Method for capturing object images for 3D representation

• US 20040227751A1
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kaidan Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kaidan Incorporated
• Inventors: Anders, James K.
• Application Number:
  US10/753,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227751A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/579 from motion
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/80 Analysis of captured images to determine intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters, i.e. camera calibration

Abstract

A method of generating a three-dimensional image of an object includes placing a video camera at a predetermined distance from the object, such that the video camera has an unobstructed view of the object, and causing the object to rotate about a central axis. A video stream of at least one revolution of the rotating object is captured with the video camera. A period of the at least one revolution of the object is determined. A predetermined number of frames of the captured video stream are selected, and a three-dimensional image of the object using the selected frames is created.

Claims

1. A method of generating a three-dimensional image of an object, the method comprising:

(a) placing a video camera at a predetermined distance from the object, such that the video camera has an unobstructed view of the object;

(b) causing the object to rotate about a central axis;

(c) capturing a video stream of at least one revolution of the rotating object with the video camera;

(d) determining a period of the at least one revolution of the object;

(e) selecting a predetermined number of frames of the captured video stream; and

(f) creating a three-dimensional image of the object using the selected frames.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the object is caused to rotate by placing the object on a rotating turntable.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the turntable is freely rotatable about the central axis.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

(g) driving the turntable by a motor controller.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(g) using pixel matching analysis to determine the period of the at least one revolution.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined number of frames are selected at predetermined intervals of the captured video stream.