Patent ID: 7697126
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: G01C,G01S,G06T

Abstract:
1. A three dimensional spatial imaging system for generating a three dimensional model of a scanned space, said system comprising: a laser rangefinder that obtains spatial data by measuring distances to a plurality of target points within the scanned space; a rotating mirror placed in a path of a laser beam emitted from the laser rangefinder, said mirror deflecting the laser beam to varying degrees as the mirror is rotated; a digital camera that obtains image data from photographs of the scanned space; a rotating head on which the laser rangefinder, mirror and camera are all mounted, said head rotating up to 360 degrees about a central axis of rotation that is substantially normal to a plane in which the head is rotated, wherein the laser rangefinder, mirror and camera are all mounted substantially on the same plane in which the head is rotated; and, a data processor that maps color information from the image data obtained by the camera to the corresponding target points of the spatial data obtained by the laser rangefinder.