Target apparatus for three-dimensional measurement system

• US 9,453,913 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lapage, Michael P
• Application Number:
  US13/832,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20130202010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 356 3- 22, 2502031-2033, 359/515, 359/527, 359529-533
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body.

Claims

1. A target, comprising:

a body, a retroreflector, and an interface component, the body having a spherical exterior portion and a collar, the body containing a cavity, the cavity sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity having an opening through the collar, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, the interface component affixed to the collar, the interface component having a transmitter configured to emit a non-visible electromagnetic signal having a wavelength range from IR through RF and a first actuator configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal in response to manual activation by an operator.

2. The target of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal includes at least identification information having at least one property of the target that particularly identifies the target to a receiving device.

3. The target of claim 2, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of a geometric characteristic of the target, a thermal characteristic of the target, a serial number associated with the target, a bar-code pattern associated with the target, and a radio-frequency identification tag associated with the target.

4. The target of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is a button.

5. The target of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator.

6. The target of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensor affixed to the body, the temperature sensor configured to measure an air temperature and configured to send a signal representing the measured air temperature to the transmitter.

7. The target of claim 6, further comprising an insulation member disposed between the body and the temperature sensor.

8. The target of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic signal is a radio frequency signal.

9. A target for use with a laser tracker, the laser tracker configured to measure three-dimensional coordinates of the target, the target comprising:

a body, a retroreflector, and an interface component, the body having a spherical exterior portion and a collar, the body containing a cavity, the cavity sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity having an opening through the collar, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, the interface component affixed to the collar, the interface component having a transmitter configured to emit a non-visible electromagnetic signal having a wavelength range from IR through RF and a first actuator configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal in response to manual activation by an operator, the electromagnetic signal including at least identification information that includes at least one property of the target that particularly identifies the target to the laser tracker.

10. The target of claim 9, further comprising a temperature sensor affixed to the body, the temperature sensor configured to measure an air temperature and configured to send a signal representing the measured air temperature to the transmitter.

11. The target of claim 10, further comprising an insulator member coupled between the body and the temperature sensor.

12. The target of claim 9, wherein the first actuator is a button.

13. The target of claim 9, wherein the at least one property is selected from the group consisting of a geometric characteristic of the target, a thermal characteristic of the target, a serial number associated with the target, a bar-code pattern associated with the target, and a radio-frequency identification tag associated with the target.