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).
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Patent number: 9047536Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Martin Benjamin Gaechter Toya
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Publication number: 20150042790Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Jürg HINDERLING, Bernhard METZLER
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Publication number: 20150042977Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Knut Siercks, Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20150029489Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Jürg Hinderling, Thomas Jensen
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Publication number: 20150022640Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Bernhard METZLER, Knut SIERCKS, Andreas PFISTER, Roman PARYS, Thomas FIDLER
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Patent number: 8908028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Leica Geosystems AGInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Bernd Walser, Beat Aebischer
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Publication number: 20140348388Abstract: 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 photogType: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: Bernhard METZLER
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Publication number: 20140350886Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventor: Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20140247439Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Hexagon Technology Center GmbHInventors: Gunnar NEIER, Bernhard METZLER
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MEASURING DEVICE THAT CAN BE OPERATED WITHOUT CONTACT AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SUCH A MEASURING DEVICE
Publication number: 20140226002Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Sieber, Werner Lienhart, Hans-Martin Zogg -
Patent number: 8798794Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Leica Geosystems AGInventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
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Patent number: 8798319Abstract: 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 photogType: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Leica Geosystems AGInventor: Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20140210663Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventor: Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20140198207Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventors: Heinz Lippuner, Bernhard Metzler, Werner Amann
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Publication number: 20140163775Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventor: Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20140105457Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Stefan Martin Benjamin Gaechter Toya
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Publication number: 20140104419Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventor: Bernhard Metzler
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Publication number: 20140046589Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
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Publication number: 20140032021Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
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Publication number: 20130094707Abstract: 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 photogType: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventor: Bernhard Metzler