Spherically mounted light source with angle measuring device, tracking system, and method for determining coordinates
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional coordinate measuring system to measure the coordinates of an object surface, comprising:
- a light source mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having an outer spherical contact surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer spherical contact surface is substantially equal to the radius of the spherical member regardless of spherical member orientation, wherein the outer spherical contact surface contacts the object surface; and
at least one coordinate-measuring device, the coordinate-measuring device configured to track the movement of the light source and to measure either azimuth angles and zenith angles, or to spherically encode tracking information related to relevant positions of the light source.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for use in conjunction with a coordinate measuring device, a three-dimensional coordinate measuring system and a method of measuring three-dimensional coordinates are described. The device includes a light source mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having a spherical surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer contact surface of the sphere is substantially equal to the radius of the sphere regardless of sphere orientation. The three-dimensional coordinate measuring system further includes a coordinate-measuring device, the coordinate-measuring device configured to track the movement of the light source and to measure either azithmuth angles and zenith angles, or to spherically encode tracking information related to relevant positions of the light source. The present method includes emitting light at a target with a light source, wherein the light source is mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having a spherical surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer contact surface of the sphere is substantially equal to the radius of the sphere regardless of sphere orientation, moving the surface of the spherical member across a device to be measured, tracking said light source with a tracking device, and measuring information related to the relative position of the light source using either angular or spherical encoders.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A three-dimensional coordinate measuring system to measure the coordinates of an object surface, comprising:
-
a light source mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having an outer spherical contact surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer spherical contact surface is substantially equal to the radius of the spherical member regardless of spherical member orientation, wherein the outer spherical contact surface contacts the object surface; and at least one coordinate-measuring device, the coordinate-measuring device configured to track the movement of the light source and to measure either azimuth angles and zenith angles, or to spherically encode tracking information related to relevant positions of the light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of measuring three-dimensional coordinates, comprising:
-
emitting light at a target with a light source, wherein the light source is mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having an outer spherical contact surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer spherical contact surface of the spherical member is substantially equal to the radius of the spherical member regardless of spherical member orientation; moving the outer spherical contact surface of the spherical member across a device to be measured, wherein the outer spherical contact surface contacts the device; tracking said light source with at least one tracking device; and measuring information related to the relative position of the light source using either angular or spherical encoders.
-
-
17. A three-dimensional coordinate measuring system to measure the coordinates of an object surface, comprising:
-
a light source mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having an outer spherical contact surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer spherical contact surface is substantially equal to the radius of the spherical member regardless of spherical member orientation, wherein the outer spherical contact surface contacts the object surface; and at least two coordinate-measuring devices, the at least two coordinate-measuring devices configured to track the movement of the light source and to measure either azimuth angles and zenith angles, or to spherically encode tracking information related to relevant positions of the light source.
-
-
18. A method of measuring three-dimensional coordinates, comprising:
-
emitting light at a target with a light source, wherein the light source is mounted substantially within the center of a spherical member having an outer spherical contact surface configured such that the distance from the light source to the outer spherical contact surface of the spherical member is substantially equal to the radius of the spherical member regardless of spherical member orientation; moving the outer spherical contact surface of the spherical member across a device to be measured, wherein the outer spherical contact surface contacts the device; tracking said light source with at least two tracking devices; and measuring information related to the relative position of the light source using either angular or spherical encoders.
-
Specification