Three-dimensional scanner with data collection feedback

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) scanner, which is in communication with a display, includes one or more optical sensors. The scanner scans, using the one or more optical sensors, an object having a surface. The scanning generates data corresponding to a 3D shape of at least a portion of the surface of the object. The scanner generates a 3D reconstruction of the shape of the surface of the object. The scanner provides a preview of the 3D reconstruction of the at least portion of the shape of the surface of the object. The scanner provides, to the display, for rendering with the preview of the 3D reconstruction of the at least portion of the shape of the surface of the object, an indication of at least one of a quantity or a quality of the data corresponding to the 3D shape of the at least portion of the surface of the object.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A three-dimensional (3D) scanner, comprising:
 a housing;   one or more lasers enclosed in the housing;   one or more optical sensors enclosed in the housing;   one or more processors enclosed in the housing, wherein the one or more processors are in communication with the one or more lasers and the one or more optical sensors; and   memory storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors cause the 3D scanner to generate data corresponding to a 3D shape of at least a portion of a surface of an object by repeatedly performing the operations of:
 projecting, using the one or more lasers, structured light toward the surface of the object; and 
 while projecting the structured light toward the surface of the object, acquiring, using the one or more optical sensors, an image of the surface of the object. 
   
     
     
         20 . The 3D scanner of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more lasers are configured to operate as class-1 light sources when projecting light outside of the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The 3D scanner of  claim 20 , wherein the lasers are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). 
     
     
         22 . The 3D scanner of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more lasers are pulsed-light sources. 
     
     
         23 . The 3D scanner of  claim 19 , wherein the 3D scanner is a portable handheld 3D scanner. 
     
     
         24 . The 3D scanner of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more lasers are configured to provide sufficient illumination of the surface of the object so that images acquired in outdoor daylight conditions have a signal-to-noise ratio sufficient to reconstruct the 3D shape of at least the portion of the object. 
     
     
         25 . The 3D scanner of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more lasers are configured to provide sufficient illumination of the surface of the object so that images acquired in outdoor daylight conditions have a signal-to-noise ratio sufficient to reconstruct the 3D shape of at least the portion of the object with an accuracy of at least 0.1 mm. 
     
     
         26 . The 3D scanner of  claim 24 , wherein the one or more lasers are configured to provide sufficient illumination of the surface of the object so that images acquired in outdoor daylight conditions have a signal-to-noise ratio sufficient to reconstruct the 3D shape of at least the portion of the object with a resolution of at least 0.25 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The 3D scanner of  claim 19 , wherein the 3D scanner has a minimum working distance that is no greater than 35 mm. 
     
     
         28 . The 3D scanner of  claim 19 , wherein the 3D scanner has a size less than 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm. 
     
     
         29 . A three-dimensional (3D) scanner, comprising:
 a housing;   one or more lasers enclosed in the housing;   one or more optical sensors enclosed in the housing;   means for generating data corresponding to a 3D shape of at least a portion of a surface of an object by repeatedly performing the operations of:
 projecting, using the one or more lasers, structured light toward the surface of the object; and 
 while projecting the structured light toward the surface of the object, acquiring, using the one or more optical sensors, an image of the surface of the object. 
   
     
     
         30 - 45 . (canceled)