Michael A Ferrara

US Patent:

20210080579, Mar 18, 2021

Filed:

Oct 27, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/081431

Inventors:

- Lake Mary FL, US
Jun Li - Downingtown PA, US
Michael Ferrara - Garnet Valley PA, US
Robert E. Bridges - Kennett Square PA, US

International Classification:

G01S 17/42
G01S 7/481
G01S 7/497
G01C 15/00
G01S 17/36
G01B 11/00
G01S 17/66
G02B 6/32

Abstract:

A coordinate measuring device is provided having a light source that emits a beam of light. A distance meter measures a distance to a target. A first locator camera assembly includes a first camera and first lights. A second locator camera assembly includes a second camera and second lights. The processor matches retroreflectors in a first image of the first camera and a second image of the second camera based on a shape-and-context matching of retroreflector spots in the first and second image and on an area-context-matching of background objects in the first and second image. The retroreflector spots in the first image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the first lights, the retroreflector spots in the second image produced by illumination of the retroreflectors by the second lights. The processor provides a third image that includes both the background objects and markers indicating the matched retroreflectors.

US Patent:

20180095174, Apr 5, 2018

Filed:

Sep 26, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/715553

Inventors:

- Lake Mary FL, US
Jun Li - Downingtown PA, US
Michael Ferrara - Garnet Valley PA, US
Robert E. Bridges - Kennett Square PA, US

International Classification:

G01S 17/42
G01S 17/66
G01B 11/00
G01S 7/481
G02B 6/32

Abstract:

A coordinate measurement device and method of operating is provided. The coordinate measurement device launches and collimates visible light through a launch-collimator assembly that is exchangeable in the coordinate measuring device without realignment of any elements within the coordinate measuring device. The coordinate measurement device includes a Fabry-Perot laser, a lensing system, a first optical fiber, and a thermoelectric cooler. A fiber network receives the light from the optical fiber and passes a first portion of the light to a launch-collimator assembly. The launch-collimator assembly launches the first portion of the light into space and collimates the launched light into a first beam. A distance meter measures a first distance to a target illuminated by the first beam. A processor determines 3D coordinates of the target based at least in part on a measured first angle of rotation, a measured second angle of rotation, and the measured first distance.