Abstract: A calibration system is provided for calibrating a sensor with respect to an external reference frame associated with manufacturing gauging station. A target calibration device is positioned at a vantage point to detect and calibrate its reference frame in relation to the external reference frame. A reference target having at least three non-coplanar reflective surfaces is illuminated by the structured light emanating from the sensor. In this way, the calibration system is able to determine the spatial location and orientation of the reference target in relation to the sensor. The calibration system further includes a coordinate transformation system for coordinating the measurement data from the target calibration device and from the feature sensor, whereby the feature sensor is calibrated with respect to the external reference frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing orientation dependent radiation, and orientation detection systems are disclosed. An orientation dependent radiation source directs radiation to an observation area and facilitates a determination of the orientation of the orientation dependent source from the observation area. In particular, the orientation dependent source produces a radiation pattern having one or more detectable centroids that vary in position across an observation surface of the orientation dependent source as observed from the observation area, based on a rotation of the orientation dependent source about one or more axes of rotation. According to various embodiments, the orientation dependent radiation source may include one or more primary radiation sources or secondary sources, such as reflectors.

Abstract: An optical target (1) including a positioning sub target (2) for determining position, and a plurality of identifying sub targets (3) for identifying one optical target (1) from another, each of which plurality of identifying sub targets (3) is a different color from the positioning sub target (2).

Abstract: A device is proposed, which makes it possible to ascertain the relative position of the reference axis BA of an object relative to a reference beam Rp of an electromagnetic radiation, in particular a laser beam. The device displays a spatially fixed radiation transmitter S and—at the object end—a splitting mirror 22 as well as two position detectors 23 and 25. The splitting mirror branches a partial beam Rp′ off from the reference beam. The reference beam passing rectilinearly through the splitting mirror impinges on the one position detector and the partial beam on the other. The position detectors supply electrical signals, from which the position of the reference axis is ascertainable by means of a computer. The known devices of this species have an appreciable space requirement. This defect is eliminated by a particular structuring of the beam conduction and the additional use of special optical means.

Abstract: An optical position tracking system that tracks the position of objects, using light intensity and/or frequency with the application of geometry and ratios of detector responses, is provided, having light distributing and light detecting components that employ the concepts of constructive occlusion and diffuse reflection. Diffusely reflective cavities, masks and baffles are used to improve certain radiating characteristics of the distributing components and certain response characteristics of the detecting components, to tailor the radiation and detection profiles thereof, including them substantially uniform for all angles within a hemispheric area which the distributing and detecting components face. The distributing and/or detecting components are partitioned with specially-configured baffles. A partitioned distributor has distinct emission sections where the sections can emit spectrally-different or distinguishable radiation.