Three-Dimensional Imaging of a Human Body Using an Array of Ultrasonic Sensors and a Camera

This paper describes the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of a human body using an array of ultrasonic sensors and a camera. We have previously reported on a system that measures the shape of an object (including a human body) using a camera and combines this information with 3D position data obtained using an ultrasonic array; however, this system only detects the center position of the object. In the present research, a prototype system was constructed using an ultrasonic sensor array and a camera. The 3D positions of each body part were measured using the ultrasonic array and combined with the image of the human body. Some difficulties in combining the 3D positions and the camera image are discussed. One problem is the lack of 3D position data (partially due to the poor signals of the reflected ultrasonic waves), which can be resolved by using the neighboring position data.