Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and computer program for sampling data corresponding to a property of an object and generating a feedback code indicating the quality of the sampled data. The apparatus includes (a) an input probe for generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object; (b) an output device arranged to provide the feedback code; and (c) a processor electrically connected to the input probe and the output device and arranged to analyze the digital data and provide a feedback code indicating the quality of the digital data points. The processor is programmed to (i) assign each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete, unique compartments; (ii) determine a quality value for each of the compartments and assign to each compartment a feedback code representing the quality value; and (iii) transmit the feedback code to the output device.

Abstract: The invention features a method of generating a three-dimensional topography of a property of an object, by (a) generating digital data points at a plurality of sample points on the surface of the object, each digital data point including a property value and a position value corresponding to a particular sample point; (b) assigning each digital data point to one of a plurality of discrete compartments based on the position value of the data point, each compartment corresponding to a unique location on the object and containing zero, one, or more digital data points; (c) determining a quality value for each of the compartments based on the quality of the digital data points assigned to that compartment, and assigning to each compartment a code representing the quality value; (d) generating and assigning new digital data points to each compartment having a code indicating an unacceptable quality value, the new data points corresponding to sample points on the object at a location corresponding to the compartme