US4594001A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detection of three-dimensional information with a projected plane of light
Assignee: Acuity CiMatrix Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-06
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2003-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An object is scanned first with a light plane from a variable-intensity light-plane projector, and the reflected light is used as signals to modify point by point the output of the projector in accordance with the intensity of the respective reflective-light signal. Thereupon the object is scanned a second time and the projector is instructed to apply less light than before to those points of the object from which a strong reflected-light signal was received during the first scan, and/or to apply more light to points from which a weak reflected-light signal was received during the first scan. In similar manner, a projected intensity encoded light volume is projected on an object and the reflected light is used as signals to point-by-point modify the output of the projector for subsequent projections.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul DiMatteo
- 👤 Joseph Ross
- 👤 Richard Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of detecting three-dimensional information, comprising the steps of: projecting a variable-intensity plane of light onto an object to be scanned; effecting a first scan by causing relative movement between said object and said plane of light; receiving light-intensity signals from said object from said plane of light; applying a second scan by causing relative movement between said object and said plane of light; and modifying the light-plane intensity during the second scan; increasing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was weak during the first scan; and reducing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was strong during the first scan.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of detecting three-dimensional information, comprising the steps of: projecting a variable-intensity plane of light onto an object to be scanned; effecting a first scan by causing relative movement between said object and said plane of light; receiving light-intensity signals from said object from said plane of light; applying a second scan by causing relative movement between said object and said plane of light; and modifying the light-plane intensity during the second scan; increasing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was weak during the first scan; and reducing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was strong during the first scan.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an arrangement for detecting three-dimensional information, a combination comprising: means for projecting a variable-intensity plane of light onto an object to be scanned; means for receiving light-intensity signals back from the object from said plane of light during a first scanning of said object; means for increasing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points of the object where the signal was weak during the first scan; and means for reducing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was strong during the first scan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an arrangement for detecting three-dimensional information, a combination comprising: means for projecting a variable-intensity plane of light onto an object to be scanned; means for receiving light-intensity signals back from the object from said plane of light during a first scanning of said object; means for increasing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points of the object where the signal was weak during the first scan; and means for reducing the light-plane intensity during the second scan at such points where the signal was strong during the first scan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said projection means comprises a variable light-intensity light plane projector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said receiving means comprises a camera; said increasing means and said reducing means comprising a control logic means connected between said camera and said projector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said receiving means comprises a camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said increasing means and said reducing means comprises control logic means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of detecting three-dimensional information, comprising the steps of: projecting a first set of intensity encoded volumes of light onto an object to be measured; receiving light intensity signals from the object; projecting a second set of intensity encoded volumes of light; reducing the light volume intensities during the second projection at such points on the object where the signals were strong beyond a predetermined level during the first projection; and increasing the light volume intensities during the second projection at such points on the object where the signals were weak below a predetermined level during the first projection.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of detecting three-dimensional information, comprising the steps of: projecting a first set of intensity encoded volumes of light onto an object to be measured; receiving light intensity signals from the object; projecting a second set of intensity encoded volumes of light; reducing the light volume intensities during the second projection at such points on the object where the signals were strong beyond a predetermined level during the first projection; and increasing the light volume intensities during the second projection at such points on the object where the signals were weak below a predetermined level during the first projection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
In an arrangement for detecting three-dimensional information, according to claim 7, a combination comprising: means for projecting intensity encoded volumes of light onto an object to be measured; means for receiving during a first projection upon the object, light intensity signals back from the object; means for reducing the intensities within each projected light volume during a subsequent second projection at such points on the object where the signal was strong beyond a predetermined level during the first projection, and for increasing the light intensity during the second projection at such points on the object where the signal was weak below a predetermined level during the first projection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said projection means comprises a variable light intensity, encoded light volume projector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiving means comprises a camera; and said modifying means comprises control logic means connected between said camera and said projector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, and a single 1ight modulator for providing both the variable light intensity and light volume encoding functions.
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) | 1989-06-09 | 1989-12-09 | 1990-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-09 | 1993-12-09 | 1994-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-09 | 1997-12-09 | 1998-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |