Method and apparatus for high resolution 3D scanning

• US 20030160970A1
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telephotogenics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Telephotogenics Incorporated
• Inventors: Cheng, Irene, Basu, Anup
• Application Number:
  US10/253,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20030160970A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/601
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2518 Projection by scanning of the object

Abstract

A method and apparatus for fast high resolution 3D scanning of objects possibly with holes in them includes providing an imaging device, at least one laser pattern projector, sensors adapted to sense a position on an object of a laser pattern projected by the laser pattern projector, sensors adapted to sense the exact identity of the laser patterns that did not fall on the object being scanned, and multiple independent imaging systems coupled with light interference eliminators designed for simultaneously scanning depth and texture data on a 3D object. A computer processor is provided which is adapted to receive from the imaging device a scanned image of an object and adapted to receive from the sensors data regarding the position on the object of the laser pattern projected by the laser pattern projector. The computer processor integrates and registers data from one or more independent imaging systems and sensors to create a high resolution 3D image with accurate depth and texture details.

Claims

1. A method for high resolution 3D scanning, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one tri-linear imaging device;

providing a registration method for the images acquired with a tri-linear device that depends on the computed depth;

providing at least one light pattern projector adapted to project a light pattern with high definition;

providing at least one sensor arranged to sense a position on an object of the light pattern projected by the light pattern projector;

providing a light receiving sensor to sense light patterns that fall next to an object being scanned;

providing a computer processor and linking said computer processor to said imaging device and said sensors;

scanning an object with said at least one imaging device to provide a scanned image;

focusing said at least one light pattern projector upon said object at an angle relative to said imaging device;

transmitting said scanned image from said imaging device to said computer processor and having said computer processor integrate and register data from one or more independent imaging systems and sensors to create a high resolution 3D image with accurate depth and texture details.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, including the further step of:

precisely rotating said object.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, including the further step of:

coupling said at least one light pattern projector with said imaging device to form a single body; and

precisely rotating said body.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, at least one of the light pattern projectors comprising a laser.

5. A method for high resolution 3D scanning, comprising the steps of:

providing at least two independent imaging devices and associated light sources or light pattern projectors;

providing one or more light interference eliminators designed to eliminate interference between independent light sources or light pattern projectors;

providing a computer processor and linking the computer processor to said imaging device, said sensors and said rotation device;

scanning an object with said at least two imaging devices to provide a scanned image comprising depth and texture;

transmitting said scanned images from said imaging device to said computer processor and having said computer processor integrate and register data from one or more of said independent imaging systems and sensors to create a high resolution 3D image with accurate depth and texture details.

6. The method as defined in claim 5, including the further step of:

precisely rotating the object.

7. The method as defined in claim 5, including the further step of:

coupling said at least one light pattern projector with said imaging device to form a single body; and

precisely rotating the body.

8. The method as defined in claim 5, where one or more light pattern projectors being laser pattern projectors.

9. The method as defined in claim 5, where one of said independent imaging devices comprise tri-linear or 3 CCD based imaging devices along with method for accurately registering texture from these devices.

10. A method for high resolution 3D scanning, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one imaging devices and associated light sources or light pattern projectors;

providing sensors adapted to sense a position on an object of laser patterns projected by said at least one light pattern projector;

providing sensors adapted to sense said light patterns that fall elsewhere than on an object being scanned;

providing a computer processor and linking said computer processor to said imaging device, said sensors and said rotation device;

positioning an object on said rotation device and rotating said object;

scanning an object with at least one imaging device to provide a scanned image comprising depth and texture;

transmitting said scanned images from said imaging device to said computer processor and having said computer processor integrate and register data from one or more of said independent imaging systems and sensors to create a high resolution 3D image with accurate depth and texture details.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, including the further step of:

precisely rotating the object.

12. The method as defined in claim 10, including the further step of:

coupling said at least one light pattern projector with said imaging device to form a single body and precisely rotating said body.

13. The method as defined in claim 10, where one or more light pattern projectors being laser pattern projectors.

14. The method as defined in claim 10, where one or independent imaging devices comprising tri-linear or 3 CCD based imaging devices along with method for accurately registering texture from these devices.

15. A method for high resolution 3D scanning, comprising the steps of:

providing at least two independent imaging devices and associated light sources or light pattern projectors;

providing one or more light interference eliminators designed to eliminate interference between independent light sources or light pattern projectors;

providing sensors adapted to sense a position on an object of laser patterns projected by the at least one light pattern projector;

providing sensors adapted to sense the light patterns that do not fall on an object being scanned;

providing a computer processor and linking said computer processor to said imaging device, said sensors and said rotation device;

scanning said object with said at least two imaging devices to provide a scanned image comprising depth and texture;

transmitting said scanned images from said imaging device to said computer processor and having said computer processor integrate and register data from one or more independent imaging systems and sensors to create a high resolution 3D image with accurate depth and texture details.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, including the further step of:

precisely rotating the object.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, including the further step of:

coupling said at least one light pattern projector with said imaging device to form a single body and precisely rotating said body.

18. The method as defined in claim 15, including the further step of:

coupling said at least one light pattern projector and said at least one light interference eliminators with said imaging devices and said sensors to form a single body and precisely rotating said body.

19. The method as defined in claim 15, where one or more light pattern projectors being laser pattern projectors.

20. The method as defined in claim 15, where one or independent imaging devices being tri-linear or 3 CCD based imaging devices along with method for accurately registering texture from these devices.