Patents by Inventor Bernd Walser

Bernd Walser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11568520
    Abstract: A method for colourising a three-dimensional point cloud including surveying a point cloud with a surveying instrument. Each point of the point cloud may be characterised by coordinates within an instrument coordinate system having an instrument center. The method may include capturing a first image of the setting with a first camera. Each pixel value of the first image is assigned coordinates within a first camera coordinate system having a first projection center as origin and a first parallax shift relative to the instrument center. The method may include transforming the point cloud from the instrument coordinate system into the first camera coordinate system, resulting in a first transformed point cloud, detecting one or more uncovered points within the first transformed point cloud which are openly visible from the first projection center, and for each uncovered point, assigning a pixel value having corresponding coordinates in the first camera coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Daniel Blaser, Richard Fetzel, Bianca Gordon, Marco Schröder, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 10830588
    Abstract: A surveying device including a base defining a base axis (A), a support structure defining a rotation axis (B), a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit detecting reflected measuring light, and a rotation unit including a rotation body including at least one scanning mirror arranged tilted relative to the rotation axis (B) and a curved deflecting element different from the scanning surface. The surveying device also includes an imaging unit including a camera sensor which is fixedly arranged so that an optical axis of the camera sensor is directed towards the rotation body, such that only in a predetermined imaging-alignment of the rotation body around the rotation axis (B) the optical axis of the at least one camera sensor is deflected by the curved deflecting element by a desired angle and direction so that the field of view comprises a defined field angle around the rotation axis (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Schwendener, Bernd Walser, Marco Schröder, Benjamin Seifert
  • Publication number: 20190011257
    Abstract: A surveying device including a base defining a base axis (A), a support structure defining a rotation axis (B), a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit detecting reflected measuring light, and a rotation unit including a rotation body including at least one scanning mirror arranged tilted relative to the rotation axis (B) and a curved deflecting element different from the scanning surface. The surveying device also includes an imaging unit including a camera sensor which is fixedly arranged so that an optical axis of the camera sensor is directed towards the rotation body, such that only in a predetermined imaging-alignment of the rotation body around the rotation axis (B) the optical axis of the at least one camera sensor is deflected by the curved deflecting element by a desired angle and direction so that the field of view comprises a defined field angle around the rotation axis (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas SCHWENDENER, Bernd WALSER, Marco SCHRÖDER, Benjamin SEIFERT
  • Publication number: 20180211367
    Abstract: A method for colourising a three-dimensional point cloud. The method includes surveying a point cloud with a surveying instrument, wherein each point of said point cloud is characterised by coordinates within an instrument coordinate system, having an instrument center, capturing a first image of the setting with a first camera, wherein each pixel value of the first image is assigned coordinates within a first camera coordinate system having a first projection center as origin and a first parallax shift relative to the instrument center, and with a computer, transforming the point cloud from the instrument coordinate system into the first camera coordinate system, resulting in a first transformed point cloud, detecting one or more uncovered points within the first transformed point cloud which are openly visible from the first projection center, and for each uncovered point, assigning a pixel value having corresponding coordinates in the first camera coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Daniel BLASER, Richard FETZEL, Bianca GORDON, Marco SCHRÖDER, Bernd WALSER
  • Patent number: 9752863
    Abstract: A device having a scan function comprising an electro-optical distance measuring element having a laser axis as the target axis, a motorized optical deflection unit, which deflects the target axis by a deflection angle, and an angle measuring element for determining at least one angular position of the deflection unit. First measurement of angle coordinates of a reticle in a first angular position of the deflection unit as the first position, and second measurement of angle coordinates of the reticle in a second angular position of the deflection unit as the second position. The first and second measurements of the reticle are carried out on the basis of images taken with a camera, the optical axis of which is deflected by the deflection unit, and calibration parameters are determined on the basis of the angular positions and the angular coordinates in the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Bianca Gordon, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 9154717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting a distortion in an aerial photograph caused by a flight movement in the forward direction. The aerial photograph is captured by a surface sensor, the sensor lines of which sensor are exposed at different, successive exposure times, so that each individual sensor line senses a strip of terrain of the terrain flow over at the different exposure times. A relative flight altitude above the strips of terrain captured by the respective sensor line is assigned to the individual sensor lines. Furthermore, a compensation factor is separately determined for each of the individual sensor lines, wherein the factor depends on an air speed of the flying object, a focal length of the aerial camera and the relative flight altitude assigned to the respective sensor line, and corrects the distortion in the aerial photograph for the lines based on the respective compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG, NOVATEL INC.
    Inventors: Gert Ferrano, Bernd Walser, Kristian Morin
  • Patent number: 8908028
    Abstract: According to the invention, the calibration measuring cycle is divided into several, particularly a plurality of partial cycles, with which one or more of the calibration measurements are associated. While maintaining the cycle, the partial cycles are now carried out in one of the positioning pauses such that the calibration measuring cycle is distributed over several, in particular a plurality of, positioning pauses and is integrated into the flow of the industrial process without interfering with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Bernd Walser, Beat Aebischer
  • Patent number: 8798794
    Abstract: An object is highly precisely moved by an industrial robot to an end position by the following steps, which are repeated until the end position is reached within a specified tolerance: Recording a three-dimensional image by means of a 3-D image recording device. Determining the present position of the object in the spatial coordinate system from the position of the 3-D image recording device the angular orientation of the 3-D image recording device detected by an angle measuring unit, the three-dimensional image, and the knowledge of features on the object. Calculating the position difference between the present position of the object and the end position. Calculating a new target position of the industrial robot while taking into consideration the compensation value from the present position of the industrial robot and a value linked to the position difference. Moving the industrial robot to the new target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20140009604
    Abstract: A device having a scan function comprising an electro-optical distance measuring element having a laser axis as the target axis, a motorized optical deflection unit, which deflects the target axis by a deflection angle, and an angle measuring element for determining at least one angular position of the deflection unit. First measurement of angle coordinates of a reticle in a first angular position of the deflection unit as the first position, and second measurement of angle coordinates of the reticle in a second angular position of the deflection unit as the second position. The first and second measurements of the reticle are carried out on the basis of images taken with a camera, the optical axis of which is deflected by the deflection unit, and calibration parameters are determined on the basis of the angular positions and the angular coordinates in the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Bianca Gordon, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 8596217
    Abstract: An application controller for an application unit, for marking substances comprises a radiation sensor, by means of which the relative position of the application unit relative to a reference plane may be determined. The relative position of the application unit can be determined by means for recording the orientation of the application unit controller relative to the reference plane from the association of position with orientation information, such that control instructions, in particular for positional correction may be generated by the application unit controller. The position of the application unit can be adjusted by an actuator device according to the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Peter Kipfer, Christian Betschon, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 8346392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the high-precision positioning of at least one object in a final location in space. An object (12) is gripped and held by the industrial robot (11) within a gripping tolerance. A compensating variable, which corrects the gripping tolerance, is determined for the industrial robot (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20120098958
    Abstract: According to the invention, the calibration measuring cycle is divided into several, particularly a plurality of partial cycles, with which one or more of the calibration measurements are associated. While maintaining the cycle, the partial cycles are now carried out in one of the positioning pauses such that the calibration measuring cycle is distributed over several, in particular a plurality of, positioning pauses and is integrated into the flow of the industrial process without interfering with the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Bernd Walser, Beat Aebischer
  • Publication number: 20120072021
    Abstract: An object is highly precisely moved by an industrial robot to an end position by the following steps, which are repeated until the end position is reached within a specified tolerance: Recording a three-dimensional image by means of a 3-D image recording device. Determining the present position of the object in the spatial coordinate system from the position of the 3-D image recording device the angular orientation of the 3-D image recording device detected by an angle measuring unit, the three-dimensional image, and the knowledge of features on the object. Calculating the position difference between the present position of the object and the end position. Calculating a new target position of the industrial robot while taking into consideration the compensation value from the present position of the industrial robot and a value linked to the position difference. Moving the industrial robot to the new target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20120062730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting a distortion in an aerial photograph caused by a flight movement in the forward direction. The aerial photograph is captured by a surface sensor, the sensor lines of which sensor are exposed at different, successive exposure times, so that each individual sensor line senses a strip of terrain of the terrain flow over at the different exposure times. A relative flight altitude above the strips of terrain captured by the respective sensor line is assigned to the individual sensor lines. Furthermore, a compensation factor is separately determined for each of the individual sensor lines, wherein the factor depends on an air speed of the flying object, a focal length of the aerial camera and the relative flight altitude assigned to the respective sensor line, and corrects the distortion in the aerial photograph for the lines based on the respective compensation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicants: NOVATEL INC., LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Gert Ferrano, Bernd Walser, Kristian Morin
  • Publication number: 20100274390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the high-precision positioning of at least one object in a final location in space. An object (12) is gripped and held by the industrial robot (11) within a gripping tolerance. A compensating variable, which corrects the gripping tolerance, is determined for the industrial robot (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
  • Patent number: 7797846
    Abstract: A reference beam generator (1c) for guiding a marking machine, which can be moved in relation to the reference beam generator (1c), for producing ground markings has a support element with at least three adjustable legs (2a, 2b) as positioning elements relative to the surface of the ground (EOB) and a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating a first and a second guide beam which is emitted with a prespecified opening angle in a fan-shaped manner. In this case, two legs (2a?) of the at least three adjustable legs (2a?, 2b) can be adjusted by an adjusting component in an associated manner in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Bernd Walser
  • Publication number: 20100058598
    Abstract: A reference beam generator (1c) for guiding a marking machine, which can be moved in relation to the reference beam generator (1c), for producing ground markings has a support element with at least three adjustable legs (2a, 2b) as positioning elements relative to the surface of the ground (EOB) and a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating a first and a second guide beam which is emitted with a prespecified opening angle in a fan-shaped manner. In this case, two legs (2a?) of the at least three adjustable legs (2a?, 2b) can be adjusted by an adjusting component in an associated manner in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Bernd WALSER
  • Patent number: 7633610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the geodesical measurement of an object (1), using a geodesical measuring appliance (2) comprising recording means (3) for acquiring a recorded image (4) at least of the object (1) to be geodesically measured. Once the angular orientation of a coverage strip (5) of the recording means (3) has been determined, the image (4) is captured and represented at least partially in the form of a display image (6). A set of recorded image co-ordinates (7) are determined by establishing at least one set of associated display image co-ordinates (8), and the set of recorded image co-ordinates (7) is transformed into at least one geodesical measuring variable, especially a solid angle. Templates (10) which are in the form of models that can be placed on the display image and at least partially describe the object (1) are used to support the user during the fixing of the target point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Bernd Walser
  • Publication number: 20090010712
    Abstract: An application controller for an application unit, for marking substances comprises a radiation sensor, by means of which the relative position of the application unit relative to a reference plane may be determined. The relative position of the application unit can be determined by means for recording the orientation of the application unit controller relative to the reference plane from the association of position with orientation information, such that control instructions, in particular for positional correction may be generated by the application unit controller. The position of the application unit can be adjusted by an actuator device according to the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Peter Kipfer, Christian Betschon, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 7434322
    Abstract: A reference beam generator (1) for guiding a field marker for ground markings has a support element (11) which can be positioned in a defined manner relative to the Earth's surface, a laser diode and beam guidance means for the emission of the radiation (LS) to at least one reference target (4), the radiation (LS) being emitted with an asymmetrical beam cross-section (5), in particular in the form of a fan, and the beam guidance means being adjustable in a defined manner relative to the support element (11). The radiation (LS) can be aligned with the reference target (4) by an optical detection component for detecting and providing the radiation reflected by the reference target, in particular a telescope (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer, Christian Betschon