Patents by Inventor Robert C. Mehler

Robert C. Mehler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10480929
    Abstract: A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to direct a beam of light from the laser tracker to a retroreflector with steps including: projecting a first light from a light source disposed on the laser tracker to the retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light; 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 imaging the third light onto a photosensitive array disposed on the laser tracker and converting the third light on the photosensitive array into digital form; generating by the user, between a first time and a second time, a predefined temporal pattern, the predefined temporal pattern including at least a decrease in optical power of the third light followed by an increase in the optical power of the third light, the predefined temporal pattern corresponding to the command; determining by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20190137257
    Abstract: A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to direct a beam of light from the laser tracker to a retroreflector with steps including: projecting a first light from a light source disposed on the laser tracker to the retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light; 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 imaging the third light onto a photosensitive array disposed on the laser tracker and converting the third light on the photosensitive array into digital form; generating by the user, between a first time and a second time, a predefined temporal pattern, the predefined temporal pattern including at least a decrease in optical power of the third light followed by an increase in the optical power of the third light, the predefined temporal pattern corresponding to the command; determining by the
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10209059
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement system includes: a retroreflector; a laser tracker including: a first light source; a second light source; at least one camera proximate the second light source; and a processor responsive to executable instructions which when executed by the processor is operable to determine, in a first instance, that a follow-operator gesture has been given by an operator and in response turn the laser tracker to follow movement of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20180120089
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement system includes: a retroreflector; a laser tracker including: a first light source; a second light source; at least one camera proximate the second light source; and a processor responsive to executable instructions which when executed by the processor is operable to determine, in a first instance, that a follow-operator gesture has been given by an operator and in response turn the laser tracker to follow movement of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9885771
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. An operator gives a follow-operator gesture, and the laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9885559
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. In a first instance, an operator gives a follow-operator command. The laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator. In a second instance, the operator gives a lock-on command. The laser tracker responds by steering a beam of light onto the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20170285127
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. An operator gives a follow-operator gesture, and the laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9772394
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. In a first instance, an operator gives a follow-operator gesture. The laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator. In a second instance, the operator gives a lock-on gesture. The laser tracker responds by steering a beam of light onto the retroreflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Publication number: 20170176169
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. In a first instance, an operator gives a follow-operator command. The laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator. In a second instance, the operator gives a lock-on command. The laser tracker responds by steering a beam of light onto the retroreflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9482755
    Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Daniel G. Lasley
  • Patent number: 9453913
    Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
  • Publication number: 20160178348
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes providing a retroreflector and a laser tracker. In a first instance, an operator gives a follow-operator gesture. The laser tracker responds by following movement of the operator. In a second instance, the operator gives a lock-on gesture. The laser tracker responds by steering a beam of light onto the retroreflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Kalyan Nagalla, Robert C. Mehler, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9234742
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a laser tracker remotely from the laser tracker through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. The gesture recognition engine determines a first command from one of the plurality of commands that correspond with the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher, Gregory D. Pease, Robert C Mehler
  • Publication number: 20150070712
    Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Daniel G. Lasley
  • Publication number: 20150022826
    Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
  • Patent number: 8593648
    Abstract: A method is provided of obtaining the characteristics of a target by a device. The method includes providing the target having a target frame of reference, a retroreflector and a body. Providing a contact element rigidly fixed with respect to the body. A device is provided having a frame of reference and a light source, the device configured to measure a distance and two angles from the device to the retroreflector reference point. An identifier element located on the body. A workpiece surface is provided. The contact element contacts the workpiece surface. The retroreflector is illuminated with light from the light source and returns a reflected light. A distance and two angles are measured based at least in part on the reflected light. The first information is read with a first reader attached to the device. A three-dimensional coordinate of a point on the workpiece surface is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
  • Patent number: 8467072
    Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
  • Publication number: 20120206716
    Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Daniel G. Lasley