726 results about "Retroreflector" patented technology

A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value.

The present invention provides a continuously-tunable external cavity laser (ECL) with a compact form factor and precise tuning. A novel interference filter which may be used to tune the ECL provides an absence of mode-hopping and reduced feedback from both spurious interference and reflections in the external cavity. A novel tuning mechanism is disclosed which provides for mechanical FM tuning of a wide range ECL tuning elements such as: an interference filter, a diffraction element, and a retroreflector. A novel feedback circuit is disclosed which provides closed loop feedback for selecting output wavelength in a laser.

A volumetric error compensation measurement system and method are disclosed wherein a laser tracker tracks an active target as the reference point. The active target has an optical retroreflector mounted at the center of two motorized gimbals to provide full 360 degree azimuth rotation of the retroreflector. A position sensitive detector is placed behind an aperture provided at the apex of the retroreflector to detect the relative orientation between the tracker laser beam and the retroreflector by measuring a small portion of the laser beam transmitted through the aperture. The detector's output is used as the feedback for the servo motors to drive the gimbals to maintain the retroreflector facing the tracker laser beam at all times. The gimbals are designed and the position of the retroreflector controlled such that the laser tracker always tracks to a pre-defined single point in the active target, which does not move in space when the gimbals and / or the retroreflector makes pure rotations. Special mechanism and alignment algorithm are used in the gimbal design and retroreflector centering alignment to achieve accurate rotational axis alignment and repeatability.

A flying vehicle guiding system, which comprises a remotely controllable flying vehicle system, a surveying instrument being able to measure distance, angle, and track, and a ground base station for controlling a flight of the flying vehicle system based on measuring results by the surveying instrument, wherein the flying vehicle system has a retro-reflector as an object to be measured, wherein the surveying instrument has a non-prism surveying function for performing distance measurement and angle measurement without a retro-reflector, a prism surveying function for performing distance measurement and angle measurement with respect to the retro-reflector, and a tracking function for tracking the retro-reflector and for performing distance measurement and angle measurement, wherein the surveying instrument performs non-prism measurement on a scheduled flight area, the ground base station sets a safe flight area based on the results of the non-prism measurement, and controls so that the flying vehicle system flies in the safe flight area based on the results of tracking measurement by de surveying instrument.

A system for supplying power wirelessly to a remote mobile device including (i) a transmitting unit for directing radiation into the region of the mobile device, the transmitting unit having a gain medium with a front surface directed towards the space, and a retroreflector on its back surface, and (ii) a receiver unit connected with or attached to the mobile device for receiving radiation transmitted from the transmitting unit. The receiver unit includes (i) a retroreflector for reflecting part of the radiation received from the transmitting unit back in the direction of the transmitting unit, where it is amplified and retransmitted back in the direction of the receiver unit, and (ii) a power detection element for absorbing that part of the radiation not reflected by the retroreflector, and converting it to electrical power for use by the mobile device. Modulation of the transmitted beam enables it to transmit data also.

Large machines, especially those having working envelopes in excess of fifteen feet, exhibit unacceptable errors because of thermal expansion and mechanical misalignments between the axes. The errors have traditionally been minimized by enclosing the machine in a thermal enclosure, by careful calibration, or by mounting a laser interferometer on each axis. These solutions are costly, may require frequent recalibration, and do not correct for small rotations of one axis relative to another axis due to wear etc. The present invention uses an interferometric laser tracker or a comparable 3D position sensor to measure the position of a retroreflector attached to the end effector, e.g. a machine head when the machine comes to rest. A computer compares the measured position to the desired position according to the machine media, and adds the appropriate correction with trickle feed media statements to move the machine to the correct position prior to further machining.

