Device and method for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects

• US 8,164,625 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MODI Modular Digits GmbH
• Original Assignee: MODI Modular Digits GmbH
• Inventors: Klawunder, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): WINDER, PATRICE L
• Application Number:
  US11/922,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20100118121A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,129 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/125
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/8806 Specially adapted optical and illumination features

Abstract

A device for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects, which comprises a camera for recording images of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional object and which is provided with, can be connected to or is connected to at least one evaluation unit for evaluating the recorded images. A single camera and at least one adjustable or pivotal mirror element are provided. According to the method for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects while using a device of the aforementioned type, a camera and at least one adjustable mirror element are arranged relative to one another so that the objects to be recorded are situated in the coverage area of the at least one mirror element. The adjustable mirror element for recording the objects to be recorded is displaced or pivoted about one or two axes with an adjustable velocity. The camera records the objects projected in the at least one mirror element, and the recorded objects are routed from the camera to an evaluation unit for evaluation and are processed.

Claims

1. A device for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects, which comprises:

one single camera provided as positionally fixed for recording images of the two-dimensional or three-dimensional object and provided with or connectable or connected to at least one analysis unit for analyzing the recorded images, and only one mirror element is provided and is adjustable or pivotable around at least two axes by an adjustment or pivoting unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein an activation unit is provided for the adjustment or pivoting unit for activating the adjustment or pivoting unit for the mirror element using a predefinable or predefined program.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment or pivoting unit comprises at least one unit for adjusting or pivoting the mirror element around a x axis and at least one unit for adjusting or pivoting the mirror element around a y axis, the units being provided separately from one another or in combination with one another.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the x axis adjustment or pivoting unit for adjusting or pivoting the mirror element around the x axis and/or the y axis adjustment or pivoting unit for adjusting the mirror element around the y axis is or are drivable or driven by motor, hydraulically, pneumatically, magnetically, by temperature changes, or by another type of a drive unit.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is oriented essentially in a horizontal position approximately parallel to the surface of the object to be recorded.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an analog or digital camera having imaging optics.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein a focusing or aperture adjustment unit or a combination thereof, which may be actuated manually or by a motor, is provided in the area of the imaging optics of the camera.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein multiple devices are provided, at least one of which comprises one single camera and at least one mirror element assigned thereto.

9. The device according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein an illumination unit is provided in an area of the camera.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the illumination unit is annular and encloses an objective of the camera.

11. The device according to claim 3, wherein a z axis adjustment unit is provided for adjusting the mirror element in the z direction to move the mirror element towards and away from the object to be recorded.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit comprises at least one unit for compensating for perspective distortions.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the precision of the recording is at least 1/100 mm, in particular 1/1000 mm.

13. A method for visually recording two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects using a device, comprising the steps of:

situating a fixed position camera and only one mirror element of the device that is adjustable around at least two axes in relation to one another in such a way that the objects to be recorded are situated in a recording area of the one mirror element,

adjusting or pivoting the adjustable mirror element around one or two axes at an adjustable speed to record the objects to be recorded, wherein the camera records the objects imaged in the one mirror element, and

relaying the recorded objects from the camera to an analysis unit for analysis and processing the recorded objects.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment or pivoting of the at least one mirror element occurs at a high speed of at least 20 objects per second.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the adjustment or pivoting of the at least one mirror element occurs at a speed of 50 objects per second.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the object recording step for recording the object(s) to be recorded occurs at regular or irregular time intervals, and in particular is adaptable or adapted to the frequency of a change of the objects to be recorded.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein upon recognizing a positioning of the objects to be read out or recorded which is unknown, an object recognition step is performed before the object recording step.

19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of recording flaws on substrates with the device.

20. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of monitoring buildings or rooms with the device.

21. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of checking a printed image, checking completeness of constructed or produced products, checking a connection point, checking a weld seam, inspecting a surface, or checking the correctness of other features of a product with the device.

22. The method according to claim 13, further comprising measuring objects, components or parts of objects, openings, holes, punches, or other object parts with the device.