3-D DIGITAL REPRESENTATION OF SOLID OBJECTS WITH MINIMUM HUMAN INTERVENTION

THE PROPOSAL IS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL METHOD FOR ACQUIRING COMPLETE, ACCURATE, HIGH-RESOLUTION 3-D POSITION AND INTENSITY OR COLOR DATA FROM THE VISIBLE SURFACES OF SOLID OBJECTS. THE METHOD MAKES USE OF VIDEO (OR CCD) CAMERAS AND ACCOMPLISHES THE REQUIREMENT THAT EVERY PIXEL IN THE CAMERA IMAGES OF AN OBJECT IS MAPPED INTO A 3-D DIGITAL MODEL. THE METHOD WILL MAKE USE OF INEXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT, AND ITS USE WILL REQUIRE MUCH LESS LABOR THAN METHODS THAT DEPEND ON MANUALLY TRACING DRAWINGS OR PHOTOGRAPHS. IT IS POTENTIALLY OPERABLE IN REAL TIME. THIS WILL ENABLE USERS TO MONITOR DATA ACQUISITION AND ENSURE THAT REQUIRED DATA ARE NOT INADVERTANTLY OMITTED.