An optical system for remotely optical communications at a high data rate between a base station and a remote station under atmospheric turbulence conditions is disclosed. The remote station includes an entirely different type of retroreflector that does not use the conventional type of retroreflection, but instead consists of two sets of lenslets coupled with single-mode fiber array, called fiber “retro”. Amplified retromodulation is achieved requiring only one single optical amplifier and one single modulator. A transmitter located at the base station sends an interrogating optical beam to the fiber “retro” which modulates the optical beam according to the input signal / data, and redirects the modulated optical beam to the base station for detection by a receiver. The present invention includes the capabilities of providing Identification of Friend-or-Foe (IFF), secure communication, and a means of achieving a wide field-of-view (FOV) with a fiber-coupled lenselet array.

Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces and top surfaces, the recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. The recessed faces have a high specular reflectivity, while the top surfaces have a low specular reflectivity. In some embodiments a substantially continuous film of reflective material covers the structured surface, and a masking substance is provided over the reflective material at the top surfaces. Alternatively, the top surfaces are given a non-smooth surface finish so that the film of reflective material on those portions has a diffuse reflectivity. In other embodiments the film of reflective material is discontinuous, disposed selectively on the recessed faces and not on the top surfaces. A cover layer is also provided, and can bond at least to the top surfaces. Keeping the top surfaces substantially free of reflective material inhibits corrosion and can enhance the bond integrity. The top surfaces are preferably flat, and diffusely reflective to enhance the daytime whiteness of the sheeting.

A clogged filter detection system has an optical transmitter (32) aligned to pass light through an air filter (14) of an HVAC air flow plenum, a receiver (34) including a sensor and positioned to receive the transmitted light (48) directly or from a reflector (42), a processing assembly (35) receiving signals from the sensor and communicating a visual (104) or audible (106) indication when an accumulated level of obscuration exceeds a predetermined level and a component support structure. The support structure uses a “U” or “L” shaped bracket (60,63) attached to peripheral structure of a filter receptacle frame (12) and one or more side plates (24,26) of the bracket are connected to an arm (74,76) on which components are carried. The transmitter (32) and receiver (34) may be located on opposite sides of the filter (14) or on the same side, with a retroreflector (46) on the other side. The processing assembly includes a microprocessor (94) and related devices. Measures are also provided for counteracting the presence of fluffy material near the filter, for sensitivity control of sensors and for an aural signal device activated at a predetermined time after a visual indication.

An automated system and method of geometric 3D point location. The invention teaches a system design for translating a CAD model into real spatial locations at a construction site, interior environment, or other workspace. Specified points are materialized by intersecting two visible pencil light beams there, each beam under the control of its own robotic ray-steering beam source. Practicability requires each beam source to know its precise location and rotational orientation in the CAD-based coordinate system. As an enabling sub-invention, therefore, an automated system and method for self-location and self-orientation of a polar-angle-sensing device is specified, based on its observation of three (3) known reference points. Two such devices, under the control of a handheld unit downloaded with the CAD model or pointlist, are sufficient to orchestrate the arbitrary point location of the invention, by the following method: Three CAD-specified reference points are optically defined by emplacing a spot retroreflector at each. The user then situates the two beam source devices at unspecified locations and orientations. The user then trains each beam source on each reference point, enabling the beam source to compute its location and orientation, using the algorithm of the sub-invention. The user then may select a CAD-specified design point using the handheld controller, and in response, the handheld instructs the two beam sources to radiate toward the currently selected point P. Each beam source independently transforms P into a direction vector from self, applies a 3×3 matrix rotator that corrects for its arbitrary rotational orientation, and instructs its robotics to assume the resultant beam direction. In consummation of the inventive thread, the pair of light beams form an intersection at the specified point P, giving the worker visual cues to precisely position materials there. This design posits significant ease-of-use advantages over construction point location using a single-beam total station. The invention locates the point effortlessly and with dispatch compared to the total station method of iterative manual search maneuvering a prism into place. Speed enables building features on top of point location, such as metered plumb and edge traversal, and graphical point selection. The invention eliminates the need for a receiving device to occupy space at the specified point, leaving it free to be occupied by building materials. The invention's beam intersection creates a pattern of instantaneous visual feedback signifying correct emplacement of such building materials. Unlike surveying instruments, the invention's freedom to situate its two ray-steering devices at arbitrary locations and orientations, and its reliance instead on the staking of 3 reference points, eliminates the need for specialized surveying skill to set up and operate the system, widening access to builders, engineers, and craftspeople.

