Patents by Inventor Peter Kipfer

Peter Kipfer 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).

  • Patent number: 11733043
    Abstract: A target reflector search device. This device comprises an emitting unit for emitting an emission fan, a motorized device for moving the emission fan over a spatial region, and a receiving unit for reflected portions of the emission fan within a fan-shaped acquisition region, and a locating unit for determining a location of the reflection. An optoelectronic detector of the receiving unit is formed as a position-resolving optoelectronic detector having a linear arrangement of a plurality of pixels, each formed as an SPAD array, and the receiving unit comprises an optical system having an imaging fixed-focus optical unit, wherein the optical system and the optoelectronic detector are arranged and configured in such a way that portions of the optical radiation reflected from a point in the acquisition region are expanded on the sensitivity surface of the optoelectronic detector in such a way that blurry imaging takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Jürg Hinderling, Simon Bestler, Peter Kipfer, Andreas Walser, Markus Geser
  • Publication number: 20230125524
    Abstract: An image based opto-electronic encoder for a joint, the encoder having a reading head for the first part of the joint and an optical system, comprising a ball lens for the second part of the joint. The ball lens has a front surface transparent for measuring light and an at least partially reflective, structured back surface. The ball lens has -with respect to the measuring light- a refractive index of at least approximately two or an equal radially varying refractive index, such that a bundle of measuring light rays reflected inside the ball lens from a point of the back surface of the ball lens forms at least approximately a parallel bundle after getting refracted at the front surface of the ball lens. The reading head and the ball lens are rotatable relative to each other in at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Yves SALVADÉ, Markus SPRECHER, Peter KIPFER, Marcel ROHNER, Tim MAYER, Beat AEBISCHER
  • Patent number: 10877284
    Abstract: Light emitting unit, in particular of or for a triangulation-based distance measuring device, for providing defined measuring light, in particular laser light, is disclosed. The light emitting unit comprising a light source for emitting light, in particular a laser light source for emitting laser light, and a beam forming assembly for shaping the light by affecting propagation of the light emitted by the light source, wherein the beam forming assembly is arranged and designed so that measuring light is provided in form of a light line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The beam forming assembly comprises at least one micro-lens array, the at least one micro-lens array comprises a plurality of micro-lenses, wherein the micro-lenses are designed and arranged in joint manner next to each other with algebraic signs for curvatures of successive micro-lenses being opposite and so that a periodic structure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Johan Stigwall, Peter Kipfer, Thomas Jensen
  • Publication number: 20200355499
    Abstract: A target reflector search device. This device comprises an emitting unit for emitting an emission fan, a motorized device for moving the emission fan over a spatial region, and a receiving unit for reflected portions of the emission fan within a fan-shaped acquisition region, and a locating unit for determining a location of the reflection. An optoelectronic detector of the receiving unit is formed as a position-resolving optoelectronic detector having a linear arrangement of a plurality of pixels, each formed as an SPAD array, and the receiving unit comprises an optical system having an imaging fixed-focus optical unit, wherein the optical system and the optoelectronic detector are arranged and configured in such a way that portions of the optical radiation reflected from a point in the acquisition region are expanded on the sensitivity surface of the optoelectronic detector in such a way that blurry imaging takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Jürg HINDERLING, Simon Bestler, Peter Kipfer, Andreas Walser, Markus Geser
  • Patent number: 10330466
    Abstract: Method of providing measuring light for triangulation-based distance measurement to an object to be measured, wherein distance information is derivable by detecting at least portions of the measuring light reflected at the object. The method comprises emitting light and shaping the light so that the measuring light is provided in form of a line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The intensity distribution of the light across the line is adjusted so that a respective light intensity at the ends of the line is at least 10% higher than light intensity around the midpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Kipfer, Johan Stigwall, Thomas Jensen
  • Patent number: 10018836
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geodetic instrument, in particular a geodetic telescope, for example for a theodolite, or geodetic overview, photogrammetry or axial camera, comprising an imaging optical system which defines an optical axis and comprises an observation beam path for imaging a target object by an eyepiece and/or on a camera sensor, for registering and/or providing an image of the sighted target object. According to the invention, the imaging optical system comprises at least two diffractive optical elements in the observation beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Peter Kipfer, Josef Lais
  • Publication number: 20170123218
    Abstract: Light emitting unit, in particular of or for a triangulation-based distance measuring device, for providing defined measuring light, in particular laser light, is disclosed. The light emitting unit comprising a light source for emitting light, in particular a laser light source for emitting laser light, and a beam forming assembly for shaping the light by affecting propagation of the light emitted by the light source, wherein the beam forming assembly is arranged and designed so that measuring light is provided in form of a light line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The beam forming assembly comprises at least one micro-lens array, the at least one micro-lens array comprises a plurality of micro-lenses, wherein the micro-lenses are designed and arranged in joint manner next to each other with algebraic signs for curvatures of successive micro-lenses being opposite and so that a periodic structure is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Johan STIGWALL, Peter KIPFER, Thomas JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20170122728
    Abstract: Method of providing measuring light for triangulation-based distance measurement to an object to be measured, wherein distance information is derivable by detecting at least portions of the measuring light reflected at the object. The method comprises emitting light and shaping the light so that the measuring light is provided in form of a line having a midpoint and two opposite ends. The intensity distribution of the light across the line is adjusted so that a respective light intensity at the ends of the line is at least 10% higher than light intensity around the midpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Peter KIPFER, Johan STIGWALL, Thomas JENSEN
  • Patent number: 9297656
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a sensor arrangement for inclination determination with respect to at least one axis. The sensor arrangement may include a code element having a code pattern and a line sensor, which is sensitive at least with respect to one wavelength range, having a reception direction orthogonal to its extension direction. In some embodiments the code element and the line sensor are arranged such that the extension direction of the line sensor and an extension direction of the code element are oriented in the same direction. The code element and the line sensor may be rigidly connected at a spacing of at least 1 mm and at most 10 mm such that a location, which is angle-dependent with respect to the reception direction, of a projection of the code pattern onto the line sensor can be determined by means of the line sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Jensen, Knut Siercks, Peter Kipfer
  • Publication number: 20160004073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a geodetic instrument, in particular a geodetic telescope, for example for a theodolite, or geodetic overview, photogrammetry or axial camera, comprising an imaging optical system which defines an optical axis and comprises an observation beam path for imaging a target object by an eyepiece and/or on a camera sensor, for registering and/or providing an image of the sighted target object. According to the invention, the imaging optical system comprises at least two diffractive optical elements in the observation beam path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Peter KIPFER, Josef LAIS
  • Publication number: 20150253136
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a sensor arrangement for inclination determination with respect to at least one axis. The sensor arrangement may include a code element having a code pattern and a line sensor, which is sensitive at least with respect to one wavelength range, having a reception direction orthogonal to its extension direction. In some embodiments the code element and the line sensor are arranged such that the extension direction of the line sensor and an extension direction of the code element are oriented in the same direction. The code element and the line sensor may be rigidly connected at a spacing of at least 1 mm and at most 10 mm such that a location, which is angle-dependent with respect to the reception direction, of a projection of the code pattern onto the line sensor can be determined by means of the line sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas JENSEN, Knut SIERCKS, Peter KIPFER
  • Patent number: 8596217
    Abstract: An application controller for an application unit, for marking substances comprises a radiation sensor, by means of which the relative position of the application unit relative to a reference plane may be determined. The relative position of the application unit can be determined by means for recording the orientation of the application unit controller relative to the reference plane from the association of position with orientation information, such that control instructions, in particular for positional correction may be generated by the application unit controller. The position of the application unit can be adjusted by an actuator device according to the control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Peter Kipfer, Christian Betschon, Bernd Walser
  • Patent number: 8462979
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic angle sensor (1a) for determining a rotational angle about an axis (6), comprising a circular disk (2a) that can be rotated about the axis. Said circular disk comprises a coding, essentially over the entire surface, a flat photosensitive detector (3a), a device for producing an evaluable image of the coding on the detector and a memory and evaluation component (4a) for determining the rotational angle. A largely complete, or in particular an entire image of the coding is produced on the detector. The rotational angle is determined using a parameter-varying stochastic comparison method, from the image and a parameterised electronic reference pattern that is provided by means of the memory and evaluation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer, Heinz Lippuner
  • Patent number: 8379191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering surfaces, using a scanner system comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation (ES), a scanning device for guiding the radiation over the surface in order to scan the latter and a receiver for receiving the radiation (RS) that is reflected by the surface. According to the invention, the radiation is spectrally separated to analyze the surface characteristics and a distance measuring unit is used to derive distance information in parallel from the received radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Stegmaier, Peter Kipfer
  • Patent number: 7990550
    Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning method for determining the position and orientation of a mobile unit having a receiver (3?), whereby the receiver (3?) is detected by a scanner (2?), said scanner (2?) determining at least the distance and a direction in relation to the receiver (3?). The radiation emitted by the sensor is detected by the receiver (3?) and the direction of incidence of radiation and the direction of incidence of radiation in relation to an axis of reception are derived while an offset of the incident radiation in relation to the axis of reception (EA) is determined. Position and orientation of the unit are derived from at least the distance, the direction in relation to the receiver (3?), the offset and the direction of incidence as the position information and the unit is optionally controlled via the optical connection (OV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Beat Aebischer, Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer
  • Publication number: 20110044561
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic angle sensor (1a) for determining a rotational angle about an axis (6), comprising a circular disk (2a) that can be rotated about the axis. Said circular disk comprises a coding, essentially over the entire surface, a flat photosensitive detector (3a), a device for producing an evaluable image of the coding on the detector and a memory and evaluation component (4a) for determining the rotational angle. A largely complete, or in particular an entire image of the coding is produced on the detector. The rotational angle is determined using a parameter-varying stochastic comparison method, from the image and a parameterised electronic reference pattern that is provided by means of the memory and evaluation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer, Heinz Lippuner
  • Publication number: 20110032507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering surfaces, using a scanner system comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation (ES), a scanning device for guiding the radiation over the surface in order to scan the latter and a receiver for receiving the radiation (RS) that is reflected by the surface. According to the invention, the radiation is spectrally separated to analyse the surface characteristics and a distance measuring unit is used to derive distance information in parallel from the received radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Stegmaier, Peter Kipfer
  • Patent number: 7812933
    Abstract: An electro-optical range finder (4) having a trapezoidal laser (1) as a laser source, a laser source controller (6) for generating pulsed laser radiation, receiving optics (7) and a detector (8) with an evaluation unit (9) for receiving and evaluating the measuring radiation (RS) reflected by a target (ZI), in order to measure distance, has a separate supply for the guided waveguide region (2) and the trapezoidal region (3) as well as transmitting optics (5) with astigmatism compensation and for collimating the laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Thomas Jensen, Peter Kipfer, Laurent Stauffer, Reto Stutz
  • Patent number: 7759604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for high-precision fixing of a miniaturized component (1), in particular having a microoptical element (2), on a predetermined fixing section (3) of a support plate (4) by a solder joint. The support plate is formed throughout from a metallic material and has a cut-out region (10) which encloses the fixing section (3), is bridged by at least one connecting web (9) of the support plate (4), keeps the heat transfer from the fixing section (3) to the remaining support plate low and compensates lateral thermal expansions of the fixing section (3). Solder material (8) is applied on the top of the fixing section (3). The method comprises in particular the steps: arrangement of the component (1) above the fixing section (3), the solder material (8) and the base (7) of the component (1) being present in opposite positions without contact and forming a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Laurent Stauffer, Peter Kipfer, Heinz Bernhard
  • Patent number: 7649621
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical inclinometer. According to the invention, an incline-dependent medium, e.g. a liquid surface, is positioned in the pupil of an optical subsystem and a detectable wave front is imaged onto a detector by means of said medium. A phase displacement of radiation emitted from a radiation source is caused by said medium; the interaction of the radiation and the medium can take place during reflection or transmission. An aberration of the wave front caused by the medium can be analyzed by means of a wave front sensor and compensated by an evaluation unit or the detector. A wave front sensor having a diffractive structure formed upstream of each subaperture is compact and increases the resolution and the detectable angular region of the inclinometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer