Method and Apparatus for Real-Time Projection onto an Object of Data Obtained from 3-D Measurement

• US 20110019155A1
• Filed: 07/24/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optimet, Optical Metrology Ltd. (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Optimet, Optical Metrology Ltd. (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paz, Freddy, Daniel, Yitzhak, Wilner, Kalman
• Granted Patent: US 8,118,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/28
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for projecting a tangible image of data characterizing an object onto a surface of the object itself. Three-dimensional measurements of the object are obtained, the measurements are processed for projection, and a tangible image is projected onto the object, the image conveying information based on the three-dimensional measurements. The image may be projected concurrently with performance of measurements. In an exemplary dental context, information derived in part from three-dimensional measurements of a tooth or replica may be projected onto the actual tooth or replica. In interactive application, a work piece is be measured during the course of fabrication, and three-dimensional information, derived from contemporaneous non-contact measurement, is projected onto the work piece in order to direct the user with the formation of the work piece.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a tangible image of metrological data on a measured object having a surface characterized by three-dimensional features, the method comprising:

a. characterizing distances from the surface of the object to a fiducial reference along a plurality of distinct lines of sight;

b. processing the distances to obtain metrological data;

c. converting the metrological data to projection format data; and

d. projecting the projection format data as a tangible image of the metrological data onto the surface of the measured object.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein converting the metrological data to projection format data accounts for the three-dimensional features of the surface of the object.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of projecting is substantially concurrent with the step of characterizing distances.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein an identical optical beam is used to illuminate the surface for characterizing distances as well as for projecting the projection format data.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising measuring a calibration object in such a manner as to derive calibration parameters for the step of converting the metrological data to projection format data.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising

a. marking the object with a light-sensitive material;

and

b. activating the light-sensitive material with light projected as part of the tangible image.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the step of marking includes marking an end line of a dental restoration.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of projecting includes projecting a design of the object onto the surface of the object.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of projecting includes projecting deviations of object measurements from a design or certain known dimension of the object.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of projecting includes projected an image in a specified color.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the object is concurrently undergoing fabrication.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising directing fabrication on the basis of the tangible image of metrological data.

13. An apparatus for displaying a tangible image of metrological data on a measured object having a surface, the apparatus comprising:

a. an optical sensor for obtaining distances to the surface of the object;

b. a processor for receiving the distances and for generating metrological data; and

c. a projector for projecting the metrological data onto the surface of the object.

14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optical sensor employs detection coaxial with illumination.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is a based on conoscopic holography.

16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optical sensor and projector are disposed within an integral housing.

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the projector includes a diffractive optical element.

18. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the projector includes a micro-electromechanical system.

19. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the optical sensor is an intraoral scanner.

20. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13, further comprising an editing tool for receiving user input to edit the projected processed data in real time.