Patents by Inventor Thomas Lüthi

Thomas Lüthi 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: 20240134048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser tracker for the industrial, coordinative position determination of a target, the laser tracker providing two measurement functionalities, namely a measurement functionality for measuring and tracking a cooperative, e.g. retroreflective, target and a measurement functionality for the e.g. scanning measurement of a target with diffuse scattering, wherein both measurement functionalities can be carried out and referenced to each other by means of the same optoelectronic distance measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Marcel ROHNER, Alexandre PADUCH, Thomas LÜTHI
  • Publication number: 20240077301
    Abstract: A measuring instrument for coordinative measuring of object surface points of an object embodied as a measuring head of a coordinate measuring machine or of an articulated arm or embodied as a handheld measuring probe of a measuring system having a surveying station such as a laser tracker or as a 6-DoF handheld measuring instrument with an IMU. The measuring instrument comprises a scanning absolute distance meter with a light source, a transmission channel for emitting light from the light source as a measurement beam along a targeting axis towards the object, a beam deflection unit for scanning deflection of the targeting axis, a receiver channel for receiving at least part of the measurement beam reflected from the object surface, an opto-electronic detector for detection of the received measurement beam and outputting an according detection signal and an evaluation unit for determination of a coordinate of a surface point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Duncan REDGEWELL
  • Publication number: 20230099779
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a metrology system and coordinate measuring devices to be used within the framework of a smart factory environment, which has a defined arrangement of different metrology devices, configured such that coordinate measuring data generated by different metrology devices are referencable to a common coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Duncan REDGEWELL, Markus STEINER, Thomas LÜTHI, Veroljub MAKSIMOVIC, Raimund LOSER
  • Patent number: 11402478
    Abstract: A system configured for rough localization of moveable cooperative targets. The system includes at least one laser tracker, having a moveable upper part connected to a base part, an optical target rough location detector automatically detecting a rough location of a cooperative target, a target fine position detector automatically detecting a fine position of a cooperative target within a fine position field of view, motors for changing an orientation of the moveable upper part, a motor controller, and a computer, a first and a second radio frequency telegram (RFT) transceiver (RFTT) anchor-module, wherein each RFTT anchor-module's position is referenced to the laser tracker, a cooperative target associated with a RFTT tag-module and each of the RFTT tag- and anchor-modules an evaluation unit configured for determining a RFT-transmission specific parameter based on the transmission of RFTs between the RFTT anchor- and tag-modules and providing said RFT-transmission specific parameter to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Thomas Lüthi, Markus Steiner
  • Patent number: 11067690
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus comprising a tunable laser diode for generating a mono mode measurement radiation, said laser diode being designed as a laser beam source in such a way that an emission wavelength of the measurement radiation is variable within a wavelength range by means of the variation of a tuning parameter, comprising an absorption medium defining absorption lines within the wavelength range, comprising a memory having a line atlas for the absorption medium, comprising a detector for determining an absorptivity and comprising a control and evaluation unit for regulating the emission wavelength by means of the at least one tuning parameter in a manner dependent on the absorptivity determined in such a way that the emission wavelength remains stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem, Yves Salvadé
  • Publication number: 20210025978
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coordinate measuring device for detecting a position of a target object which can move in space and which comprises a retroreflector, wherein an automatic identification of a recognized target object and an assignment of specifications associated with the target object takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Roger STEGER
  • Patent number: 10901070
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device for detecting a position of a target object which can move in space and which comprises a retroreflector, wherein an automatic identification of a recognized target object and an assignment of specifications associated with the target object takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Roger Steger
  • Publication number: 20200309515
    Abstract: A surveying system comprising a global coordinate measuring device (CMD) and a local CMD, wherein the local CMD is configured to coordinatively survey surface survey an object. The surveying system has a coordinate transformation functionality, during the execution of which a first transformation of the local coordinate system of the local CMD into the global coordinate system of the global CMD takes place, whereby at least three reference points, the respective defined position of which is known to either the global or the local CMD, are surveyed by the respective other CMD. A second transformation of the global coordinate system into the object-side coordinate system also takes place, whereby the global CMD surveys at least three support points, the respective defined position of which in the object-side coordinate system is known.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Michael LETTAU, Albert MARKENDORF, Marco LÜSCHER, Dennis MOOR
