U.S. patent application number 17/666189 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-19 for triangulation scanner with blue-light projector.
The applicant listed for this patent is FARO Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert E. Bridges, Markus Grau, Rolf Heidemann, Yazid Tohme.
Application Number | 20220155060 17/666189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220155060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tohme; Yazid ; et
al. |
May 19, 2022 |
TRIANGULATION SCANNER WITH BLUE-LIGHT PROJECTOR
Abstract
A triangulation scanner having an enclosure, a projector coupled
to the enclosure and configured to emit a first light, and three
cameras also coupled to the enclosure. The scanner further includes
at least one processor to determine the three-dimensional
coordinates in a local frame of reference based at least in part on
receiving the first light.
Inventors: |
Tohme; Yazid; (West Chester,
PA) ; Heidemann; Rolf; (Stuttgart, DE) ; Grau;
Markus; (Marbach, DE) ; Bridges; Robert E.;
(Kennett Square, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FARO Technologies, Inc. |
Lake Mary |
FL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/666189 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17115018 |
Dec 8, 2020 |
11262194 |
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17666189 |
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16552276 |
Aug 27, 2019 |
10866089 |
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17115018 |
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15958658 |
Apr 20, 2018 |
10444009 |
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16552276 |
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15134838 |
Apr 21, 2016 |
9964402 |
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15958658 |
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62152266 |
Apr 24, 2015 |
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62152286 |
Apr 24, 2015 |
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62152280 |
Apr 24, 2015 |
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62152272 |
Apr 24, 2015 |
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62152294 |
Apr 24, 2015 |
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International
Class: |
G01B 11/25 20060101
G01B011/25; H04N 13/257 20060101 H04N013/257; G01B 11/245 20060101
G01B011/245; H04N 13/239 20060101 H04N013/239; G01B 11/00 20060101
G01B011/00; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041 |
Claims
1. A scanner comprising: an enclosure; a projector coupled to the
enclosure and configured to emit a first light; a first camera
coupled to the enclosure and configured to receive a reflection of
the first light off a surface in the environment, the first camera
including a first filter configured to pass the first light
therethrough; at least one light source coupled to the enclosure
and configured to emit a second light, the second light having a
wavelength that is different than the first light; at least one
second camera coupled to the enclosure and having a second filter
configured to pass the second light; and one or more processors
operable to determine three-dimensional coordinates in a local
frame of reference based at least in part on a receiving of the
first light by the first camera.
2. The scanner of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors is
further operable to register the three-dimensional coordinates in a
common frame of reference based at least in part on receiving a
reflection of the second light off of markers disposed on an object
being scanned.
3. The scanner of claim 2, wherein the projector is configured to
emit a line of light.
4. The scanner of claim 2, wherein the projector includes a digital
micromirror device.
5. The scanner of claim 4, wherein the digital micromirror device
is configured to sweep a line of light or a spot of light over the
object being scanned.
6. The scanner of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured to
be removably coupled to an articulated arm coordinate measurement
machine.
7. The scanner of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors is
further operable to operate the projector, the first camera, the at
least one light source, and the at least one second camera
synchronously.
8. The scanner of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to
the enclosure, the display being operable to display the
three-dimensional coordinates.
9. The scanner of claim 1, further comprising a battery removably
coupled to the enclosure.
10. The scanner of claim 1, further comprising a texture camera
coupled to the enclosure, wherein the one or more processors are
further configured to apply a texture acquired by the texture
camera to the three-dimensional coordinates.
11. The scanner of claim 1, further comprising a marker light
source coupled to the enclosure, the marker light source being
arranged to emit a beam of light that intersects the first light
when the scanner is positioned at a predetermined distance from an
object being scanned.
12. A method of scanning an object with a scanner having an
enclosure, the method comprising: emitting a first light from a
projector, the projector being coupled to the enclosure; receiving
a reflection of the first light reflected off of a surface of the
object with a first camera, the first camera being coupled to the
enclosure; emitting a second light from at least one light source,
the second light having a wavelength that is different than the
first light, the at least one light source being coupled to the
enclosure; receiving the a reflection of the second light reflected
off the surface of the object with at least one second camera, the
at least one second camera acquiring a two-dimensional image of one
or more markers disposed on the surface based at least in part on
the receiving of the reflection of the second light, the at least
one second camera being coupled to the enclosure; and determining
with a processor three-dimensional coordinates in a local frame of
reference of points on the surface of the object based at least in
part on the receiving of the reflection of the first light.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising registering the
three-dimensional coordinates in a common frame of reference based
at least in part on the one or more markers in the two-dimensional
image.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first light is emitted as a
plane of light.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising sweeping the first
light across the surface with the projector.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising uncoupling the
enclosure from an articulated arm coordinate measurement
machine.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the emitting of the first
light, the receiving of the reflection of the first light, the
emitting of the second light and the receiving of the reflection of
the second light are performed synchronously.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first camera includes a
first filter that passes the first light therethrough and the at
least one second camera includes a second filter that passes the
second light therethrough.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 17/115,018 filed on Dec. 8, 2020, which
is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. No. 10,866,089 filed on
Aug. 27, 2019, which is a continuation application of U.S. Pat. No.
10,444,009 filed on Apr. 20, 2018, which is a continuation
application of U.S. Pat. No. 9,964,402 filed on Apr. 21, 2016. U.S.
Pat. No. 9,964,402 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/152,266 filed on Apr. 24, 2015, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/152,286, filed on Apr. 24, 2015, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/152,280, filed on Apr. 24,
2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/152,272, filed on
Apr. 24, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/152,294, filed on Apr. 24, 2015, the entire contents all of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a coordinate measuring
machine, and more particularly to a portable articulated arm
coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) having a detachable accessory
device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] AACMMs have found widespread use in the manufacturing of
parts where there is a need to rapidly and accurately verify the
dimensions of the part during various stages of the manufacturing
(e.g., machining) of the part. Portable AACMMs represent a vast
improvement over known stationary or fixed, cost-intensive and
relatively difficult to use measurement installations, particularly
in the amount of time it takes to perform dimensional measurements
of relatively complex parts. Typically, a user of a portable AACMM
simply guides a probe along the surface of the part or object to be
measured. The measurement data are then recorded and provided to
the user. In some cases, the data are provided to the user in
visual form, for example, three-dimensional (3-D) form on a
computer screen. In other cases, the data are provided to the user
in numeric form, for example when measuring the diameter of a hole,
the text "Diameter=1.0034" is displayed on a computer screen.
[0004] Measurements by an AACMM of the three-dimensional (3D)
physical characteristics of surfaces of objects may be carried out
with contact and non-contact probes for a variety of reasons,
including part inspection, rapid prototyping, comparison of the
actual part to a CAD model of the part, reverse engineering, 3D
modeling, etc. Most often, non-contact devices use
triangulation-based techniques to process the raw captured data to
obtain 3D coordinates of surface points.
[0005] One type of triangulation-based, non-contact device is a
laser line probe (LLP), which includes a projector and a camera.
The projector includes a light source that emits a light, typically
as a line. Thus, the LLP is also known as a line scanner. The
emitted light may be laser light, partially coherent light, or
incoherent light. The camera includes a camera-type imaging device,
such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or CMOS photosensitive array.
The camera captures the pattern of light on the object surface,
which is processed to determine 3D coordinates of an object
surface.
[0006] Another type of triangulation-based, non-contact device that
includes a projector and a camera is an area scanner, also known as
a structured-light scanner. In such a scanner, the projector
projects onto a surface a two-dimensional pattern that is captured
by the camera and processed to determine 3D coordinates.
[0007] An example of a prior art portable AACMM is disclosed in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,582 ('582), which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The '582 patent
discloses a 3D measuring system comprised of a manually-operated
AACMM having a support base on one end and a "hard" measurement
probe at the other end. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,147
('147), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,
discloses a similar AACMM. In the '147 patent, the articulated arm
CMM includes a number of features including an additional
rotational axis at the probe end, thereby providing for an arm with
either a two-two-two or a two-two-three axis configuration (the
latter case being a seven axis arm).
[0008] It is generally known to attach an LLP to the probe end of
an AACMM. The result is a fully integrated, portable,
contact/non-contact measurement device. That is, the AACMM having
an LLP attached thereto provides for both contact measurements of
an object through use of the hard probe of the AACMM and for
non-contact measurements of the object through use of the LLP's
laser and imaging device. More specifically, the combination AACMM
and LLP allows users to quickly inspect or reverse engineer complex
and organic shapes via laser scanning, as well as to capture
prismatic elements with the relatively high accuracy that contact
metrology provides.
[0009] When combined as such, the AACMM and LLP may have the LLP
carry out some or all of the processing of the 3D captured point
cloud data using the signal processing electronics (e.g., computer
or processor) within or associated with (e.g., located apart from)
the AACMM. However, the LLP may have its own signal processing
electronics located within the LLP or associated with the LLP
(e.g., a stand-alone computer) to perform signal processing. In
this case, the LLP may connect with a display device to view the
captured data representing the object.
[0010] It is known to disconnect an area scanner from an AACMM for
handheld operation. Usually, such handheld operation is limited to
capturing a line of light or pattern of light in a single shot. In
such handheld operation, 3D coordinates of surface points over
large areas are obtained by registering together multiple 3D
images, usually by matching common image features such as edges or
holes. With this method, a relatively large object measured in
several scans may provide a single large collection of 3D surface
coordinates.
[0011] A difficulty with this registration method may arise when an
object being scanned has relatively few features. In such a case, a
flat surface may be registered in a warped shape. In addition,
although it is possible to use an area scanner removed from an
AACMM in a handheld mode, it has not generally been possible to use
an LLP in a handheld mode as a collection of single lines. A
potential difficulty is that the collecting of multiple lines may
not provide enough information to permit multiple line-scans to be
fit together over a two-dimension surface area. Consequently,
improvements are desired for methods of using a handheld LLP or
area scanner to obtain a relatively accurate 3D representation over
a relatively large area.
[0012] While existing line scanners and area scanners are suitable
for their intended purposes, what is needed is a handheld scanner
having improved registration over relatively large regions. What is
further needed is for such a handheld scanner to be further useable
with an AACMM.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, a scanner
includes: an enclosure, a projector coupled to the enclosure and
configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength of about
450 nm, a first camera coupled to the enclosure and configured to
receive a reflection of the first light off a surface in the
environment, the first camera including a first filter configured
to pass the first light having about the first wavelength, at least
one light source coupled to the enclosure and configured to emit a
second light, the second light having a second wavelength, the
second wavelength being different than the first wavelength, a pair
of second cameras coupled to the enclosure and having a second
filter configured to pass the second light having the second
wavelength, and one or more processors operable to determine
three-dimensional coordinates in a local frame of reference based
at least in part on a receiving of the first light by the first
camera.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of
scanning an object with a scanner having an enclosure includes the
steps of: emitting a first light from a projector, the first light
having a wavelength of about 450 nm the projector being coupled to
the enclosure, receiving a reflection of the first light reflected
off of a surface of the object with a first camera, the first
camera being coupled to the enclosure, emitting a second light from
at least one light source, the second light having a second
wavelength, the second wavelength being different than the first
wavelength, the at least one light source being coupled to the
enclosure, receiving the a reflection of the second light reflected
off the surface of the object with a pair of second cameras, the
pair of cameras acquiring a two-dimensional image of one or more
markers disposed on the surface based at least in part on the
receiving of the reflection of the second light, the pair of second
cameras being coupled to the enclosure, and determining with a
processor three-dimensional coordinates in a local frame of
reference of points on the surface of the object based at least in
part on the receiving of the reflection of the first light.
[0015] These and other advantages and features will become more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments are
shown which should not be construed to be limiting regarding the
entire scope of the disclosure, and wherein the elements are
numbered alike in several FIGURES:
[0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a portable
articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) having
embodiments of various aspects of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2, including FIGS. 2A-2D taken together, is a block
diagram of electronics used as part of the AACMM of FIG. 1 in
accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 3, including FIGS. 3A and 3B taken together, is a block
diagram describing detailed features of the electronic data
processing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the probe end of the AACMM of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of the probe end of FIG. 4 with the
handle being coupled thereto;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of the probe end of FIG. 4 with the
handle attached;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view of the interface
portion of the probe end of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 8 is another enlarged partial side view of the
interface portion of the probe end of FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an isometric view partially in section of the
handle of FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 10A is an isometric view of the probe end of the AACMM
of FIG. 1 with an LLP attached;
[0027] FIG. 10B is an isometric view of an end of the AACMM that
includes the probe tip 118 and scanner 500;
[0028] FIG. 10C is an isometric view of an end of the AACMM in a
partially disassembled and rotated position;
[0029] FIG. 11A is an isometric view partially in section of the
LLP of FIG. 10A;
[0030] FIG. 11B is an isometric view, partially disassembled, of
the LLP of FIG. 10A;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of the principle of
operation of an LLP according to an embodiment;
[0032] FIGS. 13A and 13B are schematic illustrations of the
principle of triangulation for a structured light scanner according
to two embodiments;
[0033] FIG. 14A is a schematic representation of elements of a
six-DOF scanner according to an embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 14B is an isometric drawing of a laser tracker
according to an embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 15A shows a camera bar used to measure a tactile probe
having targets viewable by the camera bar according to an
embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 15B shows a camera bar used to measure a triangulation
area scanner having targets viewable by the camera bar according to
an embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 15C shows a camera bar used to measure a triangulation
line scanner having targets viewable by the camera bar according to
an embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a scanner assembly having an
integrated collection of cameras, the assembly configured to be
attached to an articulated arm CMM or used separately as a handheld
scanner according to an embodiment;
[0039] FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are orthographic, top, and sectional
views of a connector assembly mechanism according to an
embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 18A is an isometric view of a detachable camera
assembly configured for coupling to a handheld triangulation
scanner according to an embodiment;
[0041] FIGS. 18B, 18C, 18D are front, side, and side views,
respectively, of a detachable camera assembly attached to a
handheld triangulation scanner according to an embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 18E-18K illustrate methods of measuring 3D coordinates
according to an embodiment;
[0043] FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D are isometric, side, side, and
front views, respectively, of a detachable six-degree of freedom
(DOF) tracker target assembly coupled to a handheld triangulation
scanner;
[0044] FIG. 19E is an isometric view of a detachable six-DOF
tracker target assembly configured for coupling to a handheld
triangulation scanner according to an embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a detachable six-DOF target
assembly coupled to a handheld triangulation scanner; and
[0046] FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C show a triangulation scanner having a
removable handle and an optional attachable accessory, the
attachable accessory configured to help determine position and
orientation of the triangulation scanner in relation to an
object;
[0047] FIG. 22 shows a two-camera triangulation scanner detachably
coupled to a six-DOF tracker target assembly;
[0048] FIG. 23A illustrates the concept of epipolar constraints;
and
[0049] FIG. 23B illustrates the concept of epipolar lines for the
case of two cameras and one projector placed in a triangular
arrangement according to an embodiment.
