Photodetection Of Inclination From Level Or Vertical Patents (Class 356/139.1)
-
Publication number: 20110235027Abstract: An operation method to operate a tilt sensor with power-saving mechanism is provided. The operation method comprises the steps as follows. An accommodating space is provided such that a blocking object is displaceable in the accommodating space according to the gravity. A working mode is performed such that a light-emitting element emits light according to a first current and at least two first light sensors sense a light amount to determine a tilt angle of the tilt sensor. When the light amount doesn't change or when a light amount variation sensed by a second light sensor is smaller than the threshold value within a predetermined time period, a power-saving mode is performed such that the light-emitting element emits light according to a second current smaller than the first current. When the light amount variation is larger than the specific value during the power-saving mode, the working mode is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: EDISON OPTO CORPORATIONInventors: Chung-Ping Feng, Peng-Yu Chen
-
Publication number: 20110235026Abstract: A tilt sensor with power-saving mechanism is provided. The tilt sensor includes a light-emitting element, a blocking object displaceable in an accommodating space on a baseboard, at least two first light sensors, a second light sensor and a control module. The first and the second light sensors respectively sense a light amount and a light amount variation according to the relative position of the light-emitting element and the blocking object. During a power-saving mode, when the light amount variation is larger than a specific value, the control module makes the light-emitting element work in a working mode to emit light according to a first current. During the work mode, when the light amount does not change or the light amount variation is smaller than a threshold value, the control module makes the light-emitting element work in the power-saving mode to emit light according to a second current.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: EDISON OPTO CORPORATIONInventors: Chung-Ping Feng, Peng-Yu Chen
-
Patent number: 8026473Abstract: A tilt sensor includes a mount board, a cover, a light emitting and two light receiving elements on the mount board. A case, provided between the mount board and the cover, is formed with an inner space surrounded by the light emitting element and the light receiving elements. A rolling member, movable in the inner space, can take a complete shielding position, a partial shielding position and an unshielding position. At the complete shielding position, the rolling member blocks the light from the light emitting element so that no light reaches the two light receiving elements. At the partial shielding position, the rolling member blocks the light so that the light reaches only one of the two light receiving elements. At the unshielding position, the rolling member does not block the light at all so that the light reaches the two light receiving elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuki Tanuma
-
Publication number: 20110216310Abstract: An optical sensing device includes a shell, at least one light emitting member, a rotating type shading assembly and at least one optical sensing member. The shell is formed with a black-body condition space having a light emitting chamber, a shading chamber and at least one optical sensing chamber. The light emitting member projects a light beam. The rotating type shading assembly includes a pivot and a shading member. The shading member is pivotally connected to the pivot in the shading chamber, and has a weight center offset from the pivot center. When the optical sensing device is tilted, the shading member is rotated to make the weight center located in a lowering azimuth with respect to the pivot. The optical sensing member is arranged in the optical sensing chamber, and senses the light beam to accordingly send out a sensing signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: EDISON OPTO CORPORATIONInventors: CHUNG-PING FENG, PENG-YU CHEN
-
Patent number: 8004664Abstract: A power tool control system includes a non-contact measurement and alignment device operative with the power tool and enabled to establish various readings, such as power tool settings. A graphical user interface communicatively coupled with the non-contact measurement and alignment device enables user control over and display of the readings from the non-contact measurement and alignment device.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Chang Type Industrial CompanyInventors: Mark A. Etter, Jaime E. Garcia, Kathy DeKeyser, Alan Phillips, Robert F. Burkholder, Jeffrey D. Weston, Melinda J. Hearn
-
Patent number: 7980703Abstract: A projector is provided which includes a distance measuring unit which can accurately measure distances to a plurality of points on a surface of a screen using light rays. The projector of the invention has the distance measuring unit for measuring distances to the plurality of points on the surface of the screen, which includes a plurality of light ray units for irradiating light rays onto the screen and one light receiving element for receiving the light rays which are reflected on the surface of the screen, and a tilt angle calculation unit for calculating a tilt angle of the screen relative to the projector based on the distances to the plurality of points on the surface of the screen which are measured by the distance measuring unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyo Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 7982866Abstract: A method for calibrating a surveying instrument is disclosed, the survey instrument comprising a base element and a camera with an image sensor, the camera being rotatable about a vertical axis fixed with respect to said base element and being rotatable about a tilting axis, the tilting axis being rotated about the vertical axis with rotation of the camera about the vertical axis. In the method, data associated with calibration points and images of the calibration points on the image sensor captured in different faces are used, the data for each of said calibration points comprising distance data and the data for each of the images of each said calibration point comprising image position data and orientation data.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventor: Michael Vogel
-
Patent number: 7978322Abstract: Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Michael A. Lazar
-
Patent number: 7973916Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Andreas Glimm
-
Publication number: 20110134416Abstract: A focal position detecting apparatus, for detecting a focusing condition and a tilting condition of an object, includes a planar beam generating module, an optical system, an optical sensor and a cylindrical lens. The planar beam generating module generates a planar light beam along a first path. The optical system is disposed on the first path, wherein the planar light beam, reflected by the object, passes through the optical system along a second path. The optical sensor is disposed on the second path. The cylindrical lens is disposed on the second path between the optical system and the optical sensor and an axis of the cylindrical lens is perpendicular to the second path. The planar light beam passes through the optical system and the cylindrical lens along the second path, before it is incident on the optical sensor to form a linear light spot for determining defocusing degree.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Shun-Sheng Ke, Meng-Che Tsai, Yang-Cheng Lin, Pin-Hao Hu, Yu-Hsiu Chang
-
Patent number: 7950539Abstract: A control device and system for controlling a suspended load of a container crane with a trolley, a spreader and load lines arranged in a four point suspension for lifting a load and an optical sensor for sensing a deflection position of an orthogonal axis of a container suspended under the spreader. Two or more actuators are arranged attached to at least one load for moving at least one said suspension point closer to or farther away from an imaginary center line by shortening and/or lengthening the at least one load line.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: ABB ABInventor: Björn Henriksson
-
Patent number: 7946044Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a measuring system having a component, a support, and a mounting unit that is arranged at the support. The component is mounted on the mounting unit and the support and the mounting unit are configured such that the mounting unit is adjustable relative to the support. The instrument also includes a fine inclination sensor that is arranged at the component and is configured to measure an inclination angle of the component and to output fine inclination data. The instrument further includes a coarse inclination sensor that is arranged at the component, is configured to measure the inclination angle and to output coarse inclination data, and includes an electronic acceleration sensor. The instrument additionally includes an evaluation unit that is configured to select inclination data from the coarse inclination data and the fine inclination data and an output unit that is configured to output the inclination data.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventors: Torsten Kludas, Uwe Beyer
-
Publication number: 20110102778Abstract: A geometric error measuring device includes a measuring module and at least one (quadrant) photodiode. The measuring module has an emitting deice, which may emit at least one light ray; the photodiode may receive the incident ray. Also, the trajectory of the incident ray is parallel with the direction of measurement. If there is no geometric error, the position of the incident light ray will coincide with the position of the measured light ray. If there is a geometric error, the position of the measured light ray will not coincide with the position of the incident light ray. After the data are processed and calculated, geometric errors in straightness, squareness and rotational angles (pitch, yaw and roll) may be obtained. These geometric errors may then be corrected in the setup of a machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Inventors: Wen-Yuh Jywe, Teng-Yu Yang, Tung-Hui Hsu
-
Publication number: 20110032519Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the inclination of one or more light beams, having at least one sharp colour transition, emitted by one or more light sources, in particular PAPIs or APAPIs, comprising measuring means (103) for measuring an inclination, and optoelectronic means (120, 121) for acquiring images which means are capable to be inclinated by first powered means (122), the inclination measuring means (103) being integrally coupled to optoelectronic means (120, 121) so as to measure the inclination of the latter, and wherein the system further comprises electronic processing means (62) capable to control the first powered means (122) an the basis of the images acquired by the optoelectronic means (120, 121) so that, when the system carries out a detection of the inclination of said one or more light beams, said at least one sharp colour transition appears in at least one corresponding predetermined position of said acquired images, said electronic processing means (62) readingType: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Alberto Coletti, Luigi Piccari, Mario Zitelli
-
Publication number: 20110026015Abstract: A method and system for determining a level of a substance in a container, the method comprises emitting one pulse from a light source in a field of illumination toward a surface of said substance in said container. A backscatter signal of said pulse is detected by an optical detector. A lidar trace is created from said backscatter signal, said lidar trace including at least one reflection peak; A surface reflection is identified among said at least one reflection peak in said lidar trace, said surface reflection being a reflection of said pulse from said surface. The surface reflection is signal-fitted to provide a fitted surface trace. A level of said substance is determined in said container using said fitted surface trace.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Yvan Mimeault, Louis Perreault
-
Patent number: 7859687Abstract: To provide a height detection apparatus capable of detecting height information of a subject surface even in a narrow area, the height detection apparatus includes: an illumination optical system for illuminating the subject surface with a light flux emitted from a light source unit; an imaging optical system for causing the light flux reflected on the subject surface to form an image as a line image on an imaging surface; and a light detection unit disposed on the imaging surface. A light detection surface of the light detection unit is positioned in a plane rotated about a rotational axis, the rotational axis being an axis which is perpendicular to an optical axis of an optical element positioned optically closest to the light detection unit among optical elements constituting the imaging optical system, and is perpendicular to the line image to be formed by the imaging optical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ikutarou Mitsutake
-
Publication number: 20100321673Abstract: A rotary laser emitting apparatus includes a rotary body, a foundation configured to rotatably support the rotary body about an axis, a laser light emitting section contained in the rotary body and configured to emit laser light in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis of the rotary body, a relative slope detecting mechanism configured to detect an amount of deviation of the rotation axis of the rotary body from the axis of the foundation as a relative slope signal, and a transmitting section configured to transmit the relative slope signal detected by the relative slope detecting mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Kunihiro HAYASHI, Fumihiko Kamizono
-
Patent number: 7830501Abstract: A surveying method using a the video total station comprises placing the video total station on a first platform, recording a first image of scenery, placing the video total solution on a second platform disposed at a distance from the first platform, measuring the distance from the first platform and recording a second image of the scenery. Three-dimensional coordinates of objects contained in the images are determined by a photogrammetric analysis of the images based on the measured distance. Further, orientations of the video total station can be recorded when taking the images and when measuring the distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: TRIMBLE Jena GmbHInventors: Torsten Kludas, Michael Vogel
-
Publication number: 20100271624Abstract: A weighing scale, e.g. a top-pan scale, having a scale pan (01, 02) supported on a force transducer, and a corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) measuring the tilting of the scale pan (01, 02) relative to the force transducer. The corner load sensor includes a light beam source (03, 04, 06) emitting a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam and the second light beam are directed toward a reflecting surface on an underside of an arrangement that includes the scale pan (01, 02). The first light beam and the second light beam are respectively inclined relative to the reflecting surface of the untilted scale pan (01). The corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) of the scale also includes a first optical sensor (08) measuring the first light beam reflected by the reflecting surface. If no corner load exists, a predetermined proportion (12) of the reflected first light beam is directed to the first optical sensor (08).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: Sartorius AGInventors: Jochen DOERNER, Christian Schrader, Ralf Mueller
-
Patent number: 7821626Abstract: By diffracting light emitted from a collimator lens into lights of different orders by a transmission diffraction grating, applying the diffracted lights to a flat surface of an object, forming the light that has been reflected on the flat surface of the object and thereafter retransmitted through the transmission diffraction grating into an image in a position located apart from the optical axis of the outgoing light and measuring the angle of the object with respect to the optical axis of the collimator lens using the image location and the order of the light formed as the image, the angle in a wide range can be measured with a high resolving power.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takashi Urashima, Kazumasa Takata, Tomotaka Furuta, Hidetoshi Utsuro
-
Patent number: 7821625Abstract: Angular deviation of illumination beam is measured with high accuracy for an expanded continuous range of angles using grating sensors that are configured to exhibit Surface Plasmon Resonance effects at actinic wavelengths. The beam deviation measurement systems and procedures are applicable to both mask-based and maskless lithography tools. A control system adopts an appropriate calibration algorithm based on whether the SPR effect is detected or not. Relative intensity shift in an SPR-affected diffractive order, and/or relative position and slope change in non-SPR-affected diffractive orders are used as a basis of the adopted calibration algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventor: Todd R. Downey
-
Publication number: 20100231898Abstract: An inclination detector includes: a casing; a light source installed in the casing; a reflector being suspended with a suspender to be at a certain position in the casing and reflecting a light beam from the light source to a direction different from a light axis direction; and a detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a projected position of the light beam, and an inclination of the casing is detected based on the projected position of the light beam reflected by the reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventor: Akihito Tamamura
-
Publication number: 20100220319Abstract: A tilt sensor includes a body, a light emitting device, a first photosensitive device, a second photosensitive device, and a moving element. The body can tilt in a plurality of tilt directions. The light emitting device is disposed at the body for providing a light beam. The first photosensitive device is disposed at the body and at one side of the light emitting device. The second photosensitive device is disposed at the body and at another side of the light emitting device. The moving element is disposed at the body. When the body tilts toward different tilt directions, the moving element moves toward different tilt directions so that the light beam emitted by the light emitting device directly transmits to the first photosensitive device and the second photosensitive device or is sheltered from directly transmitting to at least one of the first photosensitive device and the second photosensitive device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: EVERLIGHT ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Lu-Ming Lai
-
Publication number: 20100195094Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventor: Andreas Glimm
-
Publication number: 20100188654Abstract: A tilt sensor capable of detecting more diverse orientations is to be provided. The tilt sensor includes a light emitting element and a plurality of photodetectors, a rolling element, and a hollow portion that accommodates the rolling element so as to allow the rolling element to roll in all of x-, y-, and z-direction, and to locate the rolling element, according to a direction of the gravity, at one of detecting positions including a complete blocking position that inhibits light from the light emitting element from reaching any of the photodetectors, a plurality of partial blocking positions that inhibits the light from the light emitting element from reaching at least one but not all of the photodetectors, and a nonblocking position that permits the light from the light emitting element to reach all of the photodetectors, and two of the detecting positions are each located on a respective end portion of the hollow portion in the x-, y-, and z-direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoharu Horio
-
Patent number: 7764387Abstract: An optical measurement device for determining at least two parameters of a measurement location of a surface of at least one workpiece positioned in a known coordinate system is described. The device comprises a first light source providing a first measurement beam. The first measurement beam is directed at a first surface of a workpiece. The device also comprises a second light source providing a second measurement beam. The second measurement beam is directed at a second surface of a workpiece facing opposite the first surface. Further, the device comprises a first system of receiving optics. The first system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the first measurement beam. The first system of receiving optics is positioned on an opposite side of a workpiece from the first light source. Further still, the device comprises a second imaging system. The second system of receiving optics detects the incoming position of the second measurement beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Applied Kinetics, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. Girard, Joseph P. Tracy, Ryan A. Jurgenson, David R. Swift
-
Patent number: 7751657Abstract: Disclosed is an inclinometer system capable of detecting the inclination of the ground using a fiber bragg grating sensor to precisely measure the deformation of the ground. The inclinometer system includes at least one measuring unit, and the measuring unit includes a body provided therein with a receiving part, a frame inserted into the body, a weight member inserted in to the frame and having one end hinged to the frame, the weight member rotating in cooperation to inclination of the body, an optical fiber 5 passing through both the body and the frame such that one end of the optical fiber is fixed to the weight member, a fixing member installed into the frame to fix an opposite end of the optical fiber, and a fiber bragg grating (FBG) sensor attached to the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Inventor: Geum Suk Lee
-
Patent number: 7692777Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical clinometer comprising a housing or vessel with a transparent liquid which forms a liquid horizon and which is suitable for changing the direction of at least one optical beam bundle depending on inclination. At least one light source is provided for illuminating at least one structure or for generating at least one light point or light spot. An optical device is responsible for imaging the at least one structure or the at least one light point or light spot through the liquid and by of total reflection at the surface of the liquid on photoelectric sensor elements of at least one line-shaped or surface-shaped sensor arrangement, wherein the optical device for imaging the structure or the light point or light spot is arranged on the underside of the bottom of the housing or are a component part of this bottom, and the optical device is formed of an individual optical element which couples light in and out and images the structure or the light point or light spot.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventors: Ludwin-Heinz Monz, Andreas Glimm
-
Patent number: 7688433Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventor: Andreas Glimm
-
Patent number: 7649621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Leica Geosystems AGInventors: Bernhard Braunecker, Peter Kipfer
-
Patent number: 7640068Abstract: A surveying instrument performs tracking of a target by controlling an orientation of a measuring unit relative to the target in two different angular directions. The control in one angular direction is based on detected light intensities which are modulated according to a first time pattern, and control of the orientation in the other angular direction is based on detected light intensities modulated according to a second time pattern just different from the first time pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Trimble ABInventors: Johan Johnson, Anneli Utterback
-
Patent number: 7617061Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for processing signals in a satellite/laser positioning system capable of generating location coordinates from received satellite signals and a received laser signal. A height coordinate bias value is maintained by a filter processor during periods when the laser signal is available. The height coordinate bias value represents an estimated difference between a satellite signal derived height coordinate and a laser signal derived height coordinate. During periods when the laser signal is available, the laser signal derived height coordinate is output. During periods when the laser signal is not available, a corrected height coordinate value is generated by applying the height coordinate bias value to the satellite signal derived height coordinate.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventor: Vernon Joseph Brabec
-
Patent number: 7612877Abstract: An inclined detector comprises: a detector body provided with an interior containing space including a lower alcove which is funnel-shaped; a pair of detection components including a transmitting component and a receiving component, wherein, the transmitting component is used to transmit a first signal which goes through the said containing space of the detector body, and the receiving component is used to receive the first signal transmitted by the transmitting component; and a ball disposed in the containing space of the detector body, wherein the ball stays at the bottom center of the lower alcove of the containing space when in a static state. By such arrangements, when the detector body is inclined to make the ball leave the former place where the ball is when in a static state, the receiving component will transmit a second signal for controlling after receiving the first signal transmitted by the transmitting component.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: MONY Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: George Lin
-
Publication number: 20090231573Abstract: By diffracting light emitted from a collimator lens into lights of different orders by a transmission diffraction grating, applying the diffracted lights to a flat surface of an object, forming the light that has been reflected on the flat surface of the object and thereafter retransmitted through the transmission diffraction grating into an image in a position located apart from the optical axis of the outgoing light and measuring the angle of the object with respect to the optical axis of the collimator lens using the image location and the order of the light formed as the image, the angle in a wide range can be measured with a high resolving power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Takashi Urashima, Kazumasa Takata, Tomotaka Furuta, Hidetoshi Utsuro
-
Patent number: 7515257Abstract: A laser target reflector assembly for mounting upon spacecraft having a long-range reflector array formed from a plurality of unfiltered light reflectors embedded in an array pattern upon a hemispherical reflector disposed upon a mounting plate. The reflector assembly also includes a short-range reflector array positioned upon the mounting body proximate to the long-range reflector array. The short-range reflector array includes three filtered light reflectors positioned upon extensions from the mounting body. The three filtered light reflectors retro-reflect substantially all incident light rays that are transmissive by their monochromatic filters and received by the three filtered light reflectors. In one embodiment the short-range reflector array is embedded within the hemispherical reflector.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Fred D. Roe, Thomas C. Bryan
-
Patent number: 7511804Abstract: A system for detecting motion between a first body and a second body includes first and second detector-emitter pairs, disposed on the first body, and configured to transmit and receive first and second optical beams, respectively. At least a first optical rotator is disposed on the second body and configured to receive and reflect at least one of the first and second optical beams. First and second detectors of the detector-emitter pairs are configured to detect the first and second optical beams, respectively. Each of the first and second detectors is configured to detect motion between the first and second bodies in multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs). The first optical rotator includes a V-notch oriented to form an apex of an isosceles triangle with respect to a base of the isosceles triangle formed by the first and second detector-emitter pairs. The V-notch is configured to receive the first optical beam and reflect the first optical beam to both the first and second detectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Eugene Olczak
-
Publication number: 20090059212Abstract: An inclined detector comprises: a detector body provided with an interior containing space including a lower alcove which is funnel-shaped; a pair of detection components including a transmitting component and a receiving component, wherein, the transmitting component is used to transmit a first signal which goes through the said containing space of the detector body, and the receiving component is used to receive the first signal transmitted by the transmitting component; and a ball disposed in the containing space of the detector body, wherein the ball stays at the bottom center of the lower alcove of the containing space when in a static state. By such arrangements, when the detector body is inclined to make the ball leave the former place where the ball is when in a static state, the receiving component will transmit a second signal for controlling after receiving the first signal transmitted by the transmitting component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: George Lin
-
Publication number: 20090051905Abstract: An optical inclination sensor is provided having at least one reflective surface and at least two separate optical fibers having ends spaced from a reflective surface. As the reflective surface tilts with respect to a pre-determined reference position the gap lengths between the fiber ends and the reflective surface change and the differences in these gap lengths is used to calculate an angle of inclination with respect to a reference position. The optical inclination sensor can include at least one mass attached to a housing and moveable with respect to the housing as the mass and housing are rotated about one or more axes. Optical strain sensors are disposed a various locations between the mass and housing so that as the mass moves with respect to the housing, each one of the optical strain sensors are placed in compression or tension. The housing can be a generally u-shaped housing having two arms and a base section with the mass disposed within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Brooks A. Childers, Clark Davis Boyd, Norman Wayne Ritchie, Paul Samuel Zerwekh, Stephen E. Hester
-
Patent number: 7486390Abstract: The process as claimed in the invention for alignment of machines, machine elements or the like, especially of pipes or hollow cylinders is carried out by means of the pertinent devices such that in one of two measurement phases with the light transmitting and receiving device (20) fixed, rotation of the reflector prism (60) takes place in at least 3 optionally selectable rotary positions together with the pertinent data acquisition, and in the other of the two measurement phases with the reflector prism (60) fixed, rotation of the light transmitting and receiving device (20) takes place in either 2 predefined rotary locations at a right angle to one another, or 3 or more optionally selectable rotary positions together with the pertinent data acquisition.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Prueftechnik Dieter Busch AGInventors: Harald Suing, Martin Wegener
-
Publication number: 20090002690Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventor: Andreas Glimm
-
Patent number: 7453559Abstract: A method for enabling a vehicle wheel alignment system to compensate an imaging sensor coordinate system for changes associated with adjustments to the pose of an imaging sensor, following movement of a vehicle lift mechanism supporting a vehicle undergoing a vehicle wheel alignment procedure.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Dorran, Timothy A. Strege, Leigh R. Burns, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7411667Abstract: The invention relates to a level sensor for determining a height of a substrate. The level sensor generates one or more measurement beam and directs the measurement beam to a measurement spot on the substrate and produces a reflected measurement beam. The level sensor also generates one or more reference beams. A detector detects both the reflected measurement beam and the reference beam, respectively, and produces a measurement signal and a reference signal, respectively, the measurement signal being indicative for the height at the measurement spot. A processor that receives these signals and corrects the measurement signal based on the reference signal. The level sensor has an optical arrangement in a predetermined area close to where the substrate is to be located. The measurement beam and the reference beam propagate along substantially equal optical paths of propagation in the predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.Inventors: Nicolaas Antonius Allegondus Johannes Van Asten, Oana Cristina Balan, Luberthus Ouwehand, Machiel Jacobus Johannes Viguurs, Alexander Charles Franciscus Anna Van Well, Lun Kai Cheng, Huibert Blokland, Elke Van Loenhout, Hans Baltus Bakker
-
Patent number: 7388658Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detecting inclination employ a point source of light from which light is emitted through a lens toward a reflective surface of a liquid contained in a vessel. Light reflected from the surface passes through the lens to form a defocused image of the point source on a two-dimensional array of detector elements. Data acquired from the array represents intensity of the light incident on each of the detector elements. A center of gravity representing inclination of the vessel is determined from the data.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventor: Andreas Glimm
-
Patent number: 7385685Abstract: A position detecting device includes: a liquid having a free surface; a light source configured to irradiate a light flux toward the free surface of the liquid; a dark field pattern provided between the liquid and the light source and configured to form a pattern of the light flux irradiated by the light source; a light-receiving sensor configured to detect the pattern of the light flux reflected by the free surface of the liquid; and an arithmetic unit configured to calculate a position of the pattern from results of detection of the light-receiving sensor, add the results of the detection of the light-receiving sensor in an X-direction and a Y-direction of the light-receiving sensor, and calculate the position of the pattern from an output obtained by adding the results of the detection in the X-direction and the Y-direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TopconInventors: Kaoru Kumagai, Shinji Yamaguchi
-
Patent number: 7345748Abstract: In a survey system in which guide light is emitted from the side of a target, and, on the side of a surveying instrument, a telescope is directed roughly toward the target by receiving the guide light so as to shorten the time required for automatic collimation, the automatic collimation of the surveying instrument can be reliably performed by removing guide light reflected by reflective objects such as windowpanes. The target has a guide light remitter that emits guide light The guide light transmitter includes a light source, a polarizing plate that changes light emitted from this light source into linearly polarized light, and a quarter-wave plate that changes this nearly polarized light into circularly polarized guide light The surveying instrument includes a direction detector and a collimation preparing means. The direction detector includes a quarter-wave plate and a polarizing plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Sokkia Co. Ltd.Inventors: Akinobu Sugiura, Minoru Chiba, Masaru Muraki, Masataka Kawakami
-
Patent number: 7336350Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system utilizing a non-contact range finding system in conjunction with one or more optical imaging sensors to acquire images of a fixed target, fixed random object, or the vehicle wheels, from which three-dimensional information related to one or more optical imaging sensor positions or vehicle wheel alignment angles can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Dorrance, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Timothy A. Strege, Thomas J. Golab, David A. Voeller, Mark S. Shylanski, Leigh R. Burns, Jr.
-
Patent number: 7331477Abstract: A method and a device for determining the rotary oscillation of a load suspended from a lifting gear are disclosed. The lifting gear includes a trolley equipped with a camera that can be oriented towards the load. The load includes at least two spaced apart markers, with one marker located on or near the axis of rotation, which extends in the lifting direction. A rotary oscillation of the load can be determined from the position of two markers, whereby at least one marker is recorded by the camera and its position is determined. At least at certain points in time, the rotary oscillation is determined by including a virtual position of a marker.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Schulte, Peter Maurer, Ingbert Strebel
-
Patent number: 7319515Abstract: A rotary laser apparatus includes a light-projection section configured to irradiate at least two fan-shaped beams extending in a fan-shaped form in a direction orthogonal to a rotary axis. The light-projecting section includes a laser beam source for generating a laser beam in a direction of the rotary axis, and a rotation-irradiating section configured for irradiating the laser beam from the laser beam source in directions orthogonal to the rotary axis. The rotation-irradiating section includes a plurality of penta prisms and a beam splitter. The plurality of the penta prisms are arranged in the direction of the rotary axis depending upon the number of the fan-shaped beams such that light-emitting directions of the respective penta prisms differ from each other or one another, and the beam splitter is configured to the laser beam as required the penta prism arranged above.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TopconInventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kunihiro Hayashi
-
Patent number: 7310137Abstract: A self-surveying laser transmitter comprising a laser transmitter configured to generate at least one rotating laser beam and a radio positioning system integrated with the laser transmitter. The radio positioning system is configured to obtain the precise coordinate measurements of the laser transmitter. by utilizing the differential corrections transmitted from the Base Station by using the wireless communication link.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Trimble Navigation, LtdInventor: Mark E. Nichols
-
Patent number: 7304727Abstract: A laser distance-measuring device includes a laser-transmitting portion, a laser-receiving portion, a coupling portion, an inclination-measuring portion, a signal-processing portion, and a display. The laser-transmitting portion emits a laser beam, and the laser-receiving portion receives the laser beam. The coupling portion interconnects the laser-receiving portion and the signal-processing portion. The inclination-measuring portion detects an inclination angle of the laser beam. The signal-processing portion processes the signals received from the laser-receiving portion and the inclination-measuring portion and sends the result to the display. The display receives and displays the result of processing by the signal-processing portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.Inventors: Pie-Yau Chien, Hua-Tang Liu, Hui-Qing Chen, Shou-Qing Yang, Hai-Hua Chen, Liang Li, Han Lu, Peng-Fei Song