Optical Marker to Adjust the Turntable of a 3D Body Scanner

Abstract

A 3D body scanner for generating a 3-D body model includes a turntable configured and disposed for carrying a body that is to be scanned. The 3D body scanner includes a light emitter that is configured and disposed for projecting an optical marker indicating where the turntable should be situated in relation to the 3D body scanner. The 3D body scanner includes a diffuser, a feedback device and a wireless interface.

Claims

1. 3D body scanner for generating a 3D body model comprising: a first part that includes a scanner for scanning a body; a turntable that is spaced apart from the first part and configured for carrying the body that is to be scanned; and a light emitter carried by the first part and configured and disposed for projecting an optical marker indicating to a user where the turntable has to be placed in order to position the body for scanning by the scanner.

2. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the optical marker indicates a distance, angle and/or orientation of the turntable relative to the first part.

3. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the turntable is configured to rotate about a center point of rotation, and wherein the optical marker is configured to indicate the center point of rotation.

4. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the optical marker is a projected pattern.

5. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter emits a light cone.

6. 3D body scanner according to claim 4, wherein the light emitter comprises a mask that is configured to generate the projected pattern.

7. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a laser or LED.

8. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical detector, a feedback device and a wireless interface connecting the optical detector and the feedback device for providing a feedback signal when the turntable is placed relative to the first part with a predetermined accuracy.

9. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the turntable comprises an optical detector, which is arranged in a target adjustment area of the turntable.

10. 3D body scanner according to claim 9, wherein the target adjustment area is a target adjustment point, target adjustment circle and/or target adjustment pattern.

11. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the optical detector detects the emitted light of the light emitter, when the turntable is placed relative to the first part with predetermined accuracy.

12. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the first part is a mast.

13. 3D body scanner according to claim 1, wherein the first part includes at least one depth sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] Additional advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. The drawings show in:

[0073] FIG. 1 a 3D body scanner for generating a 3D body model with a first exemplary embodiment of a projected pattern,

[0074] FIG. 2 a 3D body scanner for generating a 3D body model with a second exemplary embodiment of a projected pattern and

[0075] FIG. 3 a 3D body scanner for generating a 3D body model with a third exemplary embodiment of a projected pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0076] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a 3D body scanner for generating a 3D body model. The 3D body scanner comprises a turntable 1 as a first part for turning around a body to be scanned. The turntable 1 is motor driven. Further, the 3D body scanner comprises a second part 2 for scanning the body. The second part 2 is formed as a mast that includes a mirror 6. For scanning the body placed on the turntable 1, the second part 2 comprises at least one depth sensor 7. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the second part 2 comprises two depth sensors 7. Each of the two depth sensors 7 is placed at a different height with respect to each other.

[0077] The turntable 1 is separated from the second part 2. The 3D body scanner with separated turntable 1 and second part 2, in the particular embodiment a mast, is shown in different exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Because of the separation, the relative position between the turntable 1 and the second part 2 is not fixed, but rather is variable.

[0078] The turntable 1 has to be placed in a certain position with respect to the second part 2, in the particular embodiment with respect to the mast. Therefore, the second part 2 comprises a light emitter 3 for projecting an optical marker 8 on a floor to indicate to a user where the turntable 1 has to be placed with respect to the second part 2. The optical marker 8 indicates as a geometric relation, a distance, angle and/or orientation of the turntable 1 relative to the second part 2. The optical marker 8 indicates a position of a point and/or a structure of the turntable 1, in particular a center point of rotation 9 of the turntable 1. The optical marker 8 is a projected pattern, in particular a dot, a cross-pattern, a circle and/or an ellipse. In the FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the turntable 1 is already aligned to the second part 2. Thus, a target adjustment area 5 of the turntable 1 is adjusted to or respectively superimposed by the optical marker 8.

[0079] For generating the optical marker 8, in particular the projected pattern, the light emitter 3 emits at least one light ray 4. The at least one light ray 4 can form a light line 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The light line 10 indicates the target position of the center point of rotation 9 of the turntable 1.

[0080] Additionally or alternatively, the light ray 4 can form a light cross 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The light cross 11 can additionally indicate the target orientation of the turntable 1 with respect to the second part 2.

[0081] Additionally or alternatively, the light ray 4 can form a light cone 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The light cone 12 can comply with the contour of the turntable 1.

[0082] For generating the optical marker 8, in particular the projected pattern, the light emitter 3 comprises a diffuser, a mask and/or a scanner, each of which being schematically represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and designated by the numeral 14. The diffuser 14, the mask 14 and/or the scanner 14 deviates the light ray 4 to create the projected pattern. The light emitter 3 is a laser or LED.

[0083] The 3D body scanner of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is designed in such a way that it can give a user a feedback, when the turntable 1 is placed relative to the second part 2 with sufficient accuracy, as shown in the figures. As schematically shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the feedback can be generated by a feedback device 15 and can be optical or acoustical. Therefore, the turntable 1 comprises at least one optical detector 13. The optical detector 13 is arranged in a target adjustment area 5 of the turntable 1. The target adjustment area 5 can comprise a target adjustment point, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Additionally or alternatively, the target adjustment area 5 can comprise a target adjustment pattern, in particular a cross, as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally or alternatively, the target adjustment area 5 can comprise a target adjustment circle, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0084] The optical detector 13 detects the emitted light of the light emitter 3, when the turntable 1 is placed relative to the second part 2 with sufficient accuracy. In this case, the turntable 1 is accurately positioned with respect to the second part 2 and the user gets a feedback signal. For this purpose and/or for controlling the motor of the turntable 1, as schematically shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, both the turntable 1 and the second part 2 comprise a wireless interface 16 to communicate with each other. The wireless interface 16 can be a WLAN, WIFI, Zigbee and/or Bluetooth interface.

[0085] The disclosed invention enables a convenient way of adjusting two or multiple parts of a 3D body scanner in their positions of operation. The 3D body scanners consist, as mentioned before, of the first part 1, which is turning around the body to be scanned and in a defined distance and orientation with respect to the second part 2 covering that includes a number of depth sensors 7. Such a realization is shown as an example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Alternative constructions consist of three or more second parts covering a number of depth sensors placed in a defined placement around the body (object) to be scanned.

[0086] 3D body scanners are either very space consuming or they consist of two or more parts which have to be placed in a certain geometric relation (distance, angle, orientation) prior to usage. We propose a convenient way to perform this arrangement by projecting a pattern of visible light from an illumination source on the floor where the components of a 3D body scanner have to be placed. The illumination source can be a laser or a LED.

[0087] FIG. 1 shows a realization example with spot in center of turntable 1.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows a realization example with a cross pattern of light aimed to project on the center of turntable 1.

[0089] FIG. 3 shows a realization example with light in the form of a circle projected around turntable 1.

[0090] The 3D body scanner comprises: [0091] the first part of the 3D scanner (e.g. turntable) carrying the body (object), [0092] the second part of the 3D scanner (e.g. mast) containing the depth sensors 7, [0093] the light emitter, [0094] the light ray, light cross or light cone or comparable and/or [0095] the target adjustment point or circle which may contain optical detectors 13.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0096] 1. turntable [0097] 2. second part [0098] 3. light emitter [0099] 4. light ray [0100] 5. target adjustment area [0101] 6. mirror [0102] 7. depth sensor [0103] 8. optical marker [0104] 9. center point of rotation [0105] 10. light line [0106] 11. light cross [0107] 12. light cone [0108] 13, optical detector [0109] 14 diffuser, mask scanner [0110] 15 feedback device [0111] 16 wireless interface