An aerial photographing system, comprising a flying vehicle being remotely controlled, a camera (7, 8) tiltably supported in any direction via a gimbal (25), a retro-reflector (9) tilting integrally with the camera, being set in a known relation with the camera and used as an object to be measured, and a total station (3) for tracking the retro-reflector and for measuring position of the retro-reflector.

A tracking type laser interferometer that detects displacement of a retroreflector 300 being an object to be measured by utilizing interference of a laser beam 102 irradiated onto the retroreflector 300 and reflected by the retroreflector 300 in the returning direction, and carries out tracking by means of a two-axis turning mechanism 240 using displacement in the position of the optical axis of the laser beam 102; the same tracking type laser interferometer, includes; a light irradiator 600 that emits a fan-shaped laser light 602 that is fan-shaped including the optical axis of the laser beam 102, is interlocked with turning movements of the two-axis turning mechanism 240 around an axis orthogonal to the center axis of the corresponding fan shape; and a light receptor 620 that has a specific positional relationship with the retroreflector 300 or the light irradiator 600 and receives the fan-shaped laser light. Thereby, tracking can be automatically reset when the tracking is disabled due to a reason such as interruption of laser light or initial adjustment work can be automated when commencing measurement.

A lens arrangement with an achromatic homogenizer and collimator for multiple LEDs. The lens arrangement combines the hemispherical emittance profiles from one or more LEDS into a collimated beam without chromatic aberration. The lens arrangement has one or more LEDs, a homogenizer, a solid lightpipe, an internal parabolic reflector, a retroreflector, and a refractor. The emittance profiles of the LEDs are distributed evenly over space and angle by multiple reflections inside a diffusely reflecting cavity of the homogenizer. The internal reflector has a numerical aperture of 1.0, which defines a hemispherical solid angle of collection within air. The retroreflector directs rays away from the LEDs. The retroreflection permits space for the electronics of high radiance LEDs. The refractor converts the retroreflector rays in a plurality of shapes. The lens is optimally designed for applications with high standards for color mixing, uniformity, and efficient conversion of electrical power into light.

A catheter tip for delivering laser light energy to create lesions extending to a depth of several millimeters in tissue includes an elongated, flexible housing. A reflector is oriented longitudinally in a channel the housing. A side emitting optical fiber diffuser, extending the length of the reflector, is held at a fixed separation from the reflector. The reflector and the side emitting diffuser are configured and spaced to provide a convergent beam directed through the tissue under treatment. Reflector curvature may be circular or elliptical in cross section, or other selected shape. The diffuser and reflector relative positioning being selected to place the beam focal point (or image) at a predetermined lateral distance from the reflector preferably not closer than the far wall of the tissue under treatment. Temperature probes are provided to monitor the temperature gradient through the tissue thickness. Optionally cooling and / or irrigation fluid are provided. Optionally, the fiber terminates at a retro-reflector.

A laser tracker system for measuring six degrees of freedom may include a main optics assembly structured to emit a first laser beam, a pattern projector assembly structured to emit a second laser beam shaped into a two-dimensional pattern, and a target. The target may include a retroreflector and a position sensor assembly. A center of symmetry of the retroreflector may be provided on a different plane than a plane of the position sensor assembly. A method of measuring orientation of a target may include illuminating the target with a laser beam comprising a two-dimensional pattern, recording a position of the two-dimensional pattern on a position sensor assembly to create a measured signature value of the two-dimensional pattern, and calculating an orientation of the target based on the measured signature value.

