Patent US4286852A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4286852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Recording images of a three-dimensional surface by focusing on a plane of light irradiating the surface
Assignee: Acuity CiMatrix Inc
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Filing: 1980-08-06
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Granted: 1981-09-01
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Expires: 2000-08-06
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement in which a three-dimensional surface is copied by recording images of planar sections of the surface. The surface is subdivided into the sections, and the sections are illuminated in sequence by a projector which directs a plane of light against the surface. A camera spaced from the projector records the intersection of the illuminating plane with the surface. By recording sections in sequence with the camera, the entire surface may be covered. The camera is focused on the illuminating plane in the region about the object surface. The recorded information is stored in a computer and used as a guide to repeat the procedure with a thinner plane of light for the purpose of obtaining increased accuracy of the final data.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard Stern
- 👤 Paul DiMatteo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; G03B29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for recording surface characteristics of an object, comprising: generating a first plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said first plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially first planar section defined by the intersection of said first plane of energy and said surface; arranging a lens plane and a film plane of a camera so that said first plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line; focusing said camera on said first plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded; recording the surface characteristics of said object on said first planar section as viewed by said camera; generating a second plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said second plane against said surface for irradiating said surface in a substantially second planar section defined by the intersection of said second plane and said surface, said second planar section having a thickness substantially less than said first planar section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for recording surface characteristics of an object, comprising: generating a first plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said first plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially first planar section defined by the intersection of said first plane of energy and said surface; arranging a lens plane and a film plane of a camera so that said first plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line; focusing said camera on said first plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded; recording the surface characteristics of said object on said first planar section as viewed by said camera; generating a second plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said second plane against said surface for irradiating said surface in a substantially second planar section defined by the intersection of said second plane and said surface, said second planar section having a thickness substantially less than said first planar section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said camera has an optical axis forming an angle of substantially less than 90° with said plane of electromagnetic energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said surface to be recorded has an irregular contour with portions not viewable by an auxiliary camera having an optical axis directed substantially perpendicular to said plane of electromagnetic energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said lens plane and said film plane are angularly disposed relative to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said lens plane is orthogonal to the line of sight directed to the center of a portion of said plane of energy about the surface to be recorded for minimizing lens aberrations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said camera remains focused for substantially all points on the surface to be recorded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said surface to be recorded and said plane of energy are moved relative to each other in increments, said surface being subdivided into a plurality of increments, said increments being irradiated in sequence by said plane of electromagnetic energy, so that the characteristics of said surface are recorded by recording in sequence all of said increments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
An arrangement for carrying out the method as defined in claim 1, comprising: means for generating a plane of electromagnetic energy and directing said plane of electromagnetic energy against a surface to be recorded for irradiating said surface in a substantially planar section defined by the intersection of said plane of energy and said surface; camera means having a lens plane and a film plane arranged so that said plane of energy, said lens plane and said film plane all intersect in a common line; said camera means being focused on said plane of electromagnetic energy in a region about said surface to be recorded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said camera means has an optical axis forming an angle of substantially less than 90° with said plane of electromagnetic energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said lens plane and said film plane are angularly disposed relative to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said surface to be recorded has an irregular shape with areas not viewable by an auxiliary camera having an optical axis directed substantially perpendicular to said plane of electromagnetic energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8, including a wedge-shaped coherent fiber optic bundle located between said lens plane and said film plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein said lens plane is parallel to said film plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said camera means remains in focus for substantially all points on the surface to be recorded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 14, wherein said surface to be recorded is moved relative to said plane of electromagnetic energy in increments, said surface being subdivided in increments so that said surface is recorded by irradiating and viewing all increments in sequence.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |