Patents by Inventor David H. Parker

David H. Parker 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: 11860276
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device and method of operating combines tracker and scanner functionality. The method includes selecting an operating mode on the coordinate measurement device. A first light is emitted from the coordinate measurement device. At least two angles associated with the emitting of the first light are measured. A second light is received with an optical detector, wherein the second light is a reflection of the first light off of the retroreflector or the surface. A distance is determined based at least in part on the selected mode, the emitting of the first light, and the receiving of the second light. Three dimensional coordinates of at least one point in the environment are determined based at least in part on the measuring of the at least two angles and the determination of the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: FARO Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 11333761
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Publication number: 20210349215
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device and method of operating combines tracker and scanner functionality. The method includes selecting an operating mode on the coordinate measurement device. A first light is emitted from the coordinate measurement device. At least two angles associated with the emitting of the first light are measured. A second light is received with an optical detector, wherein the second light is a reflection of the first light off of the retroreflector or the surface. A distance is determined based at least in part on the selected mode, the emitting of the first light, and the receiving of the second light. Three dimensional coordinates of at least one point in the environment are determined based at least in part on the measuring of the at least two angles and the determination of the distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 11063673
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement post accident communications in a coal mine, in compliance with the MINER Act and MSHA regulations, are disclosed. Acoustic waves are transmitted bidirectionally through-the-earth in a simple robust half-duplex architecture in combination with signal-to-noise reduction techniques which ensure the ability to communicate using simple tools available in a mine. A personal electronics device, designed to be carried by each miner, automatically decodes acoustically transmitted text messages sent by rescue operations, and automatically encodes text messages by a miner to synchronized impulses manually produced by the miner. Signals are synchronized, in time of day protocol, between the miner and rescue operations. Digital signal processing techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 10663588
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 10481237
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between a command and a gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to the user gesture. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A command is determined based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20190250271
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Publication number: 20180278342
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement post accident communications in a coal mine, in compliance with the MINER Act and MSHA regulations, are disclosed. Acoustic waves are transmitted bidirectionally through-the-earth in a simple robust half-duplex architecture in combination with signal-to-noise reduction techniques which ensure the ability to communicate using simple tools available in a mine. A personal electronics device, designed to be carried by each miner, automatically decodes acoustically transmitted text messages sent by rescue operations, and automatically encodes text messages by a miner to synchronized impulses manually produced by the miner. Signals are synchronized, in time of day protocol, between the miner and rescue operations. Digital signal processing techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Publication number: 20180196116
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between a command and a gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to the user gesture. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A command is determined based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Patent number: 10020895
    Abstract: Acoustic waves are transmitted bidirectionally through-the-earth in a simple robust architecture in combination with signal-to-noise reduction techniques which ensure the ability to communicate using simple tools available in a mine. An enhanced version includes a personal electronics device designed to be carried by a miner to automatically decode acoustically transmitted text messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 9910126
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between a command and a gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to the user gesture. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A command is determined based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20170343673
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Publication number: 20170276759
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between a command and a gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to the user gesture. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A command is determined based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9746560
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) coordinate measurement device combines tracker and scanner functionality. The tracker function is configured to send light to a retroreflector and determine distance to the retroreflector based on the reflected light. The tracker is also configured to track the retroreflector as it moves, and to determine 3D coordinates of the retroreflector. The scanner is configured to send a beam of light to a point on an object surface and to determine 3D coordinate of the point. In addition, the scanner is configured to adjustably focus the beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steffey, Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker
  • Publication number: 20170234669
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a measurement machine for measuring an object, and more particularly to a measurement machine such as a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine or a laser tracker that measures an object according to a measurement or inspection plan that is identified by a machine readable information symbol located on the object to be measured or on a drawing (e.g., a CAD drawing) of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Markus Grau, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 9684055
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A first command is determined from one of the plurality of commands based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Patent number: 9638507
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a measurement machine for measuring an object, and more particularly to a measurement machine such as a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine or a laser tracker that measures an object according to a measurement or inspection plan that is identified by a machine readable information symbol located on the object to be measured or on a drawing (e.g., a CAD drawing) of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Markus Grau, David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 9618602
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a laser tracker remotely from the laser tracker through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. The gesture recognition engine determines a first command from one of the plurality of commands that correspond with the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20170090005
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a measurement device remotely through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a relationship between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. A first command is determined from one of the plurality of commands based at least in part on the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher
  • Publication number: 20160266229
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling a laser tracker remotely from the laser tracker through gestures performed by a user. The method includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of user gestures. A gesture is performed by the user with the user's body that corresponds to one of the plurality of user gestures. The gesture performed by the user is detected. The gesture recognition engine determines a first command from one of the plurality of commands that correspond with the detected gesture. Then the first command is executed with the laser tracker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, David H. Parker, Kelley Fletcher