Patent ID: 7196730
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: G01B,G01S,G06T

Abstract:
1. A data acquisition apparatus for scanning a surface to record digital images thereof and to record data for determining three-dimensional coordinates thereof, said apparatus comprising: at least one camera for recording said digital images of said surface, said camera having an optical axis; at least two lasers for marking points in said digital images for determining said three dimensional coordinates of said surface, said lasers having optical axes, said optical axes of said camera and said lasers being essentially parallel; an essentially horizontal rail for mounting said camera and said lasers, said camera being mounted between said lasers, and said rail having means for horizontally shifting said camera and said lasers along said rail, the positions of said lasers being adjustable relative to the camera, via said means for horizontally shifting said camera and said lasers, depending on the scale of the surface to be recorded; at least one essentially vertical post attached to said rail by means for rotating and horizontally shifting said rail, said post having means for vertically shifting said rail; at least one movable platform for mounting said posts and for positioning said camera and said lasers proximate to said surface; and, data acquisition equipment for adjusting said platforms, said posts, said rail, said camera, and said lasers; for recording position data for said platforms, said posts, said rail, said camera, and said lasers; and, for recording said digital images.