Other

Boulder Innovation Group Inc.

Ivan Faul

Faul, Ivan

Dennis John Toms

Juris George Melkis

Systems and methods improve the accuracy of spatial coordinate measurements by optical digitizers by obtaining a separate distance measurement, which may be via direct ranging rather than triangulation, and combining the distance measurement with the spatial coordinate measurements to improve the accuracy of the three-dimensional spatial coordinate measurement.

Optical digitizer with improved distance measurement capability

A simplified system and method for synchronizing a three dimensional digitizers is disclosed. Various three dimensional digitizers utilize detected light sequences received from a probe as a synchronization signal negating the need for complex synchronization circuitry and communication signals. One embodiment utilizes no transmitted synchronization signal, but relies on embedded, high-stability clocks to maintain synchronization after initial one-time synchronization of the clocks. In this manner the design of the three dimensional digitizer may be simplified.

Methods and systems for realizing reduced complexity in three-dimensional digitizer systems

A system for determining a location on a 2D surface or in a 3D volume. The system includes a probe and a tracker. The probe includes a marker, an indicator, and a reflective surface, wherein the probe is configured so the reflective surface forms a virtual image of the marker having an apparent location coincident to a location of the indicator. The tracker configured to measure the apparent location of the virtual image of the marker.

System for determining a location on a 2D surface or in a 3D volume

A probe for use in a coordinate digitizing system includes an indicator, such as a pointing tip or crosshairs, and a marker, the location of which can be determined by a marker tracking system relative to a coordinate system. The probe is configured to effectively place the marker's virtual image&#x2014;as seen by the tracker&#x2014;at the same location as the indicator without blocking a user's view of the indicator.

Probe with a virtual marker

The invention provides method and apparatus for supplying electrical energy to battery powered equipment of the type utilizing removable batteries. The method of the invention includes the steps of: placing within the battery compartment or battery holder of the equipment a rechargeable storage means for storing electrical energy to which is permanently attached and electrically connected a conversion means for converting light to electrical energy; establishing electrical connection between the rechargeable storage means and the equipment; utilizing the equipment in the normal manner until the rechargeable storage means is depleted of energy; removing the rechargeable storage means together with the attached conversion means from the battery compartment of the equipment; placing the rechargeable storage means together with the conversion means in such location and position that the conversion means is illuminated by light; conducting electrical charge from the conversion means to the rechargeable storage means; waiting until the rechargeable storage means is recharged; and reinserting the rechargeable storage means together with the conversion means in the battery compartment of the equipment. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is characterized by a flexible member which contains the conversion means and which may be unfurled during charging so as to maximize the area of the conversion means exposed to incident light. After charging the flexible member is rolled up or wrapped around the circumference of the unit so that the entire unit will fit into the battery compartment or battery holder of the equipment to be powered.

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Estes Park, CO, United States of America

Dennis John Toms