Arcsecond, Inc.

Omni Solutions International, Ltd.

Imageamerica, Inc.

Thomas M Hedges

Timothy Pratt

Scott C Casteel

Michael J Sobel

Rick Slater

Edmund S Pendleton

Donald Todd

Jerry A Speasl

Eric J Lundberg

Sean M Beliveau

David G Weir

Thomas Cuff

Edward R Barrientos

Andrew W Dornbusch

Yvan J Beliveau

Jeffrey F Skolnick

Hiro Takagi

Roger Wells

Frey Wain

Doug Gaff

A method and system allows conversion of three-dimensional data from a default coordinate frame to an arbitrary user-selected coordinate frame. The method includes obtaining position data in a default coordinate frame and transforming the data into an alternate coordinate frame defined by the user. The alternate coordinate frame can be defined by allowing the user to select a plane, an origin, and an axis, using any desired coordinate system and in any desired orientation. The transformed data allows presentation of position measurements in a form that is relevant to the user's specific application.

Method and system for creating a user-selectable arbitrary coordinate frame

Positions can be precisely and accurately fixed instantaneously within a three-dimensional workspace. A system of two or more transmitters each continuously sweep the workspace with two fanned laser beams which are preferably about 90 degrees apart on the rotational axis of the transmitter. A receiving instrument includes, preferably, two light detectors which detect the time at which each fanned laser beam is incident thereon. The light detectors also detect a synchronization pulse from each transmitter that is emitted once per revolution. Beams from different transmitters are differentiated by different rotational speeds and, therefore, different beam incidence cycles. Because three intersecting planes uniquely define a point in three-dimensional space, by detecting at least three of the fan beams from the transmitters, the receiving instrument can calculate its position in the workspace. A Quick Calc setup procedure allows the use to define a desired coordinate system within the workspace.

Method and optical receiver with easy setup means for use in position measurement systems

An optical transmitter for use in position location or position measurement systems includes (i) an assembly including two optical sources that generate two optical beams which diverge in known ways in a first and second plane, respectively, and are narrow in the orthogonal planes, (ii) a power source which provides power to the assembly to rotate it at a constant angular velocity or with a previously known pattern of velocities through each complete rotation of the assembly, and (iii) a signaling unit that emits a synchronization signal at a specific rotational position of the assembly. The optical transmitter can be used in systems for determining points, lines, planes, distances, areas, volumes, azimuth, elevation, range, angles, or any other positional or spatial variable. The optical transmitter has wide application in, for example, surveying, construction, and the creation of virtual or real environments.

Rotating head optical transmitter for position measurement system

An improved, low-cost optical transmitter and method useful in a three-dimensional measurement system wherein a plurality of operational parameters of said transmitter are calibrated during manufacture/assembly process to generate unique calibration data for each optical transmitter including data defining angles of each transmitter's first and second radiant fan beams and the angle between the beams when the transmitter is leveled for operation in the system and wherein a detector/receiver in the system distinguishes between radiant beams from a plurality of individual transmitters operable within a given measurement field as a function of the selectively alterable rotational velocity calibration data for each of said transmitters and wherein said angular calibration data for each transmitter is operationally available to each detector/receiver operable in the system.

Low cost transmitter with calibration means for use in position measurement systems

An improved low cost theodolite position measurement system and process which is particularly useful in enabling a single operator to conveniently set up the system and calculate elevation (el) and azimuth (az) angle data. Only a single optical transmitter is positioned within a predetermined workspace thus significantly decreasing equipment costs and setup time. The single transmitter is positioned and leveled at a predetermined point in the workspace. In operation the single rotatably mounted transmitter head illuminates the workspace volume with a pair of spaced apart precalibrated fan beams which sweep the space and a periodically emitted reference strobe pulse. At least one optical receiver is selectively positionable within said workspace so that during each revolution of said single transmitter head said receiver receives a first position strike and a second position strike of said fan beams. To determine elevation angle data, tracker logic means responsive to said receiver determines a first tie interval separation between receiving said first position strike and said second position strike and calculation means for converting said first time separation interval into an elevation angle data. To determine an azimuth angle data said receiver receives a strobe pulse and a fan beam position strike, both of which are repeatedly transmitted with a known periodicity, determining a measure of time separation related to the strobe pulse and the position strike, and converting the measure of time separation into the azimuth angle data utilizing the known periodicity.

Low cost 2D position measurement system and method

An improved three-dimensional position detector and measurement system includes one or more transmitters that each transmit planar light beams and a strobe pulse and a receiver that responds to illumination from the beams and the strobe. The receiver in the system includes calibration logic for executing a quadratic mathematical algorithm to uniquely characterize said planar beams of each of said optical transmitters active in said measurement field. In one embodiment, the quadratic mathematical algorithm uses cones to represent the scan path of the planar beams.

Position measurement system and method using cone math calibration

An improved airborne, direct digital panoramic camera system and method in which an in-line electro-optical sensor eliminates the need for photographic film and film transport apparatus normally associated with prior art airborne reconnaissance cameras and yet still retains the very high image resolution quality which is so important in intelligence operations and commercial geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and other remote sensing applications. The present invention provides a simpler, more efficient and less costly panoramic camera by utilizing a lens in conjunction with the electro-optical line array sensor wherein the lens can be simpler and less expensive than a framing camera because it essentially requires quality focus in only one dimension and by eliminating the burden and delay necessitated in film processing and development. The massive amounts of digital data generated by the camera are compressed and any motion or panoramic errors are easily correctable in the digital data, while such errors were nearly impossible to correct in a cost effective fashion from film images. The compressed digital image data may be stored and retrieved later for utilization in computer type networks or alternatively can be transmitted from the aircraft to a ground station for prompt utilization.

Direct digital airborne panoramic camera system and method

An airborne direct digital panoramic camera system and method in which an in-line electro-optical sensor eliminates the need for photographic film and film transport apparatus normally associated with prior art airborne reconnaissance cameras and yet still retains the very high image resolution quality which is so important in intelligence operations and commercial geographic information systems (GIS), mapping and other remote sensing applications. The system provides a simpler, more efficient and less costly panoramic camera by utilizing a lens in conjunction with the electro-optical line array sensor wherein the lens can be simpler and less expensive than a framing camera because it essentially requires quality focus in only one dimension and by eliminating the burden and delay necessitated in film processing and development. The massive amounts of digital data generated by the camera are compressed and any motion or panoramic errors are easily correctable in the digital data, while such errors were nearly impossible to correct in a cost effective fashion from film images. The compressed digital image data may be stored and retrieved later for utilization in computer type networks or alternatively can be transmitted from the aircraft to a ground station for prompt utilization.

Growing community of inventors

Great Falls, VA, United States of America

Thomas M Hedges