Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a contoured surface, particularly the outer surface of a tooth to receive an artificial crown, by means of a probe having at least one light source, preferably three light sources at different known locations with respect to the probe contact surface; and a light sensor device at a known location with respect to the contoured surface to be mapped. The probe is moved over the contoured surface through a plurality of positions, with the probe contact surface in contact with the contoured surface at each of the positions; and the location in space of each of the light sources is measured at each of these positions. The measured locations of the light sources are used for computing the location of the probe contact surface with respect to the known location of the light sensor device.

Abstract: A method of scanning and mapping the outer contour of a three-dimensional object, for example a person's foot, by locating a plurality of radiant-energy sensors in a circular array around the object, rotating a transmitter about the object to transmit radiant energy to the sensors of the circular array except those shadowed by the object, and utilizing detected changes in state of the sensors, and the instantaneous positions of the transmitter when a change in state is detected, for mapping the outer contour of the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, non-contact scanning apparatus for scanning an object, particularly a foot, includes a holder for the object to be scanned, a main carriage movable linearly towards and away from the holder and the object when held thereon, a rotatable carriage rotatably mounted on the main carriage and formed with an opening for accommodating the holder and the object when held thereby, and an optical-beam scanner carried by the rotatable carriage to rotate therewith so as to scan the object by an optical beam outputted by the scanner.