A confocal measuring apparatus serves for 3D measurement of an object surface. The measuring apparatus has a light source for measuring light, a lens array having a plurality of array lenses, a chromatic telescope, multiplexer optics, collimation optics and spatially resolved detection device. The chromatic telescope images an object plane into an arrangement plane of the lens array. The multiplexer optics is arranged at a distance of a total of a focal length of the array lenses on the one hand and a focal length of the multiplexer optics, downstream of the lens array. A single pinhole aperture is arranged at a distance of the focal length of the multiplexer optics. The collimation optics is arranged downstream of the pinhole aperture. A confocal measuring apparatus results, which has a simplified design and at the same time a high measurement throughput.

A confocal measuring apparatus serves for 3D measurement of an object surface. The measuring apparatus has a light source for measuring light, a lens array having a plurality of array lenses, a chromatic telescope, multiplexer optics, collimation optics and spatially resolved detection device. The chromatic telescope images an object plane into an arrangement plane of the lens array. The multiplexer optics is arranged at a distance of a total of a focal length of the array lenses on the one hand and a focal length of the multiplexer optics, downstream of the lens array. A single pinhole aperture is arranged at a distance of the focal length of the multiplexer optics. The collimation optics is arranged downstream of the pinhole aperture. A confocal measuring apparatus results, which has a simplified design and at the same time a high measurement throughput.

A parts supply device includes a stage having a placement surface on which a plurality of parts is placed, an imaging system configured to image the plurality of parts from an obliquely upward direction with respect to the placement surface of the stage, and a parts detection unit configured to detect positions and orientations of the plurality of parts on the placement surface of the stage based on image information obtained by the imaging system.

A parts supply device includes a stage having a placement surface on which a plurality of parts is placed, an imaging system configured to image the plurality of parts from an obliquely upward direction with respect to the placement surface of the stage, and a parts detection unit configured to detect positions and orientations of the plurality of parts on the placement surface of the stage based on image information obtained by the imaging system.

A surface estimation method includes a region-setting step and an estimation step. In the region-setting step, a reference region that is one of a three-dimensional region and a two-dimensional region is set. The three-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in a three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional space includes three-dimensional coordinates of three or more points on a subject calculated on the basis of a two-dimensional image of the subject. The three-dimensional coordinates of the three or more points are included in three-dimensional image data. The two-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in the two-dimensional image. In the estimation step, a reference surface that approximates a surface of the subject is estimated on the basis of three or more points of the three-dimensional image data corresponding to the three or more points included in the reference region.

A surface estimation method includes a region-setting step and an estimation step. In the region-setting step, a reference region that is one of a three-dimensional region and a two-dimensional region is set. The three-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in a three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional space includes three-dimensional coordinates of three or more points on a subject calculated on the basis of a two-dimensional image of the subject. The three-dimensional coordinates of the three or more points are included in three-dimensional image data. The two-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in the two-dimensional image. In the estimation step, a reference surface that approximates a surface of the subject is estimated on the basis of three or more points of the three-dimensional image data corresponding to the three or more points included in the reference region.

An optical probe includes an optical housing, a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The optical housing extends from a proximate end to an opposing distal end. The transmitting lens is disposed at the distal end and is configured to output a first transmitted signal beams having a first transmission axis and a second transmitted beam having a second transmission axis that is different from the first transmission axis. The receiving lens is disposed at the distal end and configured to receive the first and second reflected signal beams corresponding respectively to the first and second transmitted signal beams. The optical housing has formed therein a transmitting optical channel configured to communicate an input optical signal from the proximate end to the transmitting lens. A receiving optical channel separated from the transmitting optical channel communicates the first and second reflected signal beams to the proximate end.

An optical probe includes an optical housing, a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The optical housing extends from a proximate end to an opposing distal end. The transmitting lens is disposed at the distal end and is configured to output a first transmitted signal beams having a first transmission axis and a second transmitted beam having a second transmission axis that is different from the first transmission axis. The receiving lens is disposed at the distal end and configured to receive the first and second reflected signal beams corresponding respectively to the first and second transmitted signal beams. The optical housing has formed therein a transmitting optical channel configured to communicate an input optical signal from the proximate end to the transmitting lens. A receiving optical channel separated from the transmitting optical channel communicates the first and second reflected signal beams to the proximate end.

An intraoral scanner comprises a light source, a moveable opto-mechanical module, an axial actuator, and an image sensor. The light source is configured to generate light that is to be output onto an object external to the intraoral scanner. The moveable opto-mechanical module comprises integrated projection/imaging optics and an exit pupil, the projection/imaging optics having an optical axis, wherein the projection/imaging optics are entirely integrated into the moveable opto-mechanical module. The axial actuator is coupled to the projection/imaging optics and configured to move the moveable opto-mechanical module comprising an entirety of the projection/imaging optics in the optical axis to achieve a plurality of focus settings. The image sensor is configured to receive reflected light that has been reflected off of the object external to the intraoral scanner for the plurality of focus settings.

An intraoral scanner comprises a light source, a moveable opto-mechanical module, an axial actuator, and an image sensor. The light source is configured to generate light that is to be output onto an object external to the intraoral scanner. The moveable opto-mechanical module comprises integrated projection/imaging optics and an exit pupil, the projection/imaging optics having an optical axis, wherein the projection/imaging optics are entirely integrated into the moveable opto-mechanical module. The axial actuator is coupled to the projection/imaging optics and configured to move the moveable opto-mechanical module comprising an entirety of the projection/imaging optics in the optical axis to achieve a plurality of focus settings. The image sensor is configured to receive reflected light that has been reflected off of the object external to the intraoral scanner for the plurality of focus settings.