Abstract: A coordinate measuring device is provided having a light source that emits a beam of light. A distance meter measures a distance to a target. A first locator camera assembly includes a first camera and first lights. A second locator camera assembly includes a second camera and second lights. The processor matches retroreflectors in a first image of the first camera and a second image of the second camera based on a shape-and-context matching of retroreflector spots in the first and second image and on an area-context-matching of background objects in the first and second image. The retroreflector spots in the first image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the first lights, the retroreflector spots in the second image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the second lights. The processor provides a third image that includes both the background objects and markers indicating the matched retroreflectors.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring device is provided having a light source that emits a beam of light. A distance meter measures a distance to a target. A first locator camera assembly includes a first camera and first lights. A second locator camera assembly includes a second camera and second lights. The processor matches retroreflectors in a first image of the first camera and a second image of the second camera based on a shape-and-context matching of retroreflector spots in the first and second image and on an area-context-matching of background objects in the first and second image. The retroreflector spots in the first image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the first lights, the retroreflector spots in the second image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the second lights. The processor provides a third image that includes both the background objects and markers indicating the matched retroreflectors.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement device and method of operating is provided. The coordinate measurement device launches and collimates visible light through a launch-collimator assembly that is exchangeable in the coordinate measuring device without realignment of any elements within the coordinate measuring device. The coordinate measurement device includes a Fabry-Perot laser, a lensing system, a first optical fiber, and a thermoelectric cooler. A fiber network receives the light from the optical fiber and passes a first portion of the light to a launch-collimator assembly. The launch-collimator assembly launches the first portion of the light into space and collimates the launched light into a first beam. A distance meter measures a first distance to a target illuminated by the first beam. A processor determines 3D coordinates of the target based at least in part on a measured first angle of rotation, a measured second angle of rotation, and the measured first distance.

Abstract: A dimensional measuring device sends a beam of light to a remote probe having a retroreflector and a pitch/yaw sensor. The pitch/yaw sensor passes the light through an aperture and a lens to a position sensor that generates an electrical signal indicative of the position of the received light. A processor uses the electrical signal to determine a pitch angle and a yaw angle of the remote probe.

Abstract: A dimensional measuring device sends a beam of light to a remote probe having a retroreflector and a pitch/yaw sensor. The pitch/yaw sensor passes the light through an aperture and a lens to a position sensor that generates an electrical signal indicative of the position of the received light. A processor uses the electrical signal to determine a pitch angle and a yaw angle of the remote probe.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement device sends a first beam of light having first and second wavelengths to a target point. The device includes a fiber-optic coupler that combines the first and second wavelengths and launches them through an achromatic optical element to produce collimated and aligned light. The device also includes first and second motors, first and second angle measuring devices, a distance meter, and a processor that determines 3D coordinates of the target point based on the measured distance and two angles.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a signal generator producing an RF modulation frequency and sampling frequency and sending the sampling frequency to an ADC, and sending the RF frequency to modulate a first light source to produce a first light; an optical system sending a portion of the first light to a reference optical detector a portion of the first light out a measurement device to a target that returns a second light to the optical system which sends the second light to a measure optical detector, the reference and measure optical detectors converting the optical signals into corresponding electrical signals; a first ADC channel receiving the electrical measure signal and producing digital measure values; a second ADC channel receiving the electrical reference signal and producing digital reference values; and a processor receiving the digital measure and reference values and calculating the device to target distance.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement device sends a first beam of light having first and second wavelengths to a target point. The device includes a fiber-optic coupler that combines the first and second wavelengths and launches them through an achromatic optical element to produce collimated and aligned light. The device also includes first and second motors, first and second angle measuring devices, a distance meter, and a processor that determines 3D coordinates of the target point based on the measured distance and two angles.

Abstract: Coordinate measurement device configured to send a first beam of light to a target includes first and second light sources configured to emit first and second lights having differing first and second wavelengths; fiber-optic coupler that includes three ports, a first port configured to accept a first portion of the first light, a second port configured to accept a second portion of the second light, a third port configured to transmit a third light which includes a portion of the first and second portions; first and second angle measuring devices configured to measure first and second angles of rotation; distance meter configured to measure a first distance from the device to the target based at least in part on a third portion of the second beam received by an optical detector; and a processor configured to provide 3D coordinates of the target.

Abstract: A measurement device is configured to send a first light beam to a target which returns a reflected portion. The device includes a switch configured to receive a first signal, and to send the second portion out of the switch measure port if the first signal is in the first state or out of the switch reference port if the first signal is in the second state. The device also includes a first electrical circuit configured to provide the first signal, to convert the third portion into a first reference value, to convert the fifth portion into a first measure value if the first signal is in the first state, and to convert the seventh portion into a second reference value if the first signal is in the second state; and a processor configured to determine a first distance from the device to the target.

Abstract: Coordinate measurement device configured to send a first beam of light to a target includes first and second light sources configured to emit first and second lights having differing first and second wavelengths; fiber-optic coupler that includes three ports, a first port configured to accept a first portion of the first light, a second port configured to accept a second portion of the second light, a third port configured to transmit a third light which includes a portion of the first and second portions; first and second angle measuring devices configured to measure first and second angles of rotation; distance meter configured to measure a first distance from the device to the target based at least in part on a third portion of the second beam received by an optical detector; and a processor configured to provide 3D coordinates of the target.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a signal generator producing an RF modulation frequency and sampling frequency and sending the sampling frequency to an ADC, and sending the RF frequency to modulate a first light source to produce a first light; an optical system sending a portion of the first light to a reference optical detector a portion of the first light out a measurement device to a target that returns a second light to the optical system which sends the second light to a measure optical detector, the reference and measure optical detectors converting the optical signals into corresponding electrical signals; a first ADC channel receiving the electrical measure signal and producing digital measure values; a second ADC channel receiving the electrical reference signal and producing digital reference values; and a processor receiving the digital measure and reference values and calculating the device to target distance.

Abstract: A measurement device is configured to send a first light beam to a target which returns a reflected portion. The device includes a switch configured to receive a first signal, and to send the second portion out of the switch measure port if the first signal is in the first state or out of the switch reference port if the first signal is in the second state. The device also includes a first electrical circuit configured to provide the first signal, to convert the third portion into a first reference value, to convert the fifth portion into a first measure value if the first signal is in the first state, and to convert the seventh portion into a second reference value if the first signal is in the second state; and a processor configured to determine a first distance from the device to the target.