Dense 3D surface acquisition using projected fringe technique

The construction of geometric object models from sensed data is a fundamental task in image understanding. The creation of such models is essential in many industrial applications such as object modelling, CAD/CAM, multimedia, virtual reality, and ranging systems. We present here early results of a potentially fast, efficient and reliable method to extract the shape of 3D external objects morphology. A digital projector is used as active light source; it projects patterns with phase shift. When a pattern is projected on an object, the varying depths of the objects surface cause phase variations on the projected pattern. These phase changes are used to find out the surface coordinates of the objects to be measured using phase shifting interferometry and phase unwrapping techniques. One advantage of projected fringe technique is that it allows the acquisition of dense 3D data in few seconds. We describe experimental results obtained using a View Sonic PJ551 digital projector, a DFK 50H13 CCD camera and a DFG/LC1 grabber.