Patent ID: 6611617
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
Scanning apparatus for scanning an object to generate three-dimensional data, comprising:a scanner mounted on a multiply-jointed arm for movement by an operator to scan the object to capture data from a plurality of points on the surface of the object, the scanner comprising: a light source operable to emit light onto the object surface; and a light detector operable to detect light reflected from the object surface by recording reflected light at recording times defined by a synchronization signal; a position calculator for calculating the position of the multiply-jointed arm, and outputting position data defining the position in response to a trigger pulse; a trigger pulse generator for receiving the synchronization signal for the light detector defining the recording times thereof, and, in response thereto, generating and outputting trigger pulses to the position calculator to cause the position calculator to output position data for each of at least some of the recordings by the light detector; and a three dimensional data generator for receiving recorded data output by the light detector and associated position data output from the position calculator, and for processing the data to generate three-dimensional data relating to the object.