US5771310A
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US
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Method and apparatus for recording three-dimensional topographies
Assignee: Shriners Hospitals for Children
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Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention features a method of generating a three-dimensional topography of a property of an object, by (a) generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point including a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assigning each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and containing zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determining a quality value for each of the compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment, and assigning to each compartment a code representing the quality value; (d) generating and assigning new digital data points to each compartment having a code indicating an unacceptable quality value, the new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to the compartment; (e) determining a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assigning to each compartment a code representing the new quality value; (f) repeating step (d) until all compartments are assigned a code indicating an acceptable quality value; and (g) generating from the digital data points and new digital data points a three-dimensional topography representing the property of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 William M. Vannah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0007; G01; G01B; G01B21/00; G01B21/20; G01B21/32; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of generating a three-dimensional topography of a property of an object, said method comprising (a) generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assigning each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determining a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assigning to each compartment a code representing said quality value; (d) generating and assigning new digital data points to each compartment comprising a code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (e) determining a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assigning to each compartment a code representing said new quality value; (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until all compartments are assigned a code indicating an acceptable quality value; and (g) generating from said digital data points and new digital data points a three-dimensional topography representing the property of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of generating a three-dimensional topography of a property of an object, said method comprising (a) generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assigning each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determining a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assigning to each compartment a code representing said quality value; (d) generating and assigning new digital data points to each compartment comprising a code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (e) determining a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assigning to each compartment a code representing said new quality value; (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until all compartments are assigned a code indicating an acceptable quality value; and (g) generating from said digital data points and new digital data points a three-dimensional topography representing the property of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said code is a visual code, and a human operator determines whether said code indicates an acceptable or unacceptable quality value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 2, wherein said visual code is color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said code is a control signal, and a machine determines whether said code indicates an acceptable or unacceptable quality value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said property is elevation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 5, wherein said elevation is of a structure within the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said property is indentation stiffness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method of claim 1, wherein said property is temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method of claim 1, further comprising establishing a coordinate system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 9, further comprising determining whether said coordinate system has been corrupted, and establishing a new coordinate system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of claim 1, further comprising a step of processing said digital data points in a compartment to remove noise, wherein the processing is a function of the quality of the digital data points within the compartment.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for sampling data corresponding to a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data, said apparatus comprising (a) an input probe for generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) an output device arranged to provide the feedback code; and (c) a processor electrically connected to said input probe and said output device and arranged to analyze the digital data and provide a feedback code indicating the quality of the digital data points, wherein said processor is programmed to (i) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (ii) determine a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing said quality value; (iii) transmit said feedback code to the output device; (iv) assign new digital data points to each compartment that comprises a feedback code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (v) determine a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assign to each compartment a new feedback code representing said new quality value; and (vi) transmit said new feedback code to the output device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for sampling data corresponding to a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data, said apparatus comprising (a) an input probe for generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) an output device arranged to provide the feedback code; and (c) a processor electrically connected to said input probe and said output device and arranged to analyze the digital data and provide a feedback code indicating the quality of the digital data points, wherein said processor is programmed to (i) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (ii) determine a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing said quality value; (iii) transmit said feedback code to the output device; (iv) assign new digital data points to each compartment that comprises a feedback code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (v) determine a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assign to each compartment a new feedback code representing said new quality value; and (vi) transmit said new feedback code to the output device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus of claim 12, wherein said output device is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a memory arranged to store the digital data points.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus of claim 12, wherein said input probe comprises an indentation stiffness transducer, an ultrasound transducer, a temperature transducer, or an elevation transducer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
246 words
A computer program for analyzing the quality of sampled data points representing a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data points, said program residing on a computer-readable medium and comprising instructions for causing a processor to: (a) obtain digital data points representing a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determine a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing said quality value; (d) transmit said feedback code to an output device; (e) assign new digital data points to each compartment that comprises a feedback code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (f) determine a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assign to each compartment a new feedback code representing said new duality value; and (g) transmit said new feedback code to the output device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
246 words
A computer program for analyzing the quality of sampled data points representing a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data points, said program residing on a computer-readable medium and comprising instructions for causing a processor to: (a) obtain digital data points representing a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point comprising a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and comprising zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determine a quality value for each of said compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing said quality value; (d) transmit said feedback code to an output device; (e) assign new digital data points to each compartment that comprises a feedback code indicating an unacceptable quality value, said new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to said compartment; (f) determine a new quality value for each compartment to which new digital data points have been assigned and assign to each compartment a new feedback code representing said new duality value; and (g) transmit said new feedback code to the output device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |