Patent ID: 7508529
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: G01B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A measuring probe for measuring the dimensions of a workpiece, the probe comprising: at least one camera; a structured light projection portion; a beam producing element that produces a light beam; a beam modifying element comprising a first portion and a second portion, and a beam modifying element mover arranged to move the beam modifying element such that the light beam may be input to the first and second portions; wherein: the beam modifying element mover is operable to position the first portion of the beam modifying element to input the light beam during a first time period; during the first time period the light beam is output from the first portion as diffused illumination along a first beam path, is patterned by the structured light projection portion, and is projected as a structured light pattern in a structured light image range that is a first distance range relative to the measuring probe; the beam modifying element mover is operable to position the second portion of the beam modifying element to input the light beam during a second time period; during the second time period the light beam is output from the second portion as concentrated illumination along a second beam path that extends through a range finding image range that is a second distance range relative to the measuring probe; during the first time period at least one camera is operable to image the structured light pattern on a workpiece surface in the structured light image range to provide surface measurement data within the first distance range relative to the probe; and during the second time period at least one camera is operable to image the concentrated illumination on a surface in the range finding image range to provide surface measurement data within the second distance range relative to the probe, wherein the second distance range includes distances farther from the probe than the first distance range.