Method and apparatus for determining the shape, distance and orientation of an object
US7841719B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/2441
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of determining the external three dimensional external contour of a curved object in one step, which produces and processes a single composite en-face OCT image (a C-scan), which involves generating and processing a set of two dimensional image contours of the object in different image planes using a plurality of optical path lengths in an OCT system with all such contours present in the composite en-face OCT image. The multiple path lengths are generated using a multiple delay element in bulk or in fiber inserted in the path from the source to the OCT system or in one of the OCT arms. The image planes have a known spatial relationship with each other. The three dimensional external contour of the curved object is computed from the two dimensional contours in the composite en-face OCT image and the known spatial relationship between the image planes. Axial position and tilt of a sample are evaluated using an optimum shape object attached to the sample in one step, by processing a s composite en-face OCT image generated by using a plurality of optical path delays.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.