  • Patent number: 10775503
    Abstract: A measuring method and a distance measuring device for determining an absolute distance to a target moving at a radial movement velocity with respect to the distance measuring device, wherein a modulated transmission radiation is emitted to the target and a measurement signal is detected, such that information regarding the absolute distance to the target is attached to the measurement signal by means of at least one reference point of a frequency-dependent signal profile of the measurement signal, on the basis of a modulation phase of the reception radiation with respect to a set fundamental modulation, wherein for a set fundamental modulation frequency the deviation of said frequency value with respect to a reference point, in particular a minimum point, of the signal profile of the measurement signal is derived, namely the frequency offset and the offset direction with respect to the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Konrad Wildi, Thomas Lüthi, Hans-Ulrich Minder
  • Patent number: 10725179
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a coordinate measuring machine for detecting the position and alignment of a spatially movable measuring aid. The coordinate measuring machine may include a retroreflector; a base; a support, which is fixed on the base rotatably about a first rotation axis; a beam directing unit, which is fixed to the support rotatably about a second rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis; means for detecting a rotation angle of the support relative to the base; and means for detecting a rotation angle of the beam directing unit relative to the support. In some embodiments, the beam directing unit comprises a laser emission and reception optical unit and a first optical distance measuring unit having at least one first distance measuring device for measuring the distance to a retroreflector of the measuring aid by means of a first measurement radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Böckem, Thomas Lüthi, Simon Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20200191929
    Abstract: A system configured for rough localization of moveable cooperative targets. The system includes at least one laser tracker, having a moveable upper part connected to a base part, an optical target rough location detector automatically detecting a rough location of a cooperative target, a target fine position detector automatically detecting a fine position of a cooperative target within a fine position field of view, motors for changing an orientation of the moveable upper part, a motor controller, and a computer, a first and a second radio frequency telegram (RFT) transceiver (RFTT) anchor-module, wherein each RFTT anchor-module's position is referenced to the laser tracker, a cooperative target associated with a RFTT tag-module and each of the RFTT tag- and anchor-modules an evaluation unit configured for determining a RFT-transmission specific parameter based on the transmission of RFTs between the RFTT anchor- and tag-modules and providing said RFT-transmission specific parameter to the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomasz KWIATKOWSKI, Thomas LÜTHI, Markus STEINER
  • Patent number: 10627211
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for progressive tracking of a reflective target and for determining the distance to the target having a distance measuring unit, which is designed as an interferometer, for determining a distance change to the target by means of interferometry, a laser beam source for generating measuring radiation for the interferometer, a base, which defines a standing axis, a beam guiding unit for emitting the measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected on the target, wherein the beam guiding unit is pivotable by a motor about the standing axis and an inclination axis, which is essentially orthogonal in relation to the standing axis, in relation to the base, and an angle measuring functionality for determining an alignment of the beam guiding unit in relation to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Thomas Lüthi
  • Patent number: 10444361
    Abstract: A laser tracker for industrial coordinative position determination of a target, wherein the laser tracker at least comprises a control and evaluation unit, a base and a beam directing unit, means for detecting a rotation angle of the beam directing unit relative to the base, and a first optical distance measuring unit having at least a first beam source and a first detection unit. The distance measuring unit and the control and evaluation unit are designed for implementing a first and a second measurement functionality, where at least one element of the distance measuring unit is designed for dual use in the first and in the second measurement functionality. The first measurement functionality is for coordinative position determination of a retroreflective target, and the second measurement functionality is for position determination of a diffusely scattering target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Veroljub Maksimovic
  • Publication number: 20190265355
