range of 15° to 30°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one energy structuring device comprises a reticle that varies in opacity in a sinusoidal manner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said detector is a two dimensional CCD array.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 91 words
A method for producing an image of a target object: projecting two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; structuring said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other by using one energy structuring device incorporating a single repetitive pattern that is disposed in said path; detecting the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure; producing readings from the detected energy; and producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 91 words
A method for producing an image of a target object: projecting two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy along a path onto said target object; structuring said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other by using one energy structuring device incorporating a single repetitive pattern that is disposed in said path; detecting the structured energy reflected from the surface of said target object upon each exposure; producing readings from the detected energy; and producing a three dimensional image of said target object from said readings.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of projecting two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy along a path onto said target object further comprises projecting said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy onto said target at a preselected triangulation angle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said preselected triangulation angle is selected to obtain a desired fringe frequency.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said preselected triangulation angle is in the range of 15° to 30°.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of structuring said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy to be out of phase with each other comprises structuring said two nearly simultaneous exposures of energy to be 180° out of phase with each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device creates a sinusoidal spatial variation in said two sequential exposures of energy.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one energy structuring device creates a sinusoidal spatial variation in said two sequential exposures of energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device is further designed for producing two fringe patterns on said target object that are 180° out of phase.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one energy structuring device is further designed for producing two fringe patterns on said target object that are 180° out of phase.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one energy structuring device comprises a reticle that varies in reflectivity in a sinusoidal manner.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one energy structuring device comprises a reticle that varies in reflectivity in a sinusoidal manner.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-04-11 2003-10-11 2004-04-11 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-04-11 2007-10-11 2008-04-11 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-04-11 2011-10-11 2012-04-11 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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