Automated method and apparatus for obtaining 2D silhouettes from one or more 3D objects

An apparatus for obtaining 2D silhouettes from one or more 3D objects comprising:

• a supporting structure;
• a transparent capture surface attached to the supporting structure, where objects to be scanned are placed;
• a backlight located directly over the transparent capture surface;
• and
• an image acquisition unit using a telecentric lens system, located directly below the transparent capture surface, said image acquisition unit capable of scanning the whole area of the transparent capture surface, thus capturing an optical image of an object placed on the transparent capture surface, converting said optical image into an electronic signal and providing said the electronic signal to electronic processing means,
• wherein the image acquisition unit comprises:
• a first telecentric lens, located parallel to the transparent capture surface;
• a mirror located below the first telecentric lens at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to an axis located parallel to the transparent capture surface, said mirror deflecting the light entering the image acquisition unit through the first telecentric lens, at an angle of 90°;
• one or more telecentric lenses located next to the focusing lens and parallel to the focusing lens, said one or more telecentric lenses perpendicularly receiving the light passing through the focusing lens, and focusing the light on a specific point;
• an image sensor, located next to the one or more telecentric lenses and parallel to the one or more telecentric lenses, receiving the light focused by said one or more telecentric lens (the optical image), said imaging sensor capturing the optical image and converting said optical image into an electronic signal and provides the electronic signal to electronic processing means.