Single-shot 3D motion picture camera with a dense point cloud

Abstract

We introduce a method and a 3D-camera for single-shot 3D shape measurement, with unprecedented features: The 3D-camera does not rely on pattern codification and acquires object surfaces at the theoretical limit of the information efficiency: Up to 30% of the available camera pixels display independent (not interpolated) 3D points. The 3D-camera is based on triangulation with two properly positioned cameras and a projected multi-line pattern, in combination with algorithms that solve the ambiguity problem. The projected static line pattern enables 3D-acquisition of fast processes and the take of 3D-motion-pictures. The depth resolution is at its physical limit, defined by electronic noise and speckle noise. The requisite low cost technology is simple.