[0050] The detailed description explains embodiments of the
invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example
with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate, in perspective, an articulated
arm coordinate measuring machine 100 according to various
embodiments of the present invention, an articulated arm being one
type of coordinate measuring machine. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
the exemplary AACMM 100 may comprise a six or seven axis
articulated measurement device having a probe end 401 that includes
a measurement probe housing 102 coupled to an arm portion 104 of
the AACMM 100 at one end. The arm portion 104 comprises a first arm
segment 106 coupled to a second arm segment 108 by a first grouping
of bearing cartridges 110 (e.g., two bearing cartridges). A second
grouping of bearing cartridges 112 (e.g., two bearing cartridges)
couples the second arm segment 108 to the measurement probe housing
102. A third grouping of bearing cartridges 114 (e.g., three
bearing cartridges) couples the first arm segment 106 to a base 116
located at the other end of the arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100.
Each grouping of bearing cartridges 110, 112, 114 provides for
multiple axes of articulated movement. Also, the probe end 401 may
include a measurement probe housing 102 that comprises the shaft of
the seventh axis portion of the AACMM 100 (e.g., a cartridge
containing an encoder system that determines movement of the
measurement device, for example a probe 118, in the seventh axis of
the AACMM 100). In this embodiment, the probe end 401 may rotate
about an axis extending through the center of measurement probe
housing 102. In use of the AACMM 100, the base 116 is typically
affixed to a work surface.
[0052] Each bearing cartridge within each bearing cartridge
grouping 110, 112, 114 typically contains an encoder system (e.g.,
an optical angular encoder system). The encoder system (i.e.,
transducer) provides an indication of the position of the
respective arm segments 106, 108 and corresponding bearing
cartridge groupings 110, 112, 114 that all together provide an
indication of the position of the probe 118 with respect to the
base 116 (and, thus, the position of the object being measured by
the AACMM 100 in a certain frame of reference--for example a local
or global frame of reference). The arm segments 106, 108 may be
made from a suitably rigid material such as but not limited to a
carbon composite material for example. A portable AACMM 100 with
six or seven axes of articulated movement (i.e., degrees of
freedom) provides advantages in allowing the operator to position
the probe 118 in a desired location within a 360.degree. area about
the base 116 while providing an arm portion 104 that may be easily
handled by the operator. However, it should be appreciated that the
illustration of an arm portion 104 having two arm segments 106, 108
is for exemplary purposes, and the claimed invention should not be
so limited. An AACMM 100 may have any number of arm segments
coupled together by bearing cartridges (and, thus, more or less
than six or seven axes of articulated movement or degrees of
freedom).
[0053] The probe 118 is detachably mounted to the measurement probe
housing 102, which is connected to bearing cartridge grouping 112.
A handle 126 is removable with respect to the measurement probe
housing 102 by way of, for example, a quick-connect interface. As
discussed in more detail hereinafter with reference to FIG. 10 et
seq., the handle 126 may be replaced or interchanged with another
device such as an LLP, which is configured to emit a line of laser
light to an object and to capture or image the laser light on a
surface of the object with an imaging device (e.g., a camera) that
is part of the LLP, to thereby provide for non-contact measurement
of the dimensions of three-dimensional objects. This
interchangeable feature and use of an LLP has the advantage in
allowing the operator to make both contact and non-contact
measurements with the same AACMM 100. However, it should be
understood that the LLP may be a standalone device, as described in
more detail hereinafter. That is, the LLP may be fully functional
and operable by itself without any type of connection to the AACMM
100 or similar device.
[0054] In exemplary embodiments, the probe housing 102 houses a
removable probe 118, which is a contacting measurement device and
may have different tips 118 that physically contact the object to
be measured, including, but not limited to: ball, touch-sensitive,
curved and extension type probes. In other embodiments, the
measurement is performed, for example, by a non-contacting device
such as the LLP. In an embodiment, the handle 126 is replaced with
the LLP using the quick-connect interface. Other types of
measurement devices may replace the removable handle 126 to provide
additional functionality. Examples of such measurement devices
include, but are not limited to, one or more illumination lights, a
temperature sensor, a thermal scanner, a bar code scanner, a
projector, a paint sprayer, a camera, or the like, for example.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the AACMM 100 includes the
removable handle 126 that provides advantages in allowing
accessories or functionality to be changed without removing the
measurement probe housing 102 from the bearing cartridge grouping
112. As discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 2D, the
removable handle 126 may also include an electrical connector that
allows electrical power and data to be exchanged with the handle
126 and the corresponding electronics located in the probe end
401.
[0056] In various embodiments, each grouping of bearing cartridges
110, 112, 114 allows the arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100 to move
about multiple axes of rotation. As mentioned, each bearing
cartridge grouping 110, 112, 114 includes corresponding encoder
systems, such as optical angular encoders for example, that are
each arranged coaxially with the corresponding axis of rotation of,
e.g., the arm segments 106, 108. The optical encoder system detects
rotational (swivel) or transverse (hinge) movement of, e.g., each
one of the arm segments 106, 108 about the corresponding axis and
transmits a signal to an electronic data processing system within
the AACMM 100 as described in more detail hereinafter. Each
individual raw encoder count is sent separately to the electronic
data processing system as a signal where it is further processed
into measurement data. No position calculator separate from the
AACMM 100 itself (e.g., a serial box) is required, as disclosed in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,582 ('582).
[0057] The base 116 may include an attachment device or mounting
device 120. The mounting device 120 allows the AACMM 100 to be
removably mounted to a desired location, such as an inspection
table, a machining center, a wall or the floor, for example. In one
embodiment, the base 116 includes a handle portion 122 that
provides a convenient location for the operator to hold the base
116 as the AACMM 100 is being moved. In one embodiment, the base
116 further includes a movable cover portion 124 that folds down to
reveal a user interface, such as a display screen.
[0058] In accordance with an embodiment, the base 116 of the
portable AACMM 100 contains or houses an electronic circuit having
an electronic data processing system that includes two primary
components: a base processing system that processes the data from
the various encoder systems within the AACMM 100 as well as data
representing other arm parameters to support three-dimensional
positional calculations; and a user interface processing system
that includes an on-board operating system, a touch screen display,
and resident application software that allows for relatively
complete metrology functions to be implemented within the AACMM 100
without the need for connection to an external computer. It should
be appreciated that in other embodiments, the AACMM 100 may be
configured with the user interface processing system arranged
remote or distant from the device, such as on a laptop, a remote
computer or a portable/mobile computing device (e.g. a cellular
phone or a tablet computer).
[0059] The electronic data processing system in the base 116 may
communicate with the encoder systems, sensors, and other peripheral
hardware located away from the base 116 (e.g., a laser line probe
that can be mounted in place of the removable handle 126 on the
AACMM 100). The electronics that support these peripheral hardware
devices or features may be located in each of the bearing cartridge
groupings 110, 112, 114 located within the portable AACMM 100.
[0060] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electronics utilized in an
AACMM 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A includes an electronic data processing system 210 including
a base processor board 204 for implementing the base processing
system, a user interface board 202, a base power board 206 for
providing power, a Bluetooth module 232, and a base tilt board 208.
The user interface board 202 includes a computer processor for
executing application software to perform user interface, display,
and other functions described herein.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the electronic data
processing system 210 is in communication with the aforementioned
plurality of encoder systems via one or more arm buses 218. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, each encoder system
generates encoder data and includes: an encoder arm bus interface
214, an encoder digital signal processor (DSP) 216, an encoder read
head interface 234, and a temperature sensor 212. Other devices,
such as strain sensors, may be attached to the arm bus 218.
[0062] Also shown in FIG. 2D are probe end electronics 230 that are
in communication with the arm bus 218. The probe end electronics
230 include a probe end DSP 228, a temperature sensor 212, a
handle/device interface bus 240 that connects with the handle 126
or the LLP 242 via the quick-connect interface in an embodiment,
and a probe interface 226. The quick-connect interface allows
access by the handle 126 to the data bus, control lines, and power
bus used by the LLP 242 and other accessories. In an embodiment,
the probe end electronics 230 are located in the measurement probe
housing 102 on the AACMM 100. In an embodiment, the handle 126 may
be removed from the quick-connect interface and measurement may be
performed by the LLP 242 communicating with the probe end
electronics 230 of the AACMM 100 via the interface bus 240. In an
embodiment, the electronic data processing system 210 is located in
the base 116 of the AACMM 100, the probe end electronics 230 are
located in the measurement probe housing 102 of the AACMM 100, and
the encoder systems are located in the bearing cartridge groupings
110, 112, 114. The probe interface 226 may connect with the probe
end DSP 228 by any suitable communications protocol, including
commercially-available products from Maxim Integrated Products,
Inc. that embody the 1-Wire.RTM. communications protocol 236.
[0063] FIG. 3 is a block diagram describing detailed features of
the electronic data processing system 210 of the AACMM 100 in
accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the electronic
data processing system 210 is located in the base 116 of the AACMM
100 and includes the base processor board 204, the user interface
board 202, a base power board 206, a Bluetooth module 232, and a
base tilt module 208.
[0064] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the base processor board
204 includes the various functional blocks illustrated therein. For
example, a base processor function 302 is utilized to support the
collection of measurement data from the AACMM 100 and receives raw
arm data (e.g., encoder system data) via the arm bus 218 and a bus
control module function 308. The memory function 304 stores
programs and static arm configuration data. The base processor
board 204 also includes an external hardware option port function
310 for communicating with any external hardware devices or
accessories such as the LLP 242. A real time clock (RTC) and log
306, a battery pack interface (IF) 316, and a diagnostic port 318
are also included in the functionality in an embodiment of the base
processor board 204 depicted in FIG. 3A.
[0065] The base processor board 204 also manages all the wired and
wireless data communication with external (host computer) and
internal (display processor 202) devices. The base processor board
204 has the capability of communicating with an Ethernet network
via an Ethernet function 320 (e.g., using a clock synchronization
standard such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
("IEEE") 1588), with a wireless local area network (WLAN) via a LAN
function 322, and with Bluetooth module 232 via a parallel to
serial communications (PSC) function 314. The base processor board
204 also includes a connection to a universal serial bus (USB)
device 312.
[0066] The base processor board 204 transmits and collects raw
measurement data (e.g., encoder system counts, temperature
readings) for processing into measurement data without the need for
any preprocessing, such as disclosed in the serial box of the
aforementioned '582 patent. The base processor 204 sends the
processed data to the display processor 328 on the user interface
board 202 via an RS485 interface (IF) 326. In an embodiment, the
base processor 204 also sends the raw measurement data to an
external computer.
[0067] Turning now to the user interface board 202 shown in FIG.
3B, the angle and positional data received by the base processor is
utilized by applications executing on the display processor 328 to
provide an autonomous metrology system within the AACMM 100.
Applications may be executed on the display processor 328 to
support functions such as, but not limited to: measurement of
features, guidance and training graphics, remote diagnostics,
temperature corrections, control of various operational features,
connection to various networks, and display of measured objects.
Along with the display processor 328 and a liquid crystal display
(LCD) 338 (e.g., a touch screen LCD) user interface, the user
interface board 202 includes several interface options including a
secure digital (SD) card interface 330, a memory 332, a USB Host
interface 334, a diagnostic port 336, a camera port 340, an
audio/video interface 342, a dial-up/cell modem 344 and a global
positioning system (GPS) port 346.
[0068] The electronic data processing system 210 shown in FIG. 3A
may also include a base power board 206 with an environmental
recorder 362 for recording environmental data. The base power board
206 also provides power to the electronic data processing system
210 using an AC/DC converter 358 and a battery charger control 360.
The base power board 206 communicates with the base processor board
204 using inter-integrated circuit (I2C) serial single ended bus
354 as well as via a DMA serial peripheral interface (DSPI) 357.
The base power board 206 is connected to a tilt sensor and radio
frequency identification (RFID) module 208 via an input/output
(I/O) expansion function 364 implemented in the base power board
206.
[0069] Though shown as separate components, in other embodiments
all or a subset of the components may be physically located in
different locations and/or functions combined in different manners
than that shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. For example, in one
embodiment, the base processor board 204 and the user interface
board 202 are combined into one physical board.
[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, an exemplary embodiment of a
probe end 401 is illustrated having a measurement probe housing 102
with a quick-connect mechanical and electrical interface that
allows removable and interchangeable device 400 to couple with
AACMM 100. It should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment
shows a particular configuration of a mechanical and electrical
interface between the probe housing and the device 400, other
interfaces may also be used. In the exemplary embodiment, the
device 400 includes an enclosure 402 having a handle portion 404
that is sized and shaped to be held in an operator's hand, such as
in a pistol grip for example. The enclosure 402 is a thin wall
structure having a cavity 406 (FIG. 9). The cavity 406 is sized and
configured to receive a controller 408. The controller 408 may be a
digital circuit, having a microprocessor for example, or an analog
circuit. In one embodiment, the controller 408 is in asynchronous
bidirectional communication with the electronic data processing
system 210 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The communication connection between
the controller 408 and the electronic data processing system 210
may be wired (e.g. via controller 420) or may be a direct or
indirect wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11) or a
combination of wired and wireless connections. In the exemplary
embodiment, the enclosure 402 is formed in two halves 410, 412,
such as from an injection molded plastic material for example. The
halves 410, 412 may be secured together by fasteners, such as
screws 414 for example. In other embodiments, the enclosure halves
410, 412 may be secured together by adhesives or ultrasonic welding
for example.
[0071] The handle portion 404 also includes buttons or actuators
416, 418 that may be manually activated by the operator. The
actuators 416, 418 are coupled to the controller 408 that transmits
a signal to a controller 420 within the probe housing 102. In the
exemplary embodiments, the actuators 416, 418 perform the functions
of actuators 422, 424 located on the probe housing 102 opposite the
device 400. It should be appreciated that the device 400 may have
additional switches, buttons or other actuators that may also be
used to control the device 400, the AACMM 100 or vice versa. Also,
the device 400 may include indicators, such as LEDs, sound
generators, meters, displays or gauges for example. In one
embodiment, the device 400 may include a digital voice recorder
that allows for synchronization of verbal comments with a measured
point. In yet another embodiment, the device 400 includes a
microphone that allows the operator to record comments or transmit
voice activated commands to the electronic data processing system
210.
[0072] In one embodiment, the handle portion 404 may be configured
to be used with either operator hand or for a particular hand (e.g.
left handed or right handed). The handle portion 404 may also be
configured to facilitate operators with disabilities (e.g.
operators with missing finders or operators with prosthetic arms).
Further, the handle portion 404 may be removed and the probe
housing 102 used by itself when clearance space is limited. As
discussed above, the probe end 401 may also comprise the shaft of
the seventh axis of AACMM 100. In this embodiment the device 400
may be arranged to rotate about the AACMM seventh axis.
[0073] The probe end 401 includes a mechanical and electrical
interface 426 having a first connector 429 (FIG. 8) on the device
400 that cooperates with a second connector 428 on the probe
housing 102. The connectors 428, 429 may include electrical and
mechanical features that allow for coupling of the device 400 to
the probe housing 102. In one embodiment, the interface 426
includes a first surface 430 having a mechanical coupler 432 and an
electrical connector 434 thereon. The enclosure 402 also includes a
second surface 436 positioned adjacent to and offset from the first
surface 430. In the exemplary embodiment, the second surface 436 is
a planar surface offset a distance of approximately 0.5 inches from
the first surface 430. This offset provides a clearance for the
operator's fingers when tightening or loosening a fastener such as
collar 438. The interface 426 provides for a relatively quick and
secure electronic connection between the device 400 and the probe
housing 102 without the need to align connector pins, and without
the need for separate cables or connectors.
