Process Patents (Class 33/228)
  • Patent number: 11904643
    Abstract: A high-precision intelligent centering device, consisting of a symmetrical synchronous centering mechanism. The invention can meet the needs of wheel centering in use with the ideal effect and high efficiency. Work is safe and reliable, degree of automation is high, and it is especially suitable for mass production on the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Shiwen Xu, Zuo Xu, Minglei Li, Lisheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11906729
    Abstract: A laser scanner determines the direction and distance of one or more targets by emitting two substantially parallel beams and receiving respective return beams. Components for handling the received beams are affixed to a monolithic block to ensure fixed relative placement. The direction of the target is determined using an optical encoder to reduce the timing window for interpolation to a fraction of the time it takes for the scanner to make a full revolution. A PLL trained by recent segment timing further improves accuracy and precision. A detection algorithm adapts detection thresholds for the different signatures of return signals depending on the distance to the target. Distance calculations are also adjusted for thermal expansion of the scanner components by including a temperature-variant thermometer output signal in the distance calculation algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Taylor, Robin Knoke, Merritt Houldson
  • Patent number: 11650048
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated multi axis positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: REDALIGN LLC
    Inventors: Fred L. Strunk, Thomas Edward Woycik, Marshall Bruce Cummings
  • Patent number: 11548433
    Abstract: A system for illuminating an area around a motor vehicle, having: a pair of radar systems and a pair of lighting systems mounted on the motor vehicle; a vehicle level sensor configured to detect changes in pitch or roll of the motor vehicle; and an illumination control system in the motor vehicle. The illumination control system includes a key fob communication system and determines the location of a person by detecting the person approaching the motor vehicle by detecting the presence of the key fob while also detecting the location of the person with a radar system mounted on the vehicle. Next, when the location of the person has been determined, the illumination system lights up the area the person is standing while following movement of the person with the radar system to continuously re-directing the illumination towards the location on the ground where the person is standing as the person moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Karma Automotive LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Paul Whitton
  • Patent number: 11397438
    Abstract: A system can autonomously or semi-autonomously guide a driver to a dock or parking location. The system can include a sensor or sensors that collect data to create a map of the dock or parking location, a user interface that allows the driver to select a dock or a feature in the map and to determine the final pose of the tractor and trailer, and a planner that creates a kinematically-correct and obstacle-free trajectory from the current location to the dock or parking location. The system can provide user aids, such as a ground guide avatar or avatars, that provide the distance to the dock, speed and turning direction, or other guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ROBOTIC RESEARCH OPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Alberto Daniel Lacaze, Karl Nicholas Murphy
  • Patent number: 11360310
    Abstract: An augmented-reality system is combined with a surveying system to make measurement and/or layout at a construction site more efficient. A reflector can be mounted to a wearable device having an augmented-reality system. A total station can be used to track a reflector, and truth can be transferred to the wearable device while an obstruction is between the total station and the reflector. Further, a target can be used to orient a local map of a wearable device to an environment based on a distance between the target and the wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Lawver, Steven Ostrowski, David Burczyk, Bryan Williams, Benedict J G Atkins, Martin Holmgren
  • Patent number: 11300658
    Abstract: A sensor axis adjustment method includes: a conveying process of disposing the vehicle V at a vehicle inspection position that is determined in an inspection chamber Rb; a first aiming process of disposing a first target robot T1 at a first inspection position that is determined with respect to the first radar device R1, and adjusting the optical axis of the first radar device R1; and a second aiming process of disposing a second target robot T2 at a second inspection position that is determined with respect to the second radar device R2, and adjusting the optical axis of the second radar device R2. An execution period of the first aiming process and an execution period of the second aiming process at least partially overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michiaki Okubo, Kazuyuki Fukamachi, Kenichiro ' Kurai, Yasuhiro Okuno, Kazumori Sakai
  • Patent number: 11194056
    Abstract: A survey system configured to perform a calibration that eliminates, or at least significantly reduces, mechanical misalignment issues with the receiver or top unit (e.g., a GNSS receiver or the like), the mounting hardware, and the survey pole of the survey system. The survey system may include a data collector mounted upon the pole, and a calibration module (i.e., calibrating software and/or firmware) may be run or provided on the data collector or other component of the survey system (e.g., on the top unit). The calibration module processes data collected (including data from its inertial measurement unit (IMU)) by the top unit during calibration operations (or simply calibration) to determine a mounting angle and a correction factor (or corrections for attitude) based on this mounting angle, and the correction factor is communicated to the top unit for use in later data collection to improve accuracy of the survey system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Ethan William Moe
  • Patent number: 11009586
    Abstract: A mobile sensor calibration apparatus that is operable to be mounted to the side of a service vehicle to perform calibrations outside of a workshop environment. The mobile sensor calibration apparatus may further comprise platform members to provide an even surface for a subject vehicle having sensors needing calibration. In some embodiments, the mobile sensor calibration apparatus may be compacted and stored in the service vehicle during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steven Zack, Daniel Newkirk
  • Patent number: 10976156
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. D'Agostino, Michael G. Fuhrman
  • Patent number: 10961098
    Abstract: A lift assembly guidance device enabling correct alignment of a lift pad relative to a vehicle includes a plurality of light emitters. The light emitters are mountable to a lift pad of a lift assembly so that the light emitters are disposed on a circumference of the lift pad. The light emitters selectively emit light orthogonally to the lift pad so that a surface of a vehicle, which is positioned over the lift assembly, is illuminated. The surface that is illuminated is that which would be contacted by the lift pad upon actuation of the lift assembly. The light emitters thus enable correct alignment of the lift pad with a structural element of the vehicle, such as a frame of the vehicle, and allow the vehicle to be safely lifted without damage to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Schervish
  • Patent number: 10916014
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include determining whether a currently-evaluated point is part of a segment. This may include: determining feature vectors for the currently-evaluated point and for each of a plurality of previously-evaluated points tagged to the segment; using the feature vectors to determine a probability score; and determine whether the score is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Arpan Kusari
  • Patent number: 10890430
    Abstract: An Augmented Reality (AR)-based inspection system comprising a coordinate measuring instrument having a first camera unit, a first computer unit, and a first communication unit, and an AR-device having a second camera unit, a second computer unit, and a second communication unit, wherein the first and the second communication units are connectable, each of the coordinate measuring instrument and the AR-device is configured for establishing a referenced status relative to a setting, at least one of the first and the second computer unit is configured for detecting two-dimensional or three-dimensional structured shapes in images captured by at least one of the first and second camera unit. The AR-device is configured for providing a real view of the setting, providing overlays onto the real view according to corresponding AR-data, wherein said AR-data are at least in part spatially associated with the detected structured shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Matthias Saure, Michael Lettau
  • Patent number: 10823565
    Abstract: A method for measuring a measurement distance between a rotating laser, which emits a first laser beam that can be rotated about a rotational axis and/or a stationary second laser beam, and a laser receiver, which has a detection field with a measurement function. The rotating laser is inclined in a direction of inclination by an inclination angle. The position of incidence of the inclined laser beam on the detection field of the laser receiver is determined as a measurement point. The distance between the measurement point and a zero position of the detection field is stored as the height, and the measurement distance between the rotating laser and the laser receiver is determined using the inclination angle and the height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Guenter Sanchen, Sasha Lukic
  • Patent number: 10823566
    Abstract: A method includes comparing a received beam hitting a laser receiver in a transverse arrangement with a rotating laser beam which is moved about an axis of rotation in a vertical position by a rotary laser. The laser receiver includes an evaluating unit and a detection field having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The rotary laser is arranged on a rotational platform that can be adjusted about a rotation axis, and the vertical laser plane that the rotating laser beam produces is moved by the rotational platform in a direction of rotation about the rotation axis. In the longitudinal direction of the detection field, an adjustment direction of the received beam relative to the laser receiver is determined by the evaluating unit and the adjustment direction of the received beam is compared with the direction of rotation of the rotational platform by the evaluating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sasha Lukic, Andras Halasi, Ian Kearney, Ermin Calkic
  • Patent number: 10747192
    Abstract: The installation position pointer system comprises a laser source to supply a laser beam, a driving device to align the laser beam, a controller device to control the operation of the driving device in accordance with an installation position data (IPD) of an attachment to be installed in a building and an associated reference position in the building, and an input device to obtain the IPD of a plurality of attachments from the attachment. The IPD of the attachments may be provided by an attachment installation position database system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Jane Win Shih Liu
    Inventors: Cheng-Chieh Li, Jan Su
  • Patent number: 10254392
    Abstract: A method to calculate position of a platform using a detection and ranging system coupled to the platform to transmit a signal to space object having a known ephemeris. The detection and ranging system receives the reflected signal from the space object. Taking the range of the platform from the space object using a time delay between transmission of the signal and receipt of the reflected signal and the range-rate using a Doppler frequency shift between the transmission of the signal and the receipt of the reflected signal makes it possible to calculate a position fix of the platform using the determined range, the determined range-rate, an altitude of the platform, and the known ephemeris of the space object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Phillippe L. W. Reed, Michael S. McBeth
  • Patent number: 10082521
    Abstract: A system that measures six degrees-of-freedom of a remote target, the system including a dimensional measuring device having a camera, the remote target including a retroreflector, at least three light markers, and a pitch-yaw sensor, the six degrees-of-freedom determined based at least in part on measured 3D coordinates of the retroreflector by the dimensional measuring device, on a captured image of the at least three light markers by the camera, and on readings of the pitch-yaw sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mikhail Atlas, Lawrence B. Brown, William W. Christine, Max K. Kim, Daniel J. O'Neill, James Schloss, Zhiguang Willam Xu, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10054439
    Abstract: Reflector arrangement for position determination and/or marking of target points, in particular for industrial or geodetic surveying, having a retroreflector for position determination for the reflector arrangement using parallel, in particular coaxial, beam reflection, and a sensor arrangement. According to the invention, the sensor arrangement has a lens and a sensor which is sensitive with respect to at least one wavelength range, with a reception direction that is orthogonal to the detection surface thereof, wherein the lens and the sensor are rigidly connected such that it is possible using the sensor to determine a location, which is incidence-angle-dependent with respect to the reception direction, of an illumination cross section defined by the lens on the detection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Jensen, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 9921060
    Abstract: A target object (20) for a laser measuring device (11) emitting a search beam and a measurement beam, including a reflector device (21) having at least one reflector element (22) for reflecting the measurement beam, a receiving device (23) having at least one receiving element (24) for receiving the search beam, a transmitting device (25) having at least one transmitting element (31, 32, 33) for emitting a visible transmission beam (34, 35, 36) and a control device (26) having an evaluation element (27) for evaluating the received search beam and a control element (28) for controlling the receiving and transmitting devices (23, 25) is provided. The transmitting device (25) emits a first and a second visible transmission beam (34, 35), wherein the color of light of the first visible transmission beam (34) differs from the color of light of the second visible transmission beam (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Winter
  • Patent number: 9776320
    Abstract: A measurement and installation data indicating apparatus including a distance image sensor that obtains distance image data in a predetermined range, a projector that projects an image on a projection plane in a predetermined range, an inclination data obtaining part that obtains inclination data on a detection optical axis and a projection optical axis relative to a vertical direction, a positional data obtaining part that obtains coordinate data on a present position and a target position, and a terminal controller that generates, based on the coordinate data, a target information image related to the target position and seen from the present position. The terminal controller corrects the target information image to fit to a shape of the projection plane based on the distance image data and the inclination data, and projects the corrected target information image by the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishita
  • Patent number: 9541392
    Abstract: Surveying system for measuring the position of a measuring point on the ground is disclosed. The surveying system may include a survey pole with a body having a pointer tip for contacting the measuring point and position giving means for making available the coordinative determination of a referenced position, being placed on the body with a defined spatial relationship relative to the tip. Determination means may be included for repeatedly determining the referenced position of the position giving means. Evaluation means may also be included for deriving the position of the measuring point. In some embodiments, the survey pole may also include an inertial measuring unit placed on the body with a defined spatial relationship relative to the position giving means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Damien Dusha
  • Patent number: 9255413
