Patents by Inventor Thomas Luethi

Thomas Luethi 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: 9766326
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuous tracking of a target, with a beam source for generating measuring radiation, a base defining a vertical axis and a support, wherein the support is pivotable by motor power about the vertical axis relative to the base and thereby a horizontal pivot angle is defined. The tracker further comprises a beam directing unit pivotable by motor power, which defines a vertical pivot angle for orienting the measuring radiation and for receiving measuring radiation, an angle measuring functionality for determining the horizontal pivot angle and the vertical pivot angle, a distance measuring functionality and a photosensitive surface detector for detecting an incidence position of the reflected measuring radiation. The base has a self-calibration unit with a first retroreflective reference target and an optical assembly functioning as a reducing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Manfred Küpfer
  • Publication number: 20170167845
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Thomas LÜTHI
  • Patent number: 9645239
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the distance with respect to the target. The laser tracker may include beam directing unit for emitting a measurement radiation and for receiving at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. The laser tracker additionally comprises an interferometer for determining a change in distance with respect to the target. A control and evaluation unit is designed in such a way that an interferometer wavelength of the measurement radiation is determined by defined sample measurements being carried out with variation of the distance with respect to the target, wherein the sample measurements are effected for at least two different distances with respect to the target, the measurement radiation is constantly oriented towards the target and with the interferometer wavelength being kept stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 9638519
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for determining a change in distance to a moving and reflective target. Embodiments of the invention can be performed by means of interferometry and may include the generation of laser radiation, the emission of the measurement radiation to the target, and the detection of at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. In some embodiments, a superposition of the reflected measurement radiation with the reference radiation is generated and detected, an interferometer output variable is derived on the basis of the detected superposition, and/or a time-resolved output variable curve is produced from the derived interferometer output variable. In some embodiments, the output variable curve is continually checked in that the output variable curve is continually read out in a time-resolved manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Thomas Lüthi
  • Patent number: 9400175
    Abstract: A laser tracker for continuous tracking of a reflecting target and for determining the distance to the target is provided. The laser tracker may include a base defining a standing axis, a beam steering unit for emission of a measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected by the target. The beam steering unit is motorized to be pivotable relative to the base around the standing axis and a tilt axis extending substantially orthogonal to the standing axis. Furthermore, the tracker has a distance measuring unit configured as an interferometer for determining a change in distance to the target by means of interferometry, an interferometer laser beam source for generating the measuring radiation for the interferometer and an angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit relative to the base. The interferometer laser beam source may be configured as a laser diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20160170024
    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: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Thomas LÜTHI, Simon FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20160103222
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Burkhard BÖCKEM, Simon FUCHS, Thomas LÜTHI, Manfred KÜPFER
  • Publication number: 20150226841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuous tracking of a target, with a beam source for generating measuring radiation, a base defining a vertical axis and a support, wherein the support is pivotable by motor power about the vertical axis relative to the base and thereby a horizontal pivot angle is defined. The tracker further comprises a beam directing unit pivotable by motor power, which defines a vertical pivot angle for orienting the measuring radiation and for receiving measuring radiation, an angle measuring functionality for determining the horizontal pivot angle and the vertical pivot angle, a distance measuring functionality and a photosensitive surface detector for detecting an incidence position of the reflected measuring radiation. The base has a self-calibration unit with a first retroreflective reference target and an optical assembly functioning as a reducing lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Manfred Küpfer
  • Publication number: 20150138530
    Abstract: 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 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem, Yves Salvadé
  • Publication number: 20150138528
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the distance with respect to the target. The laser tracker may include beam directing unit for emitting a measurement radiation and for receiving at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. The laser tracker additionally comprises an interferometer for determining a change in distance with respect to the target. A control and evaluation unit is designed in such a way that an interferometer wavelength of the measurement radiation is determined by defined sample measurements being carried out with variation of the distance with respect to the target, wherein the sample measurements are effected for at least two different distances with respect to the target, the measurement radiation is constantly oriented towards the target and with the interferometer wavelength being kept stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 8981297
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that can be rotated automatically about two axes and that can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: an optical distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a light source for emitting light, directly or by means of optical elements, wherein said light is visible as a target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a target detecting unit for determining a position as the position of the imaging of the target point on a position detection sensor. The control apparatus is designed to direct the carrier at the measuring aid by rotating the carrier about the at least two axes of the carrier according to the fine position and the rough position; and the light source is a superluminescent diode (SLED).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Boeckem, Thomas Luethi
  • Publication number: 20150043007
