THREE-DIMENSIONAL INPUT DEVICE

• US 20020089675A1
• Filed: 06/17/1999
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: KAMON, KOICHI, NORITA, TOSHIO, TANABE, HIDEKI, MIYAZAKI, MAKOTO
• Granted Patent: US 6,424,422 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/623
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures

Abstract

A three-dimensional input device including a light projecting device for projecting detection light, and an image sensing device for receiving the detection light reflected by an object and converting the received light to electrical signals. The detection light is controlled so as to scan the object periodically while changing the projection direction of the detection light, and to consecutively perform a plurality of scans at mutually different detection light projection angles in accordance with the predefined specifications at the start of operation.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional input device for obtaining data relating to the three-dimensional shape of an object, said input device comprising:

a light projecting device for projecting detection light on an object, and

an image sensing device for receiving the detection light reflected by said object and converting said received light to electrical signals,

wherein said object is scanned periodically by said detection light by varying the projection angle of the light projecting device, and

a plurality of scans are consecutively executed, each of said plurality of scans encompassing a different light projection angle range.

2. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

3. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, where each of said light projection angle ranges overlap one another.

4. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, wherein said light projecting device is capable varying the angle of projection of said detection light.

5. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 4, wherein said light projecting device further controls the speed of varying the angle of projection of said detection light such that each of said plurality of scans is performed at a different speed.

6. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, wherein each light projection angle range associated with a given one of said plurality of scans is predetermined and stored in memory.

7. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

8. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 1, further comprising a selector operable for selecting one of said images on the display.

9. A three-dimensional input device for obtaining data relating to the three-dimensional shape of an object, said input device comprising:

a light projecting device for scanning an object by projecting a detection light on said object while changing the projection direction of the detection light;

an image sensing device for receiving the detection light projected from said light projecting device and reflected by an object, and converting the received detection light to electrical signals;

are

a control device for controlling said light projecting device to sequentially execute a plurality of scans using detection light of a different intensity for each said scan.

10. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 9, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

11. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 9, further comprising a display device for displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

12. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 9, further comprising a selector operable for selecting one of said images on the display.

14. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 13, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

15. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 13, further comprising a display device for displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

16. The three-dimensional input device according to claim 13, further comprising a selector operable for selecting one of said images on the display.

18. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

19. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, where each of said light projection angle ranges overlap one another.

20. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, wherein said light projecting device is capable varying the angle of projection of said detection light.

21. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, wherein said light projecting device further controls the speed of varying the angle of projection of said detection light such that each of said plurality of scans is performed at a different speed.

22. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, wherein each light projection angle range associated with a given one of said plurality of scans is predetermined and stored in memory.

23. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, further comprising the step of displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

24. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 17, further comprising the step of selecting one of said images on the display.

26. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 25, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

27. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 26, wherein the intensities of the light projecting device utilized during said three scans is determined based on a reference light intensity, Ls, which is determined prior to performing said three scans.

28. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 27, wherein said reference light intensity, Ls, is determined by projecting said detection light at three different intensities at a set projection angle, and analyzing the output of a light sensor receiving said detection light after reflection by said object.

29. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 27, wherein said reference light intensity, Ls, is less than a low level threshold, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to Ls for the first scan of said three consecutive scans, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a medium intensity range of said light projecting device for the second scan of said three consecutive scans, and the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a high intensity range of said light projecting device for the third scan of said three consecutive scans.

30. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 27, wherein if said reference light intensity, Ls, is between a low level threshold and a high level threshold, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a low intensity range of said light projecting device for the first scan of said three consecutive scans, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to Ls for the second scan of said three consecutive scans, and the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a high intensity range of said light projecting device for the third scan of said three consecutive scans.

31. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 27, wherein if said reference light intensity, Ls, is greater than a high level threshold, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a low intensity range of said light projecting device for the first scan of said three consecutive scans, the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to an average of a medium intensity range of said light projecting device for the second scan of said three consecutive scans, and the light intensity of said light projecting device is set equal to Ls for the third scan of said three consecutive scans.

32. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 25, further comprising the step of prohibiting the writing of data representing the detection light reflected by the object and output by a light sensor for a given scan, unless the maximum value of the output of said light sensor during said scan is within a predefined range.

33. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 32, wherein said data obtained during said given scan is stored in memory if the maximum value of said data is within said predefined range, and said data stored in memory is only updated during a subsequent scan if the maximum value of the data corresponding to said subsequent scan is within said predefined range.

34. A method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 25, further comprising the step of displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

35. A method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 25, further comprising the step of selecting one of said images on the display.

37. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 36, wherein said electrical signals are amplified by a first predefined amplification factor if the maximum value of said electrical signals representing the detection light reflected by the object and output by a light sensor for a given scan is within a predefined range, are amplified by a second predefined amplification factor if the maximum value of said electrical signals is greater than first predefined limit, and are amplified by a third predefined amplification factor if the maximum value of said electrical signals is less than a second predefined limit.

38. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 36, wherein three scans of said object are consecutively executed.

39. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 38, further comprising the step of displaying images generated on the basis of said detection light reflected by said object, each of said images corresponding to each of the plurality of scans.

40. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image according to claim 38, further comprising the step of selecting one of said images on the display.

13. A three-dimensional input device comprising:

a light projecting device for scanning an object by projecting a detection light on said object while changing the projection direction of the detection light, said light projecting device performing a plurality of said scans;

an image sensing device for receiving the detection light projected from said light projecting means and reflected by said object, and converting the received detection like electrical signals; and

a signal processing device for amplifying said electrical signals at mutually different amplification factors for each of said plurality of scans, and generating a plurality of photoreception data corresponding to each pixel.

17. The method of measuring a three-dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of:

projecting a detection light produced by a light projecting device on an object, and receiving the detection light reflected by said object and converting said received light to electrical signals,

said object being scanned periodically by, said detection light by varying the projection angle of the light projecting device, and

a plurality of scans are consecutively executed, each of said plurality of scans encompassing a different light projection angle range.

25. A method of measuring a three-dimensional image, said method comprising the steps of:

scanning an object by projecting a detection light produced by a light projecting device on said object while changing the projection direction of the detection light;

receiving the detection light projected from said light projecting device and reflected by an object, and converting the received detection light to electrical signals;

controlling said light projecting device to sequentially execute a plurality of scans using detection light of a different intensity for each said scan in accordance with specifications defined prior to the start of operation.

36. A method of measuring a three-dimensional image, said method comprising:

scanning an object by projecting a detection light produced by a light projecting device on said object while changing the projection direction of the detection light;

receiving the detection light projected from said light projecting device and reflected by said object, and converting the received detection light into electrical signals; and

amplifying said electrical signals by mutually different amplification factors, and generating a plurality of photoreception data.