US5854880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Target based determination of robot and sensor alignment
Assignee: Sensor Adaptive Machines Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1998-12-29
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Target based machine vision useful for alignment of sensors and other objects affixed to structures, robots and the like. While addressed particularly to alignment of machine vision systems relative to structures, the techniques disclosed are useful with a multitude of different sensors and objects.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:38
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/16; B25J9/1694; B25J9/1697; B25J19/00; B25J19/02; B25J19/021; B25J19/023; B25J9/1679; B25J9/1692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for determining the position of at least one member comprising: a computer containing information related to a math data base of an object to be worked or positioned by the member; a sensor which senses a separate position of the member; a sensor positioning means positionable in multiple degrees of freedom for positioning said sensor with respect to the data base of the object and separate from said member such that the separate position of the member is sensed by the sensor; and an analysis means for determining, from the position of said sensor with respect to the data base and from the sensed position of the member by said sensor, a position of the member with respect to the data base.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for determining the position of at least one member comprising: a computer containing information related to a math data base of an object to be worked or positioned by the member; a sensor which senses a separate position of the member; a sensor positioning means positionable in multiple degrees of freedom for positioning said sensor with respect to the data base of the object and separate from said member such that the separate position of the member is sensed by the sensor; and an analysis means for determining, from the position of said sensor with respect to the data base and from the sensed position of the member by said sensor, a position of the member with respect to the data base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including a moving means for moving the member to different positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the member is a portion of a robot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the member is a joining device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the member is a locating device for the object in a tool.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensor is an electro-optical device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including an aligning means for aligning said positioning means with a base of a tool in which the object is to be positioned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including a locating means for locating said positioning means with respect to the object when the object is in position to be worked by the member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data base is a CAD data base.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for determining the position of at least one member comprising the steps of: programming a computer with a math data base of an object to be worked or positioned by the member; positioning a sensor located remote from the member in multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the data base of the object; sensing a separate position of the member with the sensor; and determining, from the position of the sensor with respect to the data base and from the sensed separate position of the member by the sensor, a position of the member with respect to the data base.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for determining the position of at least one member comprising the steps of: programming a computer with a math data base of an object to be worked or positioned by the member; positioning a sensor located remote from the member in multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the data base of the object; sensing a separate position of the member with the sensor; and determining, from the position of the sensor with respect to the data base and from the sensed separate position of the member by the sensor, a position of the member with respect to the data base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 and further including the step of repositioning the member to a different position with respect to the data base.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 and further including the step of sensing a new position of the member with the sensor; and determining, from the position of the sensor with respect to the data base and from the new sensed position of the member by the sensor, a new position of the member with respect to the data base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 and further including the step of aligning the position of the sensor with a base of a tool in which the object is to be positioned.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 and further including the step of locating the sensor with respect to the object when the object is in position to be worked by the member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the data base is a CAD data base.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-06-29 | 2002-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | 2006-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-28 | 2010-06-29 | 2010-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |