US5742394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical 6D measurement system with two fan shaped beams rotating around one axis
Assignee: Ascension Technology Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for the determination of the distance and orientation of an object carrying at least three light sensors from a fixed reference point when the object is irradiated by two modulated scanning beams of known angular orientation and rotational frequency. Timing circuitry located in the control processor determines the time interval Δt, between successive interceptions of the object by each of the beams. Knowledge of this time interval and the scanning beams' relative positions and angular orientations permits calculation of the object's spatial coordinates. The optical beams utilized are fan-shaped in cross-section. The method of operation is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Per Krogh Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/002; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01S5/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for determining position and orientation of an object, comprising: a) transmitter means for emitting two beams of light including a first beam and a second beam skewed with respect to said first beam, said beams extending from a common point; b) drive means for rotating said transmitter means whereby said beams rotate as well; c) a receiver attachable to an object within a space, said receiver carrying at least three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; d) connection means for connecting said sensors to computer means whereby signals are conveyed to said computer means from said sensors indicative of each moment at which each respective beam intersects each respective sensor; e) said computer means being programmed for calculating, from said signals, position and orientation of said receiver including x, y and z coordinates as well as pitch, roll and yaw.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for determining position and orientation of an object, comprising: a) transmitter means for emitting two beams of light including a first beam and a second beam skewed with respect to said first beam, said beams extending from a common point; b) drive means for rotating said transmitter means whereby said beams rotate as well; c) a receiver attachable to an object within a space, said receiver carrying at least three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; d) connection means for connecting said sensors to computer means whereby signals are conveyed to said computer means from said sensors indicative of each moment at which each respective beam intersects each respective sensor; e) said computer means being programmed for calculating, from said signals, position and orientation of said receiver including x, y and z coordinates as well as pitch, roll and yaw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter means includes a source of light and a beam splitter aligned with said source of light to split light from said source of light into said first and second beams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said source of light comprises a modulated laser diode and said light comprises a laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said beam splitter includes a thin rod lens for each beam creating two fan-shaped beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said light comprises short wave infrared light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said motor comprises a brushless DC motor controlled by a phase-locked loop servo.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said motor is speed controlled by motor control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said motor control means provides speed controlling signals to said motor and indicator signals to said computer means indicative of rotative position of said transmitter means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said transmitter means comprises a scanner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said computer means includes signal processing means for processing said signals, said signal processing means measuring a rising edge tr and falling edge tf of each signal and, therefrom, calculating a center time tc of each signal representative of a time when a respective beam has crossed a center point of a respective sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2, said transmitter means further including a separate rod for each beam, each rod being illuminated by light from said source of light to form each fan-shaped beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, said receiver including six sensors spaced in a prescribed non-coplanar configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 1, wherein each beam is fan-shaped.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for determining position and orientation of an object in six degrees of freedom, including the steps of: a) attaching a receiver on an object, said receiver having three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; b) providing a transmitter for transmitting first and second beams, said first and second beams being skewed with respect to one another and extending from a common point; c) rotating said transmitter whereby respective said beams periodically intersect respective said sensors; d) measuring each time a respective beam intersects a respective sensor; e) calculating position and orientation of said object.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for determining position and orientation of an object in six degrees of freedom, including the steps of: a) attaching a receiver on an object, said receiver having three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; b) providing a transmitter for transmitting first and second beams, said first and second beams being skewed with respect to one another and extending from a common point; c) rotating said transmitter whereby respective said beams periodically intersect respective said sensors; d) measuring each time a respective beam intersects a respective sensor; e) calculating position and orientation of said object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 15, said rotating step further including the steps of providing a motor and controlling rotation of said motor, said controlling step further improving the step of providing indicator signals, to computer means, indicative of rotative position of a shaft of said motor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 16, further including the step of providing intersection signals to said computer means indicative of when each beam intersects a respective sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, said calculating step including said steps of providing indicator signals and intersection signals.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for determining position and orientation of an object, comprising: a) transmitter means for emitting two beams of light including a first beam and a second beam skewed with respect to said first beam, said beams emanating from a single light source conveyed through a beam splitter; b) drive means for rotating said transmitter means whereby said beams rotate as well, said drive means comprising a motor having a rotary drive shaft defining a common axis from which said beams emanate; c) a receiver attachable to an object within a space, said receiver carrying three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; d) connection means for connecting said sensors to computer means whereby signals are conveyed to said computer means from said sensors indicative of each moment at which each respective beam intersects each respective sensor; e) said computer means being programmed for calculating, from said signals, position and orientation of said receiver including x, y and z coordinates as well as pitch, roll and yaw.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
166 words
A system for determining position and orientation of an object, comprising: a) transmitter means for emitting two beams of light including a first beam and a second beam skewed with respect to said first beam, said beams emanating from a single light source conveyed through a beam splitter; b) drive means for rotating said transmitter means whereby said beams rotate as well, said drive means comprising a motor having a rotary drive shaft defining a common axis from which said beams emanate; c) a receiver attachable to an object within a space, said receiver carrying three sensors spaced in a prescribed configuration; d) connection means for connecting said sensors to computer means whereby signals are conveyed to said computer means from said sensors indicative of each moment at which each respective beam intersects each respective sensor; e) said computer means being programmed for calculating, from said signals, position and orientation of said receiver including x, y and z coordinates as well as pitch, roll and yaw.
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) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |