Patents by Inventor Thomas Engels

Thomas Engels 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: 10262453
    Abstract: In order to improve depth perception for an image displayed during a laparoscopic surgery, a representation of a shadow of a tool included in the image and used in the laparoscopic surgery is identified and introduced into the image. A processor augments a three-dimensional (3D) model including a 3D representation of a surface of an object included in the image, and a representation of the tool by introducing a virtual light source into the 3D model to generate a virtual shadow within the 3D model. The processor subtracts the representation of the shadow out of the augmented 3D model and superimposes the representation of the shadow on the image to be displayed during the laparoscopic surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Mountney, Thomas Engel, Philip Mewes, Thomas Pheiffer
  • Publication number: 20190078870
    Abstract: What is proposed is a device (1) for optically measuring an object, comprising an interferometer (2) having a measurement arm (21), wherein the measurement arm (21) is provided for optically measuring the object, and comprising a focusing element (3) arranged within the measurement arm (21). According to the invention, the device (1) comprises a first retardation element (4) arranged within the measurement arm (21) and downstream of the focusing element (3), wherein the first retardation element (4) has a movable displacement element (42), by means of which the optical path length of the beam path of the measurement arm (21) is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Martin Koerdel
  • Patent number: 10220566
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing a workpiece using additive manufacturing techniques involve in-process measurement in order to determine individual characteristics of one or more workpiece layers. In particular, dimensional and/or geometrical characteristics of a workpiece layer are measured before the next workpiece layer is produced. Advantageously, the measurement results are fed back into the production process in order to increase accuracy and precision of the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology, LLC
    Inventors: Marcin B. Bauza, Richard H. Knebel, Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz, Tobias Held
  • Publication number: 20180276877
    Abstract: In order to improve depth perception for an image displayed during a laparoscopic surgery, a representation of a shadow of a tool included in the image and used in the laparoscopic surgery is identified and introduced into the image. A processor augments a three-dimensional (3D) model including a 3D representation of a surface of an object included in the image, and a representation of the tool by introducing a virtual light source into the 3D model to generate a virtual shadow within the 3D model. The processor subtracts the representation of the shadow out of the augmented 3D model and superimposes the representation of the shadow on the image to be displayed during the laparoscopic surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Mountney, Thomas Engel, Philip Mewes, Thomas Pheiffer
  • Patent number: 9990724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simulating an image recording by an optical sensor of a coordinate measuring machine for inspecting a measurement object, comprising the following steps: providing a first data set representing a model of the measurement object, a second data set representing a model of an illumination of the measurement object, and a third data set representing a model of an optics of the optical sensor, and rendering an image stack on the basis of the first data set, the second data set and the third data set, wherein the image stack has a plurality of virtual images of at least one partial region of the measurement object, wherein each virtual image is rendered at least with a different second and/or different third data set. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for optimizing an image recording by a coordinate measuring machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Michael Wick, Hans-Joachim Frasch
  • Patent number: 9939261
    Abstract: A calibration pattern having a plurality of pattern regions for calibrating an imaging optical unit for metrological applications. At least one image of the calibration pattern is recorded using the imaging optical unit. The image is evaluated to quantify individual properties of the imaging optical unit. Depending on the quantified individual properties, correction values for a calculated correction of aberrations of the imaging optical unit are determined. The calibration pattern is provided on an electronic display having a plurality of display pixels arranged in the form of a matrix. In addition, a calibration body with at least one line having a defined dimension, is recorded using the imaging optical unit. A magnification factor of the imaging optical unit is determined on the basis of the at least one line. At least one further individual property of the imaging optical unit is quantified on the basis of the calibration pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Nils Haverkamp, Dominik Seitz, Daniel Plohmann
  • Publication number: 20180066704
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring apparatus is provided having at least one measuring system and at least one support structure on which the measuring system is disposed, wherein the measuring system is displaceably mounted in the support structure and/or the support structure is displaceably mounted, and wherein the coordinate measuring apparatus includes an air bearing arrangement for mounting two components to be movable relative to one another. The air bearing arrangement includes at least one air bearing which provides a compressed air cushion between the components, wherein the air bearing has at least one compressed air supply line by way of which the compressed air can be provided, wherein a flow rate meter by way of which the flow rate of compressed air to the air bearing can be detected is provided in the compressed air supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Publication number: 20170270634
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives spherical content for video and generates face images from the spherical content to represent an image in the video. A two dimensional sheet for the face images is generated. A size of the face images is reduced and a pixel frame around each of the plurality of face images is added on the sheet. Also, a plurality of gaps are added on the sheet in between edges of the face images that are neighboring. The method then adds gap content in the plurality of gaps where the gap content is based on content in an area proximate to the plurality of gaps. The method encodes the face images, the pixel frame, and gap content on the sheet and sends the encoded sheet to a decoder. The face images are decoded for placement on an object structure to display the spherical content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Julian Eggebrecht, Thomas Engel, Jens Petersam
  • Patent number: 9721345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating at least one virtual image of a measurement object, in which a virtual position and/or a virtual orientation of the measurement object is determined and a virtual position and/or virtual orientation of at least one imaging or image recording device of a coordinate measuring machine is determined. The virtual image is generated on the basis of geometric data of the measurement object and on the basis of optical properties of the measurement object and the virtual image is additionally generated on the basis of imaging parameters of the imaging or image recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Stephan Rieger
  • Patent number: 9684149
