Abstract: A remote inspection device is provided for inspecting visually obscured locations. The device is generally comprised of a imager housing and a display housing disposed on opposite ends of a modular, flexible cable. An imaging device and one or more light sources are embedded in the end of the cylindrical imager housing. A display housing is coupled to the other end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device. A display device supported by the display housing receives a video signal from the imaging device and converts the video signal to a video image. The flexible cable can be removably attached to other components with a detachable coupling. The detachable coupling is adapted to facilitate movement of the coupling through confined spaces and inhibit relative axial rotation. Components of the coupling can have tapered mating surfaces to inhibit longitudinal movement within the coupling.

Abstract: A remote inspection device is provided for inspecting visually obscured locations. The device is generally comprised of a imager housing and a display housing disposed on opposite ends of a modular, flexible cable. An imaging device and one or more light sources are embedded in the end of the cylindrical imager housing. A display housing is coupled to the other end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device. A display device supported by the display housing receives a video signal from the imaging device and converts the video signal to a video image. The flexible cable can be removably attached to other components with a detachable coupling.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying significant bivariate checkpoints. The system includes a controller configured to receive measurements for a plurality of checkpoints and calculate the covariance and correlation for each checkpoint pair. The controller identifies significant bivariate checkpoints based on the covariance between the checkpoint pairs. Further, the controller may also calculate the correlation for each checkpoint pair and identify the significant bivariate checkpoints based on a combination of the covariance and the correlation between the checkpoints. Further, the controller may rank the significant bivariate checkpoints and provide the significant bivariate checkpoints to a principal component algorithm.

Abstract: An improved target assembly is provided for use in calibrating a non-contact sensor in a sensor calibration system. The target assembly includes: a plate member; three pairs of truncated cones mounted adjacent to each other on a surface of the plate member, where one of the truncated cones in each pair is orientated inversely in relation to the other truncated cone; and at least three targets connected to the plate member for calibrating the target assembly in relation to a reference frame external to the target assembly.

Abstract: An automated method is provided for assessing fit and alignment of an assembly component in relation to its assembly environment. The method includes: collecting measurement data for the assembly component; defining model data representative of an assembly environment, where the assembly environment is defined by surfaces of objects that are adjacent to the assembly component in an assembled configuration; and comparing the measurement data with the model data for the assembly environment, thereby assessing the assembly component in relation to its assembly environment.

Abstract: A hand-held or tool integrated measurement device is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of dimensions and/or angles associated with various objects in a home or commercial work area. The measurement device generally includes at least one user input element, a non-contact sensor, an image processor and a display element packaged in a portable housing assembly. In operation, a user initiates the measurement by activating the user input element associated with the measurement device. The non-contact sensor receives a trigger signal from the user input element and is operative to collect image data representative of at least a portion of the surface of a measured object. The image processor in turn receives the image data from the non-contact sensor and is operative to convert the image data into measurement data for the measured object. The display element is operable to visually display the measurement data to the user.

Abstract: A modular measurement device is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of various objects at different locations within a commercial or residential work area. The modular measurement device generally includes a laser base that is operable to project light onto a measured object; and a portable measurement module adapted to receive light reflected from a surface of the measured object and operable to determine dimensional measurement data for the measured object, where the portable measurement module is configured to releasably couple to the laser base. The operational components of the measurement device are partitioned between the portable measurement module and the laser base. In this way, a single portable measurement module having more expensive operational components may be used with different, less expensive laser bases, where each laser base may be adapted for a different application.

Abstract: In a measurement system wherein time-varying physical signals containing frequency information related to a physical parameter of an object are measured to obtain corresponding time-varying measurement signals, a method and system are disclosed for processing the measurement signals to obtain a value for the physical parameter by first extracting the frequency information from the measurement signals. The frequency information includes at least one desired frequency. The physical signals are electromagnetic signals. The object is a film such as a layer formed on a substrate, the physical parameter may be thickness of the layer.

