Digitizer using intensity gradient to image features of three-dimensional objects

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.