Patents by Inventor Peter G. Cramer
Peter G. Cramer 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: 9482755Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Daniel G. Lasley
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Patent number: 9453913Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
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Patent number: 9454818Abstract: A method for determining three orientational degrees of freedom of a cube-corner retroreflector by obtaining with a photosensitive array an image of a three straight marks on the retroreflector and, with a programmable control device, taking a two-dimensional transform of the image and determining the three orientational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Peter G. Cramer
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Patent number: 9234773Abstract: A method for self-compensating a method includes the steps of rotating the patterned element relative to the read heads, the rotation about the axis to a plurality of first angles covering a range of at least 360 degrees; obtaining, at each of the plurality of first angles, first angular readings for the m measure read heads and for the reference read head; calculating a first array for each of the m measure read heads, each first array including, for each of the plurality of first angles, a difference in the first angular readings of the measure read head and the first angular reading of the reference read head; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one first spectral component based at least in part on the first array; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one second spectral component, the second spectral component based, at least in part, on the at least one first spectral component and on estimates of the second angles of the m measure read heads; and recordingType: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Peter G. Cramer
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Publication number: 20150379714Abstract: A method for determining three orientational degrees of freedom of a cube-corner retroreflector by obtaining with a photosensitive array an image of a three straight marks on the retroreflector and, with a programmable control device, taking a two-dimensional transform of the image and determining the three orientational degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventor: Peter G. Cramer
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Publication number: 20150070712Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Daniel G. Lasley
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Publication number: 20150022826Abstract: A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
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Publication number: 20140340750Abstract: A target and method of manufacturing the target is provided. The method of manufacturing includes providing the cube cornered retroreflector, the cube cornered retroreflector including a first, second and third planar reflectors. Each planar reflector capable of reflecting light, each planar reflector perpendicular to the other two planar reflectors, each planar reflector intersecting the other two planar reflectors in a common vertex, and each planar reflector having two intersection junctions. Each intersection junction shared with an adjacent planar reflector for a total of three intersection junctions within the cube corner retroreflector. The method further including the step of directing ions from a focused ion beam etching (FIBE) device onto the first intersection junction defined by the first planar reflector and second planar reflector. A first material is removed from at least a first portion of the first intersection junction to define a first non-reflecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: FARO Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Mark Neal, Lawrence B. Brown, Peter G. Cramer, Jonathan Robert Day, Matthew Frederick Evans, Aurelian Mavrodin
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Patent number: 8659752Abstract: A method for determining when a laser tracker is stable includes performing a plurality of first frontsight measurements and a plurality of first backsight measurements on a first target with the laser tracker, wherein the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements are alternated in time, calculating a plurality of first two-face errors based on the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements, determining at least one first stability metric based at least in part on the plurality of first two-face errors, the at least one first stability metric being a value defined by a rule, determining whether the laser tracker is stable based at least in part on the at least one first stability metric and a first termination criterion and generating an indication whether the laser tracker is stable or not stable.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr.
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Patent number: 8593648Abstract: A method is provided of obtaining the characteristics of a target by a device. The method includes providing the target having a target frame of reference, a retroreflector and a body. Providing a contact element rigidly fixed with respect to the body. A device is provided having a frame of reference and a light source, the device configured to measure a distance and two angles from the device to the retroreflector reference point. An identifier element located on the body. A workpiece surface is provided. The contact element contacts the workpiece surface. The retroreflector is illuminated with light from the light source and returns a reflected light. A distance and two angles are measured based at least in part on the reflected light. The first information is read with a first reader attached to the device. A three-dimensional coordinate of a point on the workpiece surface is calculated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
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Patent number: 8511891Abstract: A method for warming up a first instrument that includes providing an instrument measuring a first instrument temperature with the first temperature sensor at a starting time; measuring a first air temperature with the second temperature sensor at the starting time; determining a first profile based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature, the first profile representing an amount of first electrical current applied as a function of time, the first profile selected to provide a predicted level of instrument performance within a warm-up time; applying the first electrical current according to the first profile; and providing an operator at the starting time with a numerical value for the warm-up time of the instrument, wherein the warm-up time is based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr.
