Patents by Inventor Bernhard Metzler

Bernhard Metzler 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: 9047536
    Abstract: Method for providing target point candidates forming a candidate set for selecting a target point from the candidate set by means of a geodetic measuring device. The measuring device is coarsely oriented toward the target point, and an image is recorded in the sighting direction. A search process for certain target object candidates in the recorded image is performed by means of image processing and wherein at least one respective point representing the target object candidate is associated with each of the target object candidates as a target point candidate. Candidates are associated with a candidate set. respective weight values are derived according to at least one value of a predetermined target point property of the candidates and associated with the target point candidates. The target point candidates from the candidate set are each provided together with respective information representing the weight value associated with the target point candidate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Martin Benjamin Gaechter Toya
  • Publication number: 20150042790
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a geodetic surveying device, comprising a beam source for generating measurement radiation, a base defining a vertical axis, a support carrying a targeting unit and defining a tilt axis, the support being arranged on the base and rotatable relative to the base about the vertical axis, and the targeting unit being arranged rotatable relative to the support about the tilt axis, and an angle- and distance-measuring functionality. Moreover, provision is made for an image acquisition unit for acquiring images of an object in a field of view defined by the image acquisition unit, and a control and processing unit. The image acquisition unit comprises at least an image sensor and a microlens array with a multiplicity of diffractive and/or refractive optical elements arranged in a defined two-dimensional manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jürg HINDERLING, Bernhard METZLER
  • Publication number: 20150042977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement system 50 having a measuring device 20 and a scanning module 10 which has: a fastening means for fastening the scanning module 10 onto a holder; a beam deflection element 11 that is rotatable by a motor about an axis of rotation 12 to deflect a scanning laser beam 60, wherein the axis of rotation 12 is arranged at a defined angle relative to the pivoting axis 22; and a second angle measurement functionality 13 for determining an angle of rotation from an angle position of the beam deflection element 11. In addition, the measuring device 20 has a holder designed such that the scanning module 10 can be fastened by means of the fastening means in a module-like manner in a defined position on the measuring device 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Knut Siercks, Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20150029489
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a measuring device, comprising a base that defines a vertical axis, an assembly that can be pivoted about the vertical axis relative to the base, and a beam deflecting unit for varying the orientation of a measurement axis, wherein the beam deflecting unit can be rotated about a horizontal axis relative to the assembly. The measuring device further has a distance measurement functionality for measuring distance by means of the measurement radiation, an angle measurement functionality for determining an orientation of the measurement axis relative to the base, a control and processing unit for processing data and for controlling the measuring device, and a scanning functionality, wherein when the scanning functionality is executed, a scan is performed, and a point cloud comprising the scan points is produced. The assembly also has an imaging system. The measuring device may have a single-point measurement mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Jürg Hinderling, Thomas Jensen
  • Publication number: 20150022640
    Abstract: A volume determining method for an object on a construction site is disclosed. The method may include moving a mobile camera along a path around the object while orienting the camera repeatedly onto the object. The method may include capturing a series of images of the object from different points on the path and with different orientations with the camera, the series being represented by an image data set; performing a structure from motion evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images and generating a spatial representation; scaling the spatial representation with help of given information about a known absolute reference regarding scale; defining a ground surface for the object and applying it onto the spatial representation; and calculating and outputting the absolute volume of the object based on the scaled spatial representation and the defined ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bernhard METZLER, Knut SIERCKS, Andreas PFISTER, Roman PARYS, Thomas FIDLER
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140348388
    Abstract: Verifying surveying instrument's external orientation during a measurement process, comprising directing the imaging means onto a reference object and detecting a first photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a first image of the reference object in the first photographing direction, memorizing the first image and the first photographing direction as being indicative of the surveying instrument's external orientation, re-directing the imaging means onto the reference object and detecting a second photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a second image of the reference object in the second photographing direction, and comparing a first with a second imaged position of the reference object in the first respectively the second image by image processing as well as the first with the second photographing direction and verifying the surveying instrument's external orientation based on disparities between the first and the second imaged position and/or between the first and the second photog
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Bernhard METZLER
  • Publication number: 20140350886
    Abstract: A surveying system for surveying and tracking a movable target object that defines a target point includes a surveying device with a sighting unit defining a target axis and a detector for generating a continuously current amount-of-deviation signal dependent on a deviation from an optimal target orientation. A second unit on the target object side enables continuous determination of movements and/or positions of the target object with reference to an external coordinate system. The surveying system includes a target point tracking mode in which respective first measurement data currently generated by the first unit and the respective current amount-of-deviation signal and respective second measurement data currently generated by the second unit are continuously aggregated. On the basis thereof, a control signal is derived for continuous automatic motorized modification of the target axis orientation such that the target axis continuously aims at the target point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20140247439
    Abstract: A mobile field controller, together with a geodetic surveying device, forms a one-person measurement system for geodetic position determination. The field controller allows the spatial orientation of the field controller to be determined. The field controller supports a geodetic target object and has a distance-measuring unit that measures the distance between the field controller and a target point, the distance being optically marked by the field controller, as a result of which a 3D point cloud is generated without physical contact to a target point. When surveying a specific terrain region, algorithms analyzing the 3D point cloud are saved in a control and evaluation unit of the field controller. The absolute position of the target point is calculated from the data of the spatial orientation of the field controller, the distance between field controller and target point and the absolute position of the geodetic target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Gunnar NEIER, Bernhard METZLER
  • Publication number: 20140226002
    Abstract: A geodetic measuring instrument for determining the position of a target point includes a sighting apparatus that can be pivoted with respect to a base of the measuring instrument to change the orientation of the sighting apparatus. The geodetic measuring instrument has at least one objective unit defining an optical target axis and has angle measurement functionality for precisely detecting the orientation of the target axis. Evaluating means store to and control the orientation of the sighting apparatus. An eye image recording unit records eye images of an eye of a user. The evaluating means perform automatic sighting functionality regardless of viewing direction in such a way that the following occurs automatically after the function has started: at least one eye image is recorded, a viewing direction of the user eye is determined, or eye information suitable for deriving a viewing direction of the user eye is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Sieber, Werner Lienhart, Hans-Martin Zogg
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8798319
    Abstract: Verifying surveying instrument's external orientation during a measurement process, comprising directing the imaging means onto a reference object and detecting a first photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a first image of the reference object in the first photographing direction, memorizing the first image and the first photographing direction as being indicative of the surveying instrument's external orientation, re-directing the imaging means onto the reference object and detecting a second photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a second image of the reference object in the second photographing direction, and comparing a first with a second imaged position of the reference object in the first respectively the second image by image processing as well as the first with the second photographing direction and verifying the surveying instrument's external orientation based on disparities between the first and the second imaged position and/or between the first and the second photog
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20140210663
    Abstract: A geodetic measuring system having at least one reference component which defines a reference point, wherein an absolute position of the reference point is known, and at least one new-point determination component which derives a relative new-point position. It is also possible to derive mutual relative reference information between the reference component and the new-point determination component, in particular for the purpose of referencing with respect to the reference-point position. The measuring system also has an automotive, unmanned, controllable air vehicle, wherein the air vehicle has the reference component which provides the at least one reference point as a mobile reference point. The air vehicle is also designed in such a manner that the reference component can be spatially freely displaced by the air vehicle, in particular can be positioned in a substantially fixed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20140198207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilt sensor for a device, comprising a tank receiving a flowable medium, wherein the position of the medium relative to the tank depends on the tilt, and the tank comprises a polygonal, in particular triangular, or an elliptical, in particular circular base, a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating projections of at least one part of a boundary of the medium, at least two detectors for detecting one of the projections, respectively, and for converting same into signals, wherein the detectors each comprise a detecting direction and the detecting directions of the detectors are disposed at angles to each other, and further comprising an analysis unit for determining the tilt in two axes from the signals of the at least two detectors, wherein the tilt is determined jointly for the two axes from a combination of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Lippuner, Bernhard Metzler, Werner Amann
