Recording images of a three-dimensional surface by focusing on a plane of light irradiating the surface
AssigneeSolid Photography Inc.
InventorHoward Stern
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An arrangement in which a three-dimensional surface is copied by recording images of planar sections of the surface. The surface is subdivided into the sections, and the sections are illuminated in sequence by a projector which directs a plane of light against the surface. A camera spaced from the projector records the intersection of the illuminating plane with the surface. By recording sections in sequence with the camera, the entire surface may be covered. The camera is focused on the illuminating plane in the region about the object surface.
Claims15
A method for recording surface characteristics of an object, comprising:
- generating a plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially planar section defined by the intersection of said plane of energy and said surface;
- arranging a lens plane and a film plane of a camera so that said plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line;
- and focusing said camera on said plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded.
An arrangement for recording surface characteristics of an object, comprising:
- means for generating a plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially planar section defined by the intersection of said plane of energy and said surface;
- camera means having a lens plane and a film plane arranged so that said plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line;
- said camera means being focused on said plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded.
An arrangement for recording surface characteristics of an object, comprising:
- means for generating a plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially planar section defined by the intersection of said plane of energy and said surface;
- camera means having a lens plane and a film plane arranged so that said plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line;
- said camera means being focused on said plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded;
- a wedge-shaped coherent fiber optic bundle located between said lens plane and said film plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.