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus comprising a tunable laser diode for generating a mono mode measurement radiation, said laser diode being designed as a laser beam source in such a way that an emission wavelength of the measurement radiation is variable within a wavelength range by means of the variation of a tuning parameter, comprising an absorption medium defining absorption lines within the wavelength range, comprising a memory having a line atlas for the absorption medium, comprising a detector for determining an absorptivity and comprising a control and evaluation unit for regulating the emission wavelength by means of the at least one tuning parameter in a manner dependent on the absorptivity determined in such a way that the emission wavelength remains stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Burkhard BÖCKEM, Yves SALVADÉ
  • Patent number: 10338219
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus comprising a tunable laser diode for generating a mono mode measurement radiation, said laser diode being designed as a laser beam source in such a way that an emission wavelength of the measurement radiation is variable within a wavelength range by means of the variation of a tuning parameter, comprising an absorption medium defining absorption lines within the wavelength range, comprising a memory having a line atlas for the absorption medium, comprising a detector for determining an absorptivity and comprising a control and evaluation unit for regulating the emission wavelength by means of the at least one tuning parameter in a manner dependent on the absorptivity determined in such a way that the emission wavelength remains stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem, Yves Salvadé
  • Publication number: 20180292535
    Abstract: A measuring method and a distance measuring device for determining an absolute distance to a target moving at a radial movement velocity with respect to the distance measuring device, wherein a modulated transmission radiation is emitted to the target and a measurement signal is detected, such that information regarding the absolute distance to the target is attached to the measurement signal by means of at least one reference point of a frequency-dependent signal profile of the measurement signal, on the basis of a modulation phase of the reception radiation with respect to a set fundamental modulation, wherein for a set fundamental modulation frequency the deviation of said frequency value with respect to a reference point, in particular a minimum point, of the signal profile of the measurement signal is derived, namely the frequency offset and the offset direction with respect to the reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Konrad WILDI, Thomas LÜTHI, Hans-Ulrich MINDER
  • Publication number: 20180252814
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a coordinate measuring machine for detecting the position and alignment of a spatially movable measuring aid. The coordinate measuring meaching may include a retroreflector: a base; a support, which is fixed on the base rotatably about a first rotation axis; a beam directing unit, which is fixed to the support rotatably about a second rotation axis, substantially orthogonal to the first rotation axis; means for detecting a rotation angle of the support relative to the base; and means for detecting a rotation angle of the beam directing unit relative to the support. In some embodiments, in the beam directing unit comprises a laser emission and reception optical unit and a first optical distance measuring unit having at least one first distance measuring device for measuring the distance to a retroreflector of the measuring aid by means of a first measurement radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Thomas LÜTHI, Simon FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20180224527
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device for detecting a position of a target object which can move in space and which comprises a retroreflector, wherein an automatic identification of a recognized target object and an assignment of specifications associated with the target object takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Roger STEGER
  • Patent number: 10036811
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a coordinate measuring machine for determining the position and/or for continuous tracking of a target embodied as a retroreflector or at least having a retroreflector. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring machine may be a laser tracker. The coordinate measuring machine may include comprising at least a base defining a vertical axis, a support swivelable relative thereto and, tiltable thereto a beam guiding unit for emitting measurement radiation for receiving at least some of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring machine includes a heat influence reduction component that may be configured to prevent and/or actively reduce heat emission, and/or obstruct or prevent warm air from passing through the near region free beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Böckem, Simon Fuchs, Thomas Lüthi, Manfred Küpfer
  • Publication number: 20170269213
    Abstract: A laser tracker for industrial coordinative position determination of a target, wherein the laser tracker at least comprises a control and evaluation unit, a base and a beam directing unit, means for detecting a rotation angle of the beam directing unit relative to the base, and a first optical distance measuring unit having at least a first beam source and a first detection unit. The distance measuring unit and the control and evaluation unit are designed for implementing a first and a second measurement functionality, where at least one element of the distance measuring unit is designed for dual use in the first and in the second measurement functionality. The first measurement functionality is for coordinative position determination of a retroreflective target, and the second measurement functionality is for position determination of a diffusely scattering target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas LÜTHI, Veroljub MAKSIMOVIC