  • Publication number: 20140163775
    Abstract: A geodetic marking system for marking a known target point, having an automotive, unmanned, remotely controllable air vehicle and having a geodetic position determination arrangement for determining the external actual position of the air vehicle. The air vehicle also has a marking unit for marking the target point, and the marking system has a control unit such that the air vehicle can be positioned relative to the target point position on the basis of the external actual position, which can be determined continuously. The control unit is also configured in such a manner that it is possible to control the marking unit for marking the target point taking into account the actual position, the desired position and a defined marking direction from the marking unit to the target point, with the result that the target point can be marked with geodetic accuracy in the defined marking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20140105457
    Abstract: Method for providing target point candidates forming a candidate set for selecting a target point from the candidate set by means of a geodetic measuring device. The measuring device is coarsely oriented toward the target point, and an image is recorded in the sighting direction. A search process for certain target object candidates in the recorded image is performed by means of image processing and wherein at least one respective point representing the target object candidate is associated with each of the target object candidates as a target point candidate. Candidates are associated with a candidate set. respective weight values are derived according to at least one value of a predetermined target point property of the candidates and associated with the target point candidates. The target point candidates from the candidate set are each provided together with respective information representing the weight value associated with the target point candidate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Martin Benjamin Gaechter Toya
  • Publication number: 20140104419
    Abstract: A measuring unit having an edge tracking function which runs at least partially automatically. After an at least coarse alignment of a targeting unit having an alignment display function at a first corner known or defined by a user between adjacent surfaces of the structure and a recording of an image of the said first corner with the environment thereof, edge lines are identified as part of the edge tracking function by means of an edge definition by image processing, a query is made as to which of the identified edges lines should be tracked starting from the first corner or in which direction the identified edge line should be tracked starting from the first edge point a user-defined edge line is tracked automatically by the targeting unit at least as far as to a further corner, wherein spatial points situated along the user-defined edge line are measured if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20140046589
    Abstract: A measuring system for determining 3D coordinates of measurement points on an object surface which has a scanning apparatus for measuring the measurement points on the object surface and for determining inner measurement point coordinates in an inner scanning coordinate system. Furthermore, a referencing arrangement for producing referencing information for referencing the inner measurement point coordinates in the outer object coordinate system and an evaluation unit for determining the 3D coordinates of the measurement points in the outer object coordinate system on the basis of the inner measurement point coordinates and the referencing information are provided such that the inner measurement point coordinates are in the form of 3D coordinates in the outer object coordinate system. The scanning apparatus is in this case carried in an unmanned, controllable, automotive air vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140032021
    Abstract: A geodetic measuring system having a geodetic measuring unit having a beam source for emitting a substantially collimated optical beam. The measuring system also has an automotive, unmanned, controllable air vehicle having an optical module. An evaluation unit is also provided, wherein the evaluation unit is configured in such a manner that an actual state of the air vehicle, as determined by a position, an orientation and/or a change in position, can be determined in a coordinate system from interaction between the optical beam and the optical module. The measuring system has a control unit for controlling the air vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured in such a manner that control data can be produced using an algorithm on the basis of the actual state, which can be continuously determined in particular, and a defined desired state, and the air vehicle can be automatically changed to the desired state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20130094707
    Abstract: Verifying surveying instrument's external orientation during a measurement process, comprising directing the imaging means onto a reference object and detecting a first photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a first image of the reference object in the first photographing direction, memorizing the first image and the first photographing direction as being indicative of the surveying instrument's external orientation, re-directing the imaging means onto the reference object and detecting a second photographing direction of the imaging means, taking a second image of the reference object in the second photographing direction, and comparing a first with a second imaged position of the reference object in the first respectively the second image by image processing as well as the first with the second photographing direction and verifying the surveying instrument's external orientation based on disparities between the first and the second imaged position and/or between the first and the second photog
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Metzler