Method and apparatus for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function, subsurface scattering or a bidirectional texture function of a subject

• US 7,190,461 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York University
• Original Assignee: New York University
• Inventors: Han, Jefferson Y., Perlin, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Hwa (Andrew)
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERLINO, AMANDA H
• Application Number:
  US10/858,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20050068537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 356445-446
• US Class Current: 356/446
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/4711 Multiangle measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4795 spatially resolved investigating of object in scattering medium in vivo A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/55 Specular reflectivity

Abstract

An apparatus for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a light source for producing light. The apparatus includes means for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the subject from multiple locations simultaneously with the light. A method for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject.

Claims

1. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the measuring means includes a reflecting arrangement.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the reflecting arrangement includes a kaleidoscope.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the measuring means includes sensing means for sensing the light from the subject.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the sensing means includes a camera which receives light from the subject, the camera positioned so a path of the light from the subject and the light source are merged.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the sensing means includes a light absorbing screen which receives light from the subject.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the sensing means includes a beam splitter disposed between the camera and a light absorbing screen which allows the light from the subject to be received by both the camera and the light absorbing screen.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the light source includes a digital projector.

9. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously from more than 1 camera or more than 1 projector.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the light source is a DLP projector.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein the light source is a white light LED.

12. A method for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising the steps of:

producing light from a light source; and

measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject from multiple locations simultaneously with the light.

13. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional texture function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional texture function of the subject of multiple locations simultaneously with the light.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein the measuring means includes a reflecting arrangement.

15. An apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein the reflecting arrangement includes a kaleidoscope.

16. An apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein the measuring means includes sensing means for sensing the light from the subject.

17. An apparatus as described in claim 16 wherein the sensing means includes a camera which receives light from the subject, the camera positioned so a path of the light from the subject and the light source are merged.

18. An apparatus as described in claim 17 wherein the sensing means includes a light absorbing screen which receives light from the subject.

19. An apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein the sensing means includes a beam splitter disposed between the camera and a light absorbing screen which allows the light from the subject to be received by both the camera and the light absorbing screen.

20. An apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the light source includes a digital projector.

21. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light having no moving parts.

22. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light, the light source and measuring means together being portable and handheld.

23. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional texture function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

a measurer for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional texture function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light.

24. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

a measurer for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light.

25. An apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein the light source and measurer together being portable and handheld.

26. An apparatus for determining one or more values of a bidirectional reflectance distribution of a subject comprising:

a light source for producing light; and

means for measuring one or more values of the bidirectional reflectance distribution of multiple locations of the subject simultaneously with the light.