    Abstract: A method for plastering construction in architectural decoration comprises the following steps: (1) base treatment; (2) applying mortar on the wall surface according to the required plastering depth, and longitudinally installing screeding templates along a wall surface subjected to the base treatment in Step (1) according to the plastering depth, a lateral space between adjacent screeding templates being 1.3 to 1.8 meters; (3) plastering; and (4) laying aside the wall surface subjected to the plastering for 12 to 24 hours till plastering mortar on the wall surface is in a half-dried compact hardened state, and using teeth of a saw blade for grinding the mortar along the two adjacent screeding templates through a ruler till the mortar is even. The method can improve the construction efficiency and guarantee the construction quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN GRANDLAND DECORATION GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shaoqiang Li, Xiaozhen Zeng, Huiyuan Pang
  • Publication number: 20150096180
    Abstract: A remotely controlled vehicle that can carry a laser detector or other survey equipment that can be wirelessly controlled from a piece of heavy equipment. A particular embodiment can be used to dig out level basements to a predetermined grade by placing a laser emitter on a support on the floor of the dig and maneuvering the remotely controlled vehicle carrying a laser detector from the cab of the digging equipment so that an entire basement dig can be dug out accurately level by a single person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Alan L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150083013
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in carrying out rail track corrections. A projector device is positioned on a vehicle deployed ahead of a rail maintenance vehicle and includes a Fresnel lens and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to provide a light beam that provides a uniform “spot.” The projector device modulates the light beam in such a manner that a pair of receiver receivers disposed on the rail maintenance vehicle can detect the light source and the light intensity and frequency of wavelength of light received into each receiver of a receiver pair is substantially equal. Recorded values may be used to triangulate the geometry of the section of track being worked, while a computer compares the previous section of track already corrected to the current section and makes calculations for desired corrections to be made at work heads on the rail maintenance vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: HARSCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jay R. Carney
  • Patent number: 8959783
    Abstract: A laser surveying system comprises a leveling unit (3) having a motor for leveling, a light source unit (14) for emitting a laser beam, a light projecting optical system installed on the leveling unit and for projecting the laser beam, a power supply unit for supplying electric power to each of component sites, a control unit (7) for driving and controlling each of the component sites, a storage unit (26), a tilt detecting means (11) installed on the leveling unit and used for detecting leveling conditions, a rotation number detecting means (13) for detecting number of rotations of the motor, a light source detecting means (16a and 16b) for detecting light emitting condition of the light source unit, a voltage detecting means (24) for detecting output voltage of the power source unit, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting operational abnormality, and in the laser surveying system, the control unit monitors whether there is abnormality or not by the abnormality detecting means, samples a detection s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Jun-ichi Kodaira
  • Publication number: 20150040409
    Abstract: A multiple laser sight system for an archery bow or the like configured so that the multiple laser systems can be calibrated together and having features such that the user can use one laser system during the day and one laser system during the light. The laser sight is further configured to not interfere with the optional use of conventional sighting pins and the use of evening infrared systems, like the prior art use of night vision goggles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Jay Morrison
  • Publication number: 20150000144
    Abstract: A multifunction laser leveling tool (1) is provided. The multifunction laser leveling tool (1) comprises: a housing (2); a pendulum (28) supported by the housing (2) via a universal joint so that the pendulum (28) is pivotable with respect to the housing (2) around a first axis (24) and a second axis (26) perpendicular to the first axis (24); a locking means (4) which is able to fixedly lock the pendulum (28) to the housing (2) and to release the pendulum (28) therefrom, wherein when the pendulum (28) is released, the pendulum (28) is in a plumb orientation and the first and second axes (24,26) lie in a horizontal plane; a first laser beam emitter (36) attached to the pendulum (28) for emitting a first laser plane; an angle sensing means (44) attached to the pendulum (28) for measuring the orientation of the pendulum (28); a display module having two sections (6,8) attached to the housing (2) for displaying the measured orientation of the pendulum (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch Company Limited
    Inventors: Eric Hung-Ying Yuen, Wah Pong Chan, Yat Wah Lam
  • Publication number: 20140373369
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relates to a laser tracker for determining the position of an auxiliary measuring instrument that has a retroreflector and a multiplicity of target markings, and also for continuously tracking the auxiliary measuring instrument. The target markings may be arranged in a known fixed spatial distribution on the auxiliary measuring instrument and may be embodied to emit or reflect light beams. The laser tracker may have a first radiation source for producing measurement radiation, a distance measuring module, and a target sensing unit for determining an impingement point for radiation reflected by the retroreflector on a sensor of the target sensing unit and for producing an output signal in order to control a fine targeting functionality and a target tracking functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Burkhard BÖCKEM
  • Publication number: 20140363030
    Abstract: A relocating device for locating and relocating a first object relative to a second object includes at least one light source, and a power source. The at least one light source is for producing at least two beams of light wherein each beam of light is capable of defining a beam location point on the second object. The at least one light source is operably connected to the first object. The power source is operably connected to the at least one light source. The relocating device also includes a means for defining the beam location point. A method of locating and relocating a first object relative to a second object is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Darren Glen Atkinson, Keith Louis Haughton
  • Publication number: 20140360031
    Abstract: A survey device may include a shaft portion having a longitudinal axis, a prism having a center point and being arranged near the top of the shaft portion and offset laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion, and a laser having a laser emission point in general alignment along the shaft portion with the center point of the prism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Keith Kahlow
  • Publication number: 20140338206
    Abstract: Layout equipment for locating a plurality of positions at a construction site is provided. The layout equipment includes a laser target rod, a self-leveling laser transmitter, and a remote control device. The rod has an elongated rod body including retroreflective material extending substantially the entire length of the body. The laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light, and receives laser light reflected from the rod. The laser transmitter includes a first wireless communication unit, and a transmitter control. The transmitter control is responsive to the first wireless communication unit. The remote control device includes a second wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with to the laser transmitter to cause the laser transmitter to project the beam of laser light toward a position at the construction site, and signals the user of the layout equipment when the rod has been placed at the position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kent Kahle
  • Publication number: 20140338205
    Abstract: An electronic light detection circuit for detecting an intensity modulated light signal on a photosensitive element under backlight condition. The circuit comprises the photosensitive element, in particular as a light position detector for detecting a striking position of the light signal spot within a detection window, an amplifier with high input resistance connected to an output of the photosensitive element and a backlight suppression circuitry. The backlight suppression circuitry is connected to the output of the photosensitive element in parallel to the amplifier and comprises an electronic active resonator structure. The active resonator, structure is designed in such a way to provide a load impedance to an output of the photosensitive element with a low load impedance for low frequencies for suppression of natural and artificial backlight-saturation of the photosensitive element and a high load impedance at the frequency of the intensity modulated light signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin
  • Patent number: 8881390
    Abstract: A process for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacles or switch simultaneously that allows electricians to perform all 3 tasks at one time without the need to return to install receptacles or switch after wallboard is installed comprises: Housing with built-in laser guide and attached magnetic spacers for metal studs or wooden studs that allow for correct alignment of receptacle or switch for applicable wallboard thickness used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Frank DiLorenzo
  • Patent number: 8869411
    Abstract: A rotating laser device and method is disclosed. The laser device includes a laser unit, which generates a laser beam, a leveling device, which aligns the laser beam in a horizontal plane which is arranged perpendicular to the gravitational field of the earth, an inclination device, which inclines the laser beam about an axis of inclination in relation to the horizontal plane, a rotational unit which moves the laser unit at least partially about an axis of rotation at a rotational speed, and a measuring unit with which an angle of rotation of the laser unit about the axis of rotation can be determined such that a memory unit is provided for storing at least one angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sasha Lukic, Andreas Winter
  • Publication number: 20140310966
    Abstract: A method of determining a target spatial coordinate using an apparatus comprising a movable hand-held probe, having a body and a pointing element for pointing the target spatial coordinate, and a portable base unit provided with line-of-sight distance coupling means, wherein the hand-held probe is coupled to the base unit by said line-of-sight distance coupling means, coupled to the body at an attachment point, and wherein the base unit is provided with sensors providing measuring signals for measuring length or a change in length of the line-of-sight distance coupling means and rotation of said line-of-sight distance coupling means in at least one degree of freedom. Computer-controlled processing means are arranged for processing measuring signals. The method further comprising retrieving measuring signals wherein the target spatial coordinate is appointed from different orientations of the hand-held probe, and determining the target spatial coordinate from the measuring signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Holding Prodim Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Rene Teune, Antonius Johannes Janssen
  • Patent number: 8868375
    Abstract: Data, including a plurality of spatial positions of a device that moves through the space, at least some of the positions being positions along the boundary, is accessed; a physical measurement of a region at the boundary is accessed; a determined measurement of the region at the boundary, the determined measurement being based on a subset of the plurality of spatial positions; comparing the physical measurement and the determined measurement, is accessed; a correction based on the comparison is determined; the correction is applied to at least some of the plurality of spatial positions to generate corrected spatial positions; a diagram of the space based on the corrected spatial positions is generated; and the diagram of the space is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Locometric Ltd
    Inventor: Max Christian
  • Publication number: 20140304994
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a rotation laser and a method for operating a rotation laser. The rotation laser may be provided with a laser light source for generating a laser beam, a deflection means rotatable about a rotation axis and serving for the directional emission of the laser beam, and an optical system comprising one or more lenses for manipulating the laser beam. In some embodiments, at least one of the lenses is a lens which is deformable in a targeted manner by actuators. In some embodiments, a control unit is included for manipulating the at least one lens. In some embodiments, the at least one lens has at least four actuators which are drivable by the control unit and/or which are arranged in a manner distributed along a circumference of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH
    Inventor: Charles Leopold Elisabeth DUMOULIN
  • Publication number: 20140298666
    Abstract: A method for surveying an object for and/or using a geodetic surveying device that include a derivation of an item of surface information at least for one object region, at least one geodetically precise single point determination for the object region, wherein a position of at least one object point is determined geodetically precisely, and an update of the item of surface information based on the determined position of the at least one object point. In some embodiments a scan to derive the item of surface information may be performed using object-point-independent scanning of the object region by progressive alignment changes of the measuring radiation, with a determination of a respective distance and of a respective alignment of the measuring radiation emitted for the distance measurement for scanning points lying within the object region, and having a generation of a point cloud which represents the item of surface information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Hans-Martin ZOGG, Norbert KOTZUR
  • Publication number: 20140283398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to laser guided tractor trailer docking apparatuses and methods of making and using the same. Specifically, apparatuses are provided for projecting a laser line emanating from a tractor trailer loading dock to guide a tractor trailer driver backing the tractor trailer into proper position at the loading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Virgle Galyean
  • Publication number: 20140283397
    Abstract: A construction laser system includes a rotation laser and a laser receiver. To determine a direction in which the laser receiver lies in sight of the rotation laser, a digital code respectively assigned uniquely to the respective rotation angle ranges includes a state value sequence based on a defined sequence of states relating to the laser beam. In the respective rotation angle ranges, the corresponding sequence of states is respectively generated by successively occurring crossings of the respective rotation angle range. On the receiver side, an output signal is generated as a function of incidence of the laser beam. With the aid of an output signal sequence of successively generated output signals, which is acquired by the evaluation unit, the state value sequence corresponding to the acquired output signal sequence is identified, permitting final determination of the corresponding rotation angle range in which the laser receiver lies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thilo FESSLER, Bernd STÖCKEL
  • Publication number: 20140259706
    Abstract: A method of projecting into space, from a first object, a plurality of modulated lines to form a grid defining a first relative reference frame, the method includes simultaneously projecting into space from the first object a horizontal grid line and a vertical grid line to form a set of grid lines, modulating the horizontal grid line and the vertical grid line to carry first and second grid words, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
  • Publication number: 20140259707
    Abstract: A method and system for aligning a sensor of a radar unit mounted on a vehicle, including calculating at least one alignment measurement of the vehicle from a plurality of optical sensors, positioning a target at a predetermined distance forward of the radar unit and determining a position of the radar unit based on the alignment measurement and the predetermined distance of the target. The method further includes transmitting a beam extending forward from the radar unit and positioning the target and the sensor in alignment with an axis of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Roger Jones, Terry Lee Gasparovic
  • Patent number: 8826550
    Abstract: A north-referenceable goniometer for azimuthal orientation determination of a sighting device has a base, a rotary part, a rotation angle encoder for determining a rotational position of the rotary part about an upright axis, a gyroscope fixed on the rotary part and having a measuring device oriented orthogonally to the upright axis for determining a component of the Earth rotation vector, and an evaluation unit for determining the azimuthal angle of the geographical north pole. The goniometer also includes an acceleration sensor, and the evaluation unit is formed such that, using the evaluation unit, the determined component of the Earth rotation vector is corrected by a sink rate of the goniometer, determined with the aid of the acceleration sensor, and a systematic measurement error of the gyroscope is corrected by determining measurement values of the component of the Earth rotation vector in at least three different rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Vectronix AG
    Inventor: Silvio Gnepf
  • Patent number: 8826552
    Abstract: A survey setting point indicating device comprises a support member 3 which can be tilted with respect to a vertical direction, a connecting member which can be freely tilted with respect to the support member and hangs vertically downward by gravity, a laser pointer 7 which is provided at a lower end of the connecting member, is concentric with an axis of the connecting member and emits a laser beam vertically downward, and a reflector 5 provided such that the axis of the connecting member passes through a center of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishita
  • Publication number: 20140237831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sailboat mast alignment are provided. In some embodiments, a system for alignment of a sailboat mast comprises a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the mast, and one or more lasers pivotally connected to the mounting bracket to enable the one or more lasers to be positioned at an index angle relative to the mast on both sides of the mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Robert A. Rabiner, Daniel E. Rabiner, Raoul I. Rabiner
  • Patent number: 8806767
    Abstract: A laser instrument and a method for adjusting the laser power is disclosed. The laser instrument includes a laser device which generates a laser beam and a rotating device which moves the laser device back and forth around an axis of rotation between a first turning point and a second turning point. The laser beam generates a laser line between a first end point and a second end point on a target surface. A control device is provided which adjusts the laser power of the laser beam as a function of a rotation angle and/or an angular velocity of the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Winter, Sasha Lukic, Lieu-Kim Dang
  • Publication number: 20140202012
    Abstract: A geodetic device comprises three device components, two axes of rotation, and two angle sensors such that the device components are rotatable with respect to each other and their rotational positions are determinable, and an inclination sensor system. A method for determining a characteristic of the device comprises an alignment of the second device component with respect to the first device component into a plurality of different rotational positions, whereby in each rotational position of the plurality of rotational positions a measurement value is determined from the first angle sensor, a measurement value is determined from the second angle sensor, and a measurement value is determined for the orientation of the inclination sensor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TRIMBLE JENA GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Vogel, Andreas Glimm
  • Publication number: 20140202011
    Abstract: A method of operating a rotary laser level includes actuating a drive system to level a laser assembly of a base unit of the rotary laser level, and emitting a laser beam from the rotating laser assembly after the laser assembly has been leveled. A first beam center position of the emitted laser beam is detected using a portable receiving unit. An initial level position is determined at the first beam center position, and the receiving unit is fixed at the first beam center position. The base unit is then rotated so the laser assembly is pointing away from the receiving unit and the laser assembly is leveled again. The laser beam is then centered on the receiving unit again and a current level position is determined. The current level position is compared to the initial level position to determine a state of calibration of a level position of the laser assembly based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jay R. Munroe, Nathan J. Light, Antony J. Wilks
  • Publication number: 20140190025
    Abstract: A surveying appliance for surveying targets has a targeting unit and a remote control unit for prompting changes in the orientation of the targeting unit, equipped with measurement functionality for determining a three-dimensional orientation of the remote control unit or for determining movements by the remote control unit. The surveying appliance also has an evaluation and control unit. The extent or speed of the changes in the orientation of the targeting unit can be scaled to corresponding changes in an orientation or speed of change of orientation of the remote control unit such that at least two targeting modes having different levels of transmission ratio are provided. The surveying appliance can be used with corresponding handheld, moving remote control units, computer program products for providing, controlling and performing a targeting functionality for the surveying appliance and methods for tracking and surveying targets using the surveying appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Kurt Giger, Christian Schorr, Asif Iqbal