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Patent number: 8467072Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, Jr., Daniel G. Lasley
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Publication number: 20120320943Abstract: A method for warming up a first instrument that includes providing an instrument measuring a first instrument temperature with the first temperature sensor at a starting time; measuring a first air temperature with the second temperature sensor at the starting time; determining a first profile based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature, the first profile representing an amount of first electrical current applied as a function of time, the first profile selected to provide a predicted level of instrument performance within a warm-up time; applying the first electrical current according to the first profile; and providing an operator at the starting time with a numerical value for the warm-up time of the instrument, wherein the warm-up time is based at least in part on the first instrument temperature and the first air temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR.
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Publication number: 20120206716Abstract: A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, Robert E. Bridges, Nils P. Steffensen, Robert C. Mehler, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR., Daniel G. Lasley
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Publication number: 20120099100Abstract: A method for determining when a laser tracker is stable includes performing a plurality of first frontsight measurements and a plurality of first backsight measurements on a first target with the laser tracker, wherein the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements are alternated in time, calculating a plurality of first two-face errors based on the plurality of first frontsight measurements and the plurality of first backsight measurements, determining at least one first stability metric based at least in part on the plurality of first two-face errors, the at least one first stability metric being a value defined by a rule, determining whether the laser tracker is stable based at least in part on the at least one first stability metric and a first termination criterion and generating an indication whether the laser tracker is stable or not stable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventors: Peter G. Cramer, Kenneth Steffey, John M. Hoffer, JR.
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Publication number: 20110282612Abstract: A method for self-compensating a method includes the steps of rotating the patterned element relative to the read heads, the rotation about the axis to a plurality of first angles covering a range of at least 360 degrees; obtaining, at each of the plurality of first angles, first angular readings for the m measure read heads and for the reference read head; calculating a first array for each of the m measure read heads, each first array including, for each of the plurality of first angles, a difference in the first angular readings of the measure read head and the first angular reading of the reference read head; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one first spectral component based at least in part on the first array; calculating, for each of the m measure read heads, at least one second spectral component, the second spectral component based, at least in part, on the at least one first spectral component and on estimates of the second angles of the m measure read heads; and recordingType: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Peter G. Cramer
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Patent number: 7583375Abstract: A self-compensating laser tracker may include a frame assembly including a laser, and at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and a rotatable mirror. The laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser may be reflected by the mirror. One of the at least two reflecting members may be a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members may be a frame assembly mirror. The cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror may be fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, James K. West, Robert E. Bridges
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Publication number: 20090109426Abstract: A self-compensating laser tracker may include a frame assembly including a laser, and at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and a rotatable mirror. The laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser may be reflected by the mirror. One of the at least two reflecting members may be a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members may be a frame assembly mirror. The cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror may be fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, James K. West, Robert E. Bridges
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Patent number: 7466401Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating a coordinate measurement machine is provided, which may be a laser-based coordinate measurement machine, laser tracker, or other coordinate measurement device. In one exemplary method, such compensation comprises self-compensation of payload parameters by means of embedded tracker targets. In another exemplary embodiment, such compensation comprises self-compensation of payload, azimuth-post, axis, or R0 parameters by means of embedded temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, James K. West, Robert E. Bridges
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Patent number: RE44150Abstract: A self-compensating laser tracker may include a frame assembly including a laser, and at least two-embedded, non-moveable, reflecting members; and a rotatable mirror. The laser and the mirror are arranged such that a laser beam emitted from the laser may be reflected by the mirror. One of the at least two reflecting members may be a cube corner retroreflector and a second of the at least two reflecting members may be a frame assembly mirror. The cube corner retroreflector and the frame assembly mirror may be fixed in position on the frame assembly relative to the rotatable payload and relative to each other, and are structured to reflect the laser beam in a frontsight mode and a backsight mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Faro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter G. Cramer, James K. West, Robert E. Bridges