Samsung Receives 3D Scanner Patent

News
By Douglas Perry
published

Samsung has patented the concept of using a movable mirror to direct light beams in a scanner to retrieve spatial data and scan an object in three dimensions.

The patent, filed in September of 2009, is rather general and aimed towards "mobile robots" and "mobile devices" that are designed to identify "surrounding objects." I may be wrong, but my first guess would be that this technology is targeted at automotive technology that could be a stepping stone toward autonomous driving systems.

According to Samsung, the 3D scanner integrates a "rotating drive generating a rotating force; a mirror holder tiltably supporting a reflecting mirror and rotated by the rotating force of the rotating drive; a cam having a guide groove in an outer circumferential surface thereof and rotatably disposed above the mirror holder; and a tilting drive connected with the guide groove, wherein the tilting drive vertically reciprocates along a path of the guide groove and tilts the reflecting mirror connected via a rod."

Besides the mechanical description, there is no information how image data would be generated and recorded.

Douglas Perry
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • amk-aka-Phantom
    But wait, SURELY Apple developed something innovative like that FIRST!

    :D
    Reply
  • iam2thecrowe
    ^apple dont develop things, they just have ideas, or scribbles on napkins.
    Reply
  • ikyung
    Your assumption may be right Doug. Samsung makes automobiles, boats, ships, trains in Korea. But, you would only see Samsung ships here because they can't compete with Hyundai and Kia in importing automobiles.
    Reply
  • palladin9479
    More like Samsung sold most of it's ownership to Renault back in the late 90's. Their cars are just modified Nissan design's. Very popular inside South Korea, they didn't sell well overseas.

    Samsung makes just about everything in the ROK, goes with being a chaebol business.
    Reply
  • This is stupid. I should have patented it first, even if i could never build one -_-
    Reply
  • rhangman
    Could be used in their robotic vacuum cleaners.
    Reply
  • megahustler
    Apple doesn't develop things, their CEO divines physical incantations of energy waves in the metaphysical plane of subzero coolness.
    Reply
  • _Cubase_
    amk-aka-phantomBut wait, SURELY Apple developed something innovative like that FIRST!
    You are correct. Apple already patented "A thing that looks like something, and when something is done, something happens". I expect a court hearing within a few days.
    Reply
  • freggo
    "could be a stepping stone toward autonomous driving systems."

    Could this maybe be used in Job's dream of an iCar ?
    Reply