FR2815446A1 - Device to virtually or physically reproduce a human form, uses curved vertical arm carrying ultrasonic transducers and rotated round subject to create model - Google Patents

Abstract

The form is digitized using a metal chassis (1) fitted with an overhead moving bar (7) that supports a curved arm (3) with ultrasonic transducers along its length. An actuator rotates the curved arm round the subject (22) under control of a computer (29). Data gathered by sensors (5) is recorded and processed to create the digitized representation.

Description

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The present invention relates to a device with the aid of which it is possible to record multiple forms on living or non-living materials in order to achieve virtual display on the screen and a physical reproduction.

The capture of these forms is usually carried out by laser or photographic methods which in the first case require the implementation of expensive technologies, and in the second case do not allow to obtain a sufficient detail of the shapes, volumes and measurements taken on the subject.

The present invention makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks by virtue of a first characteristic which consists in using the technology of ultrasonic sensors organized and managed in an original manner.

The application of this technology makes it possible to capture information from ultrasonic transducers used for both the transmission and reception of signals.

With a pulse rate of several thousand per second depending on the distance between the sensors and the target, the sensors emit specially coded ultrasonic signals and receive the echoes reflected by the target to then decode them.

The result obtained is transmitted to a central management unit in the form of an analog signal.

The detection range is defined by the maximum range and the minimum detection distance.

The shapes are captured by the use of a sufficient number of sensors arranged so as to detect all of the shapes of the target considered.

All the sensors being electrically connected to each other, they are provided with synchronization means.

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 The voltages recorded by each of the ultrasonic sensors are converted into the distance between each of the sensors and the corresponding reflecting surface.

The data is acquired by means of a dedicated card electrically connected to all the sensors and the processing of this data is carried out using a specific program or software.

The XYZ matrices thus obtained represent a set of points corresponding to the shapes, dimensions and contours of the target on which they were taken.

Injecting this data into a two-dimensional graph plots the respective curves of each sensor relative to the target.

A dedicated automatic extension program allows the model corresponding to the digitized target to be reconstructed on the screen.

According to any application, this data can be transmitted to a remote location using, for example, the Internet.

The device according to the invention makes it possible, by using a sufficient number of ultrasonic sensors (5) positioned mechanically in a preferred mode, on a mobile support or arms (3) according to an adequate geometric organization, to digitize the shapes and the volumes and to determine the measurements of any body or target (22).

The appended figures illustrate the invention according to its various specificities.

Figure 1 shows an overview of the preferred construction of the principle of the invention.

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 2 shows a schematic view of the movable arm (3), support of the ultrasonic sensors (5).

FIG. 3 schematically represents a few examples in top view, of a path that can be followed by the mobile arm (3) supporting the sensors (5).

FIG. 4 represents the block diagram of the principle of the invention.

With reference to these figures, the invention comprises in a preferred embodiment, a frame (1) made of metal profiles, comprising in its upper part a movable metallic support (13) on which is fixed at least one movable movement table horizontally (7) supporting a plate rotating horizontally 360 degrees (9).

An arm (3) supporting the ultrasonic sensors (5) of suitable shape and dimensions is fixedly attached in its upper part to the turntable (9).

The mobile movement table (7) comprises an endless screw actuated by an electric motor (8) which allows the displacement of a mobile part on the lower part of which is fixed a turntable (9) actuated by an electric motor ( 10), plate to which the arm (3) sensor support (5) is secured.

The assembly thus formed makes it possible, thanks to a group of variators arranged in the electrical control cabinet (18), to move the arm (3) along an adequate path around the target, for example a human body (22).

Thus described, the invention makes it possible to give movement to the arm (3) in the necessary axes, along a variable path in the periphery of the digitized body (22).

The invention comprises in the lower part of the chassis (1) a metal support movable vertically (13) on which are fixed the movement table (7) and the turntable (9).

The mobile metal support (13) moves vertically, for example by means of two electric jacks (11), arranged on either side of the chassis (1). These cylinders are synchronized

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 between them so that the movement of the movable metal support (13) remains constantly symmetrical.

The movable metallic support (13) is held by mechanical guides or slides arranged integrally on the vertical uprights of the chassis (1) thus allowing the constant and regular movement in the vertical direction, of the assembly constituted by the table (7) and motor (8), the turntable (9) and motor (10) as well as the arm (3).

An ultrasonic sensor (4) connected to the control cabinet (18) is arranged in the upper part of the arm (3). It allows in a preferred embodiment to take a measurement of distance from the top of the body (22) and place the arm (3) in the optimal position relative to the body (22) to be scanned.

This sensor (4) also makes it possible, thanks to the data processing program (28), to know the height or size measurement of the body (22) to be digitized.

In a preferred embodiment, a sensor (2), for example an ultrasound sensor, is arranged in the lower part of the chassis (1). Managed by the same data processing program (28), it makes it possible to complete the data capture in the lower part of the target (22). As it is a human body, this sensor (2) enables precise measurement of the crotch height.

The invention, in its originality, comprises an electronic weighing device (17) integrated in the lower part of the chassis (1) electrically connected to the control box (18). This weighing device (17) makes it possible to measure and record the weight characteristic relating to the digitized target / body (11).

The arm (3) performs a peripheral course around the body (22), positioning itself at the optimum distance from the target (22) to be scanned.

Figure (3) shows an example of a path that can be followed by the arm (3). This course can be of different forms. For example, when it is a human body (22), the route consists of two longitudinal paths and two circular paths.

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 In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises for example a set of at least two infrared sensors (20) positioned on a support itself fixed in the upper part of the arm (3) and electrically connected to the control cabinet ( 18).

These sensors (20) supplemented with reflectors (14) authorize at the end of each longitudinal path of the arm (3) the triggering of the rotary movement of said arm over 180 degrees, at the end of which the arm (3) resumes its longitudinal travel etc.

FIG. 4 which represents the block diagram of the general principle of the invention, shows that each electrotechnical element is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet (18).

In a preferred embodiment, an original movement program (24) makes it possible to organize and order the path of the arm (3) supporting the sensors (5). The information recorded by the sensors (2,4, 5) during the journey or scan is recorded by the data acquisition program (26) then interpreted by a specific data processing program (28).

The information collected and then processed can appear on the monitor (30) linked to the central unit (29) reproducing in three dimensions using a video card (32) the target (22) in all of its volumes, morphology, attitude , measures, weight, etc.

Several peripheral options can be connected to the central unit (29) such as a memory card reader (35), a printer (34), etc.

The central unit (29) can be connected to multiple telecommunications networks, thereby authorizing the sending of the computer files thus formed to a remote location.

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 The invention therefore makes it possible to produce an original scanner with a high level of technical performance, at low economic cost capable of scanning large shapes. The invention makes it possible to produce a weight measurement device or balance (17) managed by the central unit (29) and provided with a memory card reader-recorder (35) making it possible to record the data recorded by the device. on the target (22), in order to make a physical reproduction of it, for example by a rapid prototyping mode.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Device for measuring volumes, shapes and dimensions on living figures and / or on inert solid bodies, characterized in that it uses ultrasonic sensors (5) arranged inter alia on a mobile arm (3) fixedly attached to an electromechanical movement assembly allowing it to move in all axes so as to digitize the assembly of a target (22). 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the arm (3) provided with sensors (5) moves around the target (22) and vertically using at least one movement table (7), d 'a turntable (9) and at least one cylinder (11). 3. Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the movement assembly composed of a table (7) and a turntable (9) supporting the arm (3) and the jack (11) is electrically connected to a central unit (29) one of the functions of which is to position the arm (3) and manage the path thereof. 4. Device according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that the movement assembly is driven by motors (8,10) connected to a control cabinet (18) controlled by a central unit (29) with a program movement (24). 5. Device according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the arm (3) is provided in its upper part, with a distance sensor (4) which automatically orders the positioning of said arm at an adequate distance from the top of the target (22) thanks to the controlled jacks (11), thus making it possible to measure the height of said target <Desc / Clms Page number 8>  6. Device according to claims 1 and 3 characterized in that it is equipped in the lower part with a weight measurement device or balance (17) managed by the central unit (29) 7. Device according to claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the sensors (4,5) automatically determine using the dedicated movement program (24), the positioning and the optimal path of the arm (3) relative to the target (22). 8. Device characterized in that the data recorded by the sensors (2,4, 5) are recorded by dedicated acquisition software (26), then interpreted by a specific data processing program (28). 9. Device for exploiting the captured data according to claim 1, characterized in that it uses a central unit (29) and different specific programs (26,28) in order to reproduce this data in three dimensions on the monitor (30 ) and / or to make a physical reproduction of it, for example by a rapid prototyping mode. 10. Device according to claims 8 and 9 characterized in that the data obtained make it possible to accurately reproduce on the screen, in three dimensions, the shapes and measurements of the target (22) digitized using a map. videographic (32). 11. Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the device thus constituted is provided with a memory card reader / recorder (35) making it possible to record the data recorded on the target (22), by the method. 12. Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that all the electrical and computer functions are managed by a central unit (29) connected to a monitor (30) and provided with outputs, among other printer (34), telecommunications, etc. ...