METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTION OF DATA USEFUL FOR GEOMETRIC MODELING
First Claim
1. A method for collecting data for geometric modeling of a physical object which comprises:
- providing a first housing;
providing an aperture in the first housing;
providing a source of light within the housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture;
providing a video recorder in a second housing;
providing a rigid follower dimensioned and configured for following the surface of the physical object;
rigidly fixing the rigid follower to one of said housings; and
translating the follower along the surface of the physical object and simultaneously using the video recorder to video record the path of the aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for collecting data for geometric modeling of a physical object which includes: providing a first housing; providing an aperture in the first housing; providing a source of light within the housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; providing a video recorder in a second housing; providing a rigid follower dimensioned and configured for following the surface of the physical object; rigidly fixing the rigid follower to one of the housings; and translating the follower along the surface of the physical object and simultaneously using the video recorder to video record the path of the aperture. Other embodiments of the present invention also include a method for guiding a tool. Still other embodiments of the present invention include a method for replicating a part.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for collecting data for geometric modeling of a physical object which comprises:
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providing a first housing; providing an aperture in the first housing; providing a source of light within the housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; providing a video recorder in a second housing; providing a rigid follower dimensioned and configured for following the surface of the physical object; rigidly fixing the rigid follower to one of said housings; and translating the follower along the surface of the physical object and simultaneously using the video recorder to video record the path of the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for collecting data for geometric modeling of a physical object in cooperation with an associated video recorder in a housing and which comprises:
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a first housing having an aperture in the housing; a source of light within said housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; and a rigid follower dimensioned and configured for following the surface of the physical object fixed to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for guiding a tool which comprises:
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providing a first housing; providing an aperture in the first housing; providing a source of light within the first housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; fixing the first housing to an associated tool; providing a video recorder in a second housing; video recording the light visible through the aperture as the tool is moved with respect to an object.
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23. A method for replicating a part which comprises:
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providing a first housing; providing an aperture in the first housing; providing a source of light within the housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; providing a video recorder in a second housing; providing a rigid follower dimensioned and configured for following the surface of the physical object; and rigidly fixing the rigid follower to one of said housings; and translating the follower along the surface of the physical object and simultaneously using the video recorder to video record the path of the light visible at the aperture as well as providing a third housing; providing an aperture in the third housing; providing a source of light within the third housing that is strong enough to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; fixing the third housing to an associated tool; providing a video recorder; video recording the light visible through the aperture in the third housing as the tool is moved with respect to an object.
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24. A method for guiding a tool with respect to a work piece which comprises:
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providing a first housing; providing an aperture in the first housing; providing a source of light within the housing that is sufficiently strong to be perceptible in the ambient conditions at the aperture; providing a video recorder in a second housing; fixing one of said housings to the tool; fixing the other of said housings in fixed relation to the work piece; moving the tool with respect to the work piece; video recording the aperture; and utilizing the video recording to guide the tool with respect to work piece.
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25. The method as described in claim 25 further including the step of rigidly fixing a rigid follower to one of said housings.
Specification