Structured light

Structured light is a method that measures the shape and depth of a three-dimensional object by projecting a pattern of light onto the object's surface. The pattern can be either stripes, grids, or dots. The resulting distortions of the projected pattern reveals the object's solid geometry through triangulation, enabling the creation of a 3D model of the object. The scanning process relies on coding techniques for accurately detailed measurement. The most widely used ones are binary, Gray, and phase-shifting, each offering distinct advantages and drawbacks.

Structured light technology is applied across diverse fields, including industrial quality control, where it is used for precision inspection and dimensional analysis, and cultural heritage preservation, where it assists in the documentation and restoration of archaeological artifacts. In medical imaging, it facilitates non-invasive diagnostics and detailed surface mapping, particularly in applications such as dental scanning and orthotics. Consumer electronics integrate structured light technology, with applications ranging from facial recognition systems in smartphones to motion-tracking devices like Kinect. Some implementations, especially in facial recognition, use infrared structured light to enhance accuracy under varying lighting conditions.