# US 2021/0243423 A1 · Handheld three dimensional scanner with an autoaperture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0243423 A1 - Document ID: US20210243423A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/237,547 - Filed: 2021-04-22 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-07-03 - Assignees: Faro Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: FARO Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel Döring; Martin Ossig; Gerrit Hillebrand - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243423A1 ## CPC - H04N 13/246: Calibration of cameras - G01C 11/025: {by scanning the object} - G01C 25/00: Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass (testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38) - G02B 7/09: adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification - G02B 7/36: using image sharpness techniques {, e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals (image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67)} - G03B 7/095: for control of aperture - G03B 13/36: Autofocus systems - G03B 35/08: by simultaneous recording - H04N 13/239: using two two-dimensional [2D] image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance (H04N13/243 takes precedence) - H04N 13/254: in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A three-dimension scanning apparatus and method of use is disclosed. The system includes a light intensity meter for measuring a level of light intensity at a first camera of the 3D scanning apparatus. The first camera has an adjustable aperture. A processor is provided that is configured to adjust the adjustable aperture of the first camera automatically based on the measured light level. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of scanning an object with a three-dimensional (3D) scanner, comprising: measuring a level of light intensity at a first camera of the 3D scanner; and automatically adjusting an aperture of the first camera of the 3D scanner to a first aperture size based on the measured level of light intensity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising calibrating a plurality of aperture sizes to a plurality of aperture voltage levels and selecting an aperture voltage level to adjust the aperture to the first aperture size. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising using interpolation and at least two calibrated aperture sizes to determine a voltage value that produces an uncalibrated aperture size. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising calculating depth of fields for the plurality of aperture sizes and automatically selecting an aperture size based on both a measured light intensity and a depth of field. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: adjusting an aperture of a second camera of the 3D scanner to a second aperture size based on the first aperture size of the first camera; and scanning the object using the first camera and the second camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising determining a first voltage applied to the first camera to obtain the first aperture size, determining an equivalent voltage from the first voltage that obtains the second aperture size at the second camera, and applying the equivalent voltage as a second voltage at the second camera. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising calibrating a parameter of a lens system selected from the group consisting of: (i) principal point; (ii) lens distortion; (iii) focal length; (iv) first camera orientation; and (v) first camera position to a plurality of aperture voltages. ### Claim 8 A three-dimensional (3D) scanning apparatus, comprising: a light intensity meter for measuring a level of light intensity at a first camera of the 3D scanning apparatus; the first camera having an adjustable aperture; and a processor configured to adjust the adjustable aperture of the first camera automatically based on the measured light level. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to calibrate a plurality of aperture sizes to a plurality of aperture voltage levels and select an aperture voltage level to adjust the aperture to the first aperture size. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to use interpolation and at least two calibrated aperture sizes to determine a voltage value that produces an uncalibrated aperture size. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to calculate depth of fields for the plurality of aperture sizes and automatically select an aperture size based on both a measured light intensity and a depth of field. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to: adjust an aperture of a second camera of the 3D scanner to a second aperture size based on the first aperture size of the first camera; and scan the object using the first camera and the second camera. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a first voltage applied to the first camera to obtain the first aperture size, determine an equivalent voltage from the first voltage that obtains the second aperture size at the second camera, and apply the equivalent voltage as a second voltage at the second camera. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to calibrate a parameter of a lens system selected from the group consisting of: (i) principal point; (ii) lens distortion; (iii) focal length; (iv) first camera orientation; and (v) first camera position to a plurality of aperture voltages. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light intensity meter comprises a photodetector array of the first camera.