Abstract: A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to direct a beam of light from the laser tracker to a retroreflector with steps including: projecting a first light from a light source disposed on the laser tracker to the retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light; obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light, wherein the first sensed data is obtained by imaging the third light onto a photosensitive array disposed on the laser tracker and converting the third light on the photosensitive array into digital form; generating by the user, between a first time and a second time, a predefined temporal pattern, the predefined temporal pattern including at least a decrease in optical power of the third light followed by an increase in the optical power of the third light, the predefined temporal pattern corresponding to the command; determining by the

Abstract: A method for scanning and measuring using a 3D measurement device is provided. The method includes providing the 3D measurement device having a light emitter, a light receiver and a command and evaluation device. The 3D measurement device is further includes a first near-field communication (NFC) device having a first antenna. A second NFC device having a second antenna is positioned adjacent the 3D measurement device. An NFC link is established between the first NFC device and the 3D measurement device. An identifier is transmitted from the second NFC device to the 3D measurement device. It is determined that the second NFC device is authorized to communicate with the 3D measurement device. Commands are transferred to the 3D measurement device from the second NFC device based at least in part on the determination that the second NFC device is authorized to communicate with the 3D measurement device.

Abstract: A photogrammetry system and method is provided. The system includes a two-dimensional (2D) camera operable to acquire a 2D image and a 2D video image. A user interface is provided having a display. A controller having a processor that performs a method for determining locations where photogrammetry images should be acquired and displaying an indicator on the user interface indicating to the operator a direction of movement to acquire the next photogrammetry image.

Abstract: A method interactively displays panoramic images of a scene. The method includes measuring 3D coordinates 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 method of determining machined characteristics of a surface with a camera system, the camera system operable to obtain six camera images. The camera images are formed by illuminating the surface with light at each of two different angles. After reflecting off the surface, the light is passed through a polarizer at each of three different angles.

Abstract: A triangulation scanner includes a projector, a camera, and a processor, the projector projecting a first pattern of light on a first point during first intervals and a no light during second intervals, the camera including an optical detector, a first accumulator, and a second accumulator, the optical detector receiving reflected light from the first point, the first and second accumulators summing signals from the optical detector during the first and second intervals, respectively, the processor determining 3D coordinates of the first point based at least in part on the first pattern, the summed signals from the first and second accumulators, and a speed of light in air.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) measuring device includes a cooling fan and an enclosure attached to a projector and a camera. The camera images a pattern of light projected by the projector onto an object to determine 3D coordinates points on the object. A fan draws air through an opening in the front of the enclosure, across a plurality of components in the enclosure and out a second opening in the enclosure.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a system of generating a two-dimensional (2D) map of an environment includes a 2D scanner and a wall sensor positioned at a fixed position with respect to the 2D scanner, the wall sensor detects a presence of an internal element inside a wall in the environment. Further, the system includes one or more processors operably coupled to the 2D scanner and the wall sensor. The processors generate a wall map of a wall in the environment, the wall map including an occupancy grid with a plurality of cells, a cell representative of a corresponding portion of the wall, and the cell indicative of the occupancy of an internal element in the corresponding portion. Further, the processors associate the wall map with a location of the wall in the 2D map of the environment.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are described for generating a two dimensional map of an environment using a set of submaps that include point clouds of the environment that are captured using a scanner device that is moved from one position to another in the environment. An example method includes revising the two-dimensional map by editing at least one of the submaps from the set, independently of the other submaps from the set. In one or more examples, the editing may be based on one or more of the other submaps from the set. The one or more embodiments facilitate revising the two-dimensional map in an offline manner and without rescanning the environment.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) measuring system and a method of determining a distance is provided. The 3D measuring system includes a display and an imager device. The imager device having a projector, a first camera and a second camera arranged in a predetermined geometric relationship, the first and second camera each having a photosensitive array with a plurality of pixels that transmit a signal in response to a wavelength of light. The projector projects a pattern that includes at least one element. The system further having one or more processors operably coupled to the display, the projector, and the first and second camera. The processors are responsive to computer instructions for determining a distance to the at least one element and changing an indicator on the display corresponding to the distance relative to a predetermined projector-to-object distance.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) scanner having two cameras and a projector is detachably coupled to a device selected from the group consisting of: an articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, a camera assembly, a six degree-of-freedom (six-DOF) tracker target assembly, and a six-DOF light point target assembly.

Abstract: A laser projection system is provided. The laser projection system includes at least one laser projector having a laser source and a laser detector. The system includes processors for executing computer instructions, the processors are coupled to the laser projector, the computer readable instructions include determining the component is stationary based on the emitting of a first laser light towards a reference target on the component and receiving a portion of the first laser light by the laser detector. In response to the determining the component is stationary: determining a transformation for mapping a first coordinate system of the laser projector to a second coordinate system of the component and forming a visual pattern on the component. The computer instructions further include determining that the component is in motion based on receiving a portion of the first laser light by the laser detector and removing the visual pattern.

Abstract: A 3D measurement device is provided that includes a base and a measuring head that can be rotated relative to the base about a first axis. A light emitter is provided which emits an emission light beam and a light receiver which receives a reception light beam. A control device determines the distance to an object. The mirror assembly is provided includes a motor housing and a shaft coaxial with the second axis. A motor is provided having a rotor and a stator, the rotor being coupled to the shaft, the stator coupled to the motor housing. A support structure has a body and a sidewall, the sidewall defining a hollow interior region that receives the rotor and the stator, the support structure further having a slanted section. A reflecting mirror is coupled to the slanted section for deflecting the emission light beam and the reception light beam.

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 safety sensor system and method is provided. The method includes projecting from a projector a pattern of light to a first position. The pattern of light being generated by a shape control element with each of the first pattern of light having a pattern pose. A first image is captured with a camera of the first pattern of light. The pose or shape of the pattern of light is changed using the shape control element. A pattern pose or shape information is determined from both images. It is determined that the second image is valid based on the pattern pose or shape information differing by more than predetermined measurement errors or the pattern pose or shape information differing less than predetermined measurement errors from values that are based on the control values transmitted to the pattern pose and shape control element.

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.

Abstract: A method for scanning and obtaining three-dimensional (3D) 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. The 3D measuring device is moved from a first position and a second position along a second path. A gesture and a corresponding control function are determined based at least in part on the first position and the second position.

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.

Abstract: A measurement system and a method of measuring an object is provided. The system includes a measurement platform having a planar surface. At least two optical sensors are coupled to the measurement platform that emit light in a plane and determines a distance to an object based on a reflection of the light. A linear rail is coupled to the measurement platform. A cooperative robot is coupled to move along the linear rail. A 3D measuring system is coupled to the end of the robot. A controller coupled to the at least two optical sensors, the robot, and the 3D measuring system, the controller changing the speed of the robot and the 3D measuring system to less than a threshold in response to a distance measured by at least one of the at least two optical sensors to a human operator being less than a first distance threshold.