Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. A device configured to emit a coded structured light onto an object to determine the three dimensional coordinates of a point on the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional scanner is provided. The scanner includes a projector that emits a light pattern onto a surface. The light pattern includes a first region having a pair of opposing saw-tooth shaped edges and a first phase. A second region is provided in the light pattern having a pair of opposing saw-tooth shaped edges and a second phase, the second region being offset from the first region by a first phase difference. A third region is provided in the light pattern having a third pair of opposing saw-tooth shape edges and having a third phase, the third region being offset from the second region by a second phase difference. A camera is coupled to the projector and configured to receive the light pattern. A processor determines three-dimensional coordinates of at least one point on the surface from the reflected light of the first region, second region and third region.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic or calibration procedure on a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM). The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment that includes a user interface application and a display device in communication with the user interface application. In addition, a measurement device is attached to the first end of the AACMM. The user interface application and display device are configured to facilitate performing and displaying results of a diagnostic or calibration procedure on the AACMM.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine is provided. The coordinate measuring machine includes a base with an arm portion. A probe end is coupled to an end of the arm portion distal from the base. A device configured to emit a coded structured light onto an object to determine the three dimensional coordinates of a point on the object.

Abstract: A method for performing a diagnostic or calibration procedure on a portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM). The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment that includes a user interface application and a display device in communication with the user interface application. In addition, a measurement device is attached to the first end of the AACMM. The user interface application and display device are configured to facilitate performing and displaying results of a diagnostic or calibration procedure on the AACMM.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) having integrated software controls. The AACMM includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals. The AACMM also includes a measurement device attached to the first end of the AACMM, and an electronic circuit having a self-contained operating environment for the AACMM. The self-contained operating environment includes a user interface application, an application programming interface, and logic.

Abstract: A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine (AACMM) can include a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device attached to the first end, a structural component of the AACMM, wherein the structural component has an axial direction, at least three strain gage sensors, each having a sensitive axis, coupled to the structural component, wherein the sensitive axis of each strain gage sensor is oriented approximately parallel to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor is approximately intersected by a transverse plane perpendicular to the axial direction, each strain gage sensor produces an analog strain gage signal, and the strain gage sensors are disposed to provide data sufficient to determine a bending strain at any point residing on both the structural component and the transverse plane and an electronic circuit that receives the position signal and provides data corresponding to a position of the measurement device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for holding a line of sight in a scanning imaging system wherein there is continuous relative movement between the field of view of the system and an image plane. A descan mechanism temporarily holds a line of sight within a field of regard as a scanning mechanism such as a gimbal continuously moves imaging optics relative to the object space. The descan mechanism descans the image, the descan mechanism's relative movement being opposite to the direction of movement of the gimbal, so as to hold a line of sight for a time period and thereafter snap to a new field of view to thereafter descan the new line of sight for another time period. With the present invention a scanning system can be used with an imaging device requiring time integration for greater sensitivity, such as a staring electronic detector array or photographic film, without necessitating the physical scanning motion to be cyclically stopped and restarted.

Abstract: A three-color optical detector has independent bias and readout for the colors. The three-color detector includes a substrate and first, second, and third detector layers stacked one on top of another and the substrate. Each detector layer is designed to operate at a respective predetermined bias and to absorb incident light having wavelengths in a respective range. A plurality of conductive layers are interleaved among the three detector layers and the substrate in such a way that the respective biasses can be applied to the detector layers and signals generated by the detector layers can be accessed. A two-dimensional array of such three-color optical detectors is also described that is connected to an electronic device, such as a multiplexer, for applying the predetermined biasses and reading out the signals. The electronic device is disposed on a separate substrate and is electrically connected to the detectors on a pixel-by-pixel basis by a set of metallic bump bonds.