[0074] The electrical connector 434 extends from the first surface
430 and includes one or more connector pins 440 that are
electrically coupled in asynchronous bidirectional communication
with the electronic data processing system 210 (FIGS. 2 and 3),
such as via one or more arm buses 218 for example. The
bidirectional communication connection may be wired (e.g. via arm
bus 218), wireless (e.g. Bluetooth or IEEE 802.11), or a
combination of wired and wireless connections. In one embodiment,
the electrical connector 434 is electrically coupled to the
controller 420. The controller 420 may be in asynchronous
bidirectional communication with the electronic data processing
system 210 such as via one or more arm buses 218 for example. The
electrical connector 434 is positioned to provide a relatively
quick and secure electronic connection with electrical connector
442 on probe housing 102. The electrical connectors 434, 442
connect with each other when the device 400 is attached to the
probe housing 102. The electrical connectors 434, 442 may each
comprise a metal encased connector housing that provides shielding
from electromagnetic interference as well as protecting the
connector pins and assisting with pin alignment during the process
of attaching the device 400 to the probe housing 102.
[0075] The mechanical coupler 432 provides relatively rigid
mechanical coupling between the device 400 and the probe housing
102 to support relatively precise applications in which the
location of the device 400 on the end of the arm portion 104 of the
AACMM 100 preferably does not shift or move. Any such movement may
typically cause an undesirable degradation in the accuracy of the
measurement result. These desired results are achieved using
various structural features of the mechanical attachment
configuration portion of the quick connect mechanical and
electronic interface of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] In one embodiment, the mechanical coupler 432 includes a
first projection 444 positioned on one end 448 (the leading edge or
"front" of the device 400). The first projection 444 may include a
keyed, notched or ramped interface that forms a lip 446 that
extends from the first projection 444. The lip 446 is sized to be
received in a slot 450 defined by a projection 452 extending from
the probe housing 102 (FIG. 8). It should be appreciated that the
first projection 444 and the slot 450 along with the collar 438
form a coupler arrangement such that when the lip 446 is positioned
within the slot 450, the slot 450 may be used to restrict both the
longitudinal and lateral movement of the device 400 when attached
to the probe housing 102. As will be discussed in more detail
below, the rotation of the collar 438 may be used to secure the lip
446 within the slot 450.
[0077] Opposite the first projection 444, the mechanical coupler
432 may include a second projection 454. The second projection 454
may have a keyed, notched-lip or ramped interface surface 456 (FIG.
5). The second projection 454 is positioned to engage a fastener
associated with the probe housing 102, such as collar 438 for
example. As will be discussed in more detail below, the mechanical
coupler 432 includes a raised surface projecting from surface 430
that is adjacent to or disposed about the electrical connector 434
which provides a pivot point for the interface 426 (FIGS. 7 and 8).
This serves as the third of three points of mechanical contact
between the device 400 and the probe housing 102 when the device
400 is attached thereto.
[0078] The probe housing 102 includes a collar 438 arranged
co-axially on one end. The collar 438 includes a threaded portion
that is movable between a first position (FIG. 5) and a second
position (FIG. 7). By rotating the collar 438, the collar 438 may
be used to secure or remove the device 400 without the need for
external tools. Rotation of the collar 438 moves the collar 438
along a relatively coarse, square-threaded cylinder 474. The use of
such relatively large size, square-thread and contoured surfaces
allows for significant clamping force with minimal rotational
torque. The coarse pitch of the threads of the cylinder 474 further
allows the collar 438 to be tightened or loosened with minimal
rotation.
[0079] To couple the device 400 to the probe housing 102, the lip
446 is inserted into the slot 450 and the device is pivoted to
rotate the second projection 454 toward surface 458 as indicated by
arrow 464 (FIG. 5). The collar 438 is rotated causing the collar
438 to move or translate in the direction indicated by arrow 462
into engagement with surface 456. The movement of the collar 438
against the angled surface 456 drives the mechanical coupler 432
against the raised surface 460. This assists in overcoming
potential issues with distortion of the interface or foreign
objects on the surface of the interface that could interfere with
the rigid seating of the device 400 to the probe housing 102. The
application of force by the collar 438 on the second projection 454
causes the mechanical coupler 432 to move forward pressing the lip
446 into a seat on the probe housing 102. As the collar 438
continues to be tightened, the second projection 454 is pressed
upward toward the probe housing 102 applying pressure on a pivot
point. This provides a see-saw type arrangement, applying pressure
to the second projection 454, the lip 446 and the center pivot
point to reduce or eliminate shifting or rocking of the device 400.
The pivot point presses directly against the bottom on the probe
housing 102 while the lip 446 is applies a downward force on the
end of probe housing 102. FIG. 5 includes arrows 462, 464 to show
the direction of movement of the device 400 and the collar 438.
FIG. 7 includes arrows 466, 468, 470 to show the direction of
applied pressure within the interface 426 when the collar 438 is
tightened. It should be appreciated that the offset distance of the
surface 436 of device 400 provides a gap 472 between the collar 438
and the surface 436 (FIG. 6). The gap 472 allows the operator to
obtain a firmer grip on the collar 438 while reducing the risk of
pinching fingers as the collar 438 is rotated. In one embodiment,
the probe housing 102 is of sufficient stiffness to reduce or
prevent the distortion when the collar 438 is tightened.
[0080] Embodiments of the interface 426 allow for the proper
alignment of the mechanical coupler 432 and electrical connector
434 and also protect the electronics interface from applied
stresses that may otherwise arise due to the clamping action of the
collar 438, the lip 446 and the surface 456. This provides
advantages in reducing or eliminating stress damage to circuit
board 476 mounted electrical connectors 434, 442 that may have
soldered terminals. Also, embodiments provide advantages over known
approaches in that no tools are required for a user to connect or
disconnect the device 400 from the probe housing 102. This allows
the operator to manually connect and disconnect the device 400 from
the probe housing 102 with relative ease.
[0081] Due to the relatively large number of shielded electrical
connections possible with the interface 426, a relatively large
number of functions may be shared between the AACMM 100 and the
device 400. For example, switches, buttons or other actuators
located on the AACMM 100 may be used to control the device 400 or
vice versa. Further, commands and data may be transmitted from
electronic data processing system 210 to the device 400. In one
embodiment, the device 400 is a video camera that transmits data of
a recorded image to be stored in memory on the base processor 204
or displayed on the display 328. In another embodiment the device
400 is an image projector that receives data from the electronic
data processing system 210. In addition, temperature sensors
located in either the AACMM 100 or the device 400 may be shared by
the other. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the present
invention provide advantages in providing a flexible interface that
allows a wide variety of accessory devices 400 to be quickly,
easily and reliably coupled to the AACMM 100. Further, the
capability of sharing functions between the AACMM 100 and the
device 400 may allow a reduction in size, power consumption and
complexity of the AACMM 100 by eliminating duplicity.
[0082] In one embodiment, the controller 408 may alter the
operation or functionality of the probe end 401 of the AACMM 100.
For example, the controller 408 may alter indicator lights on the
probe housing 102 to either emit a different color light, a
different intensity of light, or turn on/off at different times
when the device 400 is attached versus when the probe housing 102
is used by itself. In one embodiment, the device 400 includes a
range finding sensor (not shown) that measures the distance to an
object. In this embodiment, the controller 408 may change indicator
lights on the probe housing 102 in order to provide an indication
to the operator how far away the object is from the probe tip 118.
In another embodiment, the controller 408 may change the color of
the indicator lights based on the quality of the image acquired by
the LLP 242. This provides advantages in simplifying the
requirements of controller 420 and allows for upgraded or increased
functionality through the addition of accessory devices.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 10-11, embodiments of the present
invention provide advantages for camera, signal processing,
control, and indicator interfaces for an scanner 500, which is part
of a measurement unit 490. The scanner 500 may refer to the
electrical elements LLP 242 as referenced hereinabove with respect
to FIGS. 1-9. The scanner may be an LLP or it may be an area
scanner, as explained in more detail herein below. The LLP 500
provides for non-contact measurements of an object, typically in
the same frame of reference as that of the hard probe 118 of the
AACMM 100, as discussed herein above. Further, the calculated
three-dimensional coordinates of surface points provided by the
scanner 500 are based on the known principles of triangulation, as
explained in more detail herein below. The scanner 500 may include
an enclosure 502 with a handle portion 504. The LLP 500 further
includes an interface 426 on one end that mechanically and
electrically couples the scanner 500 to the probe housing 102 as
described hereinabove. The interface 426 allows the scanner 500 to
be coupled and removed from the AACMM 100 quickly and easily
without requiring additional tools.
[0084] Adjacent the interface 426, the enclosure 502 has a portion
506 (FIG. 11A) that includes a camera 508 and a projector 510. In
the exemplary embodiment, the projector 510 uses a light source
that generates a straight line projected onto an object surface.
The light source may be a laser, a superluminescent diode (SLD), an
incandescent light, a light emitting diode (LED), for example. The
projected light may be visible or invisible, but visible light may
be more convenient for an operator in some cases. The camera 508
includes a lens and an imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is a
photosensitive array that may be a charge-coupled device (CCD)
two-dimensional (2D) area sensor or a complementary
metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) 2D area sensor, for example, or it
may be some other type of device. Each imaging sensor may comprise
a 2D array (i.e., rows, columns) of a plurality of light sensing
picture elements (pixels). Each pixel typically contains at least
one photodetector that converts light into an electric charge
stored within the pixel wells, and read out as a voltage value.
Voltage values are converted into digital values by an
analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Typically for a CMOS sensor
chip, the ADC is contained within the sensor chip. Typically for a
CCD sensor chip, the ADC is included outside the sensor chip on a
circuit board.
[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the projector 510 and camera 508
are oriented to enable reflected light to be imaged by the
photosensitive array. In one embodiment, the scanner 500 is offset
from the probe tip 118 to enable the scanner 500 to be operated
without interference from the probe tip 118. In other words, the
scanner 500 may be operated with the probe tip 118 in place.
Further, it should be appreciated that the scanner 500 is
substantially fixed relative to the probe tip 118 so that forces on
the handle portion 504 do not influence the alignment of the
scanner 500 relative to the probe tip 118. In one embodiment, the
scanner 500 may have an additional actuator (not shown) that allows
the operator to switch between acquiring data from the scanner 500
and the probe tip 118.
[0086] The projector 510 and camera 508 are electrically coupled to
a controller 512 disposed within the enclosure 502. The controller
512 may include one or more microprocessors, digital signal
processors, memory, and other types of signal conditioning and/or
storage circuits. In an embodiment, due to the large data volume
generated by the scanner 500, the controller 512 may be arranged
within the handle portion 504. The controller 512 is electrically
coupled to the arm buses 218 via electrical connector 434. The
scanner 500 further includes actuators 514, 516 which may be
manually activated by the operator to initiate operation and data
capture by the scanner 500.
[0087] The marker light source 509 emits a beam of light that
intersects the beam of light from the projector 510. The position
at which the two beams intersect provides an indication to the user
of the optimum distance from the scanner 500 to the object under
test. The scanner 500 will make good measurements for some distance
on either side of the optimum distance, but the position of
intersection of the beams of light from marker light source 509 and
the projector 510 provides the user with a convenient indication of
the proper stand-off distance for the scanner 500.
[0088] FIG. 10B shows the probe end 401 and scanner 500 attached to
the second grouping of bearing cartridges 112. This grouping is
attached to the second arm segment 108, which is a part of the
AACMM 100.
[0089] FIG. 10C shows the probe end 401 and the scanner 500 in an
exploded and rotated view that shows the interface 426 that
includes scanner connector 426A and the probe end connector
426C.
[0090] FIGS. 11A and 11B show internal elements of the scanner 500
according to an embodiment. FIG. 11A is a partial sectional view
that reveals some electrical components within the handle 504. The
electrical components include connections to actuators (e.g.,
pushbuttons) 514, 516. Additional electrical components are located
above the handle 504 in the enclosure of the scanner 500. In an
embodiment, an outer shell 1105, which in an embodiment is made of
plastic, is provided for cosmetic appearance and protection.
[0091] FIG. 11B is a partial disassembled view of the scanner 500.
In an embodiment, elements of camera 508 include a camera assembly
1110 that includes a housing 1112, multiple lens elements (not
shown) within the housing 112, and a protective cover window 1114.
The camera assembly 1110 is held in place by tabs or fingers 1120,
which are held tightly against the fingers by the clamp 1122. In an
embodiment, the marker light source 509 includes a housing 1132 and
a cover window 1134. The projector includes a cover window 1140.
The windows 1114, 1134, and 1140 lie substantially flush with the
exterior surface of the outer shell 1105 to facilitate cleaning of
the window surfaces. The scanner 500 includes a rigid structure
having elements that include a front metal panel 1150, the camera
508, the marker light source 509, the projector 510, and the
mechanical and electrical interface 426. These elements are held in
together in a rigid and stable assembly. The front metal panel 1150
is attached to the interface 426 with screws 1152.
[0092] FIG. 12 shows elements of an LLP 4500 that includes a
projector 4520 and a camera 4540. The projector 4520 includes a
source pattern of light 4521 and a projector lens 4522. The source
pattern of light includes an illuminated pattern in the form of a
line. The projector lens includes a projector perspective center
and a projector optical axis that passes through the projector
perspective center. In the example of FIG. 12, a central ray of the
beam of light 4524 is aligned with the projector optical axis. The
camera 4540 includes a camera lens 4542 and a photosensitive array
4541. The lens has a camera optical axis 4543 that passes through a
camera lens perspective center 4544. In the exemplary system 4500,
the projector optical axis, which is aligned to the beam of light
4524 and the camera lens optical axis 4544, are perpendicular to
the line of light 4523 projected by the source pattern of light
4521. In other words, the line 4523 is in the direction
perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 12. The line strikes an object
surface, which at a first distance from the projector is object
surface 4510A and at a second distance from the projector is object
surface 4510B. It is understood that at different heights above or
below the plane of the paper of FIG. 12, the object surface may be
at a different distance from the projector. The line of light
intersects surface 4510A (in the plane of the paper) in a point
4526, and it intersects the surface 4510B (in the plane of the
paper) in a point 4527. For the case of the intersection point
4526, a ray of light travels from the point 4526 through the camera
lens perspective center 4544 to intersect the photosensitive array
4541 in an image point 4546. For the case of the intersection point
4527, a ray of light travels from the point 4527 through the camera
lens perspective center to intersect the photosensitive array 4541
in an image point 4547. By noting the position of the intersection
point relative to the position of the camera lens optical axis
4544, the distance from the projector (and camera) to the object
surface can be determined using the principles of triangulation.
The distance from the projector to other points on the line of
light 4526, that is points on the line of light that do not lie in
the plane of the paper of FIG. 12, may similarly be found.
[0093] In an embodiment, the photosensitive array 4541 is aligned
to place either the array rows or columns in the direction of the
reflected laser stripe. In this case, the position of a spot of
light along one direction of the array provides information needed
to determine a distance to the object, as indicated by the
difference in the positions of the spots 4546 and 4547 of FIG. 12.
The position of the spot of light in the orthogonal direction on
the array provides information needed to determine where, along the
length of the laser line, the plane of light intersects the
object.
[0094] As used herein, it is understood that the terms column and
row refer simply to a first direction along the photosensitive
array and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
As such, the terms row and column as used herein do not necessarily
refer to row and columns according to documentation provided by a
manufacturer of the photosensitive array 4541. In the discussion
that follows, the rows are taken to be in the plane of the paper on
the surface of the photosensitive array. The columns are taken to
be on the surface of the photosensitive array and orthogonal to the
rows. However it should be appreciated that other arrangements are
possible.
[0095] As explained herein above, light from a scanner may be
projected in a line pattern to collect 3D coordinates over a line.
Alternatively, light from a scanner may be projected to cover an
area, thereby obtaining 3D coordinates over an area on an object
surface. In an embodiment, the projector 508 in FIGS. 10-11 is an
area projector rather than a line projector. An explanation of
triangulation principles for the case of area projection is now
given with reference to the system 2560 of FIG. 13A and the system
4760 of FIG. 13B. Referring first to FIG. 13A, the system 2560
includes a projector 2562 and a camera 2564. The projector 2562
includes a source pattern of light 2570 lying on a source plane and
a projector lens 2572. The projector lens may include several lens
elements. The projector lens has a lens perspective center 2575 and
a projector optical axis 2576. The ray of light 2573 travels from a
point 2571 on the source pattern of light through the lens
perspective center onto the object 2590, which it intercepts at a
point 2574.
[0096] The camera 2564 includes a camera lens 2582 and a
photosensitive array 2580. The camera lens 2582 has a lens
perspective center 2585 and an optical axis 2586. A ray of light
2583 travels from the object point 2574 through the camera
perspective center 2585 and intercepts the photosensitive array
2580 at point 2581.
[0097] The line segment that connects the perspective centers is
the baseline 2588 in FIG. 13A and the baseline 4788 in FIG. 13B.
The length of the baseline is called the baseline length (2592,
4792). The angle between the projector optical axis and the
baseline is the baseline projector angle (2594, 4794). The angle
between the camera optical axis (2583, 4786) and the baseline is
the baseline camera angle (2596, 4796). If a point on the source
pattern of light (2570, 4771) is known to correspond to a point on
the photosensitive array (2581, 4781), then it is possible using
the baseline length, baseline projector angle, and baseline camera
angle to determine the sides of the triangle connecting the points
2585, 2574, and 2575, and hence determine the surface coordinates
of points on the surface of object 2590 relative to the frame of
reference of the measurement system 2560. To do this, the angles of
the sides of the small triangle between the projector lens 2572 and
the source pattern of light 2570 are found using the known distance
between the lens 2572 and plane 2570 and the distance between the
point 2571 and the intersection of the optical axis 2576 with the
plane 2570. These small angles are added or subtracted from the
larger angles 2596 and 2594 as appropriate to obtain the desired
angles of the triangle. It will be clear to one of ordinary skill
in the art that equivalent mathematical methods can be used to find
the lengths of the sides of the triangle 2574-2585-2575 or that
other related triangles may be used to obtain the desired
coordinates of the surface of object 2590.
[0098] Referring first to FIG. 13B, the system 4760 is similar to
the system 2560 of FIG. 13A except that the system 4760 does not
include a lens. The system may include a projector 4762 and a
camera 4764. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13B, the
projector includes a light source 4778 and a light modulator 4770.
The light source 4778 may be a laser light source since such a
light source may remain in focus for a long distance using the
geometry of FIG. 13B. A ray of light 4773 from the light source
4778 strikes the optical modulator 4770 at a point 4771. Other rays
of light from the light source 4778 strike the optical modulator at
other positions on the modulator surface. In an embodiment, the
optical modulator 4770 changes the power of the emitted light, in
most cases by decreasing the optical power to a degree. In this
way, the optical modulator imparts an optical pattern to the light,
referred to here as the source pattern of light, which is at the
surface of the optical modulator 4770. The optical modulator 4770
may be a DLP or LCOS device for example. In some embodiments, the
modulator 4770 is transmissive rather than reflective. The light
emerging from the optical modulator 4770 appears to emerge from a
virtual light perspective center 4775. The ray of light appears to
emerge from the virtual light perspective center 4775, pass through
the point 4771, and travel to the point 4774 at the surface of
object 4790.
[0099] The baseline is the line segment extending from the camera
lens perspective center 4785 to the virtual light perspective
center 4775. In general, the method of triangulation involves
finding the lengths of the sides of a triangle, for example, the
triangle having the vertex points 4774, 4785, and 4775. One method
for doing this is to find the length of the baseline, the angle
between the baseline and the camera optical axis 4786, and the
angle between the baseline and the projector reference axis 4776.
To find the desired angle, additional smaller angles are found. For
example, the small angle between the camera optical axis 4786 and
the ray 4783 can be found by solving for the angle of the small
triangle between the camera lens 4782 and the photosensitive array
4780 based on the distance from the lens to the photosensitive
array and the distance of the pixel from the camera optical axis.
The angle of the small triangle is then added to the angle between
the baseline and the camera optical axis to find the desired angle.
Similarly for the projector, the angle between the projector
reference axis 4776 and the ray 4773 is found can be found by
solving for the angle of the small triangle between these two lines
based on the known distance of the light source 4777 and the
surface of the optical modulation and the distance of the projector
pixel at 4771 from the intersection of the reference axis 4776 with
the surface of the optical modulator 4770. This angle is subtracted
from the angle between the baseline and the projector reference
axis to get the desired angle.
[0100] The camera 4764 includes a camera lens 4782 and a
photosensitive array 4780. The camera lens 4782 has a camera lens
perspective center 4785 and a camera optical axis 4786. The camera
optical axis is an example of a camera reference axis. From a
mathematical point of view, any axis that passes through the camera
lens perspective center may equally easily be used in the
triangulation calculations, but the camera optical axis, which is
an axis of symmetry for the lens, is customarily selected. A ray of
light 4783 travels from the object point 4774 through the camera
perspective center 4785 and intercepts the photosensitive array
4780 at point 4781. Other equivalent mathematical methods may be
used to solve for the lengths of the sides of a triangle
4774-4785-4775, as will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
[0101] Although the triangulation methods are known to those
skilled in the art, some additional technical information is given
herein below for completeness. Each lens system has an entrance
pupil and an exit pupil. The entrance pupil is the point from which
the light appears to emerge, when considered from the point of view
of first-order optics. The exit pupil is the point from which light
appears to emerge in traveling from the lens system to the
photosensitive array. For a multi-element lens system, the entrance
pupil and exit pupil do not necessarily coincide, and the angles of
rays with respect to the entrance pupil and exit pupil are not
necessarily the same. However, the model can be simplified by
considering the perspective center to be the entrance pupil of the
lens and then adjusting the distance from the lens to the source or
image plane so that rays continue to travel along straight lines to
intercept the source or image plane. In this way, the simple model
shown in FIG. 13A is obtained. It should be understood that this
description provides a good first order approximation of the
behavior of the light but that additional fine corrections can be
made to account for lens aberrations that can cause the rays to be
slightly displaced relative to positions calculated using the model
of FIG. 13A. Although the baseline length, the baseline projector
angle, and the baseline camera angle are generally used, it does
not exclude the possibility that other similar but slightly
different formulations of the model may be applied without loss of
generality in the description given herein.
[0102] In some cases, a scanner system may include two cameras in
addition to a projector. In other cases, a triangulation system may
be constructed using two cameras alone, wherein the cameras are
configured to image points of light on an object or in an
environment. For the case in which two cameras are used, whether
with or without a projector, a triangulation may be performed
between the camera images using a baseline between the two cameras.
In this case, the triangulation may be understood with reference to
FIG. 13A, with the projector 2562 replaced by a camera.
[0103] In some cases, different types of scan patterns may be
advantageously combined to obtain better performance in less time.
For example, in an embodiment, a fast measurement method uses a
two-dimensional coded pattern in which three-dimensional coordinate
data may be obtained in a single shot. In a method using coded
patterns, different characters, different shapes, different
thicknesses or sizes, or different colors, for example, may be used
to provide distinctive elements, also known as coded elements or
coded features. Such features may be used to enable the matching of
the point 2571 to the point 2581. A coded feature on the source
pattern of light 2570 may be identified on the photosensitive array
2580.
[0104] An advantage of using coded patterns is that
three-dimensional coordinates for object surface points can be
quickly obtained using a single image of an area. However, a
sequential structured light approach, such as the sinusoidal
phase-shift approach discussed above, may give more accurate
results. Therefore, the user may advantageously choose to measure
certain objects or certain object areas or features using different
projection methods according to the accuracy desired. By using a
selectable source pattern of light, such a selection may be changed
as desired by the operator to provide the desired result.
[0105] A line emitted by a laser line scanner intersects an object
in a linear projection. The illuminated shape traced on the object
is two dimensional. In contrast, a projector that projects a
two-dimensional pattern of light creates an illuminated shape on
the object that is three dimensional. One way to make the
distinction between the laser line scanner and the structured light
scanner is to define the structured light scanner as a type of
scanner that contains at least three non-collinear pattern
elements. For the case of a two-dimensional coded pattern of light,
the three non-collinear pattern elements are recognizable because
of their codes, and since they are projected in two dimensions, the
at least three pattern elements must be non-collinear. For the case
of the periodic pattern, such as the sinusoidally repeating
pattern, each sinusoidal period represents a plurality of pattern
elements. Since there is a multiplicity of periodic patterns in two
dimensions, the pattern elements must be non-collinear. In
contrast, for the case of the laser line scanner that emits a line
of light, all of the pattern elements lie on a straight line.
Although the line has width, and the tail of the line cross section
may have less optical power than the peak of the signal, these
aspects of the line are not evaluated separately in finding surface
coordinates of an object and therefore do not represent separate
pattern elements. Although the line may contain multiple pattern
elements, these pattern elements are collinear.
[0106] It should be noted that although the descriptions given
above distinguish between line scanners and area (structured light)
scanners based on whether three or more pattern elements are
collinear, it should be noted that the intent of this criterion is
to distinguish patterns projected as areas and as lines.
Consequently patterns projected in a linear fashion having
information only along a single path are still line patterns even
though the one-dimensional pattern may be curved.
[0107] As explained herein above, an LLP or area scanner may be
used with an AACMM to obtain the position and orientation of the
LLP or area scanner. Another method of measuring with an LLP is to
remove the LLP from the AACMM and hold it by hand. The position and
orientation of the LLP or area scanner relative to an object may be
determined by registering multiple scans together based on commonly
observed features.
[0108] It is also known to use scanner 2500, which might be a line
scanner or area scanner, with a six-DOF (degree-of-freedom) laser
tracker 900 as shown in FIG. 14A. The scanner 2505 includes a
projector 2520 that in an embodiment projects a two dimensional
pattern of light (structured light). Such light emerges from the
projector lens perspective center and travels in an expanding
pattern outward until it intersects the object 2528. Examples of
this type of pattern are the coded pattern and the periodic
pattern, as explained herein above. In another embodiment, the
projector 2520 may project a one-dimensional pattern of light,
thereby performing as an LLP or line scanner.
[0109] An exemplary laser tracker system 4005 illustrated in FIG.
14B includes a laser tracker 4010, a retroreflector target 4026, an
optional auxiliary unit processor 4050, and an optional auxiliary
computer 4060. An exemplary gimbaled beam-steering mechanism 4012
of laser tracker 4010 comprises a zenith carriage 4014 mounted on
an azimuth base 4016 and rotated about an azimuth axis 4020. A
payload 4015 is mounted on the zenith carriage 4014 and rotated
about a zenith axis 4018. Zenith axis 4018 and azimuth axis 4020
intersect orthogonally, internally to tracker 4010, at gimbal point
4022, which is typically the origin for distance measurements. A
laser beam 4046 virtually passes through the gimbal point 4022 and
is pointed orthogonal to zenith axis 4018. In other words, laser
beam 4046 lies in a plane approximately perpendicular to the zenith
axis 4018 and that passes through the azimuth axis 4020. Outgoing
laser beam 4046 is pointed in the desired direction by rotation of
payload 4015 about zenith axis 4018 and by rotation of zenith
carriage 4014 about azimuth axis 4020. A zenith angular encoder,
internal to the tracker, is attached to a zenith mechanical axis
aligned to the zenith axis 4018. An azimuth angular encoder,
internal to the tracker, is attached to an azimuth mechanical axis
aligned to the azimuth axis 4020. The zenith and azimuth angular
encoders measure the zenith and azimuth angles of rotation to
relatively high accuracy. Outgoing laser beam 4046 travels to the
retroreflector target 4026, which might be, for example, a
spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) as described above. By
measuring the radial distance between gimbal point 4022 and
retroreflector 4026, the rotation angle about the zenith axis 4018,
and the rotation angle about the azimuth axis 4020, the position of
retroreflector 4026 is found within the spherical coordinate system
of the tracker.
[0110] Outgoing laser beam 4046 may include one or more laser
wavelengths, as described hereinafter. For the sake of clarity and
simplicity, a steering mechanism of the sort shown in FIG. 14B is
assumed in the following discussion. However, other types of
steering mechanisms are possible. For example, it is possible to
reflect a laser beam off a mirror rotated about the azimuth and
zenith axes. The techniques described herein are applicable,
regardless of the type of steering mechanism.
[0111] Several laser trackers are available or have been proposed
for measuring six, rather than the ordinary three, degrees of
freedom. Exemplary six degree-of-freedom (six-DOF) systems are
described by U.S. Pat. No. 7,800,758 ('758) to Bridges et al., U.S.
Pat. No. 8,525,983 ('983) to Bridges et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,166,809 ('809) to Pettersen et al., and U.S. Patent Application
No. 2010/0149525 ('525) to Lau, the contents all of which are
incorporated by reference. Six-DOF systems provide measurements of
three orientational degrees-of-freedom as well as three positional
degrees-of-freedom (i.e., x, y, z).
[0112] FIG. 14A shows an embodiment of a six-DOF scanner 2500 used
in conjunction with a six-DOF laser tracker 900. The six-DOF laser
tracker 900 sends a beam of light 784 to a retroreflector 2510,
2511 on the six-DOF scanner 2500. The six-DOF tracker 900 measures
the distance from the tracker 900 to scanner 2500 with a distance
meter (not shown) in the tracker, and it measures two angles from
the tracker 900 to the six-DOF scanner 2500 using two angle
transducers such as angular encoders (not shown). The six-DOF
scanner 2500 includes a body 2514, one or more retroreflectors
2510, 2511 a scanner camera 2530, a scanner light projector 2520,
an optional electrical cable 2546, an optional battery 2444, an
antenna 2548, and electronics circuit board 2542. The antenna 2548
if present provides wireless communication between the six-DOF
scanner 2500 and other computing devices such as the laser tracker
900 and external computers. The scanner projector 2520 and the
scanner camera 2530 together are used to measure the three
dimensional coordinates of a workpiece 2528. The camera 2530
includes a camera lens system 2532 and a photosensitive array 2534.
The photosensitive array 2534 may be a CCD or CMOS array, for
example. The scanner projector 2520 includes a projector lens
system 2523 and a source pattern of light 2524. The source pattern
of light may emit a point of light, a line of light, or a
structured (two dimensional) pattern of light. If the scanner light
source emits a point of light, the point may be scanned, for
example, with a moving mirror, to produce a line or an array of
lines. If the scanner light source emits a line of light, the line
may be scanned, for example, with a moving mirror, to produce an
array of lines. In an embodiment, the source pattern of light might
be an LED, laser, or other light source reflected off a digital
micromirror device (DMD) such as a digital light projector (DLP)
from Texas Instruments, an liquid crystal device (LCD) or liquid
crystal on silicon (LCOS) device, or it may be a similar device
used in transmission mode rather than reflection mode. The source
pattern of light might also be a slide pattern, for example, a
chrome-on-glass slide, which might have a single pattern or
multiple patterns, the slides moved in and out of position as
needed. Additional retroreflectors, such as retroreflector 2511,
may be added to the first retroreflector 2510 to enable the laser
tracker to track the six-DOF scanner from a variety of directions,
thereby giving greater flexibility in the directions to which light
may be projected by the six-DOF projector 2500.
[0113] The six-DOF scanner 2500 may be held by hand or mounted, for
example, on a tripod, an instrument stand, a motorized carriage, or
a robot end effector. The three dimensional coordinates of the
workpiece 2528 is measured by the scanner camera 2530 by using the
principles of triangulation. There are several ways that the
triangulation measurement may be implemented, depending on the
pattern of light emitted by the scanner light source 2520 and the
type of photosensitive array 2534. For example, if the pattern of
light emitted by the scanner light source 2520 is a line of light
or a point of light scanned into the shape of a line and if the
photosensitive array 2534 is a two dimensional array, then one
dimension of the two dimensional array 2534 corresponds to a
direction of a point 2526 on the surface of the workpiece 2528. The
other dimension of the two dimensional array 2534 corresponds to
the distance of the point 2526 from the scanner light source 2520.
Hence the three dimensional coordinates of each point 2526 along
the line of light emitted by scanner light source 2520 is known
relative to the local frame of reference of the six-DOF scanner
2500. The six degrees of freedom of the six-DOF scanner are known
by the six-DOF laser tracker using the methods described in patent
'758. From the six degrees of freedom, the three dimensional
coordinates of the scanned line of light may be found in the
tracker frame of reference, which in turn may be converted into the
frame of reference of the workpiece 2528 through the measurement by
the laser tracker of three points on the workpiece, for
example.
[0114] If the six-DOF scanner 2500 is held by hand, a line of laser
light emitted by the scanner light source 2520 may be moved in such
a way as to "paint" the surface of the workpiece 2528, thereby
obtaining the three dimensional coordinates for the entire surface.
It is also possible to "paint" the surface of a workpiece using a
scanner light source 2520 that emits a structured pattern of light.
In an embodiment, when using a scanner 2500 that emits a structured
pattern of light, more accurate measurements may be made by
mounting the six-DOF scanner on a tripod or instrument stand. The
structured light pattern emitted by the scanner light source 2520
might, for example, include a pattern of fringes, each fringe
having an irradiance that varies sinusoidally over the surface of
the workpiece 2528. In an embodiment, the sinusoids are shifted by
three or more phase values. The amplitude level recorded by each
pixel of the camera 2530 for each of the three or more phase values
is used to provide the position of each pixel on the sinusoid. This
information is used to help determine the three dimensional
coordinates of each point 2526. In another embodiment, the
structured light may be in the form of a coded pattern that may be
evaluated to determine three-dimensional coordinates based on
single, rather than multiple, image frames collected by the camera
2530. Use of a coded pattern may enable relatively accurate
measurements while the six-DOF scanner 2500 is moved by hand at a
reasonable speed.
[0115] In some cases, it is advantageous to measure the features
such as edges or holes using an optional tactile probe 2550
attached to the six-DOF scanner 2500. The tactile probe 2550 in
FIG. 14A includes such as a probe tip 2554, which is part of a
probe extension assembly 2550. In an embodiment, the projector 2520
sends a laser beam to illuminate the region to be measured.
[0116] As explained herein above, the laser tracker 900 measures a
distance and two angles to determine three positional
degrees-of-freedom (x, y, z) of the six-DOF scanner 2500. There are
many possible methods of determining the three orientational
degrees-of-freedom of the six-DOF scanner 2500. These methods are
described in more detail herein below.
[0117] As explained herein above, a measurement device such as a
tactile probe, LLP, or area scanner may be attached to an AACMM.
Alternatively, the measurement device may be held by hand with
registration provided by matching of registration targets or by
measuring of a six-DOF target with a laser tracker. In another
alternative, illuminated markers are attached to a measurement
device, which might for example be a tactile probe, line scanner,
or area scanner. The illuminated markers are measured with a camera
bar having two or more cameras. With this method, the position and
orientation of the measurement device can be found within a desired
frame of reference.
[0118] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a three-dimensional
tactile probing system 5100 that includes a camera bar 5110 and a
probe assembly 5140. The camera bar includes a mounting structure
5112 and at least two triangulation cameras 5120, 5124. It may also
include an optional camera 5122. The cameras each include a lens
and a photosensitive array, for example, as shown in the lens 2564
of FIG. 13A. The optional camera 5122 may be similar to the cameras
5120, 5124 or it may be a color camera. The probe assembly 5140
includes a housing 5142, a collection of lights 5144, optional
pedestals 5146, shaft 5148, stylus 5150, and probe tip 5152. The
position of the lights 5144 are known relative to the probe tip
5152. The lights may be light sources such as light emitting diodes
or they might be reflective spots that may be illuminated by an
external source of light. Factory or on-site compensation
procedures may be used to find these positions. The shaft may be
used to provide a handle for the operator, or another handle may be
provided.
[0119] Triangulation of the image data collected by the cameras
5120, 5124 of the camera bar 5110 are used to find the
three-dimensional coordinates of each point of light 5144 within
the frame of reference of the camera bar. Throughout this document,
and in the claims, the term "frame of reference" is taken to be
synonymous with the term "coordinate system." Mathematical
calculations, which are well known in the art, are used to find the
position of the probe tip within the frame of reference of the
camera bar. By bringing the probe tip 5152 into contact with an
object 5160, surface points on the object can be measured.
[0120] An electrical system 5101 may include an electrical circuit
board 5102 and an external computer 5104. The external computer
5104 may comprise a network of computers. The electrical system
5101 may include wired and wireless portions, either internal or
external to the components of FIG. 15A that carry out the
measurements and calculations required to obtain three-dimensional
coordinates of points on the surface. In general, the electrical
system 5101 will include one or more processors, which may be
computers, microprocessors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
or digital signal processing (DSP) units, for example.
[0121] FIG. 15B is a perspective view of a three-dimensional area
scanning system 5200 that includes a camera bar 5110 and a scanner
assembly 5240. The camera bar was described herein above in
reference to FIG. 15A. The scanner assembly 5240 includes a housing
5142, a collection of lights 5144, optional pedestals 5146, shaft
5148, projector 5252, and camera 5254. The characteristics of the
housing 5142, lights 5144, optional pedestals 5146, and shaft 5148
were described hereinabove in reference to FIG. 15A. The projector
5252 projects light onto the object 5160. The projector 5252 may be
a variety of types, for example, LED, laser, or other light source
reflected off a digital micromirror device (DMD) such as a digital
light projector (DLP) from Texas Instruments, a liquid crystal
device (LCD) or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device. The
projected light might come from light sent through a slide pattern,
for example, a chrome-on-glass slide, which might have a single
pattern or multiple patterns, the slides moved in and out of
position as needed. The projector 5252 projects light 5262 into an
area 5266 on the object 5160. A portion of the illuminated area
5266 is imaged by the camera 5254 to obtain digital data.
[0122] The digital data may be partially processed using electrical
circuitry within the scanner assembly 5240. The partially processed
data may be provided to a system 5201 that includes an electrical
circuit board 5202 and an external computer 5204. It should be
appreciated that the external computer 5204 may comprise a network
of computers. The electrical system 5201 may include wired and
wireless portions, either internal or external to the components of
FIG. 15B, that carry out the measurements and calculations required
to obtain three-dimensional coordinates of points on the surface
5160. In general, the system 5201 may include one or more
processors, which may be computers, microprocessors, field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or digital signal processing
(DSP) units, for example. The result of the calculations is a set
of coordinates in the camera bar frame of reference, which may in
turn be converted into another frame of reference, if desired.
[0123] FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a three-dimensional line
scanning system 5300 that includes a camera bar 5110 and a scanner
assembly 5340. The camera bar was described hereinabove in
reference to FIG. 15A. The scanner assembly 5340 includes a housing
5142, a collection of lights 5144, optional pedestals 5146, shaft
5148, projector 5352, and camera 5354. The characteristics of the
housing 5142, lights 5144, optional pedestals 5146, and shaft 5148
were described hereinabove in reference to FIG. 15A. The projector
5352 projects light onto the object 5160. The projector 5352 may be
a source of light that produces a stripe of light, for example, a
laser that is sent through a cylinder lens or a Powell lens, or it
may be a DLP or similar device also having the ability to project
2D patterns, as discussed hereinabove in reference to FIG. 15B. The
projector 5352 projects light 5362 in a stripe 5366 onto the object
5160. A portion of the stripe pattern on the object is imaged by
the camera 5354 to obtain digital data. The digital data may be
processed in a manner similar to that described in reference to
FIG. 15B using for example electrical components 5201. The result
of the calculations is a set of three-dimensional coordinates of
the object surface in the camera-bar frame of reference, which may
in turn be converted into another frame of reference, if
desired.
[0124] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a 3D measuring device 1700
configured for attachment to an articulated arm CMM 100 through a
mechanical and electrical interface 426, which in this case
includes the connector 426A. Electrical signals are passed between
the 3D measuring device 1700 and any device attached to the
electrical connector 434. For example, the attachment may be to an
articulated arm CMM through the connector 426C, or it may be to a
different connector when the 3D measuring device 1700 is used in a
handheld mode or a production line mode.
[0125] In an embodiment, the scanner 507 includes a projector 510
and a camera 508. The projector may projector a point of light, a
line of light, or a pattern of light that covers an area. The
principles of operation of a line scanner and an area scanner are
discussed herein above. In some cases, two or more cameras may be
used with either type of scanner. In an embodiment, the projector
may include a digital micromirror device (DMD) capable of
projecting any type of pattern. For example, a DMD can project any
desired structured pattern of light over an area. It may project a
line of light at any angle, and it may sweep the line of light. The
DMD may alternatively sweep a spot of light. Sweeping a line or a
spot of light is a useful technique for eliminating multipath
interference, which such interference is observed to have occurred
or is expected to have occurred based on geometry of the object
being scanned.
[0126] In an embodiment, the cameras 1750A, 1750B form a stereo
camera pair. In an embodiment, the cameras 1750A, 1750B determine
3D coordinates of targets within a frame of reference of the 3D
measuring device 1700. In an embodiment, the cameras 1752A, 1752B
determine the 3D coordinates of reflective targets within a
field-of-view (FOV) of the cameras 1750A, 1750B. The targets may be
located on or proximate an object under test. In an embodiment, the
reflective targets are illuminated by light from light sources
1752A, 1752B. In an embodiment, the light sources 1752A, 1752B are
light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In another embodiment, the cameras
1752A, 1752B determine the 3D coordinates of light sources such as
LEDs on or proximate an object under test. In another embodiment,
the cameras 1752A, 1752B determine the 3D coordinates of light
marks, such as spots of light, projected onto the object by an
external projector fixed with respect to the object.
[0127] In an embodiment, the light sources 1752A, 1752B are
configured to project at a wavelength different than to which the
scanner camera 508 is most sensitive. For example, the camera 508
may be configured to respond to blue light at 450 nm, with the
optics coated to block light outside a band of blue wavelengths. In
this case, the light sources 1752A, 1752B may be configured to emit
a different wavelength, for example, a near infrared wavelength of
800 nm. In this case, the cameras 1750A, 1750B may be coated to
eliminate light from the blue wavelengths emitted by the scanner
projector. This arrangement of wavelengths may be useful if the
scanner 507 operates synchronously with the stereo camera pair
1750A, 1750B. In other cases, the cameras 1750A, 1750B may be
configured to respond to the wavelengths emitted by the projector
510. This might be useful, for example, to enable the stereo camera
pair to independently determine the 3D coordinates of a line or
pattern of light emitted by the projector 510.
[0128] In an embodiment, the 3D coordinates of widely distributed
markers on or proximate an object are determined in a global frame
of reference using a photogrammetry. In an embodiment, the
photogrammetry system includes a camera and a calibrated scale bar,
with the camera used to measure the markers and the calibrated
scale bar in a plurality of digital 2D images. By processing the
multiple 2D images, the 3D coordinates of the collection of markers
may be determined in a common (global) frame of reference. Such a
method may be useful when measuring a large object, especially when
using relatively few markers.
[0129] In another embodiment, a single camera 1750A or 1750B is
used to captures 2D images of markers. If the camera 1750A or 1750B
has a relatively wide FOV, the markers in the plurality of captured
images may provide continuity to the scanner system in registering
the plurality of 3D scanner coordinates collected in successive
frames.
[0130] In an embodiment, the 3D measuring device 1700 further
includes a color camera 1760. The colors captured by the color
camera 1760 may be used to add color to a 3D image captured by the
scanner 507. Such coloration is sometimes referred to as adding
texture to a 3D image because it may reveal such aspects of surface
roughness, surface reflectance properties (such as shininess or
transparency), and shadows. Optionally, light sources 1762 may be
used to increase the light applied to an object or to apply
particular wavelengths of light. For example, infrared light may be
projected from the lights 1762 to enable a map of object
temperature to be overlaid on the captured 3D image. In other
embodiments, the lights 1762 may project over a broad spectrum to
provide a more desirable lighting than would be provided by
artificial light such as that provided by fluorescent lights, which
may produce a green hue.
[0131] In an embodiment, power is provided to the 3D measuring
device 1700 by a battery 1710, which may be located in the
camera/scanner portion of the assembly 1700, in the handle 504,
beneath the handle, or attached as a separate assembly. In an
embodiment, the battery is conveniently removed and replaced. In an
embodiment, the 3D measuring assembly 1700 may be removed from the
AACMM 100 without first turning off the power of either the AACMM
100 or the 3D measuring assembly 1700.
[0132] In an embodiment, a wireless communication system 1730
includes an antenna and wireless electronics, which might for
example be based on IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) or
IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth). In an embodiment, the 3D measuring device
1700 includes a processor 1720 capable of performing calculations
such as image capture, triangulation, and registration of multiple
3D images. In an embodiment, the processor further includes a
real-time bus, which might be EtherCAT, SERCOS III, PROFINET,
POWERLINK, or EtherNet/IP, for example.
[0133] In an embodiment, the 3D measuring assembly 1700 includes a
display 1740. In an embodiment, the display is a touch-screen
display. In an embodiment, the display 1740 shows the results of 3D
measurements as the measurement proceeds. In an embodiment, the
display further includes a user interface that offers the user
choices in how the measurement is performed or data is processed or
transferred.
[0134] FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C show perspective, top, and sectional
views of a connector assembly 426B according to an embodiment. The
connector assembly 426B couples to the connector assembly 426A
shown in FIGS. 10C, 11A, 11B, 16. The connector 426A is further
configured to couple to a connector assembly 426C of the AACMM 100.
In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10C and FIG. 5, an end probe
401 is coupled to a connector assembly 426C to a connector assembly
426A by the tightening of a collar 438, as explained herein above.
