Abstract: A system for determining position and orientation of a stationary or moving object projects beams of electromagnetic waves, such as light, onto the object. The beams make lines on the object. A camera senses reflections of the lines. The reflections are converted into pixel data which are used to determine the position and orientation of the object relative to a predetermined coordinate system. The system can also maneuver a robot end effector to the object's position and orientation by interactively viewing representations of the object's position and orientation, and the end effector on a computer screen.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 13, 1996
Date of Patent:
August 24, 1999
Assignee:
August Design, Inc.
Inventors:
Edmond J. Dougherty, George R. Simmons, III