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Method and apparatus for using gestures to control a laser tracker

  • US 9,234,742 B2
  • Filed: 04/29/2014
  • Issued: 01/12/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for communicating, from a user to a laser tracker with steps comprising:

  • providing the laser tracker having a structure rotatable about a first axis and a second axis, a first light source that launches a first light beam from the structure, a distance meter, a first angular encoder that measures a first angle of rotation about the first axis, a second angular encoder that measures a second angle of rotation about the second axis, and a processor;

    providing a projector and a first camera;

    providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of gestures, each gesture from among the plurality of gestures including a spatial configuration of a first body part of the user relative to a second body part of the user, the rule of correspondence based at least in part on the spatial configuration;

    performing by the user a first gesture from among the plurality of gestures, the first gesture corresponding to a first command;

    projecting from the projector a second light onto the first body part and second body part, the second light being a two-dimensional pattern of light;

    reflecting the second light from the first body part and second body part as a third light;

    capturing a portion of the third light with the first camera to obtain a digital representation of the portion of the third light;

    determining the first command based at least in part on processing the digital representation according to the rule of correspondence;

    executing the first command with the laser tracker; and

    measuring three dimensional coordinates of a retroreflector based at least in part on measurements of the distance meter, the first angular encoder, the second angular encoder and a speed of light.

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