The present invention relates to a measurement apparatus for measuring the shape of an object, a system including the measurement apparatus, and a method of manufacturing an article.
There is known a measurement apparatus using a pattern projection method as a measurement apparatus for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object (see Japanese Patent No. 2517062 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-538269). The pattern projection method is a method of measuring the shape of an object by projecting the pattern of a mask on the object, and detecting, from an image obtained by imaging the object on which the pattern of the mask is projected, a distortion of a projection pattern which occurs in accordance with the shape of the object.
In the measurement apparatus using the pattern projection method, most light with which a mask is irradiated is not transmitted through the mask, and is thus in vain without being used to project the pattern of the mask on the object. Therefore, the measurement apparatus is desired to efficiently use light, with which the mask is irradiated, to project the pattern of the mask on the object.
The present invention provides, for example, a measurement apparatus advantageous in efficiently using light.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measurement apparatus for measuring a shape of an object using pattern light, comprising: a light source having a structure including a light emitting portion for emitting light and a reflecting portion for reflecting light; a mask including a pattern region in which transmitting regions for transmitting light and reflecting regions for reflecting light are periodically arranged, and configured to generate the pattern light; an optical system arranged between the light source and the mask; an imaging unit configured to image the object irradiated with the pattern light; and a processor configured to obtain the shape of the object based on an image obtained by the imaging unit, wherein the light source, the optical system, and the mask are arranged so that light emitted from the light source is incident on the reflecting region of the mask via the optical system, is reflected by the reflecting region to return to the light source via the optical system, and then is reflected by the reflecting portion of the light source to enter the transmitting region of the mask via the optical system.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same members throughout the drawings, and a repetitive description thereof will not be given.
A measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
The irradiating unit 1 can include, for example, a light source 11, an optical system 12, a mask 13, and a projecting unit 14. As shown in
As shown in
The optical system 12 is arranged between the light source 11 and the mask 13. The optical system 12 includes, for example, a plurality of optical elements (lenses), and can be configured so that light perpendicularly enters the pattern region of the mask 13. Furthermore, the projecting unit 14 includes, for example, a plurality of optical elements (lenses), and projects the pattern of the mask 13 on the object 4 by irradiating the object 4 with the pattern light generated by the mask 13.
The imaging unit 2 includes, for example, an imaging optical system 21 and an image sensor 22, and images the object 4 irradiated with the pattern light. The imaging optical system 21 includes, for example, a plurality of optical elements (lenses), and forms, on the imaging plane of the image sensor 22, an image of light reflected or scattered by the object 4. The image sensor 22 includes, for example, a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor, and obtains an image of the object 4 irradiated with the pattern light by detecting, for each pixel, the intensity of the light entering the imaging plane. The processor 3 executes processing of obtaining the shape of the object 4 based on the image obtained by the imaging unit 2. The processor 3 according to the first embodiment has a function as a control unit for controlling the respective units (the irradiating unit 1, the imaging unit 2, and the like) of the measurement apparatus 100 in addition to a function of executing the processing of obtaining the shape of the object 4. In the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the processor 3 has a function as a control unit. The present invention, however, is not limited to this, and a control unit may be provided separately from the processor 3.
In the measurement apparatus 100 having the above arrangement, most light with which the mask 13 is irradiated by the irradiating unit 1 is not transmitted through the transmitting regions 13a formed on the mask 13, and is thus in vain without being used to project the pattern of the mask 13 on the object 4. Therefore, for example, in terms of the power consumption, the measurement apparatus 100 desirably, efficiently uses the light, with which the mask 13 is irradiated, to project the pattern of the mask 13 on the object 4.
For example, the measurement apparatus 100 may be used to measure the shape of the moving object 4. To accurately measure the shape of the moving object 4, a measurement error caused by a motion blur which occurs when imaging the object 4 by the imaging unit 2 may be reduced. As a method of reducing a measurement error caused by a motion blur, there is provided a method of shortening an imaging time to decrease the moving amount of the object 4 within the imaging time. If, however, only the imaging time is simply shortened, the amount of light entering the imaging unit 2 (image sensor 22) decreases, and thus the measurement accuracy of the shape of the object 4 can deteriorate due to the influence of dark noise or shot noise generated in the image sensor 22. Increasing the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 11 of the irradiating unit 1 to suppress the deterioration in the measurement accuracy can be disadvantageous in terms of the power consumption.
If a motion blur occurs, the line elements projected on the object 4 cannot be separated in the image obtained by the imaging unit 2, resulting in a measurement error. To separate the line elements in the image, the pitch between the line elements (transmitting regions 13a) on the mask 13 is increased. However, if the pitch between the line elements on the mask 13 is increased, that is, the ratio of the transmitting regions 13a to the entire pattern of the mask 13 is decreased, the practical efficiency (to be referred to as the transmission efficiency hereinafter) at which the light emitted from the light source 11 is transmitted through the mask 13 can lower.
The measurement apparatus 100 (optical system 12) according to the first embodiment is configured so that the light entering the reflecting region 13b of the mask 13 is reflected by the reflecting region 13b to return to the light source 11 via the optical system 12, and is reflected by the reflecting layer 11b of the light source 11 to enter the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13 via the optical system 12. When the light reflected by the reflecting region 13b of the mask 13 is reflected by the reflecting layer 11b of the light source 11 to enter the mask 13 again, an image of the pattern region of the mask 13 can be formed on the mask 13 (a plane in which the mask 13 is arranged). At this time, the light source 11 and the mask 13 are arranged so that the peak of the light intensity in the image of the pattern region formed on the mask 13 by the optical system 12 is positioned in the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13. For example, the light source 11 and the mask 13 are arranged so that an image of the reflecting region 13b in the image of the pattern region formed on the mask 13 is positioned in the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, desirably the image of the reflecting region 13b covers the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13. By arranging the light source 11 and the mask 13 as described above, the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13 can be increased, thereby improving the transmission efficiency.
A chrome film which readily absorbs light is generally provided in each reflecting region 13b of the mask 13. Since the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment uses the light reflected by the reflecting region 13b of the mask 13, it is desirable that the reflectance with respect to the light from the light source 11 is maximized in the reflecting region 13b. For example, the reflectance may be 70% or more. In the first embodiment, a film such as an aluminium film or silver film can be provided in each reflecting region 13b of the mask 13 so that the reflectance with respect to the light from the light source 11 becomes 70% or more.
Transmission efficiency Sn can be obtained by a geometric series given by:
Sn=a(1−rn)/(1−r) (1)
where the first term a represents the ratio (duty) of the transmitting regions 13a to the entire pattern of the mask 13, and a common ratio r represents the product of the reflectance of the reflecting regions 13b of the mask 13 and the reflectance of the reflecting layer 11b of the light source 11. For example, the transmission efficiency Sn is 0.48 when the duty is 0.25, the reflectance of the reflecting regions 13b is 80%, and the reflectance of the reflecting layer 11b is 80%. This indicates that the transmission efficiency Sn can be improved by 1.92 times, as compared with the conventional arrangement (Sn=0.25) which does not use the light reflected by the mask 13 for illumination of the mask 13.
The arrangement of the irradiating unit 1 for positioning, in the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, the peak of the light intensity in the image of the pattern region formed on the mask 13 will be described with reference to
In the irradiating unit 1 according to the first embodiment, the optical system 12 and the mask 13 are arranged so that the pattern region of the mask 13 does not have twofold symmetry with respect to the optical axis 15 of the optical system 12, as shown in
0≦d1<(p−t)/2 (2)
where p represents the pitch between the transmitting regions 13a in the mask 13, t represents the width (X direction) of each transmitting region 13a, and d1 represents the distance between the intersecting point 16 and the transmitting region 13a of the two transmitting regions 13a1 and 13a2 sandwiching the intersecting point 16, which is closer to the intersecting point 16.
By arranging the optical system 12 and the mask 13 as described above, for example, the light reflected at a location P in the reflecting region 13b of the mask 13 can be reflected by the reflecting layer 11b of the light source 11 to enter the transmitting region 13a (a location Q) of the mask 13, as shown in
Note that in the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, a first change unit 17a for changing the relative positions of the optical system 12 and mask 13 may be provided in a direction (for example, the X direction) perpendicular to the optical axis 15 of the optical system 12. By providing the first change unit 17a as described above, it is possible to adjust the relative positions of the optical system 12 and mask 13 to improve the transmission efficiency by increasing the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13. In the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, a detector 18 for detecting the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, that is, the intensity of the pattern light generated by the mask 13 may be provided. In this case, the processor 3 can control the first change unit 17a based on the detection result of the detector 18 to adjust the relative positions of the optical system 12 and mask 13 so that the intensity of the pattern light satisfies an allowable value (for example, the intensity of the pattern light becomes highest). In the first embodiment, the first change unit 17a is configured to change the relative positions of the optical system 12 and mask 13 by driving the optical system 12. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, the first change unit 17a may be configured to drive the mask 13 or both the optical system 12 and the mask 13.
