Patents Assigned to Faro Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11852777
    Abstract: A device and method for projecting a light pattern is provided. The device includes a processor system and a housing. The housing is rotatable about a first axis. A measurement device is operably coupled to the housing that measures a distance to a surface in an environment. A light projector is operably coupled to the housing, the light projector having a light source and a pair of movable mirrors, the light source positioned to emit light onto the pair of movable mirrors. Wherein the processor system is responsive to computer instructions for: determining 3D coordinates of points on the surface with the 3D measurement device; selecting a pattern; adjusting the pattern based at least in part on the 3D coordinates; and causing the light projector to emit a beam of light and moving the pair of mirrors to generate the adjusted pattern on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Trollmann, Stefan Mueller
  • Patent number: 11847741
    Abstract: A system and method for scanning an environment and generating an annotated 2D map is provided. The system includes a 2D scanner having a light source, an image sensor and a first controller. The first controller determines a distance value to at least one of the object points. The system further includes a 360° camera having a movable platform, and a second controller that merges the images acquired by the cameras to generate an image having a 360° view in a horizontal plane. The system also includes processors coupled to the 2D scanner and the 360° camera. The processors are responsive to generate a 2D map of the environment based at least in part on a signal from an operator and the distance value. The processors being further responsive for acquiring a 360° image and integrating it at a location on the 2D map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksej Frank, Matthias Wolke, Oliver Zweigle
  • Patent number: 11828852
    Abstract: A method for performing a simultaneous location and mapping of a scanner device includes detecting a set of lines in a point cloud, and identifying a semantic feature based on the set of lines. The method further includes assigning a first scan position of the scanner device in the surrounding environment at the present time t1 as a landmark, and linking the landmark with the portion of the map. The method further includes determining that the scanner device has moved, at time t2, to the scan position that was marked as the landmark based on identifying said semantic feature in another scan-data. In response, a second scan position at time t2 is determined. Also, a displacement vector is determined for the map based on a difference between the first scan position and the second scan position. Subsequently, a revised second scan position is computed based on the displacement vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brenner, Aleksej Frank, Ahmad Ramadneh, Oliver Zweigle
  • Patent number: 11815600
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Reinhard Becker
  • Patent number: 11790557
    Abstract: A system includes a three-dimensional (3D) scanner that captures a 3D point cloud corresponding to one or more objects in a surrounding environment. The system further includes a camera that captures a control image by capturing a plurality of images of the surrounding environment, and an auxiliary camera configured to capture an ultrawide-angle image of the surrounding environment. One or more processors of the system colorize the 3D point cloud using the ultrawide-angle image by mapping the ultrawide-angle image to the 3D point cloud. The system performs a limited system calibration before colorizing each 3D point cloud, and a periodic full system calibration before/after a plurality of 3D point clouds are colorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jafar Amiri Parian, Martin Ossig, Hani Kaabi
  • Patent number: 11775701
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating two-dimensional (2D) images of an environment are provided. The systems includes a measurement device and a processor configured to generate a 2D image of an environment based at least in part on a number of 2D scans, a first translation value, a first translation direction, a second translation value, a second translation direction, a first rotation value, and a second rotation value. Generating the 2D image further includes generating a grid map that includes a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells indicating a probability of a cell area being occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joao Santos, Aleksej Frank, Ahmad Ramadneh, Simon Raab, Oliver Zweigle, Derik J. White
  • Publication number: 20230300459
    Abstract: A software camera lock is provided. A first image is displayed as a 3D image, wherein a semi-transparent second image overlays the first image. A software camera is inserted at a fixed location in the 3D image, wherein the software camera provides a field-of-view (FOV) displaying a portion of the 3D image, the FOV displaying a first reference in the FOV, the second image displaying a second reference that represents first reference and comprising an object. Software camera is locked in FOV using a lock software camera mode. A model is inserted in first image to match a location of the object in second image, wherein locking the software camera in the FOV causes the FOV of the first image to be maintained in place as the model is being moved in the first image to match the location of the object in second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Brown, Derik J. White
  • Patent number: 11763491
    Abstract: A 3D measuring instrument includes a registration camera and a surface measuring system having a projector and autofocus camera. In a first pose, the registration camera captures a first registration image of first registration points. The autofocus camera captures a first surface image of first light projected onto the object by the projector and determines first 3D coordinates of points on the object. In a second pose, the registration camera captures a second registration image of second registration points. The autofocus camera adjusts the autofocus mechanism based at least in part on adjusting a focal length to reduce a difference between positions of the first and second registration points. A second surface image of second light is captured. A compensation parameter is determined based at least in part on the first registration image, the second registration image, the first 3D coordinates, the second surface image, and the projected second light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Johannes Buback
  • Patent number: 11755784
    Abstract: A method that includes providing a database for storing meta-data that describes steps in a workflow and an order of the steps in the workflow. The meta-data includes, for each of the steps: a reference to an input data file for the step; a description of a transaction performed at the step; and a reference to an output data file generated by the step based at least in part on applying the transaction to the input data file. Data that includes meta-data for a step in the workflow is received and the data is stored in the database. A trace of the workflow is generated based at least in part on contents of the database. The generating is based on receiving a request from a requestor for the trace of the workflow. At least a subset of the trace is output to the requestor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Oswin Horvath, Daniel Flohr
  • Patent number: 11748922
    Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a method for performing automatic analysis of cross-sections of micro-channels. Embodiments includes receiving tomography scan data, aligning the tomography scan data, and extracting channels from a slice of the tomography scan data to create an isolated slice of the extracted channel. Embodiments also include determining surface voxels for the extracted channels, and determining an area defined within the surface voxels for each of the extracted channels. Embodiments include determining a contribution of the surface voxels for each of the extracted channels to the cross-section of the extracted channels, and outputting cross-section information based on the contribution of the surface voxels. Also provided are embodiments of a system for performing automatic analysis of cross-sections of micro-channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ariane Stiebeiner, Georgios Balatzis, Stefan Wagner
  • Patent number: 11727635
    Abstract: A method for determining three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of an object surface with a 3D measuring device includes forming from the determined 3D coordinates a mesh having a first face, constructing a voxel array aligned to the first face, obtaining a plurality of images from a first camera having a corresponding plurality of poses, obtaining for each voxel in the voxel array a plurality of voxel values obtained from the corresponding plurality of images, determining for each voxel row a quality value determined based at least in part on an average value of a first quantity and a dispersion of the first quantity, the first quantity based at least in part on first voxel values determined as a function of pose, and determining a distance from a point on the first face to the object surface based at least in part on the determined quality values for the voxel rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Ossig, Johannes Buback
  • Patent number: 11726209
    Abstract: A system and a method for removing artifacts from a 3D coordinate data are provided. The system includes one or more processors and a measuring device. The one or more processors are operable to receive training data and train the 3D measuring device to identify artifacts by analyzing the training data. The one or more processors are further operable to identify artifacts in live data based on the training of the processor system. The one or more processors are further operable to generate clear scan data by filtering the artifacts from the live data and output the clear scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Louis Bergmann, Vadim Demkiv, Daniel Flohr
  • Patent number: 11725928
    Abstract: A handheld device has a projector that projects a pattern of light onto an object, a first camera that captures the projected pattern of light in first images, a second camera that captures the projected pattern of light in second images, a registration camera that captures a succession of third images, one or more processors that determines three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of points on the object based at least in part on the projected pattern, the first images, and the second images, the one or more processors being further operable to register the determined 3D coordinates based at least in part on common features extracted from the succession of third images, and a mobile computing device operably connected to the handheld device and cooperating with the one or more processors, the mobile computing device operable to display the registered 3D coordinates of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Döring, Rolf Heidemann, Martin Ossig, Gerrit Hillebrand
