Patents by Inventor Burkhard Boeckem

Burkhard Boeckem 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: 9816813
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a handheld measuring aid for use in a system—having a station for position and orientation determination of the handheld measuring aid—for surveying an object surface. the handheld measuring aid has in this case on a body, visual markings which are arranged in a defined spatial relationship, forming a pattern, on the body in a marking region, a measuring probe, which is arranged on an orifice of the body in a defined spatial relationship in relation to the pattern, for the object surface, an operating element, an electronic circuit for generating a measurement triggering signal—occurring as a function of an actuation of the operating element—and wireless communication means for transmitting the measurement triggering signal to the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Michael Lettau, Marco Lüscher, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20170285147
    Abstract: A laser scanner device adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, the device comprising a LIDAR module, the LIDAR module comprising at least one laser source, characterized by a horizontal field of view of at least 60°, an instantaneous vertical field of view of at least ±2°, a scan resolution of at least one point per 0.8° in horizontal and vertical direction, and a frame rate of at least 10 Hz for scanning at least the entire horizontal and instantaneous vertical field of view with said scan resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Julien SINGER, Lukas HEINZLE, Jochen SCHEJA, Simon MARK, Jürg HINDERLING, Burkhard BÖCKEM
  • Patent number: 9645239
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the distance with respect to the target. The laser tracker may include beam directing unit for emitting a measurement radiation and for receiving at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. The laser tracker additionally comprises an interferometer for determining a change in distance with respect to the target. A control and evaluation unit is designed in such a way that an interferometer wavelength of the measurement radiation is determined by defined sample measurements being carried out with variation of the distance with respect to the target, wherein the sample measurements are effected for at least two different distances with respect to the target, the measurement radiation is constantly oriented towards the target and with the interferometer wavelength being kept stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20170122736
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a surface surveying device, in particular profiler or 3D scanner, for determining a multiplicity of 3D coordinates of measurement points on a surface, comprising a scanning unit and means for determining a position and orientation of the scanning unit, a carrier for carrying the scanning unit and at least part of the means for determining a position and orientation, and a control and evaluation unit with a surface surveying functionality. The carrier is embodied as an unmanned aerial vehicle which is capable of hovering and comprises a lead, the latter being connected at one end thereof to the aerial vehicle and able to be held at the other end by a user, wherein the lead is provided for guiding the aerial vehicle in the air by the user and the position of the aerial vehicle in the air is predetermined by the effective length of the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Jürgen DOLD, Thomas HARRING, Burkhard BÖCKEM
  • Patent number: 9612331
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a laser tracker having: a base defining a standing axis; a beam steering unit for emitting a measurement radiation; a distance measuring unit for determining the distance to the target; and angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit. The beam steering unit can swivel around the standing axis and a tilt axis relative to the base. A measurement axis is defined by an emission direction of the measurement radiation. The laser tracker may include a target-seeking unit having lighting means and at least one target-seeking camera having a position-sensitive detector. The one target-seeking field can be illuminated by means of the lighting means. A search image for the position dependent identification of the target can be detected with the target-seeking camera and at least part of the lighting beam reflected on the target can be determined as a search image position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20160252619
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the position of the target, comprising a base that defines a vertical axis and a beam-deflecting unit for emitting measurement radiation. The beam-deflecting unit can be pivoted about the vertical axis and a tilt axis in relation to the base in a motorized manner and a measurement axis is defined by an emission direction of the measurement radiation. The laser tracker may have a fine distance measurement unit for precisely determining a distance to the target, an angle measurement functionality for determining an orientation of the beam-deflecting unit in relation to the base, and a target-seeking unit. The target-seeking unit has illuminating means, a camera having a position-sensitive detector for detecting illumination radiation reflected by the target, and a control and evaluating unit having seeking functionality for finding the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Albert MARKENDORF, Burkhard BÖCKEM
  • Patent number: 9400175
    Abstract: A laser tracker for continuous tracking of a reflecting target and for determining the distance to the target is provided. The laser tracker may include a base defining a standing axis, a beam steering unit for emission of a measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected by the target. The beam steering unit is motorized to be pivotable relative to the base around the standing axis and a tilt axis extending substantially orthogonal to the standing axis. Furthermore, the tracker has a distance measuring unit configured as an interferometer for determining a change in distance to the target by means of interferometry, an interferometer laser beam source for generating the measuring radiation for the interferometer and an angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit relative to the base. The interferometer laser beam source may be configured as a laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20160170024
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a coordinate measuring machine for detecting the position and alignment of a spatially movable measuring aid. The coordinate measuring machine may include a retroreflector; a base; a support, which is fixed on the base rotatably about a first rotation axis; a beam directing unit, which is fixed to the support rotatably about a second rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis; means for detecting a rotation angle of the support relative to the base; and means for detecting a rotation angle of the beam directing unit relative to the support. In some embodiments, the beam directing unit comprises a laser emission and reception optical unit and a first optical distance measuring unit having at least one first distance measuring device for measuring the distance to a retroreflector of the measuring aid by means of a first measurement radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Thomas LÜTHI, Simon FUCHS
  • Patent number: 9366531
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that automatically rotates about two axes and can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: a device for optically measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a first light source for emitting a target beam that is visible as a first target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a detection unit for determining a fine position of the first target point on a first position detection sensor; a second light source, the light of which is visible as a second target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a rough target detection unit for determining a rough position of the second target point on a second position detection sensor. A control device directs the carrier toward the measuring aid according to the fine and rough positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Böckem, Simon Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9322654
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relates to a laser tracker for determining the position of an auxiliary measuring instrument that has a retroreflector and a multiplicity of target markings, and also for continuously tracking the auxiliary measuring instrument. The target markings may be arranged in a known fixed spatial distribution on the auxiliary measuring instrument and may be embodied to emit or reflect light beams. The laser tracker may have a first radiation source for producing measurement radiation, a distance measuring module, and a target sensing unit for determining an impingement point for radiation reflected by the retroreflector on a sensor of the target sensing unit and for producing an output signal in order to control a fine targeting functionality and a target tracking functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20160103222
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a coordinate measuring machine for determining the position and/or for continuous tracking of a target embodied as a retroreflector or at least having a retroreflector. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring machine may be a laser tracker. The coordinate measuring machine may include comprising at least a base defining a vertical axis, a support swivelable relative thereto and, tiltable thereto a beam guiding unit for emitting measurement radiation for receiving at least some of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring machine includes a heat influence reduction component that may be configured to prevent and/or actively reduce heat emission, and/or obstruct or prevent warm air from passing through the near region free beam path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Simon FUCHS, Thomas LÜTHI, Manfred KÜPFER
  • Publication number: 20160033258
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a coordinate measuring device, in particular a laser tracker, for capturing the position and alignment of a measuring aid, which is movable in space and comprises a retroreflector. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring device may include at least a support fastened on a base so it is rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a beam deflection unit fastened on the support so it is rotatable about a second axis of rotation, which is essentially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, a first bearing for the rotatable mounting of the beam deflection unit on the support, and a second bearing for the rotatable mounting of the support on the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Daniel MOSER, Simon FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20150247927
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser tracker for determining a position and/or orientation of an auxiliary measurement object, comprising a base which defines a vertical axis, a pivotal support, and a rotatable pivoting unit with at least two optical assemblies and an image detecting unit. The optical assemblies can be moved along an optical axis of the pivoting unit, and a magnification factor is defined by a positioning of the optical assembly. The tracker further has a radiation source for emitting a laser beam, a distance measuring unit, an angle measuring functionality, and a control and processing unit with an object imaging functionality, wherein the optical assemblies are positioned relative to the auxiliary measurement object dependent on a triggered measurement such that an image is provided for the auxiliary measurement object on the image detecting unit with a particular image scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventor: Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20150185327
