System and method for positioning a tool in a work space

• US 9,687,950 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trimble Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Young Jin, Kahle, Kent Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jay Au
• Assistant Examiner(s): Matt, Marnie
• Application Number:
  US13/800,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20140267685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/22 for indicating or measuring existing or desired position of tool or work B23Q16/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/24 using optics or electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A system for assisting an operator in positioning an operating element of any of a plurality of tools at a desired location at a worksite, includes a plurality of fixed position video imaging devices located at known positions at the worksite. Each of the imaging devices has a known field of view. A memory stores a digital image and dimensions of each of the tools, as well as the desired locations at the worksite for operating the tools. A processor is responsive to the video devices for determining the tool being viewed, and determining the position and orientation of the tool and the operating element of said tool. A radio transmitter transmits this to a receiver with the tool operator.

Claims

1. A system for assisting an operator in carrying any of a plurality of tools to a desired position and a desired orientation at a worksite, said system comprising:

a plurality of imaging devices located at known positions at said worksite, each of said imaging devices having a known field of view,

a tool having an operating element, said tool being one of said plurality of tools and wherein said tool is configured to be directly and physically manipulated by said operator,

a memory having a database stored therein of the digital image and dimensions of each of said plurality of tools,

a processor, responsive to said plurality of imaging devices, wherein;

said plurality of imaging devices are configured to view said tool,

said processor is configured to identify said tool from said plurality of tools, and

said processor is configured to determine a current position of said tool, a current orientation of said tool, said desired position of said tool, and said desired orientation of said tool, and

a display attached to said tool, where said display is configured to display visual information such that said operator is assisted in directly and physically carrying said tool from said current position and said current orientation to said desired position and said desired orientation.

2. A system for assisting an operator in carrying a tool to a desired position and a desired orientation at a worksite, said system comprising:

a plurality of video imaging devices located at known locations at said worksite, each of said video imaging devices having a known field of view,

a processor, responsive to said plurality of video imaging devices, said processor including a memory having data stored therein specifying a desired position and a desired orientation of said tool at said worksite, said memory further having data stored therein specifying the appearance and dimensions of said tool, said processor configured to identify said tool and to determine a current position of said tool and a current orientation of said tool, and

a display for providing indications to said operator of said tool such that said operator is assisted in directly and physically carrying said tool from said current position and said current orientation to said desired position and said desired orientation.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said memory includes data specifying the appearance and dimensions of a plurality of tools, and in which said processor determines which of said plurality of tools is in the field of view of said video imaging devices.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said processor determines a position of an operating element of said tool and a movement of said operating element needed to move said operating element to a desired location.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said desired locations is specified in three dimensions.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said desired locations is specified in two dimensions.

7. A method of assisting an operator in carrying a tool to a desired position and a desired orientation at a worksite, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a tool at said worksite, wherein said tool is configured to be directly and physically manipulated by said operator,

providing a plurality of imaging devices at known positions with known fields of view in the worksite, at least two of said plurality of imaging devices providing an image of the tool at said worksite,

providing a database specifying the image and dimensions of said tool, including an operating element of said tool,

determining a current position of said tool, a current orientation of said tool, said desired position of said tool, and said desired orientation of said tool, and

displaying, at a display attached to said tool, visual information such that said operator is assisted in directly and physically carrying said tool from said current position and said current orientation to said desired position and said desired orientation.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a desired location at said worksite at which said tool is to be used, and displaying to said operator said desired location.

9. A system for guiding an operator of a tool in moving an operating element of said tool to a desired location in a workspace, said system comprising:

a plurality of fixed imaging devices at known positions with known fields of view in said workspace,

a moveable imaging device, positionable in said workspace,

a processor, responsive to said plurality of fixed imaging devices and to said moveable imaging device, wherein;

said plurality of fixed imaging devices and said moveable imaging device are configured to view said tool,

said processor is configured to identify said tool, and

said processor is configured to determine a current position of said tool, a current orientation of said tool, a desired position of said tool, and a desired orientation of said tool, and

a display for providing indications to said operator of said tool such that said operator is assisted in directly and physically carrying said tool from said current position and said current orientation to said desired position and said desired orientation.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of imaging devices comprises at least four imaging devices.