  • Patent number: 11719651
    Abstract: A system and method of inspecting a plurality of objects using a computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The method includes acquiring an image of a fixture used for holding the plurality of objects with the CT system. A first electronic model of the fixture is generated. The objects are placed in the fixture. An image of the fixture and the objects is acquired with the CT system. A second electronic model of the fixture and the objects is generated. A third electronic model of the objects is defined based at least in part on subtracting the first electronic model from the second electronic model. Dimensions of the objects from the third electronic model are compared with a computer aided design (CAD) model. A report is output based at least in part on the comparison of the objects from the third electronic model with the CAD model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ariane Stiebeiner, Georgio Balatzis, Simon Raab, Stefan Wagner
  • Patent number: 11692811
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) coordinate values of an environment is provided. The method including moving a 2D scanner through the environment. A 2D map of the environment is generated using the 2D scanner. A path is defined through the environment using the 2D scanner. 3D scan locations along the path are defined using the 2D scanner. The 2D scanner is operably coupled to a mobile base unit. The mobile base unit is moved along the path based at least in part on the 2D map and the defined path. 3D coordinate values are measured at the 3D scan locations with a 3D scanner, the 3D scanner being coupled to the mobile base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, João Santos, Aleksej Frank, Ahmad Ramadneh, Muhammad Umair Tahir, Tobias Boehret
  • Patent number: 11692812
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) measurement system, a method of measuring 3D coordinates, and a method of generating dense 3D data is provided. The method of measuring 3D coordinates includes using a first 3D measurement device and a second 3D measurement device in a cooperative manner is provided. The method includes acquiring a first set of 3D coordinates with the first 3D measurement device. The first set of 3D coordinates are transferred to the second 3D measurement device. A second set of 3D coordinates is acquired with the second 3D measurement device. The second set of 3D coordinates are registered to the first set of 3D coordinates in real-time while the second 3D measurement device is acquiring the second set of 3D coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Döring, Gerrit Hillebrand, Rasmus Debitsch, Rene Pfeiffer, Martin Ossig, Alexander Kramer
  • Patent number: 11686816
    Abstract: A scanner that can detect types of targets in a scan are includes a processor, housing and a 3D scanner disposed within the housing. The 3D scanner has a light source, a beam steering unit, a first angle measuring device, a second angle measuring device, and a light receiver, the beam steering unit cooperating with the light source and light receiver to define a scan area, the light source and the light receiver configured to cooperate with the processor system to determine locations a plurality of points in the scan area. In cases where the targets are spheres, the processor is configured to: identify potential sphere center points in the scan area by processing points identified in a single scan line; record locations of potential sphere center points; and compare some or all of the recorded locations to one another to select a sphere center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Pompe
  • Patent number: 11683465
    Abstract: An imaging device and method of imaging a region. The imaging device includes a first camera and a first light source set at a periphery of the first camera, a second camera separated from the first camera by a selected distance and a second light source set at a periphery of the second camera, and a processor configured to operate the first light source set and the second light source set independently of each other. The region is illuminated using the first light source and a first image is obtained. The region is illuminated using the second light source and a second image is obtained. At least one of the first image and the second image includes an illumination effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolf Heidemann, Matthias Wolke, Christoph Neundorf
  • Patent number: 11673257
    Abstract: An assembly includes a first component including an arm having a first end and a second end, a plurality of nuts positioned within an interior of the arm, a yoke cap, a plurality of fasteners threadably coupled with the plurality of nuts to affix the yoke cap to the first end of the arm, and a second component positioned between the first end of the arm and the yoke cap. The second component is rotatable about an axis relative to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Phipps, Dragos M. Stanescu
  • Patent number: 11644303
    Abstract: A method including determining with a three-dimensional (3D) measuring instrument 3D coordinates of an object for each of a plurality of poses of the 3D measuring instrument; capturing with a camera first- and higher-order diffraction components of markers near or on the object, the camera having a diffractive optical element (DOE), a lens, and a photosensitive array; and registering with a processor the determined 3D coordinates based at least in part on the determined 3D coordinates and on the imaged zero- and higher-order diffraction components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Heidemann