US5440392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for point by point measurement of spatial coordinates
Assignee: Metronor Industrial AS
•
Filing: 1992-10-09
•
Granted: 1995-08-08
•
Expires: 2012-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for point by point measurement of spatial coordinates, in which a touch probe including three point-sized light sources at known local coordinates relative to a local probe fixed coordinate system and with a touch point at known location relative to the local coordinate system, is used such that the touch probe touches the point to be measured. A single opto-electronic angle sensor for measurement of spatial direction towards point sized light sources is set up such that its field of view/work area covers the essential parts of the object to be measured, and such that the light sources of the touch probe are seen from the angle sensor for all the relevant measurement points. The spatial directions for all of the light sources of the touch probe are registered simultaneously. Based on the registered spatial directions, the position and orientation of the touch probe are calculated relative to said single angle sensor, and such that the position of the touch probe is related to its point of contact with the measured object.
Inventors
- 👤 Alf Pettersen
- 👤 Oyvind Rotvold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/002; G01C; G01C15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for point-by-point measurement of spatial coordinates of each of a plurality of points on an object, comprising: (a) positioning a single opto-electronic angle sensor designed to measure spatial direction to each of a plurality of point-sized light sources, such that its field of view or working area generally covers said object; (b) successively touching to each of said points a touch point of a touch probe having at least three point-sized light sources respectively disposed at known coordinates relative to a local probe coordinate system and a touch point disposed at a known location relative to said local probe coordinate system, while maintaining visibility of said touch probe to said angle sensor at each such touching; (c) simultaneously sensing, using said angle sensor, at each said touching, a spatial direction for each of said light sources and registering said spatial directions; and (d) computing the position and orientation of said touch probe relative to said angle sensor at each said touching, from the spatial directions registered in step (c).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for point-by-point measurement of spatial coordinates of each of a plurality of points on an object, comprising: (a) positioning a single opto-electronic angle sensor designed to measure spatial direction to each of a plurality of point-sized light sources, such that its field of view or working area generally covers said object; (b) successively touching to each of said points a touch point of a touch probe having at least three point-sized light sources respectively disposed at known coordinates relative to a local probe coordinate system and a touch point disposed at a known location relative to said local probe coordinate system, while maintaining visibility of said touch probe to said angle sensor at each such touching; (c) simultaneously sensing, using said angle sensor, at each said touching, a spatial direction for each of said light sources and registering said spatial directions; and (d) computing the position and orientation of said touch probe relative to said angle sensor at each said touching, from the spatial directions registered in step (c).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: (e) repeating step (b) and (c) a plurality of instances in regard to each of a plurality of said points on said object, with said angle sensor repositioned, in accordance with step (a), for each such instance; and in conducting step (d) combining the respective spatial directions by a least squares analysis or bundle adjustment calculation, for improving accuracy of said position and orientation as calculated in step (d).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the touch probe used in step (b) has at least three point-sized light sources, three of which are disposed in a first plane, and two others of which are disposed in a second plane which is spaced from said first plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said computing of step (d) is conducted by a computer; said touch probe is arranged to be controlled by said computer; and steps (b) and (c), further include operating said computer to vary illumination time and intensity of said light sources.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for point-by-point measurement of spatial coordinates of each of a plurality of points on an object, comprising: (a) a single opto-electronic angle sensor to measure spatial direction to each of a plurality of point-size light sources, and to be positioned such that its field of view or working area generally covers said object; (b) a touch probe having at least three point-sized light sources respectively disposed at known coordinates relative to a local probe coordinate system and a touch point disposed at a known location relative to said local probe coordinate system, for successively touching each of said points while maintaining visibility of said touch probe to said angle sensor at each such touching; said angle sensor being operable for simultaneously sensing at each said touching, a spatial direction for each of said light sources; (c) a register for registering said spatial directions as sensed by said angle sensor; and (d) a computer for computing the position and orientation of said touch probe relative to said angle sensor at each said touching, from the spatial directions registered in said register.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for point-by-point measurement of spatial coordinates of each of a plurality of points on an object, comprising: (a) a single opto-electronic angle sensor to measure spatial direction to each of a plurality of point-size light sources, and to be positioned such that its field of view or working area generally covers said object; (b) a touch probe having at least three point-sized light sources respectively disposed at known coordinates relative to a local probe coordinate system and a touch point disposed at a known location relative to said local probe coordinate system, for successively touching each of said points while maintaining visibility of said touch probe to said angle sensor at each such touching; said angle sensor being operable for simultaneously sensing at each said touching, a spatial direction for each of said light sources; (c) a register for registering said spatial directions as sensed by said angle sensor; and (d) a computer for computing the position and orientation of said touch probe relative to said angle sensor at each said touching, from the spatial directions registered in said register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising: control means effectively connecting said computer with said touch probe for varying illumination time and intensity of said light sources while using said angle sensor to measure said spatial directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5, wherein: said light sources have a predetermined spectral distribution; and said angle sensor has an optical filter which matches said predetermined spectral distribution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |