Patents by Inventor Mikael Nordenfelt
Mikael Nordenfelt 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).
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Patent number: 11774557Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a front lens assembly, a distance measurement module and a deflection module. The front lens assembly comprises an optical path along an instrument optical axis and the distance measurement module is configured to transmit and receive optical radiation along a measurement path. The deflection module is arranged between the distance measurement module and the front lens assembly to deflect the measurement path across the instrument optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Patent number: 11644309Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a direction to a geodetic target from a geodetic instrument. The method includes emitting an optical pulse from the geodetic target, capturing a first image and a second image of the geodetic target using a camera arranged at the geodetic instrument, obtaining a difference image between the first image and the second image, and determining a direction to the geodetic target from the geodetic instrument based on the position of the optical pulse in the difference image. The method further includes synchronizing the geodetic instrument and the geodetic target for emitting the optical pulse concurrently with the capturing of the first image and nonconcurrently with the capturing of the second image. The present disclosure also provides a geodetic instrument, a geodetic target and a geodetic surveying system.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Johan Carlén, Mikael Nordenfelt, Christian Grässer
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Publication number: 20220011101Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a direction to a geodetic target from a geodetic instrument. The method includes emitting an optical pulse from the geodetic target, capturing a first image and a second image of the geodetic target using a camera arranged at the geodetic instrument, obtaining a difference image between the first image and the second image, and determining a direction to the geodetic target from the geodetic instrument based on the position of the optical pulse in the difference image. The method further includes synchronizing the geodetic instrument and the geodetic target for emitting the optical pulse concurrently with the capturing of the first image and nonconcurrently with the capturing of the second image. The present disclosure also provides a geodetic instrument, a geodetic target and a geodetic surveying system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Johan Carlén, Mikael Nordenfelt, Christian Grässer
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Patent number: 11092434Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a direction to a geodetic target from a geodetic instrument. The method includes emitting an optical pulse from the geodetic target, capturing a first image and a second image of the geodetic target using a camera arranged at the geodetic instrument, obtaining a difference image between the first image and the second image, and determining a direction to the geodetic target from the geodetic instrument based on the position of the optical pulse in the difference image. The method further includes synchronizing the geodetic instrument and the geodetic target for emitting the optical pulse concurrently with the capturing of the first image and nonconcurrently with the capturing of the second image. The present disclosure also provides a geodetic instrument, a geodetic target and a geodetic surveying system.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Johan Carlén, Mikael Nordenfelt, Christian Grässer
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Publication number: 20190331486Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining a direction to a geodetic target from a geodetic instrument. The method includes emitting an optical pulse from the geodetic target, capturing a first image and a second image of the geodetic target using a camera arranged at the geodetic instrument, obtaining a difference image between the first image and the second image, and determining a direction to the geodetic target from the geodetic instrument based on the position of the optical pulse in the difference image. The method further includes synchronizing the geodetic instrument and the geodetic target for emitting the optical pulse concurrently with the capturing of the first image and nonconcurrently with the capturing of the second image. The present disclosure also provides a geodetic instrument, a geodetic target and a geodetic surveying system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Johan Carlén, Mikael Nordenfelt, Christian Grässer
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Publication number: 20190310352Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a front lens assembly, a distance measurement module and a deflection module. The front lens assembly comprises an optical path along an instrument optical axis and the distance measurement module is configured to transmit and receive optical radiation along a measurement path. The deflection module is arranged between the distance measurement module and the front lens assembly to deflect the measurement path across the instrument optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Patent number: 10365352Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a front lens assembly, a distance measurement module and a deflection module. The front lens assembly comprises an optical path along an instrument optical axis and the distance measurement module is configured to transmit and receive optical radiation along a measurement path. The deflection module is arranged between the distance measurement module and the front lens assembly to deflect the measurement path across the instrument optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Patent number: 10073165Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a distance measurement module, a splitter and a deflection module. The distance measurement module is configured to transmit optical radiation along a transmit path and receive optical radiation along a receive path. The transmit path and the receive path are merged in a measurement beam at the splitter. The deflection module is located optically between the distance measurement module and the splitter. The deflection module is configured to aim the transmit path and the receive path at the splitter and to deflect at least one of the transmit path and the receive path across an instrument optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Patent number: 9952047Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring instrument and a method implemented in such a measuring instrument. The measuring instrument includes an image sensor, an actuator, a control unit and a processor. The actuator is arranged to move a field of view of the image sensor. The control unit is configured to cause the image sensor to capture at least one digital image during motion of the field of view of the image sensor by the actuator. The exposure time for capturing the digital image is longer than an identifiable section of a regulating pattern for modulation of an optical radiation either emitted or reflected by at least one target. The processor is configured to process at least a portion of the captured image for detecting in the at least one portion the identifiable section of the regulating pattern. Such a measuring instrument is advantageous for detecting and/or identifying a target in the vicinity of the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Patent number: 9869549Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Christian Graesser, Robert Miller, Mikael Nordenfelt
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Publication number: 20170122734Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring instrument and a method implemented in such a measuring instrument. The measuring instrument includes an image sensor, an actuator, a control unit and a processor. The actuator is arranged to move a field of view of the image sensor. The control unit is configured to cause the image sensor to capture at least one digital image during motion of the field of view of the image sensor by the actuator. The exposure time for capturing the digital image is longer than an identifiable section of a regulating pattern for modulation of an optical radiation either emitted or reflected by at least one target. The processor is configured to process at least a portion of the captured image for detecting in the at least one portion the identifiable section of the regulating pattern. Such a measuring instrument is advantageous for detecting and/or identifying a target in the vicinity of the instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Publication number: 20160274224Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a front lens assembly, a distance measurement module and a deflection module. The front lens assembly comprises an optical path along an instrument optical axis and the distance measurement module is configured to transmit and receive optical radiation along a measurement path. The deflection module is arranged between the distance measurement module and the front lens assembly to deflect the measurement path across the instrument optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Publication number: 20160131745Abstract: A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a distance measurement module, a splitter and a deflection module. The distance measurement module is configured to transmit optical radiation along a transmit path and receive optical radiation along a receive path. The transmit path and the receive path are merged in a measurement beam at the splitter. The deflection module is located optically between the distance measurement module and the splitter. The deflection module is configured to aim the transmit path and the receive path at the splitter and to deflect at least one of the transmit path and the receive path across an instrument optical axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Mikael Hertzman
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Publication number: 20150276401Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Christian Graesser, Robert Miller, Mikael Nordenfelt
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Patent number: 9057610Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Trimble A.B.Inventors: Christian Graesser, Robert Miller, Mikael Nordenfelt
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Patent number: 8860809Abstract: A tracker unit for a measuring instrument and a method for operating a tracker unit are disclosed, to distinguish a specific target, such as at least one retroreflector, from other reflective objects in the vicinity of the measuring instrument. The tracker unit includes a plurality of photosensors and first and second optical radiation sources. Each photosensor adapted to generate at least one first set of signals during a period when the first optical radiation source is activated and the second optical radiation source is deactivated, and generate at least one second set of signals during a period when the second optical radiation source is activated and the first optical radiation source is deactivated. On basis of comparison between information extracted on basis of the first set of signals and the second set of signals, respectively, at least one specific target is distinguished from other reflective objects.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Trimble ABInventor: Mikael Nordenfelt
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Publication number: 20140123508Abstract: A robotic laser-pointing apparatus has an instrument center, a first rotation axis, a second rotation axis, and a pointing axis, with the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis and the pointing axis in a known relationship to the instrument center. A laser source provides a pointing-laser beam along the pointing axis. A pointing drive system aims the laser beam by rotating the pointing axis about the instrument center in response to a pointing-direction control. Focusing optics having a focusing-optics drive serve to focus the pointing-laser beam in response to a focusing-optics control. A processor, responsive to target-position information, generates the pointing-direction control and the focusing-optics control. Some embodiments include an electronic-distance-measurement system having a measurement beam. Some embodiments provide for compensation of aiming errors of the pointing-laser beam and the measurement beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Trimble A.B.Inventors: Christian Graesser, Robert Miller, Mikael Nordenfelt
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Publication number: 20120327271Abstract: A tracker unit for a measuring instrument and a method for operating a tracker unit are disclosed, to distinguish a specific target, such as at least one retroreflector, from other reflective objects in the vicinity of the measuring instrument. The tracker unit includes a plurality of photosensors and first and second optical radiation sources. Each photosensor adapted to generate at least one first set of signals during a period when the first optical radiation source is activated and the second optical radiation source is deactivated, and generate at least one second set of signals during a period when the second optical radiation source is activated and the first optical radiation source is deactivated. On basis of comparison between information extracted on basis of the first set of signals and the second set of signals, respectively, at least one specific target is distinguished from other reflective objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: TRIMBLE ABInventor: Mikael Nordenfelt
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Patent number: 8330942Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument and methods for such a measuring instrument for tracking a moving object, measuring a distance to an object. According to the invention, sets of target position data including at least horizontal (Ha) and vertical angle (Va) between the measuring instrument (1) and said at least one target (9) in consecutive measurements during a measurement session are obtained (40; 50; 60; 70); a model describing a path of and/or a distance to the target (9) is calculated; at least a present position of the target is estimated (44; 53; 65; 74) using the model; and, the estimated position of the target (9) is used (45; 56; 67; 79) when searching for the target (9).Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Thomas Klang
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Publication number: 20100149518Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument and methods for such a measuring instrument for tracking a moving object, measuring a distance to an object. According to the invention, sets of target position data including at least horizontal (Ha) and vertical angle (Va) between the measuring instrument (1) and said at least one target (9) in consecutive measurements during a measurement session are obtained (40; 50; 60; 70); a model describing a path of and/or a distance to the target (9) is calculated; at least a present position of the target is estimated (44; 53; 65; 74) using the model; and, the estimated position of the target (9) is used (45; 56; 67; 79) when searching for the target (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: TRIMBLE ABInventors: Mikael Nordenfelt, Thomas Klang