Abstract: A hand-held or tool integrated measurement device (10) is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of dimensions and/or angles associated with various objects in a home or commercial work area. The measurement device (10) generally includes at least one user input element (18), a non-contact sensor (22), an image processor (24), a gravity reference device (30), and a display element (26) packaged in a portable housing assembly (12). In operation, a user initiates the measurement by activating the user input element (18) associated with the measurement device (10). The non-contact sensor (22) receives a trigger signal from the user input element 18) and is operative to collect image data representative of at least a portion of the surface of a measured object. Likewise, the gravity reference device (30) receives the trigger signal from the user input element (18) and is operative to determine a local gravity vector.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operating parameters of a laser diode (20) is provided. The laser control system (10) automatically optimizes the laser diode (20) operating characteristics while maintaining a safe peak power for pulse duration and pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The controlled level of output power is based on the laser diode gain determined during calibration of each laser diode projector as well as using the application of predetermined laser safety formulas. The laser control system (10) includes a laser diode (20) that is powered by a laser drive current. The laser diode (20) has a laser output having a peak power level. A detector (28) is coupled to the laser diode (20) for sensing the laser output. A laser driver (18) including a primary control loop (44) is operable, in response to the sensed laser output and a reference (43), to control the laser drive current such that the output power corresponds to the reference (43). A controller (52) is coupled to the laser driver (18).

Abstract: A hand-held or tool integrated measurement device is provided for quickly and accurately performing non-contact measurements of dimensions and/or angles associated with various objects in a home or commercial work area. The measurement device generally includes at least one user input element, a non-contact sensor, an image processor and a display element packaged in a portable housing assembly. In operation, a user initiates the measurement by activating the user input element associated with the measurement device. The non-contact sensor receives a trigger signal from the user input element and is operative to collect image data representative of at least a portion of the surface of a measured object. The image processor in turn receives the image data from the non-contact sensor and is operative to convert the image data into measurement data for the measured object. The display element is operable to visually display the measurement data to the user.

Abstract: In a measurement system wherein time-varying physical signals containing frequency information related to a physical parameter of an object are measured to obtain corresponding time-varying measurement signals, a method and system are disclosed for processing the measurement signals to obtain a value for the physical parameter by first extracting the frequency information from the measurement signals. The frequency information includes at least one desired frequency and its amplitude and decay rate. Then, the frequency information is converted to a value for the physical parameter. The measurement signals are discrete time ultrasonic signals. Extraction is performed by transforming the ultrasonic signals to a Z-domain and converting at least one zero or pole in the Z-domain to the at least one frequency and its decay rate.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting defects on a painted workpiece surface. The system includes an elongated line of light having a pair of sharp transition zones. The line of light falls onto a moving substrate containing a plurality of workpieces to be inspected. An area detector receives light scattered by the workpiece surface. A first image is captured proximate one edge of the line of light and a second image is captured proximate the other. A defect on the workpiece produces characteristic shadow or backscatter patterns which vary between the first and second images. The shadow and backscatter patterns cause variations in the amplitude of light detected by the detector. The image data is then digitized and electronically processed by software which recognizes each defect, and characterizes the defect by type and/or size.

Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of a sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.

Abstract: A calibration system is provided for calibrating a sensor with respect to an external reference frame associated with manufacturing gauging station. A target calibration device is positioned at a vantage point to detect and calibrate its reference frame in relation to the external reference frame. A reference target having at least three non-coplanar reflective surfaces is illuminated by the structured light emanating from the sensor. In this way, the calibration system is able to determine the spatial location and orientation of the reference target in relation to the sensor. The calibration system further includes a coordinate transformation system for coordinating the measurement data from the target calibration device and from the feature sensor, whereby the feature sensor is calibrated with respect to the external reference frame.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for detecting anomalies in a material. The method comprises the steps of transmitting waves through the object, receiving the waves after passage through the object, determining more than one reference characteristic, measuring more than one characteristic of the received wave, comparing a first reference characteristic with a first characteristic of the received wave to create a first factor, comparing a second reference characteristic with a second characteristic of the received wave to create a second factor, combining the first factor with the second factor to create a defect index, and identifying a location of one or more anomalies in the object using the defect index. The step of determining the reference characteristics may comprise transmitting another wave of known characteristics through a material free of anomalies to produce a standard wave, and measuring one or more characteristics of the standard wave.

Abstract: Ultrasonic techniques are applied to the measurement of wooden members to detect splitting during sawing operations and thereby allow modification of sawing technique or change in saw cut placement.