A scanning system is disclosed including a hand-held scanning device for
capturing three-dimensional information of an object. The scanner system
includes a high-speed transceiver having a high-speed laser light source,
a high frequency MEMS oscillating scanning mirror and software for frame
registration. Laser based range finding technique is used to map the
scanned object. MEMS oscillating at high speed enables rapid and accurate
scanning of an object. The scanning can be performed without knowledge or
even precise control of the position of the object relative to the
scanner. Random movement of the object during scanning is also possible.
The scanner can be used for a variety of purposes, including medical and
industrial purposes. The illustrated embodiment is in-vivo scanning of
human teeth for purposes of orthodontic treatment planning and diagnosis.
Several benefits from the scanner are possible: much higher resolution of
the scanned object, improved acquisition speed of the three-dimensional
information of the surface of the object to be mapped, and the
improvement in virtual image clarity.