Systems and Methods for Measuring the Shape and Location of an object
First Claim
1. A system for determining the shape of a surface of a test object, comprising:
- a first plurality of light sources disposed about a central axis, the light sources being separated from the central axis by radial distances defining an aperture in the first plurality;
a second plurality of light sources;
a detector array;
an optical system adapted to provide light from the second plurality of light sources through the aperture to a test object; and
an electronic memory comprising instructions to;
calculate a first plurality of locations on the detector array of light from at least some of the first plurality of light sources when light from the first plurality of light sources is reflected off the test object;
calculate a second plurality of locations on the detector array of light from at least some of the second plurality of light sources when light from the second plurality of light sources is reflected off the test object;
determine a shape of a surface of the test object using the first plurality of locations and the second plurality of locations; and
a processor to perform the instructions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for determining the shape of an object and/or a distance of the object from the system includes a first plurality of light source, a second plurality of light sources, and a detector or detector array. The first plurality of light sources are disposed about a central axis and are separated from the central axis by radial distances defining an aperture in the first plurality of light sources. The system also includes an optical system adapted to provide light from the second plurality of light sources through the aperture to the object. The system may further include a computer configured to determine the shape of the object and/or the distance of the object from the system using light from the first and second plurality of light sources that is reflected from the object and received by the detector.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for determining the shape of a surface of a test object, comprising:
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a first plurality of light sources disposed about a central axis, the light sources being separated from the central axis by radial distances defining an aperture in the first plurality; a second plurality of light sources; a detector array; an optical system adapted to provide light from the second plurality of light sources through the aperture to a test object; and an electronic memory comprising instructions to; calculate a first plurality of locations on the detector array of light from at least some of the first plurality of light sources when light from the first plurality of light sources is reflected off the test object; calculate a second plurality of locations on the detector array of light from at least some of the second plurality of light sources when light from the second plurality of light sources is reflected off the test object; determine a shape of a surface of the test object using the first plurality of locations and the second plurality of locations; and a processor to perform the instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for measuring a distance of a test object from the system, comprising:
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a first light source and a second light source; a detector array configured to receive light from the first and second light sources; wherein, when a test object is disposed to reflect light from the first and second light sources, (1) light from the first light source reflects off the test object, passes a first time through the optical element, and is received by the detector array, and (2) light from the second light source passes a first time through the optical element, reflects off the test object, passes a second time through the optical element, and is received by the detector array; wherein the first light source, second light source, and the detector array are disposed for calculating a distance of the test object from the system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of determining a distance of a test object from the system, comprising:
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providing a system including a first light source, a second light source, an optical element, and a detector array; disposing a test object so that light from the first and second light sources is reflected off the test object; passing light from the second light source a first time through the optical element, reflecting light off the test object, and passing the reflected light a second time through the optical element; reflecting light from the first light source off the test object, passing the reflected light from the first light source a first time through the optical element; receiving light from the first and second light sources at the detector array; calculating a distance of the test object from the system using the received light from the first and second light sources at the detector array.
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25. A system for measuring a distance of a test object from the system, comprising:
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a first light source and a second light source; a detector array configured to receive light from the first and second light sources; wherein, when a surface of a test object is illuminated by light from the first and second light sources, (1) the first light source produces a signal at the detector array that depends on a shape of the surface of the test object and on a distance of the test object from the system, and (2) the second light source produces a signal at the detector array that depends on a shape of the surface of the test object and that does not depend on a distance of the test object from the system; wherein the first light source, second light source, and the detector array are disposed for calculating a distance of the test object from the system. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27-35. -35. (canceled)
Specification