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for determining a change in distance to a moving and reflective target. Embodiments of the invention can be performed by means of interferometry and may include the generation of laser radiation, the emission of the measurement radiation to the target, and the detection of at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. In some embodiments, a superposition of the reflected measurement radiation with the reference radiation is generated and detected, an interferometer output variable is derived on the basis of the detected superposition, and/or a time-resolved output variable curve is produced from the derived interferometer output variable. In some embodiments, the output variable curve is continually checked in that the output variable curve is continually read out in a time-resolved manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tomasz Kwiatkowski, Thomas Lüthi
  • Publication number: 20140307264
    Abstract: A laser tracker for continuous tracking of a reflecting target and for determining the distance to the target is provided. The laser tracker may include a base defining a standing axis, a beam steering unit for emission of a measuring radiation and for receiving at least a part of the measuring radiation reflected by the target. The beam steering unit is motorized to be pivotable relative to the base around the standing axis and a tilt axis extending substantially orthogonal to the standing axis. Furthermore, the tracker has a distance measuring unit configured as an interferometer for determining a change in distance to the target by means of interferometry, an interferometer laser beam source for generating the measuring radiation for the interferometer and an angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit relative to the base. The interferometer laser beam source may be configured as a laser diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Lüthi, Burkhard Böckem
  • Publication number: 20130063715
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that can be rotated automatically about two axes and that can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: an optical distance measuring device for measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a light source for emitting light, directly or by means of optical elements, wherein said light is visible as a target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a target detecting unit for determining a position as the position of the imaging of the target point on a position detection sensor. The control apparatus is designed to direct the carrier at the measuring aid by rotating the carrier about the at least two axes of the carrier according to the fine position and the rough position; and the light source is a superluminescent diode (SLED).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Boeckem, Thomas Luethi
  • Patent number: 8305563
    Abstract: An electro-optical distance-measuring unit (10) includes a light source (1), the emitted light of which in the distance-measuring unit (10) is guided onto a measurement path (8) at least by one polarizing beam splitter (3), an electro-optical modulator (5) and a retarder (6). Light that is returned along the measurement path (8) is guided at least by the retarder (6), the electro-optical modulator (5) and the polarizing beam splitter (3) onto a detector (4). The distance-measuring unit (10) furthermore includes a control and evaluation unit (11) for determining a length of the measurement path (8) in accordance with a modulation frequency of the electro-optical modulator (5) and a signal of the detector (4). The light source (1) has a broad spectrum of the emitted light and is preferably a super-luminescent diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Thomas Luethi, Dietrich Meier
  • Publication number: 20120098389
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for mounting a piezoelectric resonator (40) inside a case (80) by ultrasonic bonding of the piezoelectric resonator to a base part of the case. The invention also concerns a small-sized packaged piezoelectric resonator, in which the piezoelectric resonator is ultrasonically bonded inside a base part of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Micro Crystal AG
    Inventors: Silvio DALLA PIAZZA, Thomas Luethi, Guenter Sallaz, Stephane Borloz
  • Publication number: 20110178837
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for managing goodwill activities in a business organization are provided. A computer-implemented activity management tool collect user-submitted activity identification data regarding a proposed activity, and automatically classifies the proposed activity into one of a plurality of activity types based at least on the user-submitted activity identification data. The activity management tool also receives user-submitted activity value data regarding the proposed activity, automatically determines a value of the proposed activity based at least on the user-submitted activity value data, and automatically determines an appropriate approval level for the proposed activity based at least on the determined value of the proposed activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jürgen Goerges, Wolfgang Hastenpflug, Jens Häussler, Thomas Lüthi, Kerstin Matthäus, Helge Seefeld, Christine Weyrich
  • Publication number: 20100315619
    Abstract: An electro-optical distance-measuring unit (10) includes a light source (1), the emitted light of which in the distance-measuring unit (10) is guided onto a measurement path (8) at least by one polarizing beam splitter (3), an electro-optical modulator (5) and a retarder (6). Light that is returned along the measurement path (8) is guided at least by the retarder (6), the electro-optical modulator (5) and the polarizing beam splitter (3) onto a detector (4). The distance-measuring unit (10) furthermore includes a control and evaluation unit (11) for determining a length of the measurement path (8) in accordance with a modulation frequency of the electro-optical modulator (5) and a signal of the detector (4). The light source (1) has a broad spectrum of the emitted light and is preferably a super-luminescent diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Luethi, Dietrich Meier
  • Patent number: 7843115
    Abstract: The electronic component includes at least one resonator element arranged in a housing of a case. The case includes a main part with a base and at least one lateral wall of annular shape, and a cover fixed onto the main part to hermetically seal the housing of the case. One portion of the cover is transparent to a determined wavelength of a light beam to allow the resonator element to be optically adjusted once the case is sealed. The cover is fixed onto a rim of the lateral wall of the main part, which is preferably made of a ceramic material, such that one part of the rim preferably surrounds the entire lateral surface of the cover to ensure protection of the electronic component against lateral shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Silvio Dalla Piazza, Thomas Lüthi
  • Patent number: 7253554
    Abstract: The invention concerns a piezoelectric resonator (10), intended to be packaged in a case, including a base (12) formed of a first fixing zone (121), a second central mechanical uncoupling zone (122) and a third zone (123) opposite to the first fixing zone. At least two vibrating arms (13a, 13b) extend from said third zone, on each of which at least one groove (141a-144a, 141b-144b) is formed on at least one of the top or bottom faces of the arms. The resonator is characterised in that the base is provided with a hole (15) through the second central mechanical uncoupling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Silvio Dalla Piazza, Thomas Lüthi, Bruno Studer