A noncontact optical three-dimensional measuring device that includes a projector, a first camera, and a second camera; a processor electrically coupled to the projector, the first camera and the second camera; and computer readable media which, when executed by the processor, causes the first digital signal to be collected at a first time and the second digital signal to be collected at a second time different than the first time and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a first point on the surface based at least in part on the first digital signal and the first distance and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a second point on the surface based at least in part on the second digital signal and the second distance.

Three-dimensional coordinate scanner and method of operation

Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of coordinates for three targets and at least one added point; capturing on a photosensitive array a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the targets; obtaining spot positions on a photosensitive array of a tracker camera from the reflected light; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the photosensitive array and the coordinates of the targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the targets based at least in part on the coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based at least in part on the measured 3-D coordinates of the targets and the coordinates of the at least one added point.

Automatic measurement of dimensional data with a laser tracker

A laser scanner sensor for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. Applications of the laser scanner system includes measurement of the dimensional weight of parcel(s) being transported by a moving forklift. In the laser scanner sensor, a laser diode supplies a laser beam that is intensity-modulated by a reference waveform from a waveform generator. A variation of the optical scanning sensor system scans a field of measurement which the moving forklift traverses. The forklift has at least three retroreflectors attached to act as calibration targets within the viewing field. The scanner system intensity-modulates the laser beam, and receives reflected intensity-modulated light and supplies it to an optical processing system that includes an aperture that transmits a first percentage of light reflected from the maximum object distance and a second, lesser percentage of light reflected from objects closer than the maximum object distance. A photodectector receives the processed light and converts the energy into an amplitude-modulated range signal. Range values are then determined about every 0.1-inches along a scan line. A number of scan lines are assembled in the computer and displayed on a screen as a 3-D image. The 3-D image is then analyzed by the computer to extract the volume of the objects carried on the forklift tines. The volume is then converted to Dimensional Weight (DIM WT) which is used by the shipper to determine tare.

Laser scanning system and applications

A laser scanner for measuring the spatial properties of objects in a scene within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. A laser diode supplies a laser beam that is intensity-modulated by a reference waveform from a waveform generator. An optical scanning system scans the scene with the intensity-modulated laser beam, and receives reflected intensity-modulated light and supplies it to an optical processing system that includes an aperture that transmits a first percentage of light reflected from the maximum object distance and a second, lesser percentage of light reflected from objects closer than the maximum object distance. A photodetector receives the processed light and converts the energy into an amplitude-modulated range signal. A mixer down-converts the frequency into an IF frequency, and a first circuit converts the range signal to the form of a square wave. A phase comparator receives the processed range signal and the reference waveform and outputs a highly accurate signal indicative of the phase difference therebetween. In some embodiments a calibration target may be situated within the scene having a plurality of steps with predefined distances to use as a calibration for measurements of the spatial relationships within the scene.

Laser scanning system

The invention solves a problem of fluctuation in performance in the conventional peripheral monitor for monitoring periphery of a vehicle that measures a distance to other vehicle or any other object by transmitting radio waves and informs a driver of the distance due to variation in environmental conditions such as water drop sticking onto the cover. A peripheral monitor 1 including a transmission antenna 2 for radiating transmission waves through the cover, a receiving antenna 3 for receiving reflected waves through the cover, and a data processor for measuring a distance to any object are disposed together in a cover 7 . A transmission frequency at which reflected wave quantity is minimized is detected by detecting a first reflected signal level from the cover 7, and this frequency is a command to a variable frequency oscillator to conduct a transmission at this frequency at all times.

Peripheral monitor for monitoring periphery of vehicle

A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the level of a surface of a material in a tank. The apparatus and method modulate an optical radiation beam at a radio frequency. The radiation beam is transmitted to the surface and the reflected beam received. The modulation frequency is changed until the phase of the received beam is the same as that from an optical reference path. The optical reference path is any fixed length path that allows the beam to pass from the source of the beam to the receiver that receives the reflected beam. An optical switch determines whether the receiver receives the reflected beam or the reference beam. The change in modulation frequency may then be correlated with the level on the material's surface in the tank.

Tank gauge system

@ A method for determining the level of the surface of a material in a storage tank or vessel comprising the steps of modulating electrically an optical radiation beam by a radio frequency f, continuously variable over a suitable range, transmitting said beam to the surface of the material, receiving the beam reflected from said surface, adjusting the said frequency in order to obtain phase equality of the modulation in the measurement path in which the beam has travelled to the said surface and the modulation in a reference path in which the beam has not travelled to the said surface and deriving from this adjustment information as to the level in the tank or vessel. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the above method.

A method and apparatus for tank gauging using diode lasers and optical fibres

Method and system for measuring vertical density profile of fluid by pressurizing an array of pipes, determining level and pressure signals on each pipe and deriving profile therefrom.

Method and system measuring a vertical density profile of a fluid

In a method and system for measuring a vertical density profile of a fluid (2) in a fluid storage tank (1) an array of open-ended pressure pipes (4) extends downward into said fluid. The top end of each pressure pipe is connectable with a common pressurizing gas supply (9) and the bottom end incorporates a fluid level sensor head (3). The following steps are carried out for each pipe: 
- connecting said pipe with the common gas supply, 
- conducting the pressurizing gas into said pipe thereby forcing the fluid downward into said fluid level sensor head, comprising a lower end part in which the fluid passes an outlet opening forming an abrupt transition between said lower end part and an open ended tube, 
- determining a level indicating signal from the passing fluid, 
- determining a pressure indicating signal from the pressure on the fluid, and 
- deriving from said level and pressure indicating signals information on the said vertical density profile.

A method and system for measuring a vertical density profile of a fluid

An optical retro-reflective system for detecting releases of hydrocarbons, atmospheric mist or smoke, for example on marine platforms. A modulated optical beam of radiation is transmitted towards a remotely-placed panel of retro-reflective sheeting. The optical transmission is monitored for any reduction caused by particles or droplets on the intervening atmosphere. The reflective sheeting is in the form of a self-adhesive plastic sheet, which can be fixed to cylindrical or flat surfaces.

Cole John Bernard

Papers

Tank gauge system

A method and apparatus for tank gauging using diode lasers and optical fibres

Method and system measuring a vertical density profile of a fluid

A method and system for measuring a vertical density profile of a fluid

Optical retro-reflective system for detecting releases of hydrocarbons, atmospheric mist or smoke