The invention provides a measuring system comprising a remotely controllable flying vehicle system with a GPS device and a measuring device installed thereon, a position measuring device installed at an arbitrary position and able to measure distance and angle and to track, a ground base station for controlling a flight of a flying vehicle, a remote controller able to give and take data to and from the ground base station and able to perform wireless communication to and from the flying vehicle system, and a control unit provided on the flying vehicle system or the ground base station, wherein the flying vehicle system has a retro-reflector as an object to be measured and the position measuring device is constructed so as to track the retro-reflector and perform distance measurement and angle measurement, wherein the flying vehicle system obtains GPS coordinates by the GPS device at least at two points during flight, the position measuring device measures positions of the two points of the flying vehicle system from an installation point, wherein the position measuring device measures positions of the flying vehicle system at the two points from the installation points, and either one of the control units are configured so as to obtain an absolute coordinate or GPS coordinate of the installation point of the position measuring device based on the GPS coordinates of the two points and based on distance measurement results and on angle measurement results by the position measuring device.

A method of conveying information to a user of a coordinate measurement device, includes providing a first target projector, sending a first light beam from the device to a retroreflector; receiving a second light beam from the retroreflector; measuring the orientational and translational sets, the translational set based on the second light beam; selecting first information to be conveyed from the group consisting of one or more positions on the object, a direction indicated by a moving pattern, a message that includes one or more symbols or alphanumeric characters, a hidden feature, a measured object characteristic, a modeled characteristic, a magnified representation of surface characteristics, a pattern having meaning according to a rule, and combinations thereof; determining a first light pattern corresponding to the information; storing the first light pattern; and projecting the first light pattern onto the object based on the translational and orientational sets.

Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays.

A position measuring device for detecting the relative position of a scanning unit and a scale. The position measuring device includes a scale and a scanning unit that is displaced with respect to the scale in a measuring direction. The scanning unit includes a scanning grating, a ridge prism and an optoelectronic detector element. The ridge prism having a ridge that is oriented parallel with the measuring direction, the ridge prism acts as a retro-reflector in a second direction which is aligned in a plane of the scale vertically with respect to the measuring direction.

Retroreflective lenticular systems employing a focusing array and a retroreflector array optically coupled to the focusing array. The focusing array is provided on a first surface and the retroreflector array is provided on an opposing second surface. The retroreflector array includes an array of retroreflective elements alternating with separation areas and disposed in energy exchange relationship with respect to the focusing array. The focusing array includes a plurality of focusing lenses configured to illuminate only the retroreflective elements with focused beams at least at some angles and to focus the incident beam only onto the separation areas at other angles. The intermittent illumination of retroreflective elements provides variable retroreflectivity of at least portions of the system and enhances the system visibility and conspicuity in the reflected light.

A position measuring arrangement for detecting a relative position. The position measuring arrangement includes a reflection scale graduation and a scanning unit having a plurality of optical elements. The plurality of optical elements include a combining grating, a retro-reflector element, a scanning grating and detector elements. The optical elements are arranged so that:1) light beams and / or partial light beams of a scanning beam path act on the reflection scale graduation at least twice,2) a directional reversal of the incident partial light beams impinging on the reflection scale graduation perpendicularly with respect to the measuring direction takes place by the retro-reflector element; and3) a pair of partial light beams impinges in a non-parallel manner on the combining grating, and the combining grating brings the partial light beams impinging on the combining grating to interference, so that phase-shifted signals are detected by the plurality of detector elements.

A laser device and method capable of one or more dimensional absolute distance measurements and / or surface scanning and / or coordinate measurements of a moving external retroreflector or other moving target surfaces without using an incremental interferometer.

A ruling of cube corner elements comprising intersecting ruled vee-grooves is characterized in that at least one of the vee-grooves is made such the substrate being ruled and the cutting tool are oscillated with respect to one another during the ruling of the vee-groove. Rulings made in accordance with the instant invention can be designed to produce a cube corner element having broader divergence.

