Patents by Inventor Kevin R. Ackley

Kevin R. Ackley 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).

  • Device and method for measuring six degrees of freedom
    Patent number: 8525983
    Abstract: A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Lawrence B. Brown, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Kevin R. Ackley
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING SIX DEGREES OF FREEDOM
    Publication number: 20100128259
    Abstract: A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Bridges, Lawrence B. Brown, John M. Hoffer, JR., Kevin R. Ackley