As described above, in the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the optical system 12 and the mask 13 are arranged so that the peak of the light intensity in the image of the pattern region formed on the mask 13 is positioned in the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13. This can improve the transmission efficiency, thereby increasing the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13.
A measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment is different from the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in the arrangement of an irradiating unit 1. The irradiating unit 1 according to the second embodiment arranges, in a transmitting region 13a of a mask 13, the peak of the light intensity in an image of a pattern region formed on the mask 13 by relatively tilting a light source 11, and an optical system 12 and the mask 13. The arrangement of the irradiating unit 1 in the measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to
In the irradiating unit 1 according to the second embodiment, as shown in
In the measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment, a second change unit 17b for changing the relative tilts of the light source 11 and the optical system 12 and mask 13 may be provided. By providing the second change unit 17b as described above, it is possible to adjust the relative tilts of the light source 11 and the optical system 12 and mask 13 so as to improve the transmission efficiency and increase the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13. Furthermore, in the measurement apparatus according to the second embodiment, a detector 18 for detecting the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, that is, the intensity of the pattern light generated by the mask 13 may be provided. In this case, a processor 3 can control the second change unit 17b based on the detection result of the detector 18 to adjust the relative tilts of the light source 11 and the mask 13 (optical system 12) so that the intensity of the pattern light satisfies an allowable value (for example, the intensity of the pattern light becomes highest). In the second embodiment, the second change unit 17b is configured to change the tilt of the light source 11 by driving the light source 11. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, the second change unit 17b may be configured to drive the mask 13 or both the light source 11 and the mask 13.
A measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment is different from the measurement apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in the arrangement of an irradiating unit 1. In the irradiating unit 1 according to the third embodiment, the relative positions of a light source 11 and a mask 13 in a direction parallel to an optical axis 15 are adjusted so that an image of a pattern region of the mask 13 is defocused and formed on the mask 13. That is, the irradiating unit 1 according to the third embodiment arranges, in a transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, the peak of the light intensity in an image of the pattern region formed on the mask 13 by defocusing and forming the image of the pattern region of the mask 13 on the mask 13. The arrangement of the irradiating unit 1 in the measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to
In the measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment, a third change unit 17c for changing the relative positions of the light source 11 and mask 13 may be provided in a direction (for example, the Z direction) parallel to the optical axis 15 of the light entering the mask 13. By providing the third change unit 17c as described above, it is possible to adjust the relative positions of the light source 11 and mask 13 so as to increase the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13 and improve the transmission efficiency. Furthermore, in the measurement apparatus according to the third embodiment, a detector 18 for detecting the intensity of the light transmitted through the transmitting region 13a of the mask 13, that is, the intensity of the pattern light generated by the mask 13 may be provided. In this case, a processor 3 can control the third change unit 17c based on the detection result of the detector 18 to adjust the relative positions of the light source 11 and mask 13 so that the intensity of the pattern light satisfies an allowable value (for example, the intensity of the pattern light becomes highest). In the third embodiment, the third change unit 17c is configured to change the relative positions of the light source 11 and mask 13 by driving the light source 11. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For example, the third change unit 17c may be configured to drive the mask 13 or both the light source 11 and the mask 13. Furthermore, the focal length of the optical system 12 may be changed. In this embodiment, the optical system 12 is a Koehler illumination optical system. However, the optical system 12 may be formed as an imaging optical system.
Note that it is possible to implement an embodiment by combining the first to third embodiments. For example, it is possible to form a measurement apparatus by combining some of the first, second, and third change units.
Each of the above-described measurement apparatuses can be used while being supported by a given support member. In this embodiment, a control system which is attached to a robot arm 300 (gripping apparatus) and used, as shown in
Embodiment(s) of the present invention (the processor, the controller) can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-112401 filed on Jun. 2, 2015, and No. 2016-099052 filed on May 17, 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015-112401 | Jun 2015 | JP | national |
2016-099052 | May 2016 | JP | national |