Highly accurate three-dimensional surface digitizing system and methods
US6052190A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/36
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A distance-measuring system includes a light source for transmitting a beam of light to a target, thereby generating a received beam. A calibration unit periodically calibrates the system by positioning a calibration target between the light source and the target so that the transmitted beam is interrupted, thereby generating a received calibration beam. The calibration unit also generates a calibration signal which is indicative of when the calibration target is generating the received calibration beam. A target sensor receives the reflected target and calibration beams and provides a target signal indicative of the reflected target and calibration beams. A reference sensor receives light from the light source and provides a reference signal to the processing circuitry. Processing circuitry receives the calibration, target, and reference signals and calculates the distance to the target based upon the target and reference signals and/or calibrates the system based upon the calibration signal. The processing circuitry may provide data based upon the calibration and target signals to a computer for distance calculations and calibration. A beam splitter may be provided between the li…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.