IP Library Granted Patent US 7,659,995
Granted Patent B2
US 7,659,995 · App. 11/283,394 · Granted Feb 9, 2010

Digitizer using plural capture methods to image features of 3-D objects

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,659,995
App. No.
11/283,394
Granted
Feb 9, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus to digitize three-dimensional objects. A projection assembly is retained in fixed relation to an imaging assembly. The projection assembly projects a fixed gradient light pattern into a focal zone of the imaging assembly. The imaging assembly integrates the illumination over time such that the fixed gradient reveals the features of the three dimensional object.

Claims (15)

1. A method comprising:

capturing a first two-dimensional image of an object;

causing a relative motion between the object and a field of view of a capturing device to expose a different aspect of the object to the capturing device;

capturing a second two-dimensional image of the object;

deriving a first three-dimensional digital representation of the object from the first and second two-dimensional images; and

creating a second three-dimensional digital representation by an alternative method.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically combining elements of the first three-dimensional digital representation with elements of the second three-dimensional digital representation to improve quality.

3. A method comprising:

capturing a first three-dimensional digital representation of a portion of an object using a first capture method;

capturing a second three-dimensional digital representation of a portion of the object using a second capture method; and

automatically combining elements from the first and second three-dimensional digital representations to improve quality.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least the first capture method uses active ranging and at least the second capture method uses passive imaging.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the capturing of the first three dimensional digital representation and the second three dimensional digital representation is performed using a same image sensing array (ISA).

6. The method of claim 3 wherein one of the capture methods is stereoscopy.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2020
From: NEXTENGINE INC.
To: NEXTPAT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 052036/0906 →
REMITTITUR FROM CA APPEAL COURT. NOTICE: ASSIGNEE IS SUBJECT TO UCC OBLIGATIONS. THIS PATENT IS COLLATERAL ON A NOTE. Recorded Jan 3, 2018
From: NEXTPAT LTD.; BIGFOOT VENTURES LTD
To: NEXTENGINE, INC
Reel/Frame 044987/0561 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 28, 2017
From: NEXTENGINE, INC
To: KNIGHTON, MARK S.
Reel/Frame 044503/0149 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2017
From: NEXTPAT LIMITED
To: NEXTENGINE INC.
Reel/Frame 044345/0964 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2008
From: NEXTENGINE, INC.
To: NEXTPAT LIMITED
Reel/Frame 021172/0588 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2008
From: BIGFOOT PRODUCTIONS, INC.
To: NEXTENGINE, INC.
Reel/Frame 021172/0676 →