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a measuring device and a scanning module having fastening means for fastening the scanning module onto a holder and a beam deflection element that is rotatable by a motor about an axis of rotation to deflect a scanning laser beam. The axis of rotation is arranged at a defined angle relative to the pivoting axis. A second angle measurement functionality determines an angle of rotation from an angle position of the beam deflection element. The measuring device also has a holder designed such that the scanning module can be fastened by means of the fastening means in a module-like manner in a defined position on the measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Burkhard BOECKEM, Knut SIERCKS, Bernhard METZLER
  • Publication number: 20150138528
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the distance with respect to the target. The laser tracker may include beam directing unit for emitting a measurement radiation and for receiving at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. The laser tracker additionally comprises an interferometer for determining a change in distance with respect to the target. A control and evaluation unit is designed in such a way that an interferometer wavelength of the measurement radiation is determined by defined sample measurements being carried out with variation of the distance with respect to the target, wherein the sample measurements are effected for at least two different distances with respect to the target, the measurement radiation is constantly oriented towards the target and with the interferometer wavelength being kept stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20150138530
    Abstract: Measuring apparatus comprising a tunable laser diode for generating a mono mode measurement radiation, said laser diode being designed as a laser beam source in such a way that an emission wavelength of the measurement radiation is variable within a wavelength range by means of the variation of a tuning parameter, comprising an absorption medium defining absorption lines within the wavelength range, comprising a memory having a line atlas for the absorption medium, comprising a detector for determining an absorptivity and comprising a control and evaluation unit for regulating the emission wavelength by means of the at least one tuning parameter in a manner dependent on the absorptivity determined in such a way that the emission wavelength remains stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem, Yves Salvadé
  • Patent number: 8981297
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that can be rotated automatically about two axes and that can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: an optical distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a light source for emitting light, directly or by means of optical elements, wherein said light is visible as a target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a target detecting unit for determining a position as the position of the imaging of the target point on a position detection sensor. The control apparatus is designed to direct the carrier at the measuring aid by rotating the carrier about the at least two axes of the carrier according to the fine position and the rough position; and the light source is a superluminescent diode (SLED).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Boeckem, Thomas Luethi
  • Publication number: 20150009493
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a laser tracker having: a base defining a standing axis; a beam steering unit for emitting a measurement radiation; a distance measuring unit for determining the distance to the target; and angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit. The beam steering unit can swivel around the standing axis and a tilt axis relative to the base. A measurement axis is defined by an emission direction of the measurement radiation. The laser tracker may include a target-seeking unit having lighting means and at least one target-seeking camera having a position-sensitive detector. The one target-seeking field can be illuminated by means of the lighting means. A search image for the position dependent identification of the target can be detected with the target-seeking camera and at least part of the lighting beam reflected on the target can be determined as a search image position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20140373369
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relates to a laser tracker for determining the position of an auxiliary measuring instrument that has a retroreflector and a multiplicity of target markings, and also for continuously tracking the auxiliary measuring instrument. The target markings may be arranged in a known fixed spatial distribution on the auxiliary measuring instrument and may be embodied to emit or reflect light beams. The laser tracker may have a first radiation source for producing measurement radiation, a distance measuring module, and a target sensing unit for determining an impingement point for radiation reflected by the retroreflector on a sensor of the target sensing unit and for producing an output signal in order to control a fine targeting functionality and a target tracking functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Burkhard BÖCKEM
  • Publication number: 20140343890
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a handheld measuring aid for use in a system—having a station for position and orientation determination of the handheld measuring aid—for surveying an object surface. the handheld measuring aid has in this case on a body, visual markings which are arranged in a defined spatial relationship, forming a pattern, on the body in a marking region, a measuring probe, which is arranged on an orifice of the body in a defined spatial relationship in relation to the pattern, for the object surface, an operating element, an electronic circuit for generating a measurement triggering signal—occurring as a function of an actuation of the operating element—and wireless communication means for transmitting the measurement triggering signal to the station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Michael LETTAU, Marco LÜSCHER, Burkhard BÖCKEM