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a workpiece support for holding a measurement object and a measuring head which can be displaced relative to the workpiece support. The measuring head carries an optical sensor. An evaluation and control unit is configured to determine spatial coordinates on the measurement object depending on a position of the measuring head relative to the workpiece support and depending on sensor data from the optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a lens assembly and a camera. The lens assembly comprises at least four separate lens-element groups. Three of these separate lens-element groups can be displaced along the optical axis of the lens assembly. A first lens-element group is arranged fixed in the region of the light-entry opening of the lens assembly. The coordinate measuring machine with the above-described lens assembly allows individual variation of magnification, focusing and resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Winterot, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9664887
    Abstract: An illumination module for a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a workpiece by means of an optical sensor, wherein the illumination module comprises a main body having a sensor side and a workpiece side, wherein the sensor side has a first interface device at least for the sensor-side coupling of the illumination module in a defined position, and wherein the illumination module comprises at least one illumination arrangement for illuminating the workpiece. Furthermore, the main body has the form of a ring having a free central region and an edge region, wherein the at least one illumination arrangement and the first interface device are arranged in the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9599558
    Abstract: A measuring device and corresponding method for measuring a measurement object, comprising an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object with an illumination pattern, a pattern generation device with at least one pattern generating element for bringing about a positionally variant intensity distribution of the illumination pattern, and an optical sensor arrangement for detecting the illumination pattern reflected and/or scattered by the measurement object. The measuring device has an optics which is telecentric at least on the measurement object side and is arranged in a beam path from the illumination device to the measurement object. The optical sensor arrangement detects the illumination pattern through at least one part of the telecentric optics. The pattern generating device is designed in such a way that the illumination pattern has a positionally and/or spectrally variant vertex focal length distribution on the measurement object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Thomas Engel
  • Publication number: 20170074649
    Abstract: A calibration pattern having a plurality of pattern regions for calibrating an imaging optical unit for metrological applications. At least one image of the calibration pattern is recorded using the imaging optical unit. The image is evaluated to quantify individual properties of the imaging optical unit. Depending on the quantified individual properties, correction values for a calculated correction of aberrations of the imaging optical unit are determined. The calibration pattern is provided on an electronic display having a plurality of display pixels arranged in the form of a matrix. In addition, a calibration body with at least one line having a defined dimension, is recorded using the imaging optical unit. A magnification factor of the imaging optical unit is determined on the basis of the at least one line. At least one further individual property of the imaging optical unit is quantified on the basis of the calibration pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Dominik SEITZ, Daniel PLOHMANN
  • Publication number: 20160307322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simulating an image recording by an optical sensor of a coordinate measuring machine for inspecting a measurement object, comprising the following steps: providing a first data set representing a model of the measurement object, a second data set representing a model of an illumination of the measurement object, and a third data set representing a model of an optics of the optical sensor, and rendering an image stack on the basis of the first data set, the second data set and the third data set, wherein the image stack has a plurality of virtual images of at least one partial region of the measurement object, wherein each virtual image is rendered at least with a different second and/or different third data set. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for optimizing an image recording by a coordinate measuring machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Nils HAVERKAMP, Michael WICK, Hans-Joachim FRASCH
  • Patent number: 9453718
    Abstract: An illumination module for a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a workpiece by means of an optical sensor, wherein the illumination module comprises a main body having a sensor side and a workpiece side, wherein the illumination module comprises on the main body at least one illumination arrangement for illuminating the workpiece, and wherein the at least one illumination arrangement has an emission characteristic with a specific emission angle and a light intensity profile within the emission angle, wherein the light intensity profile of the at least one illumination arrangement within the emission angle is asymmetrical. The present invention furthermore relates to a coordinate measuring machine comprising such an illumination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9383190
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus and method for determining dimensional characteristics of a measurement object use a sensor head in order to register desired measurement points on the measurement object. The sensor head comprises a polychromatic light source for generating light having various wavelengths of light, a spectrometer, and an optical system having at least one lens element. The optical system produces a first defined range of color dependent foci and a second defined range of color dependent foci in front of the at least one lens element. The spectrometer generates a first spectral information when the measurement object is in the first defined range, and it generates a second spectral information when the measurement object is in the second defined range. An evaluation unit exploits the first spectral range in a coarse measurement mode, and it exploits the second spectral range in a fine measurement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: David Shafer, Markus Seesselberg, Aksel Goehnermeier, Norbert Kerwien, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9383198
    Abstract: A method reduces errors in a turning device during a determination of coordinates of a work piece or during machining of the work piece. The turning device allows a rotational movement of the work piece about a rotation axis of the turning device. The method includes measuring errors in the turning device on account of deviations between actual positions and actual orientations of the rotation axis, on the one hand, and corresponding ideal positions and ideal orientations of the rotation axis, on the other hand, in a range of rotation angles. Expected error values of the turning device are determined from error measurements and are used to correct the turning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9383181
    Abstract: A method for coupling a first system component and a second system component of a coordinate measuring device for determining by means of at least one sensor the three-dimensional coordinates of an object to be measured. An interface arrangement is provided between the first system component and the second system component. The interface arrangement comprises an electrical interface, formed from at least two electrical transmission paths, for transmitting a first electrical voltage between the first system component and the second system component, and at least one optical interface formed from light waveguides. The at least one sensor is supplied with the first electrical voltage via the two electrical transmission paths of the electrical interface. An analog measurement signal from the sensor is converted into a digital measurement signal. The digital measurement signal is transmitted by means of the light waveguides of the optical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: D805592
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: William Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: D806193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: William Thomas Engel