Patent ID: 7446885

Claim:
A device for measuring in three dimensions a topographical shape of an object, said device comprising an arrayed confocal imaging system having a light source provided for illuminating said object and a light path diverging optical element, provided for diverging a path of illuminating light output by said light source and a path of reflected light reflected by said object, said confocal imaging system further comprises a confocal topographical mask provided for converting illuminating light coming out from said light path diverging optical element into an array of small spots, said confocal imaging system further comprises a confocal objective provided for orienting said illuminating light towards said object and said reflected light towards said confocal topographical mask in order to form a confocal image, said device further comprises a photoelectric sensor member provided to receive said reflected light having passed said confocal topographical mask and deflected by said light path diverging optical element and to convert the latter light into an intensity value, said device comprising also a scanning member on which said confocal topographical mask is mounted, said scanning member being provided for moving said confocal topographical mask over successive positions over a predetermined distance in order to modify a relative distance in a predetermined direction between said object and the object-position-in-focus, said device further comprises an image processor connected to said photoelectric sensor member and provided for forming a confocal response signal and calculating said object shape from said confocal images acquired at different relative distances in said predetermined direction between said object and the object-position-in-focus by said photoelectric sensor member, said confocal objective being provided for mapping at successive object-position-in-focus said array of small spots output at said successive positions, characterised in that said confocal objective is a 3D confocal objective mounted at a fixed position within said device.