System and method for analysis of surface features
Disclosed is a system and method for documenting and analyzing a tire tread using a guidance dolly for use in creating a three-dimensional image file of a target object from a plurality of two-dimensional image files including: a first dolly surface adapted to enable placement of the guidance dolly into physical contact with the target object; a second dolly surface generally conforming to the shape of the first dolly surface; and a guide channel for guiding a digital imaging device along a specified path so as to acquire the plurality of two-dimensional image files of the target object.
1. A system suitable for use in monitoring observable changes to a selected surface region of a target object, said system comprising:
a digital imaging device for acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional image files of the selected surface region;
a guidance dolly, separate from the digital imaging device, for placement against the target object when the plurality of two-dimensional image files are being acquired, said guidance dolly having a first dolly surface generally conforming to the selected surface region of the target object;
a computing device for converting said plurality of two-dimensional image files into a three-dimensional image file representative of the selected surface region; and
a reference object acquired in at least one of said plurality of two-dimensional image files of the target object so as to enable correlation of image pixels between at least two, two-dimensional image files, wherein said reference object is integrated with said guidance dolly.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a light source disposed to provide uniform lighting on said selected surface region of the target object.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a light barrier disposed to block external ambient light from said selected surface region of the target object.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said guidance dolly further comprises a guide channel for guiding the digital imaging device along a specified path while acquiring the plurality of two-dimensional image files of the target object.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guidance dolly comprises:
said first dolly surface generally conforming to a selected surface region of the target object, said first dolly surface adapted to enable placement of said guidance dolly into physical contact with said selected surface region of the target object;
a second dolly surface having a shape generally conforming to the shape of said first dolly surface; and
a guide channel extending between said first dolly surface and said second dolly surface, said guide channel for guiding the digital imaging device along a specified path so as to enable the digital imaging device to acquire the plurality of two-dimensional image files of the target object.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a tire tread.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a brake pad.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a brake rotor.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a skin mole.
10. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a shoe sole.
11. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface generally conforms to a selected surface region of a person's mouth.
12. The system of claim 5 wherein said first dolly surface region generally conforms to a selected region of a car scratch.
13. A method of monitoring physical changes to a selected surface region of a target object, said method comprising the steps of:
acquiring a first plurality of digital images of the selected surface region using a guidance dolly placed into physical contact with the target object, said guidance dolly functioning to physically guide a digital imaging device along a predetermined path proximate the selected surface region, wherein the guidance dolly is separate from the digital imaging device;
converting said first plurality of two-dimensional image files into a first three-dimensional file representative of the selected surface region;
acquiring a second plurality of digital images of the selected surface region using said guidance dolly;
converting said second plurality of two-dimensional image files into a second three-dimensional file representative of the selected surface region; and
comparing and registering a first image mesh generated from said first three-dimensional file with a second image mesh generated from said second three-dimensional image file;
wherein said step of acquiring said second plurality of digital images comprises the step of placing a reference object in the field of view on the target object to establish a reference frame and wherein said reference object is integrated with said guidance dolly.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of acquiring said second plurality of digital images comprises the step of moving the digital imaging device along a guide channel disposed in said guidance dolly.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of acquiring said plurality of digital images comprises the step of generating a three-dimensional mesh in the field of view.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of acquiring said plurality of digital images comprises the steps of measuring a reference distance within said mesh and associating said mesh with real world units.