Abstract:In order to improve the correctness and validity for three coordinate vision measurement using a lignt-pen, the perspective-n-point model is studied. According to the classical "perspective-n-point problem" theory, by positioning the origin of the global coordinate system on the pin-point of the light-pen, the process of measuring coordinate is converted into calibrating the camera’s external parameters. With the coordinate transforming method, the perspective-n-point model for three coordinate vision measurement system is established, and the conclusion is drawn that the number of point light source must be more than three. Combining with the parameters’ selfcalibration, an experimental measuring system with ten point light sources on the light-pen is developed, and comparative tests were performed on the Coordinate Measuring Machine(CMM). The results show that the maximum difference between the measuring data of the experimental system and CMM is 0.13mm, 0.14mm and 0.2mm in 300mm measuring range along the x,y,x axises respectively.