| FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120120415 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for mechanically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the laser tracker includes providing the tracker with an angular encoder, providing a rule of correspondence between each command and each rotational pattern of a portion of a tracker, and selecting a first command. Also, rotating by the user, between first and second times, the portion of the tracker in a first rotational pattern, the first rotational pattern corresponds to the first command, and obtaining a collection of first angular readings from the angular encoder, wherein the angular readings are obtained between the first and second times. Also, determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first angular readings according to the rule of correspondence, and executing the first command with the tracker. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120099119 | LASER-BASED COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE AND LASER-BASED METHOD FOR MEASURING COORDINATES - A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099100 | AUTOMATED WARM-UP AND STABILITY CHECK FOR LASER TRACKERS - A method for determining when a laser tracker is stable includes performing a plurality of first frontsight measurements and a plurality of first backsight measurements on a first target with the laser tracker, wherein the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements are alternated in time, calculating a plurality of first two-face errors based on the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements, determining at least one first stability metric based at least in part on the plurality of first two-face errors, the at least one first stability metric being a value defined by a rule, determining whether the laser tracker is stable based at least in part on the at least one first stability metric and a first termination criterion and generating an indication whether the laser tracker is stable or not stable. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120099096 | LASER-BASED COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE AND LASER-BASED METHOD FOR MEASURING COORDINATES - A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120070077 | METHOD FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - With a method for optically scanning and measuring an environment by means of a laser scanner, which has a center, and which, for making a scan, optically scans and measures its environment by means of light beams and evaluates it by means of a control and evaluation unit, wherein a color camera having a center takes colored images of the environment which must be linked with the scan, the control and evaluation unit of the laser scanner, to which the color camera is connected, links the scan and the colored images and corrects deviations of the center and/or the orientation of the color camera relative to the center and/or the orientation of the laser scanner by virtually moving the color camera iteratively for each colored image and by transforming at least part of the colored image for this new virtual position and/or orientation of the color camera, until the projection of the colored image and the projection of the scan onto a common reference surface comply with each other in the best possible way. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069352 | METHOD FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING A SCENE - A method for optically scanning and measuring a scene by means of a laser scanner which, for making a scan having a certain center, optically scans and measures its environment provided with targets, whereby two adjacent scans having different centers and scanning the same scene overlap within a range of measuring points so that some targets are scanned by any of the two scans, whereby, for registering the two adjacent scans, the targets are localized in the measuring points during a first step and, during a second step, candidates of correspondence among the localized targets of the two adjacent scans are looked for and, during a third step, a test registration of the two adjacent scans is made which, if there is a sufficient compliance of the measuring points within the overlapping range, is taken over for registration, thus identifying the targets. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069325 | DEVICE FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - With a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected by an object in the surroundings of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, with a control and evaluation unit which determines the distance to the object for a multitude of measuring points, wherein the emission light beam is a superposition of three laser beams having different wave lengths, which define the three-dimensional color space. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120057174 | LASER SCANNER OR LASER TRACKER HAVING A PROJECTOR - A laser scanner or a laser tracker includes a light source that emits a light beam within an environment, and a data capture component that captures the light beam reflected back to the laser scanner or tracker from the environment. The laser scanner or tracker also includes a projector integrated within a body of the laser scanner or tracker or mounted to the body of the laser scanner or tracker at a predetermined location, the projector being operable to project visible information onto an object located within the environment, the projected visible information being indicative of images, data or information, the projected visible information being at least one of design intent information, information acquired by the laser scanner or tracker, or guidance to an operator. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120019806 | DEVICE FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - A device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected from an object (O) in the environment of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, and with a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points (X), determines at least the distance to the object (O), the laser scanner has a swivel-axis module which, as a pre-assembled assembly, on the one hand is provided with a base resting in the stationary reference system of the laser scanner and, on the other hand, with parts which can be fixed to a carrying structure of the measuring head which is rotatable relative to the base. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20110282612 | SELF-COMPENSATING ANGULAR ENCODER - A method for self-compensating a method includes the steps of rotating the patterned element relative to the read heads, the rotation about the axis to a plurality of first angles covering a range of at least 360 degrees; obtaining, at each of the plurality of first angles, first angular readings for the m measure read heads and for the reference read head; calculating a first array for each of the m measure read heads, each first array including, for each of the plurality of first angles, a difference in the first angular readings of the measure read head and the first angular reading of the reference read head; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one first spectral component based at least in part on the first array; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one second spectral component, the second spectral component based, at least in part, on the at least one first spectral component and on estimates of the second angles of the m measure read heads; and recording, for each of the m measure read heads, the at least one second spectral component. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110260033 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the laser tracker includes steps of providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of spatial patterns, and selecting by the user a first command from among the plurality of commands. The method further includes the steps of moving by the user, between a first time and a second time, a retroreflector in a first spatial pattern from among the plurality of spatial patterns, wherein the first spatial pattern corresponds to the first command, and projecting a first light from the laser tracker to the retroreflector. The method also includes the steps of reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light, and obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light, wherein the first sensed data is obtained by the laser tracker between the first time and the second time. The method includes also the steps of determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence, and executing the first command with the laser tracker. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110178766 | METHOD FOR EVALUATING MOUNTING STABILITY OF ARTICULATED ARM COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINE USING INCLINOMETERS - A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a base, a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, an electronic circuit that receives the position signals from the transducers, a first inclinometer coupled to the base, wherein the inclinometer is configured to produce a first electrical signal responsive to an angle of tilt of the base and an electrical system configured to record a first reading of the first inclinometer and a second reading of the first inclinometer, wherein the first reading is in response to at least one of a first force applied to the base and a third force applied to the mounting structure, wherein the second reading is in response to at least one of a second force applied to the base and a fourth force applied to the mounting structure. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178765 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINES - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) includes a manually positionable arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. Implementing the portable AACMM includes identifying a source device from which data is received by determining a transmission path through which the data is transmitted, the source device removably attached to the first end of the AACMM, determining a data type of the data based upon identification of the source device, performing an action on the data responsive to the data type, and outputting results of performing the action to a destination device. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178764 | Portable Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine with Multi-Bus Arm Technology - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) with multi-bus arm technology that includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to receive a position signal from the arm portion and to provide data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. The AACMM further includes a probe end, an accessory device, an encoder data bus, and a first device data bus. The encoder data bus is coupled to the arm portion and the electronic circuit, and the encoder data bus is configured to send the position signal to the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is coupled to the accessory device and the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is configured to operate simultaneously with and independently of the encoder data bus for sending accessory device data from the accessory device to the electronic circuit. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178763 | USE OF INCLINOMETERS TO IMPROVE RELOCATION OF A PORTABLE ARTICULATED ARM COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE - A method of relocating a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) from a first location to a second location, wherein the AACMM has, at the first location, a first origin point and a first frame of reference and, at the second location, a second origin point and a second frame of reference, the method including the steps of: measuring an amount of tilt of the portable AACMM along two perpendicular directions, each of which are approximately perpendicular to a gravity vector, with the portable AACMM in each of the first and second locations; measuring a first target and a second target with the portable AACMM in the first location to obtain, in the first frame of reference, a first set of x, y, and z coordinates and a second set of x, y, and z coordinates; measuring the first target and the second target with the portable AACMM in the second location to obtain, in the second frame of reference, a third set of x, y, and z coordinates and a fourth set of x, y, and z coordinates; and finding x, y, and z coordinates of the second origin point with respect to the first frame of reference, wherein the x, y, and z coordinates of the second origin point are found using the first, second, third, and fourth sets of x, y, and z coordinates but without using additional x, y, and z coordinates of a third target measured with the AACMM at the first location and at the second location. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178762 | Portable Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine with Multiple Communication Channels - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) with multiple communication channels that includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. The portable AACMM also includes a measurement device attached to a first end of the portable AACMM and a plurality of communication channels. The portable AACMM also includes an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. The portable AACMM also includes executable by the electronic circuit for receiving a request from a user to communicate via a selected one of the plurality of communication channels, and for configuring the portable AACMM to communicate via the selected communication channel. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178758 | INTEGRATED PART TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, including a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends, the arm including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, at least one sensor element, which is disposed on the articulated arm coordinate measurement machine, that is responsive to electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical signal in response to a temperature of an object and an electronic system that converts the electrical signal into a temperature value. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178755 | Portable Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine and Integrated Electronic Data Processing System - Implementing a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine includes receiving a first request to perform a function. The portable AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal, a measurement device attached to a first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit which receives the position signals from the transducers and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. Implementing the portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine also includes identifying a source device from which the first request is received, implementing the function pursuant to the first request, selecting a destination device as the source device of the first request by identifying from which of a first and second port the first request is received, and transmitting information derived from implementing the function to the destination device. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178754 | Portable Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine Having Integrated Software Controls - A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) having integrated software controls. The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes a measurement device attached to the first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment for the AACMM. The self-contained operating environment includes a user interface application, an application programming interface, and logic. The logic is configures for performing data collection including receiving position signals from the transducers, calculating data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, the calculating responsive to the position signals, and outputting the data to at least one of the user interface application and the application programming interface. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110178753 | Portable Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machine and Integrated Environmental Recorder - A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) that includes a manually positionable articulated arm, a measurement device attached to a first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit for receiving the position signal and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. The AACMM further includes an environmental recorder. The environmental recorder includes a sensor for outputting a value of a parameter, a memory, and logic executable by the environmental recorder to implement a method. The method includes monitoring the value of the parameter, and determining that the value of the parameter is outside of a programmable threshold. The value of the parameter and a timestamp are stored in the memory in response to the value of the parameter being determined to be outside of the programmable threshold. The contents of the memory are transmitted to the electronic circuit. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176148 | COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE HAVING AN ILLUMINATED PROBE END AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) is provided. The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm having opposed first and second ends. The arm includes a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. A measurement device is attached to a first end of the AACMM. An electronic circuit is provided for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. A light source is coupled to the arm and disposed to emit light adjacent the measurement device. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110176145 | SPHERE BAR PROBE - Exemplary embodiments include a sphere bar probe apparatus, including a holder, a retroreflector disposed in the holder, a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the holder and an end plate attached to the second end of the member. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175745 | EMBEDDED ARM STRAIN SENSORS - A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) can include a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device attached to the first end, a structural component of the AACMM, wherein the structural component has an axial direction, at least three strain gage sensors, each having a sensitive axis, coupled to the structural component, wherein the sensitive axis of each strain gage sensor is oriented approximately parallel to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor is approximately intersected by a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor produces an analog strain gage signal, and the strain gage sensors are disposed to provide data sufficient to determine a bending strain at any point residing on both the structural component and the transverse plane and an electronic circuit that receives the position signal and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173828 | INTELLIGENT REPEATABLE ARM MOUNTING SYSTEM - Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, an upper mount portion disposed on the base, a lower mount portion fixed to a mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion and an electronic identification system configured to send identifier information identifying the lower mount portion to the electronic circuit. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173827 | COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINES WITH REMOVABLE ACCESSORIES - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. The probe end has a fastener and a first connector. A device is removably coupled to the probe end by the fastener, the accessory having a second connector arranged to engage the first connector when the fastener couples the device to the probe end. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173826 | DISPLAY FOR COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE - A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided having a base. A cover is rotatably coupled to the base to move between a closed position and an open position. A display is arranged within the cover. The display includes a screen surface, such as a touch sensitive screen surface, disposed on one side of the housing. The screen surface being adjacent the base in the closed position and disposed on an angle to the base in the open position. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173825 | COUNTER BALANCE FOR COORDINATE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement device is provided. The coordinate measurement device includes a base and an articulated arm portion having at least one arm segment. A biasing member is coupled on a first end to the base and on a second end to the articulated arm portion. The first end of the biasing member is movable between a first position and a second position. An adjuster is coupled between the base and the biasing member. The adjuster is coupled to move the first end of the biasing member from the first position to the second position. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173824 | COORDINATE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A portable coordinate measurement device is provided. The coordinate measurement device includes at least one arm. A bracket is coupled to the arm that includes a magnetic member at one end. A probe is rotationally coupled to one end of the arm, the probe includes a first ferrous member on a first side, the probe is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the ferrous member is adjacent the magnet when in the second position. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173823 | MOUNTING DEVICE FOR A COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE - A mounting device for portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The mounting device includes a body having an opening therethrough. A lip is disposed on one side of the opening, the lip is sized to engage a flange on a base portion of the coordinate measurement machine. A portion of the opening includes a thread configured to couple with an external mounting fixture. A first arm is coupled to the body and arranged to rotate in a first direction between a first position and a second position. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170534 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING MEASUREMENTS TAKEN BY MULTIPLE METROLOGY DEVICES - Apparatus includes at least two devices that communicate with each other, wherein a first one of the at least two devices having an IEEE 1588 precision time protocol interface, the interface including one or more components configured for communications in both a wired manner and a wireless manner with a second one of the at least two devices. The second one of the at least two devices having an IEEE 1588 precision time protocol interface, the interface including one or more components configured for communications in both a wired manner and a wireless manner with the first one of the at least two devices. Wherein one of the at least two devices includes a master clock and the other one of the at least two devices includes a slave clock, wherein the master clock communicates a time to the slave clock and the slave clock is responsive to the communicated time from the master clock to adjust a time of the slave clock if necessary to substantially correspond to the time of the master clock, thereby time synchronizing the at least two devices together. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110170113 | LASER-BASED COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE AND LASER-BASED METHOD FOR MEASURING COORDINATES - A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110119026 | PORTABLE COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED LINE LASER SCANNER - A portable coordinate measurement machine for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume comprises includes an a positionable articulated arm having a plurality of jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner mounted thereon. The laser may be a fiber coupled laser. Wireless data transfer and communication capability for the CMM is also possible. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110113170 | INTERFACE - An interface, for communication between an internal device and an external device, includes two bus lines of a bus for bidirectional data transfer and at least a first control line, by means of which a control signal can be transferred from the external device to the internal device. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110088271 | MOUNTED SCALE BAR - A scale-bar artifact can include a base, a structural component, at least two nests disposed on the structural component and configured to receive a spherically shaped object having a center, and at least three mounting assemblies, each mounting assembly including a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of each mounting assembly is coupled to the base. The first portion of each mounting assembly is coupled to the structural component. The first portion and second portion of each mounting assembly are in mutual contact. Each mounting assembly has a center of rotation. The centers of rotation of the three mounting assemblies share a common plane with the centers of the spherically shaped objects. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110069322 | LASER POINTING MECHANISM - A pointing device for use with a laser tracker or laser scanner may include a tracker or scanner control system and a tracker or scanner plant. The tracker plant may include a plurality of motors configured to apply a torque to a mechanism that steers the laser and a plurality of angular encoders configured to send feedback information on the angular position of the mechanism to the tracker control system. The tracker or scanner control system may be configured such that, when the pointing device is operating in a manual adjustment mode, the tracker or scanner control system controls the plurality of motors to provide a torque to the mechanism opposite to a direction of movement caused by the user. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110032509 | ABSOLUTE DISTANCE METER WITH OPTICAL SWITCH - An absolute distance meter (ADM) that determines a distance to a target includes a light source that emits an emitted light beam. The ADM also includes a fiber switching network having at least one optical switch that switches between at least two positions in response to a switch control signal, a first one of the positions enabling a measure mode in which the emitted light beam is emitted from the fiber switching network towards the target and is reflected back as a measure light beam into the fiber switching network, a second one of the positions enabling a reference mode in which the light beam comprises a reference light beam within the fiber switching network. The ADM further includes a single channel detector that detects the measure and reference light beams in a temporally spaced multiplexed manner and provides an electrical signal which corresponds to the detected measure and reflected light beams. Also, the ADM includes a single channel signal processor that processes the electrical signal and provides a conditioned electrical signal in response thereto, and a data processor that processes the conditioned electrical signal to determine the distance to the target. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20100250175 | SMART PROBE - The present system, method, article of manufacture, software, and apparatus is an “intelligent” probe system and components thereof and may openly encompass, in at least an embodiment, an embedded IC chip located in an interchangeable probe(s) which offers repeatable, fast, easy, and error free probe swapping on a CCM. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100195087 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE FROM AN OBJECT - A device for determining a distance from an object may include a light emitter for emitting an emission light beam, a light receiver for receiving a reception light beam, and an evaluation unit for determining the distance on the basis of a propagation time of the emission and reception light beams. The reception light beam may arise as a result of reflection of the emission light beam at the object. The light receiver may have a reception optical unit comprising a first lens element and a pinhole diaphragm. A light-impermeable element may shade a central region of the reception optical unit in such a way that the reception light beam is incident in the form of a light ring on the pinhole diaphragm. A second lens element, which is substantially hat-shaped in cross section, is arranged between the first lens element and the pinhole diaphragm. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100195086 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE FROM AN OBJECT - A method for determining a distance from an object may include emitting an emission light beam from a light emitter, receiving a reception light beam at a light receiver, and determining the distance on the basis of a propagation time of the emission and reception light beams. The reception light beam may arise as a result of reflection of the emission light beam at the object. The emission light beam may be amplitude-modulated with a rectangular-waveform modulation signal. The modulation signal may have a multiplicity of rectangular pulses which occur in a multiplicity of groups. The groups may occur at varying temporal intervals with respect to one another and have changing numbers of rectangular pulses. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100149551 | Structured Light Imaging System and Method - A structured light imaging system for measuring coordinates of a surface may include a first imaging lens, a spatial light modulator provided after the first imaging lens, a second imaging lens provided after the spatial light modulator, and an imaging sensor provided after that second imaging light modulator. A method of measuring coordinates of a surface using a structured light imaging system may include illuminating the surface with structured light from a projector and adjusting light intensity at each pixel of the imaging system by using a feedback loop system such that each pixel of the imaging sensor will operate in a linear response range. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100128259 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING SIX DEGREES OF FREEDOM - A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100057392 | INDEXED OPTICAL ENCODER, METHOD FOR INDEXING AN OPTICAL ENCODER, AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING GAIN AND OFFSET IN AN OPTICAL ENCODER - An optical encoder may include an encoder disk, an illumination system, and a detector to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk. The encoder disk may include a signal track comprising a diffraction grating, and an index track comprising a reflective index mark, wherein a width of the index mark is larger than a pitch of the diffraction grating. An indexing method may include providing an encoder disk, providing an illumination system to direct light to the encoder disk, providing a detector structured to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk, calculating an estimated count of quadrature states from a rising edge of an index pulse to a middle of the index interval, and calculating the quadrature state at an approximate center of the index pulse. A dynamic parameter correction method may include calculating a target gain and offset and correcting values based on the target gain and offset. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20090187373 | PORTABLE COORDINATE MEASUREMENT MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED LINE LASER SCANNER - A portable coordinate measurement machine for measuring the position of an object in a selected volume comprises includes an a positionable articulated arm having a plurality of jointed arm segments. The arm includes a measurement probe having an integrated line laser scanner mounted thereon. The laser may be a fiber coupled laser. Wireless data transfer and communication capability for the CMM is also possible. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090147319 | Laser Scanner - A laser scanner may include a measuring head structured to be rotatable around a first axis, a first rotary drive structured to rotate the measuring head, a rotary mirror rotatable around a second axis, a second rotary drive structured to rotate the rotary mirror, a transmitter structured to transmit a light beam, a receiver structured to receive a reflection of the light beam from an object located at a distance from the laser scanner, and a processor structured to process signals embedded within the reflection of the light beam. The measuring head may include a plurality of modules, and the first rotary drive, rotary mirror, second rotary drive, transmitter, and receiver may be provided on one of the plurality of modules. At least two of the plurality of modules may be releasably connected to each other. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090109426 | SELF-COMPENSATING LASER TRACKER - A self-compensating laser tracker may include a frame assembly including a laser, and at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and a rotatable mirror. The laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser may be reflected by the mirror. One of the at least two reflecting members may be a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members may be a frame assembly mirror. The cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror may be fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090066932 | ABSOLUTE DISTANCE METER THAT MEASURES A MOVING RETROREFLECTOR - A laser device and method capable of one or more dimensional absolute distance measurements and/or surface scanning and/or coordinate measurements of a moving external retroreflector or other moving target surfaces without using an incremental interferometer. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20080239281 | ABSOLUTE DISTANCE METER - An absolute distance meter for measuring a distance to a target may include a synthesizer including a first quadrature modulator and structured to receive a reference signal having a reference frequency and output a first signal having a first frequency and a second signal having a second frequency, a laser structured to output a laser beam, wherein the laser beam is modulated by the second signal, an optical system for directing the laser beam toward the target, a reference phase calculating system structured to calculate a reference phase based on signals having the first frequency and the second frequency, a target optical detector structured to receive at least a portion of the laser beam returned from the target and structured to output a measured electrical signal having the second frequency based on the at least a portion of the laser beam, and a measure phase calculating system structured to calculate a measure phase based on the measured electrical signal and the first signal. | 10-02-2008 |
