US6639684B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digitizer using intensity gradient to image features of three-dimensional objects
Assignee: NextPat Ltd
•
Filing: 2000-09-13
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Granted: 2003-10-28
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Expires: 2020-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Knighton
- 👤 David S. Agabra
- 👤 William D. McKinley
- 👤 John Z. Zheng
- 👤 David D. Drobnis
- 👤 J. Douglas Logan
- 👤 Basel F. Bahhour
- 👤 Jill E. Haynie
- 👤 Kevin H. Vuong
- 👤 Amit Tandon
- 👤 Kent E. Sidney
- 👤 Peter L. Diaconescu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/25; G01B11/2518; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/50; G06T7/521; G06T7/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method comprising: varying illumination within a focal zone over time and location to create a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity; projecting the gradient onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; deriving dimensional data for the point based on the measurement; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method comprising: varying illumination within a focal zone over time and location to create a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity; projecting the gradient onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; deriving dimensional data for the point based on the measurement; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein projecting comprises: forming a stripe of light having a width, the stripe to illuminate the object; and moving the stripe of light across a focal zone at least until a portion of the stripe has traversed the entire focal zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein capturing comprises: integrating the illumination intensity within the focal zone during one capture period.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
96 words
A method comprising: projecting a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; creating a ratio of measurements for the point corresponding to intensity at the point under a plurality of lighting conditions to derive dimensional data for the point; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
96 words
A method comprising: projecting a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; creating a ratio of measurements for the point corresponding to intensity at the point under a plurality of lighting conditions to derive dimensional data for the point; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method comprising: projecting a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; deriving dimensional data for the point based on the measurement; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object; and wherein the capturing is performed by a linear image sensing array and a focal zone is a single line of points on the object.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method comprising: projecting a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object; capturing a measurement for a light intensity at a point on the object, which relates to location of the point along the gradient; deriving dimensional data for the point based on the measurement; and assembling the dimensional data along with dimensional data similarly captured for a set of other points on the object into a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object; and wherein the capturing is performed by a linear image sensing array and a focal zone is a single line of points on the object.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a curved reflector mounted radially asymmetrically on a rotatable shaft and a light source disposed to be in a focal line of the curved reflector while rotated; and a capture unit that measure light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
78 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a curved reflector mounted radially asymmetrically on a rotatable shaft and a light source disposed to be in a focal line of the curved reflector while rotated; and a capture unit that measure light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a light spreader interposed between the curved reflector and a focal zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a reflector, a light source to illuminate at least a portion of the reflector and a drive unit coupled to the reflector to drive the reflector to sweep incident light from the light source through a focal zone; and a capture unit that measures light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a reflector, a light source to illuminate at least a portion of the reflector and a drive unit coupled to the reflector to drive the reflector to sweep incident light from the light source through a focal zone; and a capture unit that measures light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the projection unit further comprises: a light spreader interposed between the reflector and the focal zone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the reflector is curved to cause light from the light source to form a light stripe.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a light source and a variable shutter to prevent a first percentage to a second percentage of light from the light source from illuminating a focal zone during a capture period; and a capture unit that measures light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus comprising: a projection unit to project a spatially distributed gradient of light intensity onto an object including a light source and a variable shutter to prevent a first percentage to a second percentage of light from the light source from illuminating a focal zone during a capture period; and a capture unit that measures light intensity at a plurality of points on the object, the light intensity at each point indicative of a location of that point along the gradient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the projection unit and the capture unit are retained in fixed relation to each other.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
63 words
A method comprising: rotating an element in an optical path relative to an object to sweep a focal zone of an image sensing array (ISA) over a portion of the object independent of motion of the object; and capturing data in the ISA which can be used to determine three-dimensional data for the object within the portion over which the focal zone sweeps.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
63 words
A method comprising: rotating an element in an optical path relative to an object to sweep a focal zone of an image sensing array (ISA) over a portion of the object independent of motion of the object; and capturing data in the ISA which can be used to determine three-dimensional data for the object within the portion over which the focal zone sweeps.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising: repeating the rotating and capturing for a plurality of aspects of the object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising: assembling from the data captured a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the ISA is a linear image sensor.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
68 words
A method comprising: moving an element in an optical path relative to an object to sweep a focal zone of a linear image sensor over a portion of the object; capturing in the linear image sensor successive lines of data as the focal zone sweeps, which can be used to determine three-dimensional data for the object within the portion of the object over which the focal zone sweeps.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
68 words
A method comprising: moving an element in an optical path relative to an object to sweep a focal zone of a linear image sensor over a portion of the object; capturing in the linear image sensor successive lines of data as the focal zone sweeps, which can be used to determine three-dimensional data for the object within the portion of the object over which the focal zone sweeps.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: repeating the moving and capturing for a plurality of aspects of the object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising: assembling from the data captured a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the object.
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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) | 2006-10-27 | 2007-04-28 | 2007-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-04-28 | 2011-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-27 | 2015-04-28 | 2015-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |