Laser triangulation system

A method for measuring dimensions of an object, the method comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a sensor head having a laser line generator and a photodetector;
• b) projecting onto the object a first line of laser light;
• c) detecting a first image of said first line reflected from the object;
• d) projecting onto the object a second line of laser light;
• e) detecting a second image of said second line reflected from the object;
• wherein said first and second images are reflected from substantially the same portion of the object;
• f) for each of a plurality of points in said first image:
• i) generating a first centroid;
• ii) generating a first quality factor for said first centroid, wherein said first quality factor is indicative of a quality of said first centroid;
• iii) encoding said first centroid and said first quality factor in a first centroid value;
• g) for each of a plurality of points in said second image:
• i) generating a second centroid;
• ii) generating a second quality factor for said second centroid, wherein said second quality factor is indicative of a quality of said second centroid;
• iii) encoding said second centroid and said second quality factor in a second centroid value;
• wherein each one of said plurality of points in said first image corresponds to one of said plurality of points in said second image, such that each of said first centroid values corresponds to one of said second centroid values;
• h) transmitting said first and second centroid values from said sensor head;
• i) receiving said first and second centroid values;
• j) decoding said first and second centroid values into said first and second centroids and said first and second quality factors;
• k) comparing said first quality factors to said second quality factors;
• l) selecting from said centroids one or more selected centroids based on the comparison of said quality factors;
• m) for each selected centroid computing a range to the object.

A method for measuring dimensions of an object, the method comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a sensor head having a laser line generator and a photodetector;
• b) projecting a line of laser light from said generator onto the object;
• c) detecting with said photodetector an image of said line reflected from the object;
• d) for each of a plurality of points in said image:
• i. generating a centroid;
• ii. generating a quality factor for said centroid, wherein said quality factor is indicative of a quality of said centroid;
• and
• iii. encoding said centroid and said quality factor in a centroid value;
• e) transmitting said centroid values from said sensor head;
• f) receiving said centroid values;
• g) decoding said centroid values into said centroids and said quality factors;
• h) comparing said quality factors to quality criteria;
• i) for each centroid computing a range to the object;
• and
• j) displaying a graphic representation of one or more of said ranges, said centroids, and said quality factors.

A method for optimizing exposure in a laser triangulation system, the method comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a sensor head having a laser line generator and a photodetector;
• b) projecting a line of laser light from said generator onto the object;
• c) detecting with said photodetector an image of said line reflected from the object;
• d) for each of a plurality of points in said image:
• i. generating a centroid;
• ii. generating a quality factor for said centroid, wherein said quality factor is indicative of a quality of said centroid;
• and
• iii. encoding said centroid and said quality factor in a centroid value;
• e) transmitting said centroid values from said sensor head;
• f) receiving said centroid values;
• g) decoding said centroid values into said centroids and said quality factors;
• h) comparing said quality factors to quality criteria;
• i) varying one of a power of said line of laser light and an exposure of said image in response to said comparison of said quality factors to said quality criteria.