Patent ID: 6700563
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
A 3D encoder, comprising:a body comprising a plurality of pin cavities, wherein said pin cavities comprise dark inner walls; a plurality of pins, each pin slideably mounted within one of the pin cavities, wherein each pin is capable of being displaced by contact with a surface of a 3D object to be encoded, each pin comprising a contact end and a reflective end; a light measuring mechanism configured to measure an amount of light reflected to the light measuring mechanism from the reflective ends of the pins, said amount of light reflected being proportional to an amount of displacement of each of the pins; and a processor configured to receive signals from the light measuring mechanism, said signals corresponding to the amount of light reflected from each of the pins, said processor further configured to convert said signals into measurements corresponding to an amount of displacement of the pins.