Signals having indications useful in defining the location of an object surface point in space are generated from a two-dimensional record encoded in accordance with an object surface irradiating succession to provide information additional to record-contained x, y positional coordinate data for the surface point. In a preferred practice, adjacent portions of an object are successively irradiated and a corresponding series of photographic records is made. For each object surface point of interest in the records, a signal is generated having x, y positional coordinate data for such point and having further content indicating the order in the record succession of those records including such point.
A plurality of projectors are positioned in spaced relationship about an object with a surface to be geometrically analyzed. The projectors have cooperating masks which project onto the object illuminated patterns that subdivide the object into predetermined sections. Each mask has a predetermined pattern of sections, and is applied in sequence. The masks are cooperatively advanced in the projectors, with a separate illuminating pattern prevailing on the object each time that the masks are advanced. The combinations of the patterns on the masks define closely-spaced sections subdividing the object. The patterns are coded so that each section is uniquely defined in coded form. Cameras having the entire object within their field of view, photograph the object each time a separate mask is applied. To sense sections of the surface independent of the reflectance characteristics of the surface, the projectors direct two separate illuminating signals at the object surface. The two illuminating signals are inversely related to each other, and after they are recorded by the cameras, the recorded signals are subtracted from each other to result in a waveform having points at which the subtraction yields zero values. These points are then used to define the projection field.
The spatial locations of points defining a specular surface are determined by disposing the specular surface in the field of view of a lens and by using the specular surface to view by reflection an irradiated reference surface disposed successively in different positions. Reference surface indicia viewed in common line of sight relation to each specular surface point in such different positions of the reference surface are identified. Radiant energy reflected by a specular surface point through the lens node and the location of the lens node defines a further line in space. The intersection of this further line and such line of sight defines the spatial location of such specular surface point. Photographic records made with the reference surface in such different positions contain representations of reflected radiant energy for all specular surface points in the field of view of the lens and in line of sight relation to the reference surface.
Short light pulses are emitted and images of the reflection from objects are received; the receiving is timed and synchronized to obtain partial images corresponding to reflection from particular ranges; the partial images are then combined in a composite range image.
A shape measuring apparatus is disclosed. It comprises a pattern portion having a pattern in which pattern elements are arranged in the pitch width direction according to a predetermined rule so that a plurality of N codes can be distinguished with respect to one another; a projecting portion having a moving portion for moving the pattern in the pitch width direction according to a rule and projection optical system for projecting the pattern onto an object to be measured; a detecting portion for detecting a first detection data and a second detection data by measuring a surface information of the object to be measured on which the pattern is projected from two different directions every time the pattern is moved by the moving portion; an extracting portion for extracting a first position data and a second position data corresponding to a point position of the object to be measured from the first and second detection data respectively; and a calculating portion for calculating a coordinate of the point position corresponding to the first position data of the object to be measured from the first position data and the second position data.
A recorder has plural spaced radiant energy issuing locations juxtaposed with an expanse of a recording medium. Upon exposure of the medium, it is advanced relative to the locations by an amount fractionally related to the spacing of the locations and is again exposed. The practice is repeated with the cumulative recording medium advance being no more than the spacing of the locations whereby a single film frame accommodates plural exposures. The radiant energy issuing locations may be defined by slots in a grating member juxtaposed with the recording medium in a lens field of view.
