3-D shape measurement method using point-array encoding

A point-array encoding method for 3-D measurement is proposed. In comparison with conventional triangulation methods, our approach is more convenient as it does not require any scanning mechanism. Compared with PMP methods, it does not exist the problems of phase ambiguity and error propagation as encountered in spatial phase unwrapping. With this method, we have successfully measured two representative classes of objects surface. Experimental results have shown the effectiveness of this approach and have revealed that the method can be applicable for a broad range of objects, especially for objects with large height discontinuities and/or surface isolation.