Surface-profiling system and method therefor

A surface-profiling system comprising:

• a projector configured to project a two-dimensional pattern of alternating relatively lighter and relatively darker regions upon a surface from a first angle;
• a camera configured to capture an image of said projected pattern from a second angle;
• and
• a computer configured to produce a profile of said surface from said captured image.

A surface-profiling system comprising:

• a vehicle configured to move in a vehicular direction upon a surface having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, said vehicular direction being substantially coincident with said longitudinal direction;
• a projector affixed to said vehicle and configured to project a series of two-dimensional patterns of alternating relatively lighter and relatively darker regions upon said surface as said vehicle moves in said vehicular direction, wherein said patterns are projected at a first angle substantially perpendicular to said surface, and wherein said patterns have a length and a width, said width being substantially coincident with said transverse direction;
• a camera affixed to said vehicle and configured to capture images of said projected patterns from a second angle oblique to said surface as said vehicle moves in said vehicular direction;
• and
• a computer configured to produce a transverse profile of said surface from each of said captured images and configured to derive a longitudinal profile of said surface from a plurality of said transverse profiles.