Patents Assigned to FARO TECHNOLOGIES
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Publication number: 20130016338Abstract: A method for determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object point on a surface of an object, including steps of providing a transparent plate having a first region and a second region, the second region having a different wedge angle than the first region; splitting a first beam of light into a first light and a second light; sending the first light through the first region or the second region; combining the first light and the second light to produce a fringe pattern on the surface of the object, the pitch of the fringe pattern depending on the wedge angle through which the first light travels; imaging the object point onto an array point on a photosensitive array to obtain an electrical data value; determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object point based at least in part on the electrical data value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Ryan Kruse, Yu Gong, Paul McCormack, Emmanuel Lafond
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Publication number: 20130016362Abstract: A method for determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object point on a surface of an object, the method including steps of: providing a source, a projector, and a camera; in each of two instances: spatially modulating source light; sending a modulator pattern of light through the projector lens to form light spots; filtering the spots with a pinhole plate; propagating light from the light spots onto the object to produce a fringe pattern; imaging the object point with a camera lens onto an array point of the photosensitive array to obtain first and second electrical data values from the photosensitive array; and determining the three-dimensional coordinates of the first object point based at least in part on the first electrical data value, the second electrical data value, and a baseline length.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Yu Gong, Ryan Kruse
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Publication number: 20130010307Abstract: With a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected from an object in the environment of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, and with a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, determines at least the distance to the object, the laser scanner has a cooling device with a space between a carrying structure and a shell which serves as a housing, said space opening to the outside by means of an air inlet and otherwise being sealed with respect to the interior of the carrying structure and to the shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alexander Greiner, Philipp Schumann
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Publication number: 20130009035Abstract: A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the tracker includes providing a rule of correspondence between a plurality of commands and a plurality of positions, each position being a 3-D coordinate; selecting by the user a first command from among the commands and moving by the user a retroreflector to a first position wherein the first position corresponds to the first command. Also, projecting a first light from the tracker to the retroreflector, reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light and obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light. Further, determining the first command based on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence and executing the first command with the tracker.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Nils P. Steffensen, Todd P. Wilson, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20130010308Abstract: A method for optically communicating, from a user to a six degree-of-freedom (6DOF) laser tracker, a command to control operation of the tracker includes providing a rule of correspondence between commands and pose patterns, each pattern including a change in a coordinate from an initial to a final pose, each pose having three translational coordinates and three orientational coordinates. Also, selecting a first command from among the commands and measuring the coordinate of a first pose of the 6DOF target with the tracker. Further, changing between first and second times, the coordinate of the pose of the target and measuring the coordinate of a second pose of the target with the tracker. Also, determining the first command based on the difference between the measured coordinates of the first and second poses according to the rule of correspondence and executing the first command by the tracker.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Nils P. Steffensen, Todd P. Wilson, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20120327390Abstract: A method of steering a laser beam from an instrument toward a point on a retroreflector, including: intercepting with the retroreflector a cone of light from the instrument; obtaining a first image of retroreflected light on a photosensitive array and transmitting an electrical data signal in response; determining a position on the photosensitive array of the first image; calculating first and second angular increments to steer the laser beam to the point; rotating the first and second motors to intercept with the position detector the retroreflected laser beam and to place the laser beam at a preferred location on the position detector; measuring fifth and sixth angles with first and second angle transducers; measuring a distance with a distance meter; and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the point based at least in part on the fifth angle, the sixth angle, and the distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Lawrence B. Brown, James K. West, D. Scott Ackerson
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Publication number: 20120320943Abstract: A method for warming up a first instrument that includes providing an instrument measuring a first instrument temperature with the first temperature sensor at a starting time; measuring a first air temperature with the second temperature sensor at the starting time; determining a first profile based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature, the first profile representing an amount of first electrical current applied as a function of time, the first profile selected to provide a predicted level of instrument performance within a warm-up time; applying the first electrical current according to the first profile; and providing an operator at the starting time with a numerical value for the warm-up time of the instrument, wherein the warm-up time is based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR.
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Publication number: 20120287265Abstract: In a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, where the device is a laser scanner having a light emitter which, by a rotary mirror, emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam, which, after passing the rotary mirror and a receiver lens which has an optical axis, is reflected from an object in the environment of the laser scanner. The laser scanner also includes a color camera which takes colored pictures of the environment of the laser scanner, and a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, determines the distance to the object and links it with the colored pictures, the color camera being arranged on the optical axis of the receiver lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Philipp Schumann, Martin Ossig, Reinhard Becker
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Publication number: 20120281087Abstract: A method for scanning an object in three dimensions that includes providing a handheld device and a first lens assembly, the first lens assembly removably attached to the body, the first lens assembly including a first lens and a support, the support configured to provide a fixed position for the first lens relative to the display; projecting a pattern of structured light onto the object from a display screen of the handheld device; acquiring at least one image of the structured light pattern projected onto the object using a camera integrated into the handheld device; converting each of the at least one image into digital values; and determining three-dimensional coordinates of the object based a triangulation calculation, the triangulation calculation based at least in part on the digital values and the projected pattern of the structured light.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: J. Ryan Kruse
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Publication number: 20120262573Abstract: A method of measuring surface sets on an object surface with a coordinate measurement device and a target scanner, includes providing the scanner having a body, a first retroreflector incorporating a pattern, a projector, a camera, and a processor, providing the device, selecting the source pattern of light; projecting the source pattern of light onto the object to produce the object pattern of light; imaging the object pattern of light onto the photosensitive array to obtain the image pattern of light; obtaining the pixel digital values for the image pattern of light; sending the first beam of light from the device to the first retroreflector; receiving the second beam of light from the first retroreflector; measuring the orientational and translational sets based at least in part on the second beam of light; determining the surface sets corresponding to the plurality of collinear pattern elements; and saving the surface sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20120262698Abstract: A method includes providing: an optics assembly including a housing, a beam splitter, and a position detector; and an alignment fixture; placing the assembly on the fixture which makes contact with the assembly on the first region; projecting the third beam of light onto a first surface; rotating the assembly about the sixth axis on the fixture; sensing a change in a position of the third beam of light in response to rotation of the assembly about the sixth axis; adjusting the first path to align the third beam of light to the sixth axis; attaching the assembly to a dimensional measurement device; directing the third beam of light to a retroreflector target; reflecting a portion of the third beam from the target as a fourth beam of light; and sending a third portion of the fourth beam from the beam splitter to the position detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jonathan Robert Day, Lawrence B. Brown, James K. West
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Publication number: 20120262699Abstract: A coordinate measurement device includes: first and second angle measuring devices; a distance meter; a position detector; a first collection of illuminators rotatable about the first axis and fixed with respect to the second axis, the first collection configured to provide a first light selected from among at least two different colors of light in a visible spectrum, the first collection configured to make the first light visible from first and second points along the second axis and external to the device, the first and second points on opposite sides of the device; a second collection of illuminators rotatable about the first and second axes, the second collection configured to provide at least a second light selected from among two different colors of illumination in the visible spectrum; and a processor configured to provide a pattern of illumination for the first and second collections.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Kenneth Steffey
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Publication number: 20120262728Abstract: A method of conveying information to a user of a coordinate measurement device, includes providing a first target projector, sending a first light beam from the device to a retroreflector; receiving a second light beam from the retroreflector; measuring the orientational and translational sets, the translational set based on the second light beam; selecting first information to be conveyed from the group consisting of one or more positions on the object, a direction indicated by a moving pattern, a message that includes one or more symbols or alphanumeric characters, a hidden feature, a measured object characteristic, a modeled characteristic, a magnified representation of surface characteristics, a pattern having meaning according to a rule, and combinations thereof; determining a first light pattern corresponding to the information; storing the first light pattern; and projecting the first light pattern onto the object based on the translational and orientational sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
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Publication number: 20120265479Abstract: A method of measuring with a coordinate measurement device and a target sensor a sense characteristic and a surface set associated with the sense characteristic, the method including the steps of: providing the target sensor having a body, a first retroreflector, a sensor, and a sensor processor, providing the coordinate measurement device, sending the first beam of light from the coordinate measurement device to the first retroreflector; receiving the second beam of light from the first retroreflector; measuring the orientational set and the translational set, the translational set based at least in part on the second beam of light; determining the surface set; sensing the sense characteristic; and saving the surface set and the sense characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20120262730Abstract: A device sends a first light beam to a target which returns a portion of the first beam as a second beam. First and second motors direct the first light beam to a first direction determined by first and second angles of rotation about first and second axes. First and second angle measuring devices measure first and second angles of rotation. A distance meter measures a first distance between device and target. A second portion of the second beam passes through a diffuser and onto a position detector which produces a first signal in response. A control system sends a second signal to the first motor and a third signal to the second motor, the second and third signals based on the first signal. The control system adjusts the first direction of the first beam to the target position. A processor provides a 3D coordinate of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Lawrence B. Brown, Jonathan Robert Day
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Publication number: 20120262693Abstract: A measurement device is configured to send a first light beam to a target which returns a reflected portion. The device includes a switch configured to receive a first signal, and to send the second portion out of the switch measure port if the first signal is in the first state or out of the switch reference port if the first signal is in the second state. The device also includes a first electrical circuit configured to provide the first signal, to convert the third portion into a first reference value, to convert the fifth portion into a first measure value if the first signal is in the first state, and to convert the seventh portion into a second reference value if the first signal is in the second state; and a processor configured to determine a first distance from the device to the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jacob J. Mertz, Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20120262550Abstract: Measuring three surface sets on an object surface with a measurement device and scanner, each surface set being 3D coordinates of a point on the object surface. The method includes: the device sending a first light beam to the first retroreflector and receiving a second light beam from the first retroreflector, the second light beam being a portion of the first light beam, a scanner processor and a device processor jointly configured to determine the surface sets; selecting the source light pattern and projecting it onto the object to produce the object light pattern; imaging the object light pattern onto a photosensitive array to obtain the image light pattern; obtaining the pixel digital values for the image light pattern; measuring the translational and orientational sets with the device; determining the surface sets corresponding to three non-collinear pattern elements; and saving the surface sets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20120262700Abstract: In a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, where the device is a laser scanner having a light emitter which, by a rotary mirror, emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam, which, after passing the rotary mirror and a receiver lens which has an optical axis, is reflected from an object in the environment of the laser scanner. The laser scanner also includes a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, determines the distance to the object. Also, a rear mirror is provided on the optical axis behind the receiver lens, where the rear mirror reflects towards the receiver lens the reception light beam which is refracted by the receiver lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Philipp Schumann, Martin Ossig, Joachim Zeller
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Publication number: 20120260512Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine for measuring the coordinates of an object in space is provided. The AACMM includes a base and a arm portion having an opposed first end and second end. The arm portion includes a plurality of connected arm segments, each arm segment including at least one position transducer for producing a position signal. An electronic circuit is provided that receives the position signal from the at least one position transducer. A probe member is disposed is coupled to the first end. A noncontact three-dimensional measuring device is coupled to the probe member, the device having an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and is configured to determine a distance to an object based at least in part on the propagation time of the emitted and reflected light beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Klaus Kretschmer, Robert E. Bridges, Clark H. Briggs
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Publication number: 20120262697Abstract: A measurement system includes a signal generator producing an RF modulation frequency and sampling frequency and sending the sampling frequency to an ADC, and sending the RF frequency to modulate a first light source to produce a first light; an optical system sending a portion of the first light to a reference optical detector a portion of the first light out a measurement device to a target that returns a second light to the optical system which sends the second light to a measure optical detector, the reference and measure optical detectors converting the optical signals into corresponding electrical signals; a first ADC channel receiving the electrical measure signal and producing digital measure values; a second ADC channel receiving the electrical reference signal and producing digital reference values; and a processor receiving the digital measure and reference values and calculating the device to target distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jacob J. Mertz, Robert E. Bridges