Patents Assigned to Faro Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10782118
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) measuring device and a method are provided. The measuring device includes a processor system including a scanner controller. A housing is provided with a 3D scanner that is coupled to the processor system. The scanner determining a first distance to a first object point and cooperating with the processor system to determine 3D coordinates of the first object point. The measuring device further includes a photogrammetry camera coupled to the housing, the photogrammetry camera having a lens and an image sensor that define a field of view. The photogrammetry camera is arranged to position the field of view at least partially in a shadow area, the shadow area being outside of the scan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gerrit Hillebrand
  • Patent number: 10748318
    Abstract: A system and method of generating a two-dimensional (2D) image of an environment is provided. The system includes a 2D scanner having a controller that determines a distance value to at least one of the object points. One or more processors are operably coupled to the 2D scanner, the one or more processors being responsive to nontransitory executable instructions for generating a plurality of 2D submaps of the environment based at least in part on the distance value, each submap generated from a different point in the environment. A map editor is provided that is configured to: select a subset of submaps from the plurality of 2D submaps; and generate the 2D image of the environment using the subset of 2D submaps. The method provides for realigning of 2D submaps to improve the quality of a global 2D map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: João Santos, Ahmad Ramadneh, Aleksej Frank, Oliver Zweigle
  • Patent number: 10740980
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a virtual reality scene from scanned point cloud data having user defined content is provided. The system includes a coordinate measurement device operable to measure three-dimensional coordinates. A computing device having a processor is operably coupled to the coordinate measurement device, the processor being operable to generate a point cloud data and insert user defined content into the point cloud data in response to an input from a user, the processor further being operable to generate a virtual reality data file based at least in part on the point cloud data with the user defined content. A virtual reality device is operably coupled to the computing device, the virtual reality device being operable to display the virtual reality data file to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aleksej Frank, Oliver Zweigle
  • Patent number: 10739458
    Abstract: A method and system for scanning and measuring an environment is provided. The method includes providing a three-dimensional (3D) measurement device. The 3D measurement device being operable in a helical mode or a compound mode, wherein a plurality of light beams are emitted along a first path defined by a first axis and a second axis in the compound mode and along a second path defined by the first axis in the helical mode. A mobile platform holding the 3D measurement device is moved from a first position. A first group of 3D coordinates of the area is acquired by the 3D measurement device when the mobile platform is moving. A second group of 3D coordinates of the area is acquired with a second 3D measurement device that with six-degrees of freedom (6DOF). The first group of 3D coordinates is registered based on the third group of 3D coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Reinhard Becker
  • Patent number: 10733040
    Abstract: Individual bug fixed messages for software users that includes determining an occurrence of an error in software executing on a user processor. A unique error report identifier is stored in a memory accessible by the user processor and the error is reported. The reporting includes transmitting the unique error report identifier and error data that describes the error to a developer server. The error data is analyzed to determine a fix to correct the error. A message regarding the fix to correct the error is stored in a fixed error database. The software is launched and it is determined that the error was previously reported. The fixed error database is queried by the software with the unique error report identifier to locate the message. Based on locating the message, the message is downloaded and displayed by the user processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Flohr
  • Patent number: 10726566
    Abstract: A method and system for scanning and measuring an environment is provided. The method includes providing a first three-dimensional (3D) measurement device. The 3D measurement device being operable in a helical mode or a compound mode, wherein a plurality of light beams are emitted along a first path defined by a first axis and a second axis in the compound mode and along a second path defined by the first axis in the helical mode. A mobile platform holding the 3D measurement device is moved from a first position. A first group of 3D coordinates of the area is acquired by the 3D measurement device when the mobile platform is moving. A second group of 3D coordinates of the area is acquired with a second 3D measurement device that with six-degrees of freedom (6DOF). The first group of 3D coordinates is registered based on the third group of 3D coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Denis Wohlfeld
  • Patent number: 10719947
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) measurement system and method is provided. The system includes a noncontact measurement device, an annotation member and a processor. The noncontact measurement device being operable to measure a distance from the noncontact measurement device to a surface. The annotation member is coupled to the noncontact measurement device. The processor is operably coupled to the noncontact measurement device and the annotation member, the processor operable to execute computer instructions when executed on the processor for determining 3D coordinates of at least one point in a field of view based at least in part on the distance, recording an annotation in response to an input from a user, and associating the annotation with the at least one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Reinhard Becker, Martin Ossig, Joseph A. Arezone, Gerrit Hillebrand, Rene Pfeiffer, Daniel Döring
  • Patent number: 10697754
    Abstract: At each of three different locations, a tracker captures a 2D image an object and measures three points in space at each of three tracker locations relative to the object. Based on this information, the tracker determines, in an object frame of reference, three-dimensional coordinates of an arbitrary point on an edge line common to the three 2D images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10699442
    Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) for measuring the coordinates of an object in space and a method of operating the AACMM is provided. The AACMM includes a laser line probe is having a projector and a camera, the projector projecting a line of light, the camera having a lens assembly and a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly having a filter disposed between a photosensitive array and the lens assembly. The filter has a plurality of red, green and blue pixels in a predetermined arrangement. A controller causes the camera to acquire a metrology image and a color image. 3D coordinates of points on a surface are determined based on the metrology image and a color is assigned to the points based on the color image. The exposure time for the color image is adjusted based on an Exposure To The Right or a Mid-gray color model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy W. Mares, Jacint R. Barba, Christopher M. Riehl, Christopher Michael Wilson, Keith G. Macfarlane, Kishore Lankalapalli, Paul C. Atwell, Michael Shen, Nitesh Dhasmana
  • Patent number: 10670390
    Abstract: A method for verifying performance of a light projector includes establishing a reference artifact that include reflective makers and an interior edge line, determining with a laser-tracker-based three-dimensional (3D) measuring system 3D coordinates of the reflective targets and the interior edge line, determining with the light projector angles to the reflective markers with the light projector, and projecting with the light projector a pattern of light onto the interior edge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd P. Wilson, Kelley Fletcher, Arkady Savikovsky, Masoud Mohazzab, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10663588
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 10663292
    Abstract: An inspection system for measuring an object is provided. The inspection system includes an entryway sized to receive the object. At least two non-contact coordinate measurement devices are positioned with a field of view being at least partially within or adjacent to the entryway, each of the at least two non-contact coordinate measurement devices being operable to measure 3D coordinates for a plurality of points on the object as one of the object or the entryway move from a first position to a final position. A pose measurement device is operable to determine the six-degree of freedom (6DOF) pose of the object. One or more processors are provided that register the 3D coordinates for the plurality of points from each of the at least two non-contact coordinate measurement devices based at least in part on the 6DOF pose of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Simon Raab, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Rolf Heidemann, Steffen Kappes, João Santos, Oliver Zweigle, Aleksej Frank
  • Patent number: 10665012
    Abstract: A method uses a two-dimensional (2D) camera in two different positions to provide first and second 2D images having three common cardinal points. It further uses a three-dimensional (3D) measuring device to measure two 3D coordinates. The first and second 2D images and the two 3D coordinates are combined to obtain a scaled 3D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10663274
    Abstract: An articulated arm coordinate measuring machine includes a first end that clamps to a first extension element of a first measurement probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: John Lucas Creachbaum, Brent Bailey, Matthew Mogensen, William E. Schoenfeldt, Keith G. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 10656617
    Abstract: A computer numerical control (CNC) machining center is provided. The CNC machining center includes a spindle that receives a cutting tool. A work surface is operably arranged adjacent the spindle. A non-contact three-dimensional (3D) measurement device is operably coupled to the tool mount, the 3D measurement device including a projector and at least one device camera, the at least one camera being arranged to receive light from the light source that is reflected off of a surface. A plurality of targets is provided with at least one of the targets coupled to the 3D measurement device. At least two photogrammetry cameras are provided having a orientation and a field of view to acquire images of the targets. A controller is coupled for communication to the 3D measurement device and the at least two cameras, the controller determining the position of the 3D measurement device within the machining center during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Pfeffer, Markus Grau
  • Patent number: 10657691
    Abstract: A system that includes a coordinate measurement scanner having a first image sensor, one or more processors coupled to the scanner for generating a 2D image of the environment, a portable computing device having a second image sensor coupled to the one or more processors, and a mapping system. The one or more processors correlate a location captured by a first image from the portable computing device with the location in the 2D image of the environment in response to the first image being acquired by the second image sensor. The system further includes a mapping system configured to: generate a 2D map based on the 2D image of the environment, apply image recognition to the first image to identify and label an object in the first image, and update the 2D map based at least in part on the label of the object in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Joao Santos, Aleksej Frank, Ahmad Ramadneh
  • Patent number: 10657637
    Abstract: A method of comparing measured three-dimensional (3D)measurement data to an object is provided. The method includes obtaining 3D coordinates on the object with a 3D measurement device to measure at least one dimensional characteristic. An AR marker is associated with the object. The AR marker is read with an AR-marker reader and, in response, transmitting the first collection of 3D coordinates and an electronic dimensional representation of the object to a computing device having a camera and a display. The camera is positioned to view an area and to generate a camera image of the area. The camera image is displayed on the integrated display. The at least one dimensional characteristic and the virtual object are displayed in the camera image on the integrated display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert M. Persely
  • Patent number: 10659753
    Abstract: A photogrammetry system and method is provided. The photogrammetry system a two-dimensional (2D) camera operable to acquire a 2D image at a first resolution and a second resolution, and a 2D video image at the second resolution. A controller performs a method that includes acquiring a first 2D image of an object with the 2D camera at the first resolution. At least one feature on the object in the first 2D image. An image sequence is determined having a second position. A plurality of second 2D images are acquired with the 2D camera at the second resolution. The 2D camera is tracked. A direction of movement is indicated on the display. A third 2D image of the object is acquired when the 2D camera reaches the second position. Three-dimensional coordinates of the object are determined based on the first 2D image and the third 2D image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Wolke, Rolf Heidemann
  • Patent number: 10655946
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a kinematic nest that supports an element having a spherical surface, a rotation mechanism that rotates the element, and processor that activates the rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Muhammad Umair Tahir, Oliver Zweigle, Robert E. Bridges
  • Patent number: 10628533
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include global optimization of networks of locally fitted objects. An electronic representation of a network of intelligent objects is received. The network includes a plurality of intelligent objects and a plurality of gaps greater than a threshold between at least three of the intelligent objects. An aligned model of the network is created where all gaps in the aligned model of the network are less than the threshold. The creating includes optimizing a first plurality of the intelligent objects towards an axis of a second plurality of intelligent objects, and aligning the second plurality of intelligent objects towards the first plurality of intelligent objects. The optimizing and aligning are iteratively performed until a stopping condition is met. The aligned model of the network is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Tonn, Daniel Klawitter, Oliver Bringmann