TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20130201470A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Faro Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Cramer, Peter G., Bridges, Robert E., Steffensen, Nils P., Mehler, Robert C., Steffey, Kenneth, Hoffer, John M. Jr., Lasley, Daniel G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,593,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/72
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/002 for measuring two or more coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/26 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/06 Surveyors' staffs; Movable markers
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/02 using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/22 the element being a non-linear resistance, e.g. thermistor G01K7/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/42 Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S17/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/74 Systems using reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. IFF, i.e. identification of friend or foe
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/48 of systems according to group G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/12 Reflex reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/122 cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type

Abstract

A method is provided of obtaining the characteristics of a target by a device. The method includes providing the target having a target frame of reference, a retroreflector and a body. Providing a contact element rigidly fixed with respect to the body. A device is provided having a frame of reference and a light source, the device configured to measure a distance and two angles from the device to the retroreflector reference point. An identifier element located on the body. A workpiece surface is provided. The contact element contacts the workpiece surface. The retroreflector is illuminated with light from the light source and returns a reflected light. A distance and two angles are measured based at least in part on the reflected light. The first information is read with a first reader attached to the device. A three-dimensional coordinate of a point on the workpiece surface is calculated.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining characteristics of a target by a device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the target, wherein the target has a target frame of reference and includes a first retroreflector and a body, the body containing an opening, the opening sized to hold the first retroreflector, the opening open to the exterior of the body, the first retroreflector at least partially disposed in the opening, the first retroreflector having a first retroreflector reference point in the target frame of reference;

providing a spherical contact element having a region of spherical curvature rigidly fixed with respect to the body, the spherical contact element having a sphere center and a sphere radius;

providing the device, wherein the device has a device frame of reference and a first light source, the device being configured to measure a distance and two angles from the device to the first retroreflector reference point;

providing an identifier element located on the body, the identifier element configured to store first information, the identifier element being one of a bar code pattern and a radio-frequency identification tag, the first information including one of the sphere radius and a serial number, the serial number accessed by a processor to obtain the sphere radius;

providing a workpiece having a workpiece surface;

placing the spherical contact element in contact with the workpiece surface;

illuminating the first retroreflector with light from the first light source to provide a first reflected light that is returned to the device;

measuring, from the device to the first retroreflector reference point, a first distance and a first set of two angles based at least in part on the first reflected light, the first distance based at least in part on a speed of light over a path traveled by the light from the device to the first retroreflector reference point;

reading the first information with a first reader attached to the device, the first reader being one of a bar code scanner, a radio-frequency identification reader, and a camera; and

calculating a three-dimensional coordinate of a point on the workpiece surface based at least in part on the first distance, the first set of two angles, and the first information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of providing the target the spherical contact element and the body have the same sphere center and sphere radius.