Surface extraction from a three-dimensional data set
USH1530H · kind H · statutory invention registration
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | — |
| Grant date | May 7, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | — |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC —)General
Abstract
Surface image data representing a three-dimensional surface is extracted from a three-dimensional set of data representing characteristics of a volume in space (volumetric data) that encompasses the surface of an object, so that the surface image data can be used to display the surface. The volumetric data can comprise any data set in which comparisons between data can be used to ascertain points on a surface. In one embodiment of the invention, each of the pieces of volumetric data represents the intensity of light reflected in a particular direction from a point in space on or near the surface of an object. For example, the light intensity data can represent the intensity of laser light reflected back through an optical path of a laser imaging system after the laser light has been directed toward the surface of an object such as a semiconductor wafer. The surface image data can be used to generate a three-dimensional display of the surface, or portions of the surface image data can be used to generate surface profiles or contours. Additionally, the surface image data can be used to generate a surface light intensity map.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.