In an embodiment, the connector assembly 426B is designed to attach
directly to a connector 426A on a handheld device such as the
scanner 500 or a 3D measuring device 1700.
[0135] In an embodiment, the connector assembly 426B includes a
body 3710, a 3710, an electrical connector 3720, a front lip 3732,
a rear lip 3734, and a locking assembly 3740. In an embodiment, the
locking assembly 3740 includes a rotating handle 3742, a handle pin
3743, a rotating plate 3744, a curved CAM slot 3746, and a
translator pin 3748. In an embodiment, the translator pin 3748 is
fixed relative to the lip 3734 and is further located along a
center line of the handle pin 3743. As the handle is rotated in a
direction 3750, there is a decrease in the distance from the handle
pin 3743 to the curved CAM slot 3746 at the position of the
translator pin 3748. The handle pin 3743 remains fixed relative to
the body 3710 because the rotating plate 3744 is constrained to
rotate within a cylinder cut into the body 3710. Hence, as the
handle 3742 is rotated in a direction 3750, the translator pin 3748
and the lip 3734 are moved toward the back of the connector
assembly 426B, in the direction of the handle pin 3743.
[0136] With the handle 3742 rotated in the direction 3750, the
front lip 3732 is slid underneath the lip 444 shown in FIGS. 11A,
11B. The electrical connectors 3720 and 434 are pressed together,
and the handle 3742 is moved in the 3742 is moved in the direction
3752 to lock the rear lip 3734 to the lip 454. In this manner, an
accessory unit having a connector 426B may be quickly and securely
locked to a connector 426A of a dimensional measuring device. Many
other types of interlocking connector assemblies are possible and
may be used in the embodiments described herein.
[0137] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D show a scanner 500 configured
for attachment to a camera assembly 1850 through a mechanical and
electrical interface 426, which in this case includes the
connectors 426A and 426B. The connector may 426B differ from the
connector 426C in FIG. 10C, as described herein above, but both
connectors (such as 426B, 426C) are compatible with the connector
426A. Electrical signals are passed between the scanner 500 and the
camera assembly 1850 through an electrical connector 434. The
electrical interface 426 includes two parts, a first part 426A,
which in this case is a scanner connector 426A, and a second part
426B, which in this case is a camera assembly connector 426B. The
first part and the second part couple together to hold the scanner
500 is fixed position and orientation relative to the camera
assembly 1350.
[0138] In an embodiment, the camera assembly 1850 includes at least
one camera. In another embodiment, the camera assembly 1850
includes two cameras 1853A, 1853B. The camera 1853A includes a lens
assembly 1854A and an electronics housing 1856A that includes a
photosensitive array (not shown). The camera 1853B includes a lens
assembly 1854B and an electronics housing 1856B that includes a
photosensitive array, together with support electronics, which may
include a processor 1885. In an embodiment, the processor 1885 may
process 2D image data obtained from the photosensitive array, and
the processor 1885 may further cooperate with a controller 512
within the scanner 500 to register the multiple sets of 3D
coordinates provided ty scanner 500. In an embodiment, the cameras
1853A, 1853B have fields-of-view (FOVs) that partially overlap,
thereby providing stereo imaging. Such imaging enables
determination of 3D coordinates of targets using triangulation
methods as described herein above. In some embodiments, the cameras
together provide a FOV larger than the camera 508. In other
embodiments, the cameras together provide a smaller FOV than the
camera 508. In some embodiments, a single wide FOV camera is
provided on the assembly 1850. In other cases, several wide FOV,
but non-overlapping, cameras are provided on the camera assembly
1850. In an embodiment, computing actions may further be provided
by a processor 1886.
[0139] In an embodiment, power is provided to the scanner 500 and
camera assembly 1850 by a battery 1882 (FIG. 18C), which may be
located in the camera assembly, in the scanner assembly, attached
beneath the handle, or attached as a separate assembly. In an
embodiment, the battery is rechargeable. In an embodiment, the
battery is conveniently removed and replaced. In an embodiment, the
battery may be hot-swapped, that is, removed while the unit is
operational.
[0140] In an embodiment, a wireless system 1884 that includes an
antenna communicates with devices external to the scanner 500 and
camera assembly 1850. In an embodiment, the wireless system 1884
exchanges data with a computer network. The wireless system 1884 if
present may be located in the camera assembly 1850, the scanner
500, external to these components, or in a combination of these
components.
[0141] In an embodiment, the camera assembly 1850 (FIGS. 18B, 18C)
further includes a display 1883. In an embodiment, the display
includes a touchscreen. In an embodiment, the display may show
results of measurements in real time, display messages, or enable
interface by a user through the touchscreen.
[0142] Referring now to FIGS. 18C, 18D, in an embodiment, the
combined scanner 500 and camera assembly 1850 may include an
electrical connector assembly 1890 having a connector 1892,
protective cap 1894, and tether 1896. In an embodiment, the
connector 1892 connects to a cable 1897 that attaches to an
electronics unit 1898 having a power supply 1872 and a processor
1874. In an embodiment, the electronics unit 1898 may connect to
other components through an electrical cable 1899. In an
embodiment, the electrical cable 1899 is an industrial real-time
bus connected to and synchronized with other devices in an
industrial automation network. In an embodiment, electronics in the
electronics unit 1899 includes electronics to provide a time-stamp
according to IEEE 1588. In an embodiment, the electrical line 1899
is a real-time bus, which might be EtherCAT, SERCOS III, PROFINET,
POWERLINK, or EtherNet/IP, for example. Such a real-time bus may
attach to dozens or hundreds of other devices in an automation
network.
[0143] In an embodiment where the scanner 500 is an LLP, then the
3D coordinates are projected on a line, which is to say that the 3D
coordinates are found in the line of light sent from the projector
510 onto an object. In an embodiment where the scanner 500 is an
area scanner, then the 3D coordinates are projected in a 2D area on
the surface of the object. If the scanner 500 is removed from the
AACMM 100 and moved by hand to determine 3D coordinates of an
object surface, it is desirable to register the multiple
collections of 3D coordinates obtained from individual scans by the
scanner 500. In the case of an LLP scanner 500, the individual
scans to be registered are line scans. In the case of an area
scanner 500, the individual scans to be registered are area
scans.
[0144] It is known from prior art to attach an LLP or an area
scanner to an AACMM, as shown for example in FIG. 10B. In the case
of an area scanner, it is also known to use the area scanner in a
handheld mode after removing the scanner from the AACMM, as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,832,954 ('954) to Atwell et al., the
contents of which are incorporated by reference. Multiple scans
obtained from the handheld area scanner are registered together
using features of the scanned object, where the features are
obtained from the 3D coordinates obtained using methods of
triangulation described herein above with reference to FIGS. 13A
and 13B. It is not generally possible to use an LLP in a handheld
mode, on its own, after removing the LLP from the AACMM because
individual LLP scans, each along a single plane, do not provide
feature information in two dimensions on which to obtain
registration based on features.
[0145] In an embodiment, the projector of a scanner may include a
digital micromirror device (DMD) capable of projecting any type of
pattern. For example, a DMD can project any desired structured
pattern of light over an area. It may project a line of light at
any angle, and it may sweep the line of light. The DMD may
alternatively sweep a spot of light. Sweeping a line or a spot of
light is a useful technique for eliminating multipath interference,
which such interference is observed to have occurred or is expected
to have occurred based on geometry of the object being scanned.
[0146] Methods are now described for using the camera assembly 1350
in combination with the scanner 500 to register multiple scans
obtained by the scanner 500, thereby enabling scans to be taken in
a handheld mode, with an operator holding the scanner 500 by the
handle 504 and moving the scanner 500 over the surface of an object
to be measured.
[0147] For all of the methods described herein below, a preliminary
step is to obtain a common frame of reference for the scanner 500
and camera assembly 1850. Such a preliminary step may be carried
out at the manufacturer's factory or by the operator by performing
predetermined procedures. The common frame of reference can be
obtained, for example, by viewing common features with the scanner
500 and camera assembly 1850, and then performing a least-squares
optimization procedure to match the observed features. Such methods
are known in the art and are not discussed further.
[0148] FIG. 18E illustrates a first method for using the cameras
1853A, 1853B to register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from line
scans taken by an LLP scanner 500, wherein the registration is
based on the matching of natural features. In a first instance, a
first line of light 1810 is projected by the projector 510 onto an
object 1801. In some regions, the object 1801 may include some fine
details, as in the features 1802 and 1803, and in other regions,
the object 1801 may include large regions 1804 that have few
features. The first line of light 1810 is viewed by the 2D image
sensor (e.g., photosensitive array) of the camera 508 in a region
1815 of the object imaged by the camera 508. As explained herein
above with reference to FIG. 12, the appearance of the first line
of light 1810 on the 2D image sensor of the camera 508 provides the
information needed for a processor in the system to determine the
3D coordinates of the first line of light on the object 1801, where
the 3D coordinates are given in the frame of reference of the
scanner 500.
[0149] In a second instance, a second line of light 1812 is
projected by the projector 510 onto the object 1801. The appearance
of the second line of light 1812 on the 2D image sensor of the
camera 508 provides the information for the processor in the
scanner 500 to determine the 3D coordinates of the second line of
light, again in the frame of reference of the scanner 500. It is
desired to register scans in the first instance and the second
instance so that the 3D coordinates of the first line of light and
the second line of light are put into a common frame of
reference.
[0150] In a first method of registration natural features of the
object are used. The cameras 1853A, 1853B image a region 1820 of
the object. In the illustrated example, features 1806, 1807, and
1808 are imaged by the cameras 1853A, 1853B. Using triangulation, a
processor in the system use the images of the cameras 1853A, 1853B
find the 3D coordinates of these detailed features in the frame of
reference of the scanner 500. As explained herein above, such
triangulation requires a baseline distance between the camera 1853A
and 1853B and the relative orientation of these cameras relative to
the baseline. Because the 3D coordinates of the features captured
by the cameras 1853A, 1853B cover an area of the object 1801,
rather than just a line, it may be possible to match the features
in 2D, thereby determining the coordinate transformation to place
the first line of light 1810 and the second line of light 1812 in
the same frame of reference. Some natural features such as the
point of intersection of three planes 1809 in FIG. 18E have an
unambiguous position in 3D space. Such features may be matched in
multiple camera images and hence are particularly useful in
registering images based on natural targets.
[0151] FIG. 18F illustrates a second method for using the cameras
1853A, 1853B to register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from line
scans taken by an LLP scanner 500, wherein the registration is
based on the matching of physical targets rather than natural
targets. FIG. 18F is the same as FIG. 18E except that FIG. 18F
further includes markers 1832 on the object 1801 and/or markers
1834 in the vicinity of the object but not on the object. In an
embodiment, the targets are reflective targets, for example, white
circular targets sometimes referred to as photogrammetry targets.
In an embodiment, such targets are illuminated by light sources
1858A, 1858B shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. In other embodiments, the
targets 1832, 1834 are illuminated by ambient light sources or by
other light sources separate from the camera assembly 1350. In an
embodiment, the targets 1832, 1834 are themselves light sources,
for example, LEDs. In an embodiment, the targets 1832, 1834 are a
combination of photogrammetry targets and LEDs.
[0152] In a first instance, the projector 510 projects a first line
of light 1810 onto the object 1801. In a second instance, the
projector 510 projects a second line of light 1812 onto the object
1801. In an embodiment, in each of the first and second instances,
the cameras 1853A, 1853B each image three common non-collinear
targets, which might be 1832, 1834. These three points enable a
processor in the system to place the 3D coordinates obtained from
the first and second lines of light in a common frame of reference.
This registration procedure is carried out repeatedly as the
handheld scanner 500 is moved across the object 1801, thereby
enabling the processor to determine 3D coordinates of the surface
of the object 1801. In another embodiment, image information
provided by physical targets is combined with image information
provided by natural targets to register together 3D coordinates
from line scans to obtain 3D coordinates over the surface of the
object 1801.
[0153] FIG. 18G illustrates a third method for using the cameras
1853A, 1853B to register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from line
scans taken by an LLP scanner 500, wherein the registration is
based on the matching of projected spots of light rather than
physical targets or natural targets. An external projector 1840
separate from the scanner 500 and camera assembly 1350 projects
spots of light 1832 onto the object and/or spots of light 1834 off
the object but in the vicinity of the object. The cameras 1853A,
1853B image these spots of light in the same way they imaged the
physical targets in FIG. 18F, and the processor determines 3D
coordinates of the object surface in the same manner in each
case.
[0154] FIG. 18H illustrates a first method for using the cameras
1853A, 1853B to register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from area
scans taken by an area scanner 500, wherein the registration is
based on the matching of natural features. In a first instance, a
first area of light 1810B is projected by the projector 510 onto an
object 1801. The portion of the first area of light 1810B is viewed
by the 2D image sensor (e.g., photosensitive array) of the camera
508 in a region 1815 of the object imaged by the camera 508. The
overlap of the projected region of light 1810B and the imaged
region 1815 is an overlap region 1817. In this overlap region 1817,
a processor may determine 3D coordinates of the surface of the
object 1801. These 3D coordinates are found in the frame of
reference of the scanner 500.
[0155] In a second instance, a second area of light 1812B and the
area imaged by the cameras 1853A, 1853B are offset from (as
illustrated to the right of) the first area of light by the
projector 510 onto the object 1801, thereby producing a second
overlap region 1817B to the adjacent and offset from the first
overlap region 1817. In some cases, there are enough common natural
feature details within the first and second overlap regions to
enable registration of the 3D coordinates in the frame of reference
of the scanner 500 in the first and second instances to be put into
a common frame of reference. However, if the object 1801 has
relatively few features in the overlap regions 1817 and 1817B,
register the first and second area scans based on scan data may not
provide desired accuracy.
[0156] In an embodiment, the cameras 1853A, 1853B have a wider FOV
than the camera 510, thereby enabling additional features such as
1806, 1807, and 1808 to improve the registration by matching of the
3D features as discussed herein above using the methods described
with respect to FIGS. 18E, 18F, and 18G. If an object 1801 lacks
distinct features, as in the region 1804, the registered 3D images
may end up warping (e.g. curving in three-dimensional space). For
example, the flat surface in the region 1804 may end up looking
like a saddle. This effect is sometimes colloquially referred to as
the "potato chip" or "potato crisp" effect.
[0157] For scanned regions with few features, registration can be
improved by providing targets on or off the object 1801. FIG. 18J
illustrates a second method for using the cameras 1853A, 1853B to
register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from area scans taken by
an area scanner 500, wherein the registration is based on the
matching of physical targets rather than natural targets. FIG. 18J
is the same as FIG. 18H except that FIG. 18J further includes
markers 1832 on the object 1801 and/or markers 1834 in the vicinity
of the object but not on the object. By using the method described
with reference to FIG. 18F, improved registration of the 3D
coordinates obtained from the successive area scans may in many
cases be obtained.
[0158] FIG. 18K illustrates a third method for using the cameras
1853A, 1853B to register multiple 3D coordinates obtained from area
scans taken by an area scanner 500, wherein the registration is
based on the matching of projected spots of light rather than
physical targets or natural targets. An external projector 1840
separate from the scanner 500 and camera assembly 1350 projects
spots of light 1832 onto the object and/or spots of light 1834 off
the object but in the vicinity of the object. The cameras 1853A,
1853B image these spots of light in the same way they imaged the
physical targets in FIG. 18J, and the processor determines 3D
coordinates of the object surface in the same manner in each
case.
[0159] As used herein, the term "mark" may be used to refer to any
of the physical features used to assist in the registration of
multiple sets of 3D coordinates obtained by the scanner 500 in
combination with the camera assembly 1850. In the discussion herein
above, four marks were described: (1) natural features of the
object surface (or features on a stationary surface proximate the
object); (2) LED markers (targets) on the object or proximate to
the object; (3) reflective markers (targets) on the object or
proximate the object; and (4) spots of light projected onto the
object or proximate the object by an external projector not located
on the scanner 500 or camera assembly 1350.
[0160] Much of the discussion herein above has described
improvements in registration possible when, for each single
determination of 3D coordinates of surface points by the scanner
500, three or more marks are viewed by the two cameras 1853A, 1853B
on the camera assembly 1350, with any two successive scans having
at least three common points. However, in some embodiments,
registration is possible based on information obtained by a single
camera on the camera assembly and by fewer than three marks viewed
by the camera. For example, the projected light (line of light or
area of light) from the projector 510 may also be viewed by the one
or more cameras 1853A, 1853B and matched along with at least one
mark in successive images, thereby providing much more registration
information in some cases than the marks alone. Furthermore, it is
also possible to process data so that registration is not based
entirely on a matching of two 2D images obtained by one or more
cameras on the camera assembly, but on a matching of multiple 2D
images obtained by one or more cameras obtained on a large number
of 2D images and on the corresponding large number of 3D images
obtained by the scanner 500.
[0161] FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D are isometric, side, side, and
front views, respectively, of a detachable six-DOF tracker target
assembly 1900 coupled to a handheld triangulation scanner 500. FIG.
19E is an isometric view of the detachable six-DOF tracker target
assembly configured for coupling to the handheld triangulation
scanner. Coupling is made through the mechanical and electrical
interface 426. The electrical interface 426 includes two parts, a
first part 426A, which in this case is a scanner connector 426A,
and a second part 426B, which in this case is a six-DOF tracker
assembly connector 426B. The first part and the second part couple
together to hold the scanner 500 is fixed position and orientation
relative to the six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900.
[0162] In an embodiment, the six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900
further includes a display 1942. In an embodiment, the display 1942
shows 3D measurement data or 2D images. The display 1942 may
further indicate annotation for the object or provide a menu in a
user interface, for example, using the touch screen. In an
embodiment, the six-DOF tracker target assembly further includes
electronics 1944 that includes a battery and may include a wireless
communication channel, including an antenna, and may further
include a processor.
[0163] The six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900 cooperates with a
laser tracker 4010 to determine six degrees of freedom of the
assembly 1900. The six degrees of freedom include three
translational degrees of freedom (e.g., x, y, z), which the tracker
determines as explained herein above with reference to FIG. 14B.
The tracker also determines three orientational degrees of freedom
(e.g., pitch, roll, and yaw angles) through cooperative action with
the six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900. Such a six-DOF tracker
target assembly may be one of a variety of types, for example, such
as those described in the aforementioned patents '758, '983, '809,
and patent application '525, all which are incorporated by
reference herein above. By measuring the six degrees of freedom of
the connected six-DOF accessory 1900 and scanner 500, the tracker
can track the position and orientation of the scanner 500 relative
to the object, thereby enabling relatively accurate registration of
multiple line scans or area scans. In an embodiment, a probe tip
1915 is attached to a probe coupler 1920. The tracker determines
the 3D coordinates of the probe tip 1915 based on the measured six
degrees of freedom.
[0164] In an embodiment, the laser tracker 4010 cooperates with the
six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900 and a processor to determine
the six degrees of freedom of the six-DOF tracker target assembly
1900. In an embodiment, the laser tracker 4010 sends a beam of
light to a six-DOF target 1930, which may include a retroreflector
target that in an embodiment is a cube-corner retroreflector. A
collection 1910 of multiple six-DOF targets 1930 may be provided to
permit convenient viewing of the six-DOF targets from a wide range
of angles. A first portion of the light returning from the
retroreflector travels to a distance meter in the laser tracker
4010 to determine a distance from the tracker to the retroreflector
and a second portion of the light travels to a tracker position
detector that generates an electrical position signal indicating
the position of the beam of light on the retroreflector. In one
mode of operation, the position detector provides the electrical
signal to a control system that includes motors to steer the beam
of light to keep it centered on the retroreflector, thereby
enabling tracking of the retroreflector as it is moved. In
addition, as explained herein above, the tracker uses angular
transducers such as angular encoders to provide two angles that
specify the direction of the laser beam. With these two angles and
the distance provided by the distance meter, the three
translational degrees of freedom are obtained for the six-DOF
tracker target assembly 1900. Signals from the six-DOF targets may
be sent to an electrical unit 1940 for processing and
synchronization of data.
[0165] As explained herein above, many methods are possible for
determining the three orientational degrees of freedom, for
example, as described in the patents '758, '983, '809, and patent
application '525. These disclose methods that include (1) measuring
the position of multiple light sources on a tracker six-DOF target
with a camera on the laser tracker to determine the three
orientational degrees of freedom; (2) measuring lines marked on a
cube-corner retroreflector to determine the three orientational
degrees of freedom; and (3) measuring light passing through an
opening in a cube-corner retroreflector to determine pitch and yaw
angles and measuring angle of inclination to determine roll angle.
Other methods of measuring three orientational degrees of freedom
are possible, and any method of measuring three orientational
degrees of freedom may be used with the six-DOF tracker target
assembly 1900.
[0166] A preliminary step in the methods described below is to
obtain a common frame of reference for the scanner 500 and six-DOF
tracker target assembly 1900. Such a preliminary step may be
carried out at the manufacturer's factory or by the operator by
performing procedures prescribed by the manufacturer. The common
frame of reference can be obtained, for example, by viewing common
features with the scanner 500 and camera assembly 1900, and then
performing a least-squares optimization procedure to match the
observed features. Such methods are well known in the art and are
not discussed further.
[0167] In an embodiment, the six-DOF tracker target assembly 1900
further includes a tactile probe 1915, which connects to the
collection of six-DOF targets 1910 through an interface unit 1920.
The interface unit may provide convenient attaching and detaching
of different tactile probes 1915. It may also provide electrical
functionality needed to special types of probes such as a "touch
probe" that takes a measurement as soon as the probe touches an
object.
[0168] In an embodiment, the laser tracker 4010 further measures
additional retroreflector targets in an environment, thereby
establishing a frame of reference in the environment. The six-DOF
assembly 1900 and scanner 500 cooperate with the laser tracker 4010
to determine the position of an object within the frame of
reference of the environment. In an embodiment, in a further step,
the tracker 4010 is moved to a new location where it re-measures
some of the retroreflector targets to determine its position and
orientation in the frame of reference of the environment,
determined in an earlier step. From its new vantage point, the
laser tracker 4010 may cooperate with the six-DOF assembly 4010 and
scanner 500 to measure additional sides of the object not
previously visible to scanner 500.
[0169] Referring now to FIGS. 19B, 19C, in an embodiment, the
combined scanner 500 and six-DOF assembly 1900 includes an
electrical connector assembly 1890 having a connector 1892,
protective cap 1894, and tether 1896. In an embodiment, the
connector 1892 connects to a cable 1897 that attaches to an
electronics unit 1898 having a power supply 1872 and a processor
1874. In an embodiment, the electronics unit 1898 connects to other
components through an electrical cable 1899. In an embodiment, the
electronics unit attaches to the laser tracker 4010. In an
embodiment, the electrical signals traveling on the cable 1897 are
synchronized among the tracker 4010, the six-DOF assembly 1900, and
the scanner 500. In an embodiment, to obtain synchronization a time
stamp is provided by the laser tracker 4010 and a time stamp is
also provided by the assembly that includes the scanner 500 and the
six-DOF assembly 1900.
[0170] In an embodiment, the electrical cable 1899 is an industrial
real-time bus connected to and synchronized with other devices in
an industrial automation network. In an embodiment, electronics in
the electronics unit 1899 includes electronics to provide a
time-stamp according to IEEE 1588. In an embodiment, the electrical
line 1899 is a real-time bus, which might be EtherCAT, SERCOS III,
PROFINET, POWERLINK, or EtherNet/IP, for example. Such a real-time
bus may attach to dozens or hundreds of other devices in an
automation network.
[0171] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a detachable six-DOF target
assembly 2000 coupled to a handheld triangulation scanner 500. The
targets on the six-DOF target assembly 2000 may be measured with a
camera bar, such as the camera bar 5110 of FIGS. 15-17. In an
embodiment, the targets on the six-DOF target assembly may be
measured with two or more cameras separately mounted in an
environment, which is to say, not attached to a common bar. A
camera bar includes two or more cameras spaced apart by a
camera-bar baseline. Triangulation is applied to the images of the
targets obtained by the two cameras to determine the six degrees of
freedom of the six-DOF target assembly and scanner 500. Additional
geometrical information such as camera-bar baseline and orientation
of the cameras in the camera bar are used by a processor in the
triangulation calculation.
[0172] In an embodiment, the six-DOF target assembly 2000 includes
a collection of light points 2010, an electrical enclosure 2040,
and a tactile probe 1915. In an embodiment, the collection of light
points 2010 include some points 2022 mounted directly to the
structure 2012 and other points of light 2024 mounted on pedestals
2026. In an embodiment, the points of light 2022, 2024 are LEDs. In
another embodiment, the points of light 2022, 2024 are reflective
spots. In an embodiment, the reflective spots are illuminated by an
external source of light. In an embodiment, the points or light are
positioned so as to be visible from a wide range of viewing angles
relative to the scanner 500.
[0173] In an embodiment, the structure 2012 sits on an electrical
enclosure 2040 that provides processing and synchronization of
data. In an embodiment, the interface 426 includes a scanner
connector 426A and an assembly connector 426B. The connectors 426A
and 426B are configured to detachably couple the scanner 500 to the
target assembly 2000. In an embodiment, a camera bar fixed in
place, for example, on a tripod tracks the six degrees of freedom
of the target assembly 2000 and scanner 500 while operator holds
the scanner by the handle 504 and moves the target assembly 2000
and scanner 500 over an object. A processor receives data from the
scanner 500 and target assembly 2000 to register multiple scans of
data to obtain 3D coordinates of points on an object surface.
[0174] In an embodiment, the six-DOF target assembly includes a
tactile probe 1915 which connects to the electrical enclosure 2040
through a probe interface 1920. The probe interface 1920 may
provide touch probe or analog probe electronics. A scanner 500 may
provide a lot of detailed information quickly, but may provide less
information about edges or holes than might be desired. The tactile
probe 1915 can be used by the operator to obtain this desired
information.
[0175] In an embodiment, the six-DOF target assembly 2000 further
includes a display 2042. In an embodiment, the display 2042 shows
3D measurement data or 2D images. The display 2042 may further
indicate annotation for the object or provide a menu in a user
interface, for example, using the touch screen. In an embodiment,
the six-DOF tracker target assembly further includes electronics
2044 that includes a battery and may include a wireless
communication channel, including an antenna, and may further
include a processor.
[0176] FIG. 21A shows a triangulation scanner having a removable
handle and an attachable accessory, the attachable accessory
configured to help determine position and orientation of the
triangulation scanner in relation to an object. In an embodiment, a
triangulation scanner 2100 includes a removable handle 2154 that
may be removed and replaced by an operator through an attachment
2153, for example, with screws. Unlike the handle shown in FIG. 11A
that includes electrical components, few if any electrical elements
are included in the removable handle 2154. In an embodiment,
electrical connections may be provided for the actuators (push
buttons) 2164, 2166. In an embodiment, after the handle is removed,
a scanner assembly 2102 includes electrical components moved into a
portion 2106 beneath a portion 2107 that houses the camera 508 and
projector 510. By providing a flat surface 2108 on the bottom of
the lower portion 2106, the scanner 2102 and any other assemblies
attached to it can be conveniently mounted on a robot end effector
or next to a conveyor belt of an assembly line. In contrast to a
handheld application, in which stability of the scanner cannot be
assured, by mounting the scanner 2102 on a flat stable surface, it
becomes possible to perform sequential scanning measurements that
take longer but are more accurate. Such measurements, for example,
sinusoidal phase shift methods, stability is desired between
successive measurements.
[0177] In an embodiment a camera assembly 1850 is attached through
a mechanical and electrical interface 426 to the scanner 2102. In
other embodiments, the camera assembly 1850 in FIG. 21A is replaced
with a six-DOF tracker target assembly 1910 as shown in FIG. 21C,
with scanner 500 replaced by scanner 2100B. In another embodiment,
the camera assembly 1850 in FIG. 21A is replaced with a six-DOF
target assembly 2000, such as the six-DOF target assembly shown in
FIG. 20. The triangulation scanner that includes projector 510 and
camera 508 may be a laser line probe that projects a line of light
or an area scanner that projects an area of light.
[0178] For the case in which the scanner 2100B is used on a
manufacturing assembly line, a signal from a linear encoder tied to
the assembly line may be sent to the scanner 2100B or to a
processor in the system to synchronize scanner measurements to the
assembly line movement. By this method, the accuracy of the
dimensional scale measured by scanner can be assured. The
electrical box 2170 may provide synchronization signals and other
signals to and from the scanner 2100B and camera assembly 1850 (or
other accessory). Alternatively, the electrical box may transfer
time stamps, which might be synchronized through IEEE 1588 methods,
or the electrical box may be attached to a real-time bus 2172 such
as EtherCAT, SERCOS III, PROFINET, POWERLINK, or EtherNet/IP.
[0179] For the case in which the scanner is held stationary, for
example on a robot end effector or next to a moving conveyor belt,
the flat bottom triangulation scanner 2100B may be used. For the
case in which a linear encoder provides the scanner 2100B with
timing signals from an linear encoder, the scanner 2100B with no
additional accessories as shown in FIG. 21B, provides a convenient
configuration. For the case in which the scanner is mounted on a
robot arm that provides only low accuracy information on its
movements, the embodiment of FIG. 21C in which a six-DOF tracker
target accessory 1900 is attached through an interface 426 provides
a way to transfer the high accuracy of a six-DOF laser tracker
measurement to the measurements made by the scanner 2100B in FIG.
21C.
[0180] In an embodiment, the scanner 2100B further includes a color
camera 515, as illustrated in FIG. 21B. In an embodiment, a color
image captured by the color camera is used to provide colors for
the 3D coordinates of object points collected by the scanner
2100B.
[0181] FIG. 22 is a front view of a triangulation scanner 2210 that
includes two cameras 2214, 2216 and a projector 2212 arranged in a
triangle. In an embodiment, the scanner also includes a color
camera 2218. The handle of the triangulation scanner 2210 may be a
removable handle 2154 or a permanently attached handle 504. The
triangulation scanner 2210 is configured for connection to an
articulated arm CMM 100 or alternatively to an assembly selected
from the group consisting of: (1) a six-DOF tracker target assembly
1910 as described in reference to FIGS. 19A-19E; (2) a camera
assembly 1850 as described in reference to FIGS. 18A-18D; and (3) a
six-DOF light point target assembly as described in reference to
FIG. 20.
[0182] Two cameras (a first camera and a second camera) and a
projector are arranged in a triangle as shown in FIG. 22. This
arrangement has three sets of epipolar line constraints, a first
set of constraints for the first camera and the second camera, a
second set of constraints for the first camera and the projector,
and a third set of constraints for the second camera and the
projector. By solving these constraints simultaneously, it possible
to obtain 3D coordinates of points on an object surface in a
single-shot triangulation measurement, even using uncoded patterns
of light. For example, it is possible to determine 3D coordinates
of projected spots of light obtained from passing light through
grating diffractive optical element (DOE), each spot of light
indistinguishable from the others. This method is described more
fully in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0168379, the
contents of which are incorporated by reference.
[0183] To perform the measurement with the triangulation scanner
having two cameras and a projector arranged in a triangle as shown
in FIG. 22, three separate triangulation measurements are made, one
for the two cameras, one for the first camera and the projector,
and one for the second camera and projector. Besides these
calculations, additional calculations are performed to determine
the correspondence between projected and imaged scanners spots
based on epipolar constraints.
[0184] The color camera 2218 may be used to assist in registering
multiple 3D scans obtained by the scanner 2210 by identifying
common target features and adjusting the pose of the multiple 3D
scans to obtain the best match, for example by using mathematical
optimization methods such as least-squares methods.
[0185] Area scanners are also available that arrange the two
cameras and projector in a line rather than in a triangle. Usually
this arrangement is used as a way of eliminating many of the
"shadows" that sometimes occur when a single scanner is used to
view a 3D object. In one method, a single triangulation calculation
is performed between the two cameras or between the projector and
one of the cameras. In an embodiment, all three triangulation
calculations are performed to improve accuracy. However, with the
two cameras and the projector arranged in a straight line, it is
desired to project a coded pattern from a handheld scanner to
determine the correspondence between projected and imaged scanner
spots since epipolar constraints may not be used to determine the
correspondence directly.
[0186] This triangular arrangement of the scanner 2210 of FIG. 22
provides additional information beyond that available for two
cameras and a projector arranged in a straight line. The additional
information may be understood in reference to FIG. 23A, which
explain the concept of epipolar constraints, and FIG. 23B that
explains how epipolar constraints are advantageously applied to the
triangular arrangement of the 3D imager 2210. In FIG. 23A, a 3D
triangulation instrument 1240 includes a device 1 and a device 2 on
the left and right sides of FIG. 23A, respectively. Device 1 and
device 2 may be two cameras or device 1 and device 2 may be one
camera and one projector. Each of the two devices, whether a camera
or a projector, has a perspective center, O.sub.1 and O.sub.2, and
a representative plane, 1230 or 1210. The perspective centers are
separated by a baseline distance B, which is the length of the line
1202. The perspective centers O.sub.1, O.sub.2 are points through
which rays of light may be considered to travel, either to or from
a point on an object. These rays of light either emerge from an
illuminated projector pattern or impinge on a photosensitive array.
The illuminated projector pattern or image plane of the
photosensitive array are moved to the other side of the perspective
center as this placement is symmetrical and equivalent to the
actual projector plane or image plane and simplifies the analysis
described herein below. This placement of the reference planes
1230, 1210 is applied in FIG. 23A, which shows the reference planes
1230, 1210 between the object point and the perspective centers
O.sub.1, O.sub.2.
[0187] In FIG. 23A, for the reference plane 1230 angled toward the
perspective center O.sub.2 and the reference plane 1210 angled
toward the perspective center O.sub.1, a line 1202 drawn between
the perspective centers O.sub.1 and O.sub.2 crosses the planes 1230
and 1210 at the epipole points E.sub.1, E.sub.2, respectively.
Consider a point U.sub.D on the plane 1230. If device 1 is a
camera, it is known that an object point that produces the point
U.sub.D on the image must lie on the line 1238. The object point
might be, for example, one of the points V.sub.A, V.sub.B, V.sub.C,
or V.sub.D. These four object points correspond to the points
W.sub.A, W.sub.B, W.sub.C, W.sub.D, respectively, on the reference
plane 1210 of device 2. This is true whether device 2 is a camera
or a projector. It is also true that the four points lie on a
straight line 1212 in the plane 1210. This line, which is the line
of intersection of the reference plane 1210 with the plane of
O.sub.1-O.sub.2-U.sub.D, is referred to as the epipolar line 1212.
It follows that any epipolar line on the reference plane 1210
passes through the epipole E.sub.2. Just as there is an epipolar
line on the reference plane of device 2 for any point on the
reference plane of device 1, there is also an epipolar line 1234 on
the reference plane of device 1 for any point on the reference
plane of device 2.
[0188] FIG. 23B illustrates the epipolar relationships for a 3D
imager 1290 corresponding to 3D imager 2210 of FIG. 22 in which two
cameras and one projector are arranged in a triangular pattern. In
general, the device 1, device 2, and device 3 may be any
combination of cameras and projectors as long as at least one of
the devices is a camera. Each of the three devices 1291, 1292, 1293
has a perspective center O.sub.1, O.sub.2, O.sub.3, respectively,
and a reference plane 1260, 1270, and 1280, respectively. Each pair
of devices has a pair of epipoles. Device 1 and device 2 have
epipoles E.sub.12, E.sub.21 on the planes 1260, 1270, respectively.
Device 1 and device 3 have epipoles E.sub.13, E.sub.31,
respectively on the planes 1260, 1280, respectively. Device 2 and
device 3 have epipoles E.sub.23, E.sub.32 on the planes 1270, 1280,
respectively. In other words, each reference plane includes two
epipoles. The reference plane for device 1 includes epipoles
E.sub.12 and E.sub.13. The reference plane for device 2 includes
epipoles E.sub.21 and E.sub.23. The reference plane for device 3
includes epipoles E.sub.31 and E.sub.32.
[0189] Consider the situation of FIG. 23B in which device 3 is a
projector, device 1 is a first camera, and device 2 is a second
camera. Suppose that a projection point P.sub.3, a first image
point P.sub.1, and a second image point P.sub.2 are obtained in a
measurement. These results can be checked for consistency in the
following way.
[0190] To check the consistency of the image point P.sub.1,
intersect the plane P.sub.3-E.sub.31-E.sub.13 with the reference
plane 1260 to obtain the epipolar line 1264. Intersect the plane
P.sub.2-E.sub.21-E.sub.12 to obtain the epipolar line 1262. If the
image point P.sub.1 has been determined consistently, the observed
image point P.sub.1 will lie on the intersection of the calculated
epipolar lines 1262 and 1264.
[0191] To check the consistency of the image point P.sub.2,
intersect the plane P.sub.3-E.sub.32-E.sub.23 with the reference
plane 1270 to obtain the epipolar line 1274. Intersect the plane
P.sub.1-E.sub.12-E.sub.21 to obtain the epipolar line 1272. If the
image point P.sub.2 has been determined consistently, the observed
image point P.sub.2 will lie on the intersection of the calculated
epipolar lines 1272 and 1274.
[0192] To check the consistency of the projection point P.sub.3,
intersect the plane P.sub.2-E.sub.23-E.sub.32 with the reference
plane 1280 to obtain the epipolar line 1284. Intersect the plane
P.sub.1-E.sub.13-E.sub.31 to obtain the epipolar line 1282. If the
projection point P.sub.3 has been determined consistently, the
projection point P.sub.3 will lie on the intersection of the
calculated epipolar lines 1282 and 1284.
[0193] The redundancy of information provided by using a 3D imager
2210 having a triangular arrangement of projector and cameras may
be used to reduce measurement time, to identify errors, and to
automatically update compensation/calibration parameters.
[0194] In an embodiment, perspective centers of the cameras 2214,
2216 and the projector 2212 lie in a first plane of the 3D imager
2210. The cameras 2214, 2216, and the projector 2212 further have
corresponding optical axes, each of the optical axes passing
through the perspective center, each of the optical axes being
generally along a direction perpendicular to the lens system of the
camera or projector. In an embodiment, the first plane that
includes the three perspective centers does not further contain the
optical axes of the either camera 2214, 2216 or the optical axis of
the projector 2212. In other words, the triangulation pattern of
the scanner 2210 must conform to the illustration of FIG. 22 rather
than placing the three perspective centers in a plane perpendicular
to the plane of the front view of FIG. 22.
[0195] In an embodiment, there are three baseline distances 2220A,
2220B, and 2220C between pairs of the perspective centers of the
two cameras 2214, 2216 and the projector 2212. Although a single
baseline distance is sufficient to determine 3D coordinates of an
object with the scanner 2210, it is advantageous to perform the
calculation using all three baseline distances 2220A, 2220B, and
2220C.
[0196] In an embodiment, epipolar constraints, as described herein
above with respect to FIG. 23B, are used to determine 3D
coordinates of points on an object. Although it is not always
necessary to use epipolar constraints in the determination of 3D
distances, there are advantages in using the epipolar constraints
as described herein above.
[0197] In an embodiment, 3D imager 2210 may include a display (not
shown), which may be integrated with a touchscreen. Such a display
may provide real-time scanning information. It may also provide
messages and enable a user to enter instructions through an user
interface tied to the touchscreen. In a further embodiment, the 3D
imager may include a replaceable battery, a controller, and a
wireless communication system. In an embodiment, the color camera
2218 may further be used to attach colors to the 3D points obtained
with the 3D imager 2210.
[0198] The scanner 2210 includes a detachable coupler 426A by which
it attaches to a mating coupler 426C on an AACMM 100 or on a
connector 426B on an assembly such as the six-DOF tracker target
assembly 1910, as shown in FIG. 22. It may alternatively attach to
the camera assembly 1850 or the six-DOF light point target assembly
2000. The scanner 2210 may also have a removable handle that
enables it to sit flat. This may be useful for example in an
assembly line application such as an application involving a
conveyor belt.
[0199] In accordance with an embodiment, a device for measuring
three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of an object having a surface
includes: a processor; a triangulation scanner including a
projector, a scanner camera, and a scanner connector, the projector
configured to project a scanner pattern onto the object surface,
the scanner camera configured to form an image of the scanner
pattern and to send an electrical scanner signal to the processor
in response, there being a scanner baseline distance between the
scanner camera and the projector, the scanner connector configured
to detachably couple to a connector of an articulated arm
coordinate measurement machine (AACMM); and a camera assembly
including a first assembly camera and a camera assembly connector,
the first assembly camera configured to form a first image of the
object surface and to send a first electrical assembly signal to
the processor in response, the camera assembly connector configured
to detachably couple to the scanner connector, wherein the
processor is configured to determine the 3D coordinates of the
object surface whether the triangulation scanner is coupled to or
uncoupled from the AACMM, the determining based at least in part on
the scanner pattern, the first electrical scanner signal, and the
scanner baseline distance. In a further embodiment, the device of
is configured to determine the 3D coordinates of the object surface
further based on the first electrical assembly signal when the
camera assembly connector is coupled to the scanner connector. In
accordance with a further embodiment, the camera assembly further
includes a second assembly camera, the second assembly camera being
configured to form a second image of the object surface and to send
a second electrical assembly signal to the processor in response,
there being an assembly baseline distance between the first
assembly camera and the second assembly camera, the processor being
configured to determine the 3D coordinates of the object surface
further based on the second electrical assembly signal and the
assembly baseline distance. In an embodiment, the triangulation
scanner is a laser line probe, with the projector is configured to
project a line of light. In an embodiment, the triangulation
scanner is an area scanner, with the projector configured to
project light to cover an area on the object surface. In an
embodiment, the first assembly camera further includes a first
assembly light source proximate the first assembly camera, the
first assembly light source configured to illuminate a reflective
marker on the object surface or proximate the object surface. In an
embodiment, the device further comprises a battery. In an
embodiment, the device further includes a color camera configured
to produce a color image, the color camera configured to produce an
electrical signal of the color image, the processor being
configured to add color to the 3D coordinates of the object surface
based at least in part on the electrical signal of the color image.
In an embodiment, the device further includes a display, which may
further include a touch screen.
[0200] In accordance with an embodiment, a method for measuring
three-dimensional (3D) coordinates includes: providing an object, a
processor, a triangulation scanner, a camera assembly, and a mark,
the object having a surface, the triangulation scanner including a
projector, a scanner camera, and a scanner connector, the camera
assembly including a first assembly camera and a camera assembly
connector, the camera assembly connector configured to detachably
couple to the scanner connector, the mark being on the object or
proximate the object; and connecting the scanner connector to the
camera assembly connector. In a first instance of the embodiment,
the embodiment includes: projecting with the projector a first
light onto the object surface; forming with the scanner camera an
image of the first light and sending a first electrical scan signal
to the processor in response; forming with the first assembly
camera a first image of the mark and sending a first electrical
mark signal to the processor in response. In a second instance of
the embodiment, the embodiment includes: projecting with the
projector a second light onto the object surface; forming with the
scanner camera an image of the second light and sending a second
electrical scan signal to the processor in response; forming with
the first assembly camera a second image of the mark and sending a
second electrical mark signal in response. In addition, the
embodiment further includes determining with the processor the 3D
coordinates based at least in part on the first light, the second
light, the first electrical scan signal, the second electrical scan
signal, the first electrical mark signal, and the second electrical
mark signal; and storing the 3D coordinates. In a further
embodiment, the triangulation scanner is a laser line probe. In a
further embodiment, the triangulation scanner is an area scanner.
In a further embodiment, the mark is a natural feature of the
object. In a further embodiment, the mark is a light emitting diode
(LED) place on the object or in proximity to the object. In a
further embodiment, the mark is a reflective target. In a further
embodiment, the camera assembly further includes a light source. In
a further embodiment, the mark is a reflective target illuminated
by the light source on the camera assembly. A further embodiment
includes providing an external projector, the external projector
separate from the triangulation scanner and the camera assembly. In
a further embodiment, the mark is a spot of light projected by the
external projector. A further embodiment includes providing three
marks. In a further embodiment, the first image includes the three
marks and the second image includes the three marks. In a further
embodiment, the camera assembly further includes a second assembly
camera. In a further embodiment includes: in the first instance,
forming with the second assembly camera a third image of the mark
and sending a third electrical mark signal to the processor in
response, and, in the second instance, forming with the second
assembly camera a fourth image of the mark and sending a fourth
electrical mark signal to the processor in response. In a further
embodiment, the processor determines 3D coordinates further based
on the third electrical mark signal and the fourth electrical mark
signal.
[0201] In accordance with an embodiment, a system for measuring
three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of an object surface includes: a
processor; a target device including a triangulation scanner and a
six degree-of-freedom (six-DOF) target assembly, the triangulation
scanner including a projector, a scanner camera, and a scanner
connector, the projector configured to project a scanner pattern
onto the object surface, the scanner camera configured to form an
image of the scanner pattern and to send an electrical scanner
signal to the processor in response, the six-DOF target assembly
including a collection of light points and an assembly connector
configured to detachably couple to the scanner connector; a camera
bar device including a first camera and a second camera separated
by a camera-bar baseline distance, the first camera and the second
camera fixed in space, the first camera configured to form a first
light point image of the collection of light points and to send a
first electrical light point signal to the processor in response,
the second camera configured to form a second light point image of
the collection of light points and to send a second electrical
light point signal to the processor in response, wherein the
processor is configured to determine the 3D coordinates of the
object surface based at least in part on the scanner pattern, the
electrical scanner signal, the first electrical light point signal,
the second electrical light point signal, and the camera-bar
baseline distance.
* * * * *