A system that measures six degrees-of-freedom of a remote target, the system including a dimensional measuring device having a camera, the remote target including a retroreflector, at least three light markers, and a pitch-yaw sensor, the six degrees-of-freedom determined based at least in part on measured 3D coordinates of the retroreflector by the dimensional measuring device, on a captured image of the at least three light markers by the camera, and on readings of the pitch-yaw sensor.

Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces and top surfaces, the recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. The recessed faces have a high specular reflectivity, while the top surfaces have a low specular reflectivity. In some embodiments a substantially continuous film of reflective material covers the structured surface, and a masking substance is provided over the reflective material at the top surfaces. Alternatively, the top surfaces are given a non-smooth surface finish so that the film of reflective material on those portions has a diffuse reflectivity. In other embodiments the film of reflective material is discontinuous, disposed selectively on the recessed faces and not on the top surfaces. A cover layer is also provided, and can bond at least to the top surfaces. Keeping the top surfaces substantially free of reflective material inhibits corrosion and can enhance the bond integrity. The top surfaces are preferably flat, and diffusely reflective to enhance the daytime whiteness of the sheeting.

The invention provides a measuring system comprising a remotely controllable flying vehicle system with a GPS device and a measuring device installed thereon, a position measuring device installed at an arbitrary position and able to measure distance and angle and to track, a ground base station for controlling a flight of a flying vehicle, a remote controller able to give and take data to and from the ground base station and able to perform wireless communication to and from the flying vehicle system, and a control unit provided on the flying vehicle system or the ground base station, wherein the flying vehicle system has a retro-reflector as an object to be measured and the position measuring device is constructed so as to track the retro-reflector and perform distance measurement and angle measurement, wherein the flying vehicle system obtains GPS coordinates by the GPS device at least at two points during flight, the position measuring device measures positions of the two points of the flying vehicle system from an installation point, wherein the position measuring device measures positions of the flying vehicle system at the two points from the installation points, and either one of the control units are configured so as to obtain an absolute coordinate or GPS coordinate of the installation point of the position measuring device based on the GPS coordinates of the two points and based on distance measurement results and on angle measurement results by the position measuring device.

An imaging system and method are provided that use imaging information relating to positions of one or more retroreflectors attached to one or more surfaces of an object of interest to determine the shape and / or displacement of the surface or surfaces on which the retroreflector or retroreflectors are located. A variety of types of information may then be ascertained based on the determination as to the shape and / or displacement of the surface of the object, such as the value of some physiological parameter of a patient, internal and external pressure of an object, acoustical vibrations sensed by a microphone, positions of fingertips on a keyboard, etc.

A multi-position optic mount is disclosed which provides for automatic movement of an optic element between an engaged position, in which the optic element intersects an optical path, and a disengaged position, in which the optic element avoids an optical path. The optic mount may be used for a broad range of optical elements including: lenses, filters, etalons, gratings, retroreflectors, wave guides, fiber optics, lasers, photo-detectors, etc. A unique activation capability is provided in which an active actuator and passive actuator are utilized to move the mount between the engaged and disengaged positions.

A method is provided of determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object surface with a laser tracker and structured light scanner. The method includes providing the scanner having a body, a pair of cameras, a projector, and a processor. The projector and cameras are positioned in a non-collinear arrangement. The projector is configured to project a first pattern onto the surface. The method also includes providing the tracker which emits a beam of light onto the retroreflector. The tracker receives a reflected beam of light. The first location is measured with the tracker. The first orientation is measured with the tracker. The first surface pattern is projected onto the surface. A pair of images of the surface pattern is acquired with cameras. The processor determines the 3D coordinates of a first plurality of points in the tracker frame of reference based in part on epipolar constraints of the cameras and projector.