Method of measuring in three-dimensions at high speed

An arrangement for projecting a plurality of patterns onto a common area without moving parts comprising:

• a plurality of light sources;
• each light source being imaged by a lens via separate light paths into a common light path and projection lens;
• the light of each said light source fully illuminating a pattern forming mask;
• means for independently adjusting each separate light path;
• a partially reflecting mirror for each separate light path for combining the separate paths into said one common path with reflecting ratios selected such that equal intensity of said light sources result in equal intensities at said projection lens;
• each light source providing illumination only during an interval determined by a controller;
• said projection lens imaging said mask patterns on a common area.

A method for obtaining 3-D measurements on a moving subject comprising the steps of:

• projecting a stationary plane of light upon said subject as said subject moves through said plane of light;
• synchronizing a view angle of multiple cameras to the motion of said subject;
• recording reflected light of said stationary plane of light from said subject with said multiple cameras via controlled shutters blocking said reflected light from said shutter's respective camera except when commanded by a controller;
• said controller commanding said shutters to record portions of reflected light in a time encoded sequence enabling identification of the said camera view angle and said subject location as a result of identifying the time of the recording.

A method for reducing the time to obtain 3-D measurements comprising the steps of:

• projecting a plurality of light patterns on a surface to be measured;
• said light patterns being projected simultaneously;
• each pattern being projected in a different color (frequency);
• and recording the reflected light from said patterns with a plurality of cameras;
• each camera receiving said reflected light via a filter having low attenuation for one of the said colors projected, a different color corresponding for each camera.

An arrangement for obtaining 3-D measurements comprising:

• a projector for projecting a pulse of light upon a subject and producing a scene thereof;
• a lens for imaging the scene on N light-sensitive surfaces;
• N beam splitters for dividing the light from said lens into N equal intensity paths;
• N shutters operated by a controller, one said shutter in each said path;
• N said light-sensitive surfaces following each said shutter;
• and means for independently adjusting the path length to each said light-sensitive surface;
• each shutter blocking incident light of its path until commanded by said controller;
• said controller commanding said shutters to record portions of the image in a time-encoded sequence enabling identification of the said light pulse location as a result of identifying the time of the recording.

A method for obtaining 3-D measurements comprising the steps of:

• sweeping a plane of light as a precise function of time across a subject to be measured;
• imaging the subject onto a light-sensitive surface via a controlled shutter blocking said image from said light-sensitive surface except when commanded by a controller;
• said controller commanding said shutter to record portions of the image in a time-encoded sequence enabling the identification of the said light plane location as a result of identifying the time of the recording;
• and repeating said steps for the number of codes required to obtain a predetermined resolution, said steps being repeated N times to define 2.sup.N -1 positions of said sweeping plane.