Patents by Inventor Knut Siercks

Knut Siercks 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).

  • Publication number: 20150241203
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine CMM and a method for gauging a target object by means of said CMM. The CMM comprises a Delta Robot as a support structure having an end effector movable within a motion zone, a tool-holder fixed to the end effector configured to accommodate various measurement probes and especially a camera, wherein the camera comprising an optics having a field of view encompassing maximum 20% of a motion zone of the end effector. Further it comprises a control unit controlling the motion of the end effector within the motion zone and the motion of the measurement probe over a target object in an “on the fly”-mode. Further it comprises an analysing unit for processing electronic signals and/or data delivered by the measurement probe. The analysing unit comprises especially storage means for storing said images and comprising a circuit unit for processing said images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Pascal Jordil, Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20150233742
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a linear encoder having a mass embodiment having a position code marking, a read head having a calibration means, and a control and analysis unit, and calibration method for calibrating a position code made of code elements using the read head. The read head has a sensor unit having at least two detection reference points, the detection distance of which establishes at least one standard with high precision. In the scope of the calibration method, calibrated position values are prepared for code elements with the aid of the standard, which is determined with high precision, and are stored in the control and analysis unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Urs VOKINGER, Heinz LIPPUNER, Knut SIERCKS
  • Publication number: 20150233738
    Abstract: System for determining relative positions comprising an encoder having encoder elements, and a sensor unit having a first sensor and at least one second sensor. The sensor unit and the encoder are movable relative to one another and their position relative to one another is determinable by the system. The first sensor and second sensor have a sensor distance with respect to one another. The sensor furthermore has a component composed of a dimensionally stable and aging-resistant material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which, in terms of absolute value, is in a range of 0 to 5·10?6 K?1. The sensor distance is determinable highly precisely by the component by virtue of the component serving for the positional fixing of the sensors or by virtue of the component having a scale with the aid of which the sensor distance can be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Urs VOKINGER, Heinz LIPPUNER, Werner AMANN, Knut SIERCKS
  • Patent number: 9086262
    Abstract: A coordinate measurement machine with a first frame element, a second frame element, a linear drive unit with a motor for moving the second frame element relative to the first frame element and a position measurement instrument, for determining a drive position of the second frame element relative to the first frame element. The drive unit has limited stiffness and dynamic deflections on movement. The machine comprises a mechanical coupler from the drive unit to the second frame element, which coupler comprises a first part fixed to the drive unit and a second part fixed to the second frame element, which parts are movable relative to each other by an active compensation actuator. The active compensation actuator is built in such a way to shift the second frame element against the drive unit to introduce a counter-displacement in such a way that the dynamic deflections are at least partially compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Bernhard Sprenger
  • Patent number: 9080867
    Abstract: A measuring method for determining a measurement position of a probe element 6 can include using a coordinate measuring machine 1 having a base and members that can be moved relative to the base and relative to each other, wherein one of the members, as the probe member TG, comprises a probe element 6, so that the probe element 6 can move freely within a prescribed volume of space, wherein the measurement position is captured by the probe element 6, a measurement variable set is taken by measuring measurement variables linked to a measurement position of the members, wherein the measurement position is determined by a relative location of the members to each other and of at least one of the members to the base, and the measurement position is determined relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Lippuner, Knut Siercks
  • 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: 20150176956
    Abstract: Method for building up an object (25) by means of a coordinate measuring machine (10), wherein the coordinate measuring machine (10) has at least one control unit and one drive unit for the controlled movement of an instrument carrier (19) in relation to a base (12) and the instrument carrier (19) is implemented for carrying at least one measuring sensor and production tool (21a-b), which are each modularly attachable in particular, both alone in each case or in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Pascal Jordil
  • Publication number: 20150176972
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a plurality of transfer members and a plurality of articulation members connecting the plurality of transfer members to each other to measure an angle between the transfer members. The machine can additionally include at least one coordinate acquisition member positioned at an end of the articulated arm. Further, the machine can include a harness connected to at least one of the group consisting of the transfer members and the articulation members to support at least a portion of the weight of the transfer members and the articulation members. The harness can also be configured to mount to a human.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Hogar Tait, Paul Ferrari, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20150153720
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a measuring system for automated measurement of an object and detection of differences between features of the object and CAD data of the object. The measuring system may include a measuring device having a distance meter for measuring a position of at least one remote target point, a local computer terminal that is connected to or part of the measuring system, an assigned memory unit for storing the data base comprising the CAD data and an assigned set of measurement software program for controlling the measuring system. In some embodiments, the stored CAD data of the object comprise typical dimensions and tolerances of the features of the object and the assigned set of measurement software programs for controlling the measuring system comprises an optimization algorithm for the measurement of each feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Bo PETTERSSON, Knut SIERCKS
  • Patent number: 9020240
    Abstract: Noncontact coordinate measurement. With a 3D image recording unit, a first three-dimensional image of a first area section of the object surface is electronically recorded in a first position and first orientation, the first three-dimensional image being composed of a multiplicity of first pixels, with which in each case a piece of depth information is coordinated. First 3D image coordinates in an image coordinate system are coordinated with the first pixels. The first position and first orientation of the 3D image recording unit in the object coordinate system are determined by a measuring apparatus coupled to the object coordinate system by means of an optical reference stereocamera measuring system. First 3D object coordinates in the object coordinate system are coordinated with the first pixels from the knowledge of the first 3D image coordinates and of the first position and first orientation of the 3D image recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Benedikt Zebhauser
  • Publication number: 20150085110
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include a surveying apparatus for surveying a measurement scenery. The surveying apparatus may include a base defining a vertical axis; a support tiltable around the vertical axis; a telescope unit tiltable around the vertical axis and around a horizontal axis that is orthogonal to the vertical axis and comprises means for distance measurement; motor means for rotational driving of the support and the telescope unit; and angle determination means for detecting an orientation of the telescope unit with respect to the base. In some embodiments, the telescope unit comprises a first camera capable to take a visible image of the measurement scenery and/or means for capturing coordinates of 3D-points of the measurement scenery. In some embodiments, the surveying apparatus comprises a display capable to display at least a portion of the visible image taken by the first camera and/or at least a portion of the 3D-points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Eugen Voit, Jürg Hinderling, Benedikt Zebhauser, Klaus Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150049186
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (1) for determining at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point of an object (15) to be measured, comprising a base (5) and a drive mechanism, adapted to drive a probe head (13) in a manner such that the probe head (13) is capable to move relative to the base (5) for approaching a measurement point, characterised by a first range camera (3, 33) having a range image sensor with a sensor array, wherein the range camera (3, 33) is adapted to be directed to the object (15) for providing a range image (23) of the object (15), and wherein range pixels of the range image are used for creating a point cloud with 3D-positions of target points of the object (15), and a controller, adapted to control the drive mechanism on the basis of 3D-positions of the target points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Eugen Voit, Jürg Hinderling, Benedikt Zebhauser, Klaus Schneider, Pascal Jordil
  • Publication number: 20150042977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measurement system 50 having a measuring device 20 and a scanning module 10 which has: a fastening means for fastening the scanning module 10 onto a holder; a beam deflection element 11 that is rotatable by a motor about an axis of rotation 12 to deflect a scanning laser beam 60, wherein the axis of rotation 12 is arranged at a defined angle relative to the pivoting axis 22; and a second angle measurement functionality 13 for determining an angle of rotation from an angle position of the beam deflection element 11. In addition, the measuring device 20 has a holder designed such that the scanning module 10 can be fastened by means of the fastening means in a module-like manner in a defined position on the measuring device 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Knut Siercks, Bernhard Metzler
  • Publication number: 20150022640
    Abstract: A volume determining method for an object on a construction site is disclosed. The method may include moving a mobile camera along a path around the object while orienting the camera repeatedly onto the object. The method may include capturing a series of images of the object from different points on the path and with different orientations with the camera, the series being represented by an image data set; performing a structure from motion evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images and generating a spatial representation; scaling the spatial representation with help of given information about a known absolute reference regarding scale; defining a ground surface for the object and applying it onto the spatial representation; and calculating and outputting the absolute volume of the object based on the scaled spatial representation and the defined ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bernhard METZLER, Knut SIERCKS, Andreas PFISTER, Roman PARYS, Thomas FIDLER
  • Publication number: 20150002840
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for measuring an angle between two spatially separated elements having the steps: preparing a multiplex hologram having a plurality of interference patterns, at least two having different angles of incidence of an object light wave onto a hologram plane; arranging the multiplex hologram in a first element plane on a first element; lighting the multiplex hologram with a reference light wave; arranging a light detector in a second element plane on a second element; detecting a reference light wave refracted on an interference pattern with a light detector; creating an intensity pattern from the detected refracted reference light wave; assigning the angle of incidence stored as machine readable data to the intensity pattern; and/or calculating an angle between the first element plane and the second element plane from the assigned angle of incidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Frank Przygodda, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 8875655
    Abstract: A graphical application system, with a surface spattering device, with at least one nozzle for expelling a spattering material onto a target surface, a nozzle control mechanism controls expelling of the nozzle. A spatial referencing unit references the spattering device in space and a computation means automatically controls the nozzle according to information from the spatial referencing unit and according to predefined desired spattering data as a digital image or a CAD-model of a desired pattern to be spattered onto the target surface. A communication means for establishing a communication link from the spatial referencing unit to the computation means to supply the position and orientation to the computation means. The spatial referencing unit is located remote from the spattering device and comprises at least two optical 2D cameras arranged with a stereobasis, for determining the position and orientation of images taken by the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Klaus Schneider, Benedikt Zebhauser, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140320603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining 3D coordinates of an object (2) by a handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1), the method comprising determining an object point (20) at the object (2); measuring a distance (100) from the handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1) to the determined object point (20) by means of an EDM (10); capturing a 3D image (110) of the object (2), the 3D image (110) includes the determined object point (20); identifying the determined object point (20) in the captured 3D image (110); and linking the measured distance (100) with the identified object point (20) in the 3D image (110). The invention also relates to a handheld laser-based distance measuring device (1) and a computer program product for execution of said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Eugen Voit, Jürg Hinderling, Benedikt Zebhauser, Klaus Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140286536
    Abstract: A method for a six degree of freedom position and orientation determination of a known shape in a scenery is disclosed. The method includes taking a range image with a range imaging camera and a visual picture with a digital camera. The range imaging camera includes a sensor array with a first number of pixels. Determining a 3D cluster of points from range information collected from the sensor array to a point of the scenery. The digital camera comprises an image sensor having a second number of pixels, resulting in a 2D picture. A stored 3D digital representation of the known shape may be fitted in a virtual space to match the reproduction of the known object in the 2D picture and the 3D cluster of points and determining the six degree of freedom position and orientation of the known shape according to the virtual match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Eugen Voit, Jürg Hinderling, Benedikt Zebhauser, Klaus Schneider
  • Publication number: 20140242285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a graphical application system to apply a desired pattern by multiple tiles onto a target surface. The system comprises a graphical application device comprising a base structure with a trackable optical feature, at least one nozzle for expelling paint, a driving unit for positioning the nozzle and a local camera for a local referencing of the nozzle. A controller controls the driving unit and the expelling of the nozzle to achieve an application of the desired pattern on the target surface. The system also comprises an external referencing device located remote from the graphical application device, for a global referencing of the application device according to the trackable optical feature. The desired pattern is applied with a primary alignment of the application range by the global referencing and with a fine-alignment of the actual tile to a previously applied tile according to the local referencing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Hexagon Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Bo PETTERSSON, Klaus SCHNEIDER, Benedikt ZEBHAUSER, Knut SIERCKS
  • Patent number: 8798794
    Abstract: An object is highly precisely moved by an industrial robot to an end position by the following steps, which are repeated until the end position is reached within a specified tolerance: Recording a three-dimensional image by means of a 3-D image recording device. Determining the present position of the object in the spatial coordinate system from the position of the 3-D image recording device the angular orientation of the 3-D image recording device detected by an angle measuring unit, the three-dimensional image, and the knowledge of features on the object. Calculating the position difference between the present position of the object and the end position. Calculating a new target position of the industrial robot while taking into consideration the compensation value from the present position of the industrial robot and a value linked to the position difference. Moving the industrial robot to the new target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson