Adaptive 3d scanning

Abstract

The present invention relates to adaptive 3D scanning wherein a scan sequence for obtaining full geometrical coverage of a physical object are created automatically and specifically for the physical object, by using a method and a system for producing a 3D computer model of a physical object, wherein the method comprises the following steps providing a scanner system, said scanner system comprising a scanner, and a computer connectable to and/or integrated in said scanner, said computer comprising a virtual model of said scanner, entering shape information of the physical object into the computer, creating in said computer a visibility function based on said virtual model and the shape information, said visibility function being capable of evaluating the coverage of areas of interest of the physical object by at least one predetermined scan sequence, establishing at least one scan sequence based on the evaluation of the visibility function, performing a scan of the physical object using said at least one scan sequence, and obtaining a 3D computer model of the physical object.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A system for producing a 3D computer model of a physical object comprising,
 a computer software product stored on a computer readable medium in which computer instructions are stored, which instructions, when executed by a computer system including a scanner and a computer, and the computer storing a virtual model of the scanner, cause the system to,   receive into the computer shape information of a physical object,   create in the computer a visibility function based on the virtual model and the shape information, the visibility function operating to evaluate the coverage of areas of interest of the physical object by at least one predetermined scan sequence,   establish at least one scan sequence based on the evaluation of the visibility function,   scan the physical object using the at least one scan sequence; and   obtain a 3D computer model of the physical object.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the scanner comprises a light source, a camera, and a support for supporting the physical object. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the computer comprises an input device, an central processing unit, a memory and a display, and wherein said computer readable medium includes a data processing system of the computer.