Patent ID: 7196777
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method for determining at least one configurative characteristic of a surface, said method comprising: emitting at least one pair of intersecting light beams, each said light beam being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to a geometric normal to the geometric plane generally defined by said surface, each said light beam being scattered by said surface at a corresponding surface location, each said pair of intersecting said light beams striking said surface so that the corresponding said oblique angles are equal and oppositely disposed; generating a photographic image, said photographic image containing at least two photographic forms, each said photographic form being associated with the scattering of a corresponding said light beam by said surface; measuring at least one pair of separations, each said separation being between a photographic form and a corresponding photographic reference location in said photographic image, each said separation of said pair of separations being between a said photographic form and the same said reference location, each said photographic form being associated with the scattering of one of a said pair of intersecting said light beams; and calculating at least one pair of distances, each said distance being between a said surface location and a corresponding geometric reference location in a direction normal to said geometric plane generally defined by said surface, said calculating of each said distance including trigonometrically relating a said oblique angle and a said separation, each said distance being associated with the scattering of one of a said pair of intersecting said light beams.