Patents by Inventor Paul Benz

Paul Benz 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: 20240200943
    Abstract: A geodetic surveying device, which comprises a laser distance measurement module being configured to take into account a dispersive compensation by means of a two-color process. The surveying device further comprises a reference channel and a beam splitting arrangement configured to split part of the measurement beam into the reference channel. The reference channel comprises a wavelength determination assembly configured to provide a wavelength measurement that provides measured wavelengths of the two beam components to be used for the two-color process, wherein the surveying device is configured to take into account the measured wavelengths to derive the dispersive compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Simon BESTLER, Jürg HINDERLING, Paul BENZ
  • Patent number: 11557708
    Abstract: A Josephson voltage standard includes: electrical conductors that receive bias currents and radiofrequency biases; a first Josephson junction array that: includes a first Josephson junction and produces a first voltage reference from the first bias current and the third bias current; a second Josephson junction array in electrical communication with the first Josephson junction array and that: includes a second Josephson junction; receives the second bias current; receives the third bias current; receives the second radiofrequency bias; and produces a second voltage reference from the second bias current and the third bias current; a first voltage reference output tap in electrical communication with the first Josephson junction array and that receives the first voltage reference from the first Josephson junction array such that the first voltage reference is electrically available at the first voltage reference output tap; and a second voltage reference output tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Alain Rufenacht, Nathan Edward Flowers-Jacobs, Anna Rose Elizabeth Fox, Samuel Paul Benz, Paul David Dresselhaus
  • Publication number: 20200373475
    Abstract: A Josephson voltage standard includes: electrical conductors that receive bias currents and radiofrequency biases; a first Josephson junction array that: includes a first Josephson junction and produces a first voltage reference from the first bias current and the third bias current; a second Josephson junction array in electrical communication with the first Josephson junction array and that: includes a second Josephson junction; receives the second bias current; receives the third bias current; receives the second radiofrequency bias; and produces a second voltage reference from the second bias current and the third bias current; a first voltage reference output tap in electrical communication with the first Josephson junction array and that receives the first voltage reference from the first Josephson junction array such that the first voltage reference is electrically available at the first voltage reference output tap; and a second voltage reference output tap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Alain Rufenacht, Nathan Edward Flowers-Jacobs, Anna Rose Elizabeth Fox, Samuel Paul Benz, Paul David Dresselhaus
  • Patent number: 10797684
    Abstract: A superconducting waveform synthesizer produces an arbitrary waveform and includes an encoder that produces a bitstream; a pattern generator that produces a current bias pulse from the bitstream; a Josephson junction that produces a quantized output pulse from the current bias pulse; and a converter that produces an arbitrary waveform from the quantized output pulse. A process for producing an arbitrary waveform includes producing a bitstream; producing a current bias pulse from the bitstream; communicating the current bias pulse to a Josephson junction; producing, by the Josephson junction, a quantized output pulse from the current bias pulse; producing a quantized output pulse from the current bias pulse; and producing an arbitrary waveform from the quantized output pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Samuel Paul Benz, Justus Albert Brevik, Manuel Angel Castellanos Beltran, Paul David Dresselhaus, Peter Farrell Hopkins, Christine Annette Donnelly
  • Patent number: 10215854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surveying apparatus, in particular tachymeter, laser scanner, profiler or laser tracker, comprising an electronic laser distance measuring module, which comprises an optical transmission channel and an optical reception channel for laser measurement radiation, wherein a variable optical attenuation unit for the laser measurement radiation is provided in the optical transmission channel and/or optical reception channel. According to the invention, light impinging on the attenuation unit is attenuated by means of liquid crystals. The attenuation unit comprises at least one polarizer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet, a liquid crystal shutter, in particular comprising nematic liquid crystals, having a variable transmission, a first analyzer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Jürg Hinderling, Paul Benz, Josef Lais
  • Patent number: 10119818
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a surveying pole comprising at least two pole sections being telescopically insertable into each other so that a height adjustment of the pole is provided, a pointing tip at the lower end of the pole for setting the pole on a terrain point, a receptacle at an upper end of the pole for mounting a position giving means, a height measuring system for indicating the distance of the position giving means relative to the terrain point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Hannes Maar, Heinz Bernhard, Josef Lais, Paul Benz
  • Publication number: 20170176185
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a surveying pole comprising at least two pole sections being telescopically insertable into each other so that a height adjustment of the pole is provided, a pointing tip at the lower end of the pole for setting the pole on a terrain point, a receptacle at an upper end of the pole for mounting a position giving means, a height measuring system for indicating the distance of the position giving means relative to the terrain point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Hannes MAAR, Heinz BERNHARD, Josef LAIS, Paul BENZ
  • Publication number: 20150309175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surveying apparatus, in particular tachymeter, laser scanner, profiler or laser tracker, comprising an electronic laser distance measuring module, which comprises an optical transmission channel and an optical reception channel for laser measurement radiation, wherein a variable optical attenuation unit for the laser measurement radiation is provided in the optical transmission channel and/or optical reception channel. According to the invention, light impinging on the attenuation unit is attenuated by means of liquid crystals. The attenuation unit comprises at least one polarizer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet, a liquid crystal shutter, in particular comprising nematic liquid crystals, having a variable transmission, a first analyzer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jürg HINDERLING, Paul BENZ, Josef LAIS
  • Patent number: 8553212
    Abstract: A geodesic measurement system having a geodesic measurement device. A unique identification code is allocated to each of the target objects, such that the target objects can be differentiated from one another based on the identification code. The measurement device has a distance and angle measurement functionality for determining the position of the target objects. The measurement device is designed for emission of the beam such that the identification code of a target object that is searched for from the target object volume can be modulated to the beam as a code to be searched for. The target unit has an evaluation component connected to the detector for inspecting correspondence between the code modulated to the beam and the own identification code of the target unit and a transmission component for transmission of a reactive confirmation signal to the geodesic measurement device that takes place upon correspondence being determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Markus Jaeger, Josef Lais, Daniel Nindl, Marco Schroeder, Paul Benz
  • Publication number: 20120008136
    Abstract: A geodesic measurement system having a geodesic measurement device. A unique identification code is allocated to each of the target objects, such that the target objects can be differentiated from one another based on the identification code. The measurement device has a distance and angle measurement functionality for determining the position of the target objects. The measurement device is designed for emission of the beam such that the identification code of a target object that is searched for from the target object volume can be modulated to the beam as a code to be searched for. The target unit has an evaluation component connected to the detector for inspecting correspondence between the code modulated to the beam and the own identification code of the target unit and a transmission component for transmission of a reactive confirmation signal to the geodesic measurement device that takes place upon correspondence being determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Markus Jaeger, Josef Lais, Daniel Nindl, Marco Schroeder, Paul Benz
  • Patent number: 7982859
    Abstract: According to the invention, a light signal is emitted to one or several targets in order to derive geodetic distance data therefrom. Apparatus components such as transmitters (1?) and receivers (4?) are modeled along with the targets (3a and 3b) as a linear, time-invariant system which is excited by means of a signal s(t) and the system response y(t) of which is recorded. Unlike in delay meters or phase meters, the distance data is derived from both the delay and the signal form of the system response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Jurg Hinderling, Paul Benz, Martin De Lange
  • Patent number: 7864303
    Abstract: According to the invention, the sensitivity of a method for electronic measurement may be improved, carried out by the principle of heterodyne reception with the steps of broadcast of pulsed electromagnetic radiation (ES) with at least one pulse repetition frequency, reception of back-scattered radiation (RS), whereby the back-scattered radiation (RS) is converted into a received signal, mixing of the received signals, determination of at least one time parameter from the at least one output signal, whereby on mixing the received signals at least two pulsed mixed signals are mixed to give at least two output signals and the at least two mixed signals are phase-shifted relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Jürg Hinderling, Martin De-Lange
  • Patent number: 7679727
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for determining the position of a receiver unit. According to said method, modulated radiation is generated by at least one radiation projector, and a number of reference points, from among which reference points lying within a detection range of the receiver unit are detected, are projected by means of said modulated radiation. Positional data, particularly location data and/or orientation data, is derived for the receiver unit from the radiation of said reference points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Jürg Hingerling
  • Patent number: 7623222
    Abstract: According to the invention, high precision distance measurement may be carried out by the broadcast of pulsed electromagnetic radiation (ES) with at least two pulse repetition frequencies, whereby the pulse repetition frequencies are selected such that the corresponding pulse separations do not have a common multiple in the range of the order of magnitude of a maximum external measurement range. The radiation is hence transmitted both to a target for measurement over the measurement path outside the device and also over a reference path inside the device, whereby the radiation (IS) passing along the reference path defines at least one start pulse and the radiation (ES) passing along the measurement path defines at least one stop pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Jürg Hinderling, Martin De-Lang
  • Publication number: 20080304043
    Abstract: According to the invention, high precision distance measurement may be carried out by the broadcast of pulsed electromagnetic radiation (ES) with at least two pulse repetition frequencies, whereby the pulse repetition frequencies are selected such that the corresponding pulse separations do not have a common multiple in the range of the order of magnitude of a maximum external measurement range. The radiation is hence transmitted both to a target for measurement over the measurement path outside the device and also over a reference path inside the device, whereby the radiation (IS) passing along the reference path defines at least one start pulse and the radiation (ES) passing along the measurement path defines at least one stop pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Jurg Hinderling, Martin De-Lang
  • Patent number: 7463339
    Abstract: A device for measuring the distances (d) to far-off objects (8) and close objects by emitting modulated laser beams (1) that are reflected on the objects. The device includes an objective (2), structure(s) (12, 36, 38, 39, 40) for selecting beams, and a receiver (7). Beams are bundled by the objective, the beams not only containing the laser beams (3) reflected on the objects but also background beams (28). The beams in an associated cross-sectional region (34, 37) of the bundle are selected from a bundle of beams by the selection structure(s) (12, 36, 38, 39, 40). The cross-sectional region includes a first section (5) and at least one second section (6), laser beams (3) reflected by a far-off object being associated with the first section (5), and laser beams (3) reflected by a close object (8) being associated with the at least second section (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Paul Benz, Marcel Buerki
  • Publication number: 20080204699
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a system for determining the position of a receiver unit (5?). According to said method, modulated radiation is generated by at least one radiation projector (1?), and a number of reference points, from among which reference points (2?) lying within a detection range (6?) of the receiver unit (5?) are detected, are projected by means of said modulated radiation. Positional data, particularly location data and/or orientation data, is derived for the receiver unit (5?) from the radiation of said reference points (2?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Jurg Hinderling
  • Publication number: 20070242258
    Abstract: A device for measuring the distances (d) to far-off objects (8) and close objects by emitting modulated laser beams (1) that are reflected on the objects. The device includes an objective (2), structure(s) (12, 36, 38, 39, 40) for selecting beams, and a receiver (7). Beams are bundled by the objective, the beams not only containing the laser beams (3) reflected on the objects but also background beams (28). The beams in an associated cross-sectional region (34, 37) of the bundle are selected from a bundle of beams by the selection structure(s) (12, 36, 38, 39, 40). The cross-sectional region includes a first section (5) and at least one second section (6), laser beams (3) reflected by a far-off object being associated with the first section (5), and laser beams (3) reflected by a close object (8) being associated with the at least second section (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Juerg Hinderling, Paul Benz, Marcel Buerki
  • Publication number: 20060119833
    Abstract: According to the invention, a light signal is emitted to one or several targets in order to derive geodetic distance data therefrom. Apparatus components such as transmitters (1?) and receivers (4?) are modeled along with the targets (3a and 3b) as a linear, time-invariant system which is excited by means of a signal s(t) and the system response y(t) of which is recorded. Unlike in delay meters or phase meters, the distance data is derived from both the delay and the signal form of the system response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Jurg Hinderling, Paul Benz, Martin De Lange
  • Patent number: 6734952
    Abstract: In geodetic measuring systems and measuring devices (14) there exists a need to find and detect, rapidly and automatically, marker points to be measured that are provided with a marker (retro reflector) (2a). For the rapid detection, identification and determination of the horizontal angles of such a marker, even at greater distances, electromagnetic radiation in the form of a vertical fan (17) is transmitted by a transmitter unit (1) whose radiation is received, after reflection from the marker, by a receiving unit with a view field in the form of a vertical fan. By analyzing the signal strength and the apparent object size, a plausibility test and a reliable suppression of foreign or interference markers can be achieved. Such a marker searching device is marked by a selective analysis of specific characteristics of a marker detected. On the basis of the plausibility test, a rapid, certain and robust location of markers is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems, AG
    Inventors: Paul Benz, Markus Geser, Roland Graf, Bruno Pfiffner, Marcel Buerki, Marco Landert, Markus Hammerer, Jürg Hinderling, Günther Hanns, Gerhard Bayer