Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Specific signal processing circuitry
Patent
1985-02-08
1987-07-07
Britton, Howard W.
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Specific signal processing circuitry
358 93, 358 96, 356376, H04N 718
Patent
active
046790764
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a means for registering coordinates and particularly to registering the coordinates for various points on the surface of an arbitrary body. The body may have any appearance whatsoever. Of particular interest are the surface coordinates of a living being such as a human. These coordinates can be used for evaluation and adjustment in the fields of medical radiology and surgery. The known method of obtaining various coordinates of the type just mentioned is to take measurements manually via direct contact. However, this is laborious and sometimes directly unsuitable. The desired accuracy is difficult to achieve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to register the coordinates for arbitrary points on a body, preferably a human body, without manual intervention. The coordinates determined are then stored in a memory unit, the content of which can be used for making the desired calculations and presentations of the body with great accuracy.
Registered coordinates can also be of great value in the clothing industry since registered coordinates give the exact measurements of the body to be provided with a suit or other article of clothing. The coordinates in the memory unit can also be used to manufacture footwear, the coordinates of the foot being registered in said memory unit.
The coordinates for arbitrary points on the surface of a body, such as a human body, are most suitably obtained by the use of one or more means such as light sources generating a circumferential line about the body. The circumferential line may be complete or divided into sections. The body and the circumferential line are displaceable in relation to each other. The appearance of the circumferential line at each position along the body is reproduced by means of reproduction from one or several sides, for instance. The picture(s) obtained in one position are used to determine the coordinates along the circumferential line. The coordinates obtained are stored in the memory unit of a computer. A coordinate reference system is necessary to enable determination of the coordinates. Two coordinates are always obtained from the plane where the circumferential line is located. The third coordinate is obtained from the direction of displacement for the relative movement. The relative movement may be continuous or it may take place in steps.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention two TV cameras are preferably used to reproduce the circumferential line. These cameras are located one of each side of the circumferential line and directed towards it, or directed in such a way that the circumferential line is reproduced within the field of vision of the TV cameras. The use of two cameras enables parts of the circumferential line which are hidden to one camera to be seen by the other. Obviously, if there are no parts hidden to either camera, then one is sufficient.
If two TV cameras are used they should preferably be arranged on one and the same line, said line being parallel to the direction of displacement for the relative movement between circumferential line and body. In the latter case, the two TV cameras may be directed towards each other or perpendicular to the direction of displacement.
Several pairs of TV cameras, each pair arranged on its own line, may be arranged around said body, the pairs being arranged at the same distance from a centre line parallel to the displacement line.
A number of light sources may also be arranged around said centre line, preferably equally spaced.
If desired, one camera in each pair may be replaced by a mirror arrangement.
All the TV cameras and light sources may be combined into a single unit in which the individual elements are stationary in relation to each other but the unit is movable in relation to the body. The body can then be displaced through the unit or it may remain stationary while the unit is moved.
According to another embodiment of the invention, both cameras and body may be stationary in relation
REFERENCES:
patent: 3976382 (1976-08-01), Westby
patent: 4188544 (1980-02-01), Chasson
patent: 4343553 (1982-08-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 4361830 (1982-11-01), Honma et al.
patent: 4406544 (1983-09-01), Takada et al.
patent: 4498778 (1985-02-01), White
Palsgard Gote
Vikterlof Karl-Johan
Britton Howard W.
Kostak Victor R.
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