Optical contour digitizer
US6205230A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/1174
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention includes both a method and apparatus for measuring the shape of a surface of an object, such as a human foot. The apparatus includes a support for holding a compliant sheet of known color and retro-reflectivity. The compliant sheet conforms to the shape of the undersurface of the foot. A scanner scans a light beam along the undersurface of the compliant sheet from a vantage point that is below the compliant sheet. A sensor detects reflected light from the undersurface of the compliant sheet and feeds corresponding light value signals to a processor. The processor analyzes the signals and determines distance values to portions of the compliant sheet. The distance values enable a contour to be derived that is representative of the undersurface of the foot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.