Flexible calibration technique for fringe-projection-based three-dimensional imaging

Fringe projection profilometry (FPP) has evolved dramatically, with many highly demanded features for three-dimensional (3D) imaging, such as high accuracy, easy implementation, and capability of measuring multiple objects with complex shapes. A vital component for an FPP-based 3D imaging system is the calibration process. The existing calibration methods lack the ability to be flexibly compatible with various scales of the field of imaging. In this Letter, a technique to cope with this issue is presented; it employs a checkerboard along with practical considerations to ensure reliable and accurate calibration. The validity and practicality of the technique are verified by experiments. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America