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: 20140211191
    Abstract: A distance measuring method for a point on an object is performed by emitting measurement radiation. When an optical measurement axis of the measurement radiation is aligned with the point to be measured, an optical measurement point region is defined by the beam cross section of the radiation on the object. The beam cross section may be, for example, a maximum of eight times the standard deviation of a Gaussian steel profile of the measurement radiation. The distance to the point on the object is determined by receiving measurement radiation reflected from the object. The method includes altering, at least once, a measurement direction as emission direction of the measurement radiation with respective emission and reception of the measurement radiation. Altering the measurement direction is carried out such that respective area centroids defined by the beam cross section on the object lie within the measurement point region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas JENSEN, Knut SIERCKS, Peter CHAMP, Matthias GEIL
  • Publication number: 20140125990
    Abstract: An optical measuring system determines coordinates of points for distance measurement. The measuring system includes a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a receiving unit having a filter unit for extracting electromagnetic radiation in a defined wavelength range and having, a detector, such that the radiation extracted by the filter unit is detectable by the detector. The filter unit includes at least two mirror elements which are at least partly reflective and constructed in a multilayered fashion. The mirror elements are substantially parallel to one another. Two adjacent mirror elements in each case enclose a cavity and are arranged at a specific distance from one another. An optical thickness is defined by a refractive index of the cavity and by the distance between the mirror elements. Optical thickness varying means operate to varying the optical thickness, such that an extractable wavelength range of the filter unit is varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Jürg Hinderling, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140076985
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handheld, dynamically movable surface spattering device (9), comprising at least one nozzle means (1) for an expelling of a spattering material onto a target surface (3) and a nozzle control mechanism (4) to control characteristics of the expelling of the nozzle means. Furthermore, it comprises a spattering material supply (5), a storage with desired spattering data (6), which is predefined and comprised in a digital image or CAD-model memorized on the storage, a spatial referencing unit (7), to reference the spattering device relative to the target surface and a computation means (8) to automatically control the expelling by the nozzle control mechanism according to information gained by the spatial referencing unit and according to the desired spattering data is evaluated and adjusted by changing the characteristics of expelling of the nozzle means in such a way that the target surface is spattered according to the desired spattering data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Klaus Schneider, Benedikt Zebhauser, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140063204
    Abstract: An optical measurement method for determining 3D coordinates of a plurality of measurement points on a measurement object surface. The measurement object surface is illuminated with a pattern sequence of different patterns by a projector, an image sequence of the measurement object surface illuminated with the pattern sequence is recorded with a camera system, and the 3D coordinates of the measurement points are determined by evaluating the image sequence, in particular wherein a succession of brightness values for identical measurement points on the measurement object surface is ascertained in respective images of the recorded image sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventor: Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140046589
    Abstract: A measuring system for determining 3D coordinates of measurement points on an object surface which has a scanning apparatus for measuring the measurement points on the object surface and for determining inner measurement point coordinates in an inner scanning coordinate system. Furthermore, a referencing arrangement for producing referencing information for referencing the inner measurement point coordinates in the outer object coordinate system and an evaluation unit for determining the 3D coordinates of the measurement points in the outer object coordinate system on the basis of the inner measurement point coordinates and the referencing information are provided such that the inner measurement point coordinates are in the form of 3D coordinates in the outer object coordinate system. The scanning apparatus is in this case carried in an unmanned, controllable, automotive air vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140032021
    Abstract: A geodetic measuring system having a geodetic measuring unit having a beam source for emitting a substantially collimated optical beam. The measuring system also has an automotive, unmanned, controllable air vehicle having an optical module. An evaluation unit is also provided, wherein the evaluation unit is configured in such a manner that an actual state of the air vehicle, as determined by a position, an orientation and/or a change in position, can be determined in a coordinate system from interaction between the optical beam and the optical module. The measuring system has a control unit for controlling the air vehicle, wherein the control unit is configured in such a manner that control data can be produced using an algorithm on the basis of the actual state, which can be continuously determined in particular, and a defined desired state, and the air vehicle can be automatically changed to the desired state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20140007441
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Bernhard Sprenger
  • Patent number: 8607466
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for determination of at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object to be measured. The coordinate measuring machine comprises a stationary base, a probe head for approaching the measurement point and a frame structure for linking the probe head to the base. At least a first mechanical reference element extending along a first part of the frame structure is fastened fixedly to the frame structure in a substantially unloaded way, and at least one displacement sensor is assigned to the first reference element, wherein the first reference element and the displacement sensor are designed and arranged in such a way, that a distance from the first reference element to the frame structure in the region of the first part is measurable, the distance indicating a displacement and/or deformation of the frame structure in the region of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 8537372
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for determination of at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object to be measured. The coordinate measuring machine comprises a stationary base, a probe head for approaching the measurement point and a frame structure for linking the probe head to the base. A first reference path is provided by an optical reference beam, wherein the reference beam extends along a guide of a linear drive mechanism so that the reference path is parallel to a first direction. Furthermore, at least one displacement sensor is assigned to the reference beam, the reference beam and the displacement sensor being designed and arranged in such a way, that a displacement of the movable member of the linear drive mechanism relative to the first reference path is measurable being indicative of a translational and/or rotational displacement of the movable member from its ordinary bearing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20130132026
    Abstract: Measurement method where a code projection which is dependent on a three-dimensional position of a code carrier relative to a sensor arrangement is generated on a sensor arrangement, and at least part of the code projection is captured. An angular position of the code carrier with reference to the defined axis of rotation is ascertained and a current measurement position of the measurement component relative to a base is determined, wherein, a position value for at least one further degree of freedom of the code carrier relative to the sensor arrangement is ascertained on the basis of the code projection and is taken into account to determine the current measurement position, and a relative position of the connecting element with respect to the holder and/or the deformation thereof is determined from the position value in the form of a change in shape or size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Heínz Lippuner, Urs Vokinger, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20130100282
    Abstract: A measurement object surface is illuminated with a pattern sequence of various patterns using a projector, which is recorded with a camera system, and the 3D coordinates for the measurement points are determined by evaluation of the image sequence. While the image sequence is being recorded translational and/or rotational accelerations of the projector, the camera system and/or the measurement object are measured at least at a measurement rate such that in each case a plurality of values for the accelerations are acquired. It is thus possible, on the basis of the measured accelerations, to take into account algorithmically, when determining the 3D coordinates, movements of the projector, the camera system and/or the measurement object, which movements occur during the illumination times of the respective individual images of the image sequence and provoke unsteadiness and/or motion blur in the respective individual images of the image sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20130050701
    Abstract: A surface sensing device comprising an optical monitoring system for measuring a displacement of the tip a hollow stylus with respect to a stylus carrier. According to the invention, the light emitting means of the optical monitoring system are built in such a way that the beam has at least two distinguishable light characteristics with a given characteristics distribution. The optical monitoring system further comprises an optically encoding component positioned in the stylus carrier in the optical return path and designed to transform the information of an impinging position of the returned beam upon the optical encoding component into a change of the characteristics distribution of the returned beam, and the detector means is sensitive for the at least two distinguishable light characteristics and built for generating the electrical output signal dependent on the changed characteristics distribution of the returned beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jensen, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 8346392
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the high-precision positioning of at least one object in a final location in space. An object (12) is gripped and held by the industrial robot (11) within a gripping tolerance. A compensating variable, which corrects the gripping tolerance, is determined for the industrial robot (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernd Walser, Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Bo Pettersson
  • Patent number: 8294906
    Abstract: A measuring head system for a coordinate measuring machine, having a scanning element for contacting a measured object as a contacting part, which can be moved such that an object to be measured can be mechanically scanned using the scanning element. An optical sensor is fixed on the measuring head base. Means are provided to generate a projection on the sensor line using at least one radiation source. The means have at least one first mask element to generate a first partial projection on the sensor line such that said partial projection is optimized to determine an x displacement and a y displacement of the contacting part in relation to the measuring head base in the x direction or y direction. An analysis unit is configured to determine the x displacement and the y displacement from signals only generated by the one sensor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Knut Siercks, Heinz Lippuner, Ursula Schwitter, Stefan Frei, Baptiste Wusk, Claus P. Keferstein
  • Publication number: 20120257017
    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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: LEIGA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bo PETTERSSON, Knut SIERCKS, Benedikt ZEBHAUSER
  • Publication number: 20120222465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration method that can be carried out without a reference system for an angle measuring device having a code carrier carrying an absolute position code, and at least two reading heads comprising a fixed, known angle position at an angular distance, wherein the code carrier can be rotated relative to the reading heads, and different angle positions of the code carrier relative to the reading heads can thus be captured. Angle position values of the reading heads in an angular setting are determined and angular error is determined, which are repeated. And, a mathematical analysis method is performed, including determining the parameters of a mathematical function quantifying the angular error, and determining calibration parameters as parameters of the quantifying mathematical function or as a correction or code table derived from the parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Lippuner, Urs Vokinger, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20120219699
    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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo PETTERSSON, Klaus SCHNEIDER, Benedikt ZEBHAUSER, Knut SIERCKS
  • Patent number: 8244030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a surveying system for noncontact coordinate measurement on the object surface of an object to be surveyed in an object coordinate system. 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. 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. 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: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Benedikt Zebhauser
  • Publication number: 20120105866
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for determination of at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object to be measured. The coordinate measuring machine comprises a stationary base, a probe head for approaching the measurement point and a frame structure for linking the probe head to the base. A first reference path is provided by an optical reference beam, wherein the reference beam extends along a guide of a linear drive mechanism so that the reference path is parallel to a first direction. Furthermore, at least one displacement sensor is assigned to the reference beam, the reference beam and the displacement sensor being designed and arranged in such a way, that a displacement of the movable member of the linear drive mechanism relative to the first reference path is measurable being indicative of a translational and/or rotational displacement of the movable member from its ordinary bearing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks
  • Publication number: 20120084989
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for determination of at least one spatial coordinate of a measurement point on an object to be measured. The coordinate measuring machine comprises a stationary base, a probe head for approaching the measurement point and a frame structure for linking the probe head to the base. At least a first mechanical reference element extending along a first part of the frame structure is fastened fixedly to the frame structure in a substantially unloaded way, and at least one displacement sensor is assigned to the first reference element, wherein the first reference element and the displacement sensor are designed and arranged in such a way, that a distance from the first reference element to the frame structure in the region of the first part is measurable, the distance indicating a displacement and/or deformation of the frame structure in the region of the first part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks