US6233049B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-dimensional measurement apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1999-03-22
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Granted: 2001-05-15
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Expires: 2019-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A three-dimensional measurement device employs a slit ray projection technique to optically determine a three-dimensional image. The device offers a choice in operating modes between high-speed measurement, high-resolution measurement and large dynamic range in the depth direction, to accommodate various situations. The different modes of operation are achieved by selectively modifying one or more of the scanning speed of a projected reference beam, the readout speed of a photosensor, the line width or line spacing of the photosensor, and the number of lines per image frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Kondo
- 👤 Hideki Tanabe
- 👤 Makoto Miyazaki
- 👤 Eiichi Ide
- 👤 Hiroshi Uchino
- 👤 Toshio Norita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/25; G01B11/2518
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches the scanning speed of said reference beam and a readout operation of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches the scanning speed of said reference beam and a readout operation of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The three-dimensional apparatus of claim 1 , further including a processor which measures a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The three-dimensional apparatus of claim 3 , further including a processor which measures a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; an operation mode selector; and a controller that switches line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The three-dimensional apparatus of claim 5 , further including a processor which measures a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; a switching device that switches the scanning speed of said reference beam in accordance with said selected operation mode; a switching device that switches a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode; and a switching device that switches line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam; a switching device that switches the scanning speed of said reference beam in accordance with said selected operation mode; a switching device that switches a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode; and a switching device that switches line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The three-dimensional apparatus of claim 7 , further including a processor which measures a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
117 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam and thereby reading out signals output therefrom; a switching device that switches the line width of an effective light receiving region of said photosensor, as well as line spacing for the readout, in accordance with said selected operation mode; and a switching device that switches the number of lines shifted per frame for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates and scans a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a reading unit that repeatedly reads out signals from said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam and thereby reading out signals output therefrom; a switching device that switches the line width of an effective light receiving region of said photosensor, as well as line spacing for the readout, in accordance with said selected operation mode; and a switching device that switches the number of lines shifted per frame for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus as set forth in claim 9 , further including a switching device that switches the readout operation between (a) skipping intermediate lines, or (b) adding together the read out signals, when the number of lines shifted per frame is more than one.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The three-dimensional apparatus of claim 9 , further including a processor which measures a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus, comprising: an optical scanning system which scans a target object with a reference beam; a measuring sensor that is operable in a plurality of different operating modes to repeatedly sense an image of the target object as it is being scanned by the reference beam; a mode selector which selects one of said operating modes; and a controller which varies at least one of (a) the number of lines in an image which are sensed in a sensing operation, (b) the width of the image that is sensed in a sensing operation, and (c) the spacing between images in successive sensing operations, in dependence upon the selected operating mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus, comprising: an optical scanning system which scans a target object with a reference beam; a measuring sensor that is operable in a plurality of different operating modes to repeatedly sense an image of the target object as it is being scanned by the reference beam; a mode selector which selects one of said operating modes; and a controller which varies at least one of (a) the number of lines in an image which are sensed in a sensing operation, (b) the width of the image that is sensed in a sensing operation, and (c) the spacing between images in successive sensing operations, in dependence upon the selected operating mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 12 , wherein one of said operating modes is a standard operating mode and another of said modes is a high-speed mode, and said controller decreases the number of lines which are sensed in a sensing operation during said high-speed mode, relative to said standard mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 13 , wherein said controller also decreases the width of an image that is sensed during said high-speed mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 13 , wherein said controller also increases the spacing between images in successive sensing operations during said high-speed mode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 12 , wherein one of said operating modes is a standard operating mode and another of said modes is a high-speed mode, and said controller increases the spacing between images in successive sensing operations during said high-speed mode, relative to said standard mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 12 , wherein one of said operating modes is a standard operating mode and another of said modes is a high-range mode, and said controller increases the width of an image that is sensed during said high-range mode, relative to said standard mode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 12 , wherein one of said operating modes is a standard operating mode and another of said modes is a high-sensitivity mode, and said controller increases the width of said reference beam during said high-sensitivity mode, relative to said standard mode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The three-dimensional measurement system of claim 12 , wherein one of said operating modes is a standard operating mode and another of said modes is a high-resolution mode, and said controller decreases the spacing between images in successive sensing operating during said high-resolution mode, relative to said standard mode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The three-dimensional measurement apparatus of claim 12 , further including a processor which determines the three-dimensional shape of the target object on the basis of the images sensed by said measuring sensor.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching the scanning speed of said reference beam and a readout operation of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching the scanning speed of said reference beam and a readout operation of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 , further including the step of measuring a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target object based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching a line width for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 23 , further including the step of measuring a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target objet based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching line spacing for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 25 , further including the step of measuring a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target objet based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching the number of lines shifted per frame for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object, comprising the steps of: scanning a target object with a reference beam; receiving light reflected from a target by means of a photosensor as it is being scanned with said reference beam; repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam to thereby read output signals therefrom; selecting an operation mode; and switching the number of lines shifted per frame for the readout of said photosensor in accordance with said selected operation mode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 18 , further including the step of switching the readout operation between (a) skipping intermediate lines, or (b) adding together the readout output signals, when the number of lines shifted per frame is more than one.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 further including the step of measuring a three-dimensional shape of said measurement target objet based on the output signals from said photosensor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
96 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiator for irradiating and scanning a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a driver for repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam and thereby reading out signals output therefrom; and a selector for selecting an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes being different from each other with respect to at least one factor of measurement time, depth of measurement, resolution, sensitivity, and measurement area.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
96 words
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus comprising: an irradiator for irradiating and scanning a measurement target with a reference beam; a photosensor for receiving light reflected from a measurement target irradiated with said reference beam; a driver for repeatedly driving said photosensor during the scanning of said reference beam and thereby reading out signals output therefrom; and a selector for selecting an operation mode from a plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes being different from each other with respect to at least one factor of measurement time, depth of measurement, resolution, sensitivity, and measurement area.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |