Patent ID: 8860930
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: G01B,G01P,G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. A 3D surface mapping method for determining the coordinates of points on surfaces, comprising the steps of: providing a means of splitting an optical path into two optical paths; providing a first and a second means of obtaining sequential images of said surface, said first and second means of obtaining sequential images of said surface having a substantially coaxial optical path between said surface and said means of splitting an optical path and substantially non-coaxial optical paths between said means of splitting an optical path and said first and second means of obtaining sequential images; taking sequential images with said first and second means of obtaining sequential images; providing a means of computing a first optical flow between said sequential images obtained by said first means of obtaining sequential images and a second optical flow between each of said sequential images in said second means of obtaining substantially sequential images; providing a computational means for determining at least one Z-distance between said surface and said first and second means of obtaining sequential images using the ratio of said first optical flow and said second optical flow; and computing at least one Z-distance between said surface and said first and second means of obtaining sequential images.