Abstract: A method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of a surface includes providing a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, providing a measurement device coupled to the first end, the measurement device including a camera having a lens and a photosensitive array and moving the camera to first and second positions and orientations to capture first and second images. Based on data from the camera, a first set of cardinal points common to the first and images and the second images are used to form a 3D coordinates that describe the surface.

Abstract: A device and method for scanning and measuring an environment is provided. The method includes providing a three-dimensional (3D) measurement device having a controller. Images of the environment are recorded and a 3D scan of the environment is produced with a three-dimensional point cloud. A first movement of the 3D measurement device is determined and then an operating parameter of the 3D measurement device is changed based at least in part on the first movement.

Abstract: A method of balancing colors of three-dimensional (3D) points measured by a scanner from a first location and a second location. The scanner measures 3D coordinates and colors of first object points from a first location and second object points from a second location. The scene is divided into local neighborhoods, each containing at least a first object point and a second object point. An adapted second color is determined for each second object point based at least in part on the colors of first object points in the local neighborhood.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a three-dimensional (3D) video of a scene by measuring and registering 3D coordinates at a first position and a second position of a 3D measuring device, the 3D video generated by combining two-dimensional images extracted at trajectory points along a trajectory path.

Abstract: A method for finding a reference correction value of an angular encoder index mark is given. The angular encoder has a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element that includes incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance, the first read head detects the presence of the index mark and, in response, the second read head generates a first analog signal. In a second instance, the first read head detects the presence of the index mark and, in response, the second read head generates a second analog signal. A processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first analog signal and the second analog signal.

Abstract: A method interactively displays panoramic images of a scene. The method includes measuring 3D coordinates of the scene with a 3D measuring instrument at a first position and a second position. The 3D coordinates are registering into a common frame of reference. Within the scene, a trajectory includes a plurality of trajectory points. Along the trajectory, 2D images are generated from the commonly registered 3D coordinates. A trajectory display mode sequentially displays a collection of 2D images at the trajectory points. A rotational display mode allows a user to select a desired view direction at a given trajectory point. The user selects the trajectory display mode or the rotational display mode and sees the result shown on the display device.

Abstract: A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to retrieve data stored on a circuit associated with an object to be inspected and use the data to perform an inspection on the object using the metrology device.

Abstract: A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position and a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from a second registration position. In between these positions, the 3D scanner collects 2D camera images. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on the 2D camera images. The processor adjusts the second collection of points relative to the first collection of points based at least in part on the first and second translation values and the first rotation value. The processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in the first and second collection of 3D coordinates, and uses this correspondence to further adjust the relative position and orientation of the first and second collection of 3D coordinates.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.

Abstract: A method for optically scanning and measuring a scene by a laser scanner includes generating multiple scans; tracking scanner positions with a position-tracking device for the multiple scans and providing tracked scanner positions in response; registering sequentially scans selected from the multiple scans into clusters using registration points or targets and confirming registration of the scans into the clusters according to specified quality criteria being fulfilled; selecting scans from the clusters and forming pairs of scans; forming an intersection of the selected pairs and comparing a size of the intersection with a threshold value obtained based at least in part on the tracked scanner positions; and attempting to register the pairs of scans if the size of the intersection exceeds the threshold value and accepting the registered pairs of scans if the registration is successful.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting errors in a bearing cartridge used in a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) is provided. The method includes providing a cartridge having a first bearing and a second bearing arranged in a fixed relationship to define an axis, the cartridge further including an angle measurement device configured to measure a rotation of a portion of the cartridge about the axis. A plurality of angles is measured with the angle measurement device. A first plurality of displacements is determined at a first position along the axis, each of the first plurality of displacements being associated with one of the plurality of angles. Compensation values are determined based at least in part on the plurality of angles and the first plurality of displacements.

Abstract: An articulated arm coordinate measurement machine is provided with a configurable arm bus. The arm bus being comprised of a plurality of busses that may be selectively coupled to form one or more logical data communications busses. The logical busses may be configured to allow accessory devices to be coupled to the arm and transmit data at higher speeds and at lower costs than may be possible using data busses having fixed communications protocols. In one embodiment, one or more communications switches may be arranged in the probe end of the arm to selectively combine the busses into a logical bus.

Abstract: A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position. A 2D scanner collects horizontal 2D scan sets as 3D measuring device moves from first to second registration positions. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on collected 2D scan sets. 3D scanner measures a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from second registration position. Processor adjusts second collection of points relative to first collection of points based at least in part on first and second translation values and first rotation value. Processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in first and second collection of 3D coordinates, and uses this correspondence to further adjust the relative position and orientation of first and second collection of 3D coordinates.

Abstract: A system is provided for communicating between a 3D metrology instrument and a portable computing device via near field communications. In one embodiment, the metrology device is an articulated coordinate measurement machine (AACMM), a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a triangulation scanner, and the portable communications device is a cellular phone or a tablet. The portable device may use the NFC to establish longer range communications modules, to change or establish settings and parameters or control the metrology device.

Abstract: A method interactively displays panoramic images of a scene. The method includes measuring 3D coordinates of the scene with a 3D measuring instrument at a first position and a second position. The 3D coordinates are registering into a common frame of reference. Within the scene, a trajectory includes a plurality of trajectory points. Along the trajectory, 2D images are generated from the commonly registered 3D coordinates. A user interface provides a trajectory display mode that sequentially displays a collection of 2D images at the trajectory points. The user interface also provides a rotational display mode that allows a user to select a desired view direction at a given trajectory point. The user selects the trajectory display mode or the rotational display mode and sees the result shown on the display device.

Abstract: A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) includes a substrate, an optic, and an adhesive. The substrate has a partially spherical outer surface and a cavity, the partially spherical outer surface has a sphere center. The optic has a cube-corner retroreflector fixedly disposed within the cavity; the cube-corner retroreflector has an optical vertex. The adhesive is disposed between the optic and the substrate and fixedly adheres the optic to the substrate. The optical vertex is coincident with the sphere center. The substrate is made from a ferromagnetic material and has an electroless nickel outer coating.

Abstract: A method is given for finding a reference correction value of an index mark of an angular encoder. The angular encoder includes a first read head, a second read head, and a patterned element having incremental marks and an index mark. In a first instance and in a second instance, the patterned element is rotated relative to the read heads to obtain incremental readings from the first read head and the second read head and an index mark from the first read head. Based on these readings, a processor determines, in the first instance, a first reference position and, in the second instance, a second reference position. The processor determines the reference correction value based at least in part on the first reference position and the second reference position.

Abstract: A method for scanning and obtaining three-dimensional (3D)l coordinates is provided. The method includes providing a 3D measuring device having a projector, a first camera and a second camera. The method records images of a light pattern emitted by the projector onto an object. A deviation in a measured parameter from an expected parameter is determined. The calibration of the 3D measuring device may be changed when the deviation is outside of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A laser scanner collects gray-scale values and associated 3D coordinates of a scanned object in a spherical coordinate system, and displays reformatted gray-scale values that are reformatted from the spherical coordinate system into a planar view rectangular region. The reformatted gray-scale values have at least one straight line of the object appearing as a curved line on a display.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship 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. A first command is determined from one of the plurality of commands based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.