METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THREE DIMENSIONAL CONFIGURATIONS

摘要

Three dimensional configurations of a portion of an object (12), such as a patient's tooth, are determined using intensity patterns produced by a projection unit (20) and detected by a sensor unit (22). In some embodiments, the intensity patterns are produced using a set of slides (16A,16B,16C), e.g., a set of photographic slides, while in others they are produced using a transmissive liquid crystal device (60) or a single slide (16) which is moved by a piezoelectric translator (64). Methods and apparatus for